Quality of life in elders living alone in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify and describe predictors of QOL of elders who live alone in Taiwan.


BACKGROUND
Despite a growing population of elders who live alone, research on their quality of life, important for policy decisions and health care provider interventions is virtually absent.


METHODS
A descriptive correlational design surveyed 192 Taiwanese elders living alone, selected at random from urban and rural areas. During home visits elders completed the WHO-QOL-BREF, Social Support Scale and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in addition to providing demographic data.


RESULTS
Multiple linear regressions showed that six variables predicted physical health and the psychological wellbeing QOL domains, accounting for 74.5 and 60.1% of the variance, respectively. Four variables predicted 46.7 and 34.3% of the environmental and the social relationship QOL domains, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Elders who live alone in rural areas and suffer from depression are at high risk for a low quality of life. However, elders living alone reported a better quality of life than their institutionalized counterparts. Interventional research and policy decisions focused on treatment for depression and providing social support networks, as these elders age, will be particularly important.


CONCLUSIONS
By understanding variables associated with elders' quality of life, nurses can coordinate interventions to improve their quality of life. Poorly educated rural women who live alone are particularly vulnerable. Nursing assessment of quality of life indicators and implementation of strategies for increased social support are needed for high-risk elders.
Lin
Pao-Chen
PC
Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa College of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.
Yen
Miaofen
M
Fetzer
Susan Jane
SJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016014:Linear Models; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology