Quality of life of the very old : Survey on quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW80+).
BACKGROUND
In Germany, the very old are the most rapidly growing proportion of the population. A comprehensive investigation of the conditions for a good quality of life in this group is relevant for both society and politics.


OBJECTIVE
The project "Quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia" (NRW80+) at the University of Cologne surveys quality of life of the very old. Taking into account many specific methodological and theoretical challenges, it aims at setting up a specific theoretical framework and methodological approach.


METHODS
Existing studies on quality of life in old age in Germany and abroad as well as models on quality of life are reviewed with respect to their relevance for the very old and their specific living conditions, needs and interests. A theoretical framework of quality of life in very old age is developed. The NRW80+ study combines three levels: the empirical level of description of life situations and conditions, the explanative level of evaluating models of quality of life and the normative level of societal and ethical standards and norms.


RESULTS
Considering results of recently conducted studies with the very old, an integrative conceptual model for studying quality of life of very old persons is introduced. In the model of challenges and potentials (CHAPO), environmental and individual factors as well as life chances and life results are thereby taken into consideration from a subjective as well as an objective point of view, supplemented by the concept of successful life conduct.


CONCLUSIONS
Starting from the CHAPO model of quality of life, the representative study NRW80+ aims at challenging methodological standards for the inclusion of the very old in social research thus providing the basis for further research as well as for sustainable social politics especially for the very old.
Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology (ISS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.|ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Michael
M
Wagner
Faculty of Humanities, Work Area Research Methods, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.|ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Christian
C
Rietz
Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology (ISS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. roman.kaspar@uni-koeln.de.|ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany. roman.kaspar@uni-koeln.de.
Roman
R
Kaspar
Medical Faculty, Research Unit Ethics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.|ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Anna
A
Janhsen
Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology (ISS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.|ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Luise
L
Geithner
Faculty of Humanities, Rehabilitative Gerontology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.|ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Michael
M
Neise
ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Carolin
C
Kinne-Wall
Medical Faculty, Research Unit Ethics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.|ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Christiane
C
Woopen
Faculty of Humanities, Rehabilitative Gerontology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.|ceres - Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
Susanne
S
Zank
D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012924:Social Conditions
Population survey; Quality of life; Very old age; Welfare; Well-being