Self-evaluation of the Quality of Life of Seniors with Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Introduction . Quality of life and old age are closely related. Aging is perceived as a destructive, progressive, and irreversible process. This process is caused by biological factors related to physical involution as well as psychosocial factors. Elderly people have difficulties related to deteriorating health. Aim . The study aims to determine the quality of life of elderly people with neurological disorders. Material and Methods . The research was conducted in the Lublin Voivodeship, in a group of 111 elderly people diagnosed with neurological diseases. 51.35% of participants were female. The age of the respondents was in the range of 65–95 years. A standardized questionnaire: the WHOQOL-BREF constituted the research tool. Results . In the examined group of patients, the general quality of life was assessed at an average level of 3.11 ± 1.12, and the assessment of health at the level of 2.81 ± 1.00. The respondents rated the highest the environmental domain (57.05 ± 16.23). The social relationship domain was at an average level; 54.00 ± 24.08, while the psychological one was 46.38 ± 13.16. The physical health domain received the lowest scores (44.53 ± 12.42). Conclusions . The self-evaluation of the quality of life completed by elderly people with neurological disorders was at a low level. Marital status differentiated the quality of life in the social domain. The residence of the studied seniors influenced the assessment of their overall quality of life. (JNNN 2019;8(1):11–15)