| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 衛生福利研究所 === 96 === Abstract
Background：
The concept of “Active ageing” raised by World Health Organization evaluates elders’ life from positive viewpoint, and encourages the elderly to maintain autonomy and independence. Previous research found that the degree of economic and living independency of the middle aged and elderly is becoming more and more independent. However, few studies ever explored the relationship between the independent living and life satisfaction of the middle and old age people in Taiwan.
Purpose：
The aim of this study are: (1) To understand the current situation and trends of independent living and life satisfaction of middle and old age people in Taiwan; (2) To explore the relationship between the attitude and degree of independent living ; (3) To explore the effects of attitude toward the degree of independent living on life satisfaction.
Methods：
This study applied secondary data analysis based on panel study of longitudinal design. Data came from “Survey of Health and Living Status of the Middle Aged and Elderly in Taiwan”, which was conducted in 1996, 1999 and 2003 by the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health. This analysis included subjects aged 50 and over, with a total sample size of 3,025, using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) to estimate the relationship among attitude toward independent living (economic, residential and future attitude), the degree of living independency (economic, residential, and health) and their influence on life satisfaction.
Result：
This study found the attitude and degree of independent living were more positive in the younger cohort. Besides, the older the ages of the samples, the lower their life satisfaction were. Furthermore, we found that both the attitude and degree of independent living were significantly related to life satisfaction among the middle and old aged people. Overall, those who have more positive attitude toward independent living had higher degree of independent living and those who have more positive attitude and higher degree of independent living (in health and economic aspects) had higher life satisfaction.
Conclusion:
According to the above findings, independent living will become more and more important in the future. We suggest the government should advocate positive attitude toward independent living for young and middle aged population in order for them to deal with elderly living in the future. Besides, the authorities should make it possible for the elderly people to receive integrated care, regardless of their types of living arrangement, and to assist them in managing money, saving and investment, properly to prepare for their independent living in the future.
|
|---|
