The Unmet Needs of Daily Living Activities and Health-related Quality of Life Among Elderly Veterans in the Community

• Main Authors: Li-HsingChen, 陳麗幸
• Other Authors: Li-Fan Liou
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37496310907621667285

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 老年學研究所 === 102 === This study objective was identified factors affecting the unmet needs of senior veterans living in communities for assistance during activities of daily living, investigating the effects that the unmet need for assistance exerts on health-related quality of life. The participants comprised senior veterans with disabilities who were 65 years old or older and were treated in the outpatient or emergency departments of a local veterans’ hospital in Southern Taiwan. Convenience sampling was conducted and a structured questionnaire was used to perform one-on-one interviews and assessments. The assessment scales employed included the Activities of Daily Living scale (ADLs), the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADLs), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire, and the EuroQol Index of Health-Related Quality of Life scale (EQ-5D). The results of the present study indicated that rank at retirement, depression level, ability to engage in activities of daily living, and primary caregivers were the most significant factors influencing unmet needs for assistance. In addition, self-rated health status, ability to engage in activities of daily living, ability to engage in instrumental activities of daily living, and depression level were vital factors influencing the health-related quality of life. However, the unmet need for assistance did not significantly affect the health -related quality of life. Considering the local policies regarding caregivers providing sufficient care is the ideal goal of patient-centered health care.