Factors Related to Quality of Life among Elderly People for the curriculum of the Elderly School in Plaplachi Subdistrict, U-thong District, Suphanburi Province

Abstract

The purposes of this survey research were to study factors related to the quality of life (QoL) among elderly people for the curriculum in the Elderly School in Plabplachai Subdistrict, U-thong District, Suphanburi Province. Simple random sampling was used to recruit 86 elderly from the population. Data collection was carried out from August to September, 2017 by using structured questionnaire. Instrument development part I and II was tested for content validity and reliability by using 3 experts. Part III using World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument Brief – Thai. The response rate for questionnaires were 100 percent. Data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics including percentage, mean and standard deviation; Chi-square test and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The results show that the majority of the samples were female, averaged aged 67.8 years, graduated from primary school and marriage. The mean income of the elderly was 1,887 baht per month. Most of them were living with family members and spouses which the number of family members were around 3.53 persons. Moreover, factor related to social welfare or social services provided in the elderly had a good level (55.8 percent, 48 persons). In term of overall quality of life (QoL), the study found that around 69.8 percent (60 persons) of the elderly had a moderate level for all domains including physical, social and environment, except psychological domain with a good level. Factors associated with overall QoL were marital status, number of family members and social welfare or social services provided for the elderly. For recommendations, to develop the curriculum and enhance the quality of life among elderly people in the Elderly School, government social services provided help to increase the quality of life for elderly and also community and family support systems will be required in the future.