The QOL of Elderly People Living at Home in Agricultural Districts as Analyzed in Relation to ADL, Physical Functioning and Social Activity

Abstract

The relationship of the QOL (quality of life) of elderly people to their ADL (activities of daily living), physical functioning and social activity was analyzed. The subjects were elderly people (over 65 years of age) living in agricultural districts, responding to an existing self-entry questionnaire (KALS, VAS). To study the effects of farm work, the data were compared between a group of elderly people who were or had been engaged in farm work (the farmer group) and a group of elderly people who had not participated in farm work (the non-farmer group). The following results were obtained: 1. Of the 180 males, 81(45%) were assigned to the farmer group and 99(55%) to the non-farmer group. Of the 231 females, 135 (58.4%) were assigned to the farmer group and 96 (41.6%) to the non-farmer group. 2. No correlation was observed between QOL and age ADL, physical functioning and social activity were found to significantly determine QOL. 3. Neither males nor females showed a significant difference in average QOL scores between the farmer and non-farmer groups. 4. A close correlation between QOL and social activity was observed in males. 5. A close correlation between QOL and physical functioning was observed in males from the farmer group and females from the non-fanner group.