Quality of life of elderly residing in old age homes of western suburbs (mumbai city)

Objective: To assess emotional, psychological and social wellbeing, health status and ability to activities of daily living in elderly males and females living in institutional settings Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted of 100 elderly people aged 61 – 100 years [23 males and 77 females] residing in 3 different old-age homes. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data in quality of life of elderly. Results: A significant association of relation with family and gender was found with higher percentage of females reporting that they were very much satisfied with their relationship with family as compared to males (χ2=9.083, p=0.028). Significant association of social relationship and gender was established with higher percentage of males reported that their family and friends would help them if needed and higher percentage of females reporting that they would like more contact with other people (χ2=15.196, p=0.004). Of the 100 elderly, 88% were ambulatory, 53% had eye problems, 10% had skin problem, 24% had urine problem, 13% did not have sense of smell, 24% had hearing problem and 8% had no taste on tongue. Significantly higher percentage of females were ambulatory (χ2=5.613), had eye problems (χ2=3.980) and hearing problems (χ2=6.325) as compared to males (p<0.05). Of the 100 elderly, 85% could get out of bed, 84% could bath themselves and could brush, 88% could go to toilet on own, 86% could comb hair, 71% could pick up things from floor and 95% could dress themselves. Significantly higher percentage of females could bath themselves (χ2=0.4631), brush teeth (χ2=11.891), go to toilet (χ2=0.018) and dress themselves (χ2=5.581) as compared to males (p<0.05). Conclusion: Female elderly were more satisfied with their relation with family but still longed for more contact with other people; suffered from more health issues as compared to males and yet could perform more activities of daily living as compared to males because of their strong motivation and will power.