Quality of life in elderly people at the start of using in-home care

Background: Quality of life (QOL) among 200 elderly people planning to use in-home care services available to those with severe illness was surveyed to identify the most effective method of improving QOL of the elderly through such care services. Results: QOL was surveyed using a PGC Morale Scale, and factors related to QOL were verified by multivariate analysis. The most relevant factors for QOL among the 11 analyzed were the client's reason for choosing to use in-home care services and the client's family structure. The average PGC-MS score was 9.09 +/- 2.6 (mean +/- standard deviation). Analysis of factors significantly affecting PGC-MS score identified treatment history and job type (p < 0.001), family structure (p < 0.009), age (p < 0.008), and years of education (p < 0.029). In addition, after performing multiple regression analysis using treatment history, years of education, employment history, and family structure as independent variables, treatment history (visiting a hospital and receiving treatment but deciding to use in-home care services later) remained significantly related to PGC-MS score (p < 0.001), as did family structure (three-generation families; p < 0.001). Further, with regard to treatment history, PGC-MC scores were higher in those who visited a hospital and received treatment but decided to use in-home care services later than in those who decided to enroll in the care service while still in the hospital. In contrast, with regard to family structure, PGC-MS scores decreased in the order of three-generation families, those living alone, couples, and two-generation families. Conclusions: QOL of elderly people might be improved by the provision of in-home care services with consideration of consumers' intentions and factors known to influence QOL.