DETERMINATION OF LIFE QUALITY OF ELDERLY AND RELATED FACTORS IN A DISTRICT OF ANKARA, TURKEY

Introduction: In this study, it was aimed to determine life quality of life and the related factors of 65 years of age and older individuals in the catchment area of a Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) in Ankara, Turkey. Materials and Method. PHCU records were used to determine the participants. There were 347 registered people at this age group and 73.5% of them participated in this study (255 people). Data was collected by using a questionnaire form including SF-36 by face to face interview in October, 2006. Results: Mean age of the participants was 70.21 +/- 4.5, and the median was 69 years of age. Majority of the people was females 54.9% and only 0.4% were working. The mean score for the general health area was 54.88 +/- 7.87. The mean scores from the other areas were as follows; physical function 62.39 +/- 24.95, physical role 56.86 +/- 40.13; vitality 43.90 +/- 15.84, mental health 54.03 +/- 13.13; emotional role 66.66 +/- 42.65. body pain 56.83 +/- 22.08 and social function 66.97 +/- 23.07. There was a statistically significant relationship between the scores and selected characteristics (sex, age, educational status, smoking status, exercise, having a disease, living with partner). Conclusion: The ways of increasing the life quality of the elderly should be strengthened and promoted. PHCU staff plays a crucial role for this purpose.