Comparison of the quality of life of elderly men and women residing in nursing homes in the city of Zanjan

Background: Quality of life serves as a helpful indicator for identifying the health and well-being of elderly people and also a criterion for evaluating the efficacy of the quality of care provided. Objectives: The present research aimed to determine and compare the quality of life in elderly men and women residing in nursing homes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۱۱۰ elderly men and women residing in nursing homes in Zanjan province. Sampling was carried out through a convenience sampling method. The tools used in this study comprised a demographic information questionnaire and the Leiden-Padua (LEIPAD) Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS ۲۰ software. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) and frequency (percentage) were used for descriptive statistics, and the independent t-test was employed for inferential statistics. Results: The majority of elderly people participating in the study were male (۶۰.۹%). Their mean (SD) age was ۷۷ (۵.۹) years, and their mean (SD) length of stay in the nursing home was ۱۴.۳۸ (۳.۷) years. The mean (SD) quality of life score for all elderly people investigated was ۴۴.۳۲ (۱۳.۹۰) out of ۹۳. Moreover, the mean (SD) quality of life score was significantly higher in men (۵۱.۸۶ [۱۲.۴۵]) compared to women (۳۲.۵۸ [۵.۱۰]) (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, the quality of life among elderly people residing in nursing homes in Zanjan was found to be poor to moderate. Hence, it is recommended that relevant authorities and stakeholders consider implementing financial support and programs aimed at improving the quality of elderly people’s place of residence, in order to enhance their quality of life and the quality of care provided.

Keywords:

Quality of life , Nursing home , Elderly people