engleski

Assessment Of Quality Of Life Among Elderly Included In Organized Recreational Activities: A Case-Control Study

Introduction. With a view to promote and implement active, productive and healthy aging, a senior club was established within institution for home nursing care in Osijek, Croatia. Club offers wide variety of recreational activities tailored to elderly, from exercise programs to arts and crafts activities. The aim of this study was to investigate difference in perceived health status and quality of life between club members and elderly members of general population from the same geographic region. Methods and subjects. The final sample comprises 104 club members and 104 age and gender matched controls. Controls were drafted from the Croatian Adult Health Survey, which included approximately 1700 examinees from the same geographic region. Health related quality of life was measured using the Short Form Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36). Self-perception of quality of life in general was measured on a visual analogue scale. All scores were recoded and transformed into a scale ranging from 0 (poor health) to 100 percent (excellent health). Results. More then a half club members (61.5%) are included in more then one activity. Club members scored significantly higher then control on 6 out of 8 health dimensions (P<0.001 for all). Median score was over 60 in all eight health dimensions in a club members group, while controls exceed score of 60 only in two, role emotional and social functioning. Club members rated their quality of life in general higher then controls (median 80 vs 50, P<0.001). Conclusion. Club members in general showed better healthrelated functioning than general elderly population on almost all health dimensions. Selfperception of quality of life in general was also much better among club members then in general population of elderly people. Recreational activities for the elderly are essential for maintaining good physical and mental health.

quality of life; recreational activities; SF-36

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