Quality of life (QoL) in an individual subsumes all the multidimensional aspects of health status including lifestyle, life satisfaction, mental health and well-being. The in care homes for elderly care have given shape to a new dimension towards assessment and improvement of the overall quality of life in the elderly and also in the preparation towards end-of-life. As people live longer it is important to ensure that the extra years of life are worth living, despite chronic illnesses and other concerning problems.
Quality of life is defined by personal feelings in details about the outlook of life and day-to-day experiences, how happy and positive one feels, how comfortable and secure, how productive and desired, how healthy and free an individual considers themselves. Positive outlook and quality of life in older adults may not always mean an individual is healthy mentally or physically, although positive outlook and presence of hope often encourage improved outcomes.
Physical and mental impairments have been known to significantly decrease the quality of life in older adults, as many lose hope, become isolated or depressed, lose faith, and struggle to feel joy in everyday life. Identification of factors such as depression, social isolation, or chronic medical illness in a client, helps professionals take immediate measures to address what can be done to improve the quality of life. Interventions to improve comfort level, happiness, access to care, resources and support systems can be explored.
Absence of hope, loneliness, lack of desire, negative reflection upon life, pessimistic personality, lack of control, and lack of satisfaction often dramatically decrease the quality of life. Factors that have adverse contributions to the quality of life may include chronic mental and physical diseases, emotional setbacks, physical setbacks, inability, loss, negative or debilitating symptoms, absence of successful intervention, fatigue, pain, fear, depression, absence of care, attention, love, feeling unwanted, inadequate, unsuccessful, general insecurity, poor self-esteem, obesity, weight loss and a lot more to mention.
The minute details in life can make major differences in assessing the quality of life for seniors and comfort level, such as food selections to meet personal preference and to encourage comfort and well-being; decor to meet personal preference and to encourage happiness and relaxation; spa accessibility to improve outward appearance, sense of well-being, and happiness; and improvements to overall living environment to promote comfort, healing, and well-being.
Professionals in ageing can use results from the quality of life assessments to identify and target problem areas that damage quality of life, create positive interventions, sustain and encourage positive contributing factors to quality of life, further develop individual sense of purpose, stimulate learning and self-expression, promote dignity, build a connection with others, and encourage overall health and well-being.
Beyond the formal quality of life assessment, quality of life can be measured through the identification of the image of what an “ideal life” consists of in the hearts and minds of the clients. Guiding conversation to discover what matters the most and what is important to your clients, identifying what feels fulfilling, and recognizing areas in which you can build individual self-esteem is important for the quality of life improvement. Verbal communication is a wonderful, effective way to assess the quality of life and to determine areas that can be improved upon; the approach to quality of life assessment can and should be individualized, according to personality, ability, and preference.
In assessing the quality of life, working through the fears your client faces can go a long way in clearing off obstacles that hinder the achievement of an ideal life. Some older adults regularly struggle with feelings of impending doom or fear of the unknown. Encouraging communication and exploration of fears while seeking to address fears can improve quality of life. While older adults with physical and mental limitations, chronic illness or disease and disabilities may not have the same possibilities as other individuals with full capacity, help them to identify what is possible, possibilities beyond their imagination that they are capable of. The rapid declination of the quality of life of people with chronic pain and illnesses leave them with no desire to live longer. Giving them hope to at least live and enjoy the number of remaining days to their fullest capabilities helps sweep off a lot of obvious but unnecessary anxiety.
Further elements to consider when assessing and seeking to improve quality of life in older adults include sexual health and activity, sleep patterns, dietary habits and nutritional needs, exercise levels and capability, hearing, vision, retirement status, and financial grounding. As an individual experiences gradual loss of ability or sensation in any aspect, regular communication and assistance from loved ones can make a world of difference.
Those who experience loss of ability or sensation in any form may feel embarrassment, confusion, anxiety, fear and loneliness. Professionals in ageing can encourage methods of coping and give a holistic view of others who are going through similar experiences. Equipping clients with stress management tactics and guided techniques for handling stress and coping with depression is important for improved quality of life in older age, in particular, for clients dealing with mentally, emotionally, and physically altering conditions.
Professionals in ageing must attempt to recognize and consider a lot of the nonverbal cues in the form of unspoken signals, body language, relate to, and understand clients as they assess the quality of life and seek to make positive interventions. Professionals in ageing must demonstrate sensitivity and the ability to identify specific, individual areas of emotional pain, hurt, fear, discomfort, avoidance, etc. Individual quality of life can be significantly improved when a care professional can effectively identify unspoken, unaddressed areas of need. While older adults with physical and mental limitations, chronic illness or disease, and disabilities may not have the same possibilities as other individuals with full capacity, professionals in ageing can help clients to identify what is possible and how purpose, meaning, dignity, and fulfilment can be found.