Quality of Life in Community-dwelling Older People in Ireland

Quality of life (QoL) is a key outcome variable in determining the success of health and social policy. Often, QoL is assessed in a context where health or well-being are compromised. This study sought to explore individually defined QoL among older people living in the community in Ireland and to examine its determinants, including health and psychological well-being, and perceptions of ageing. A national randomly selected sample of community-dwelling older people (aged 65+) in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (N = 1,815) were interviewed in their homes. QoL, health and social status, and perceptions of ageing were assessed. The mean QoL score was high (78.5, SD = 18.1). Higher QoL was associated with higher social class, better self-assessed health, fewer functional impairments and lower levels of depression and loneliness (allp < .001). Higher QoL was also associated with more positive perceptions of ageing. While QoL for this older population was high, it was significantly negatively affected by lower socio-economic status and negative perceptions of ageing.