Promotion of quality of life in older age and active ageing: follow-on funding

Lead Research Organisation: St George's, University of London
Department Name: Faculty of Health & Social Care Sciences

Abstract

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Description Far more of the ethnically diverse, survey respondents had poor QoL than other respondents.



The OPQoL had good reliability and validity in all three surveys.



Baseline indicators of QoL were able to predict follow-up OPQoL scores in the QoL Survey follow-up sample.



Respondents' perceptions of active ageing were multi-faceted.



Despite being more likely to be aged 65<75 than 75+, respondents in ethnic minority groups were far less likely than the other survey respondents to consider themselves as ageing 'very' or 'fairly' actively.



How QoL in older age can be improved: the policy implications of the research

• Survey respondents emphasised the importance of living in a neighbourly and safe area, and having good local facilities to promote friendly and helpful relationship with other people, including neighbours.

• Respondents mentioned the importance of having someone for 'companionship', 'to take me out', 'to make life bearable'.

• Meaningful contact, face to face or by telephone, with sons and daughters was important to most respondents for enjoyment, help and security.

• Contact with grandchildren (and being able to play and go out with them), was frequently mentioned. It was through their grandchildren that they felt able to play a reciprocal role, and to feel useful and valued.

• Many respondents referred to the importance of having social or voluntary activities in the context of the importance of 'keeping busy' - to stop them worrying, feeling alone, or dwelling on the past.
Exploitation Route Tested questionnaire to measure quality of life outcomes of policies related to older people.



http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/good neighbours Older People's Forums England and Ireland, International Longevity Centre national event at Institute of Actuaries, AgeUK dissemination to members.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy
 
Description The use of the OPQOL in the NIHR funded exercise RCT has now been published: Iliffe S, Kendrick D, Morris R, Masud T, Gage H, Skelton D, Dinan S, Bowling A, et al. (2014). Multi-centre cluster randomised trial comparing a community group exercise programme with home based exercise with usual care for people aged 65 and over in primary care. Health Technology Assessment, 2014; volume 18, number 49. Iliffe S, Kendrick D, Morris R, Griffin M, Haworth D, Carpenter H, Masud T, Skelton DA, Dinan-Young S, Bowling A, Gage H on behalf of the ProAct65+ research team. (2015) romoting physical activity in older people in general practice: ProAct65+ cluster RCT. British Journal of General Practice, 65: 579-580. The OPQOL continues to be used in survey research internationally, in addition to the research in Italy (Bilotta et al. as referenced in previous updates), China (Chen Y. et al. 2013, Australia (Milte et al. 2014; Kaambua et al. 2015), and UK (Malley et al 2012) (and see earlier Jes updates). Enquiries about use of the OPQOL continue (including from the voluntary sector - Age UK South Gloucestershire). In addition to being used in surveys in Australia, Czechoslovakia, India, Kosovo, Serbia, Taiwan, USA (Tulsa), and in a new national longitudinal survey in Sweden (SNAC) which has resulted in our collaboration and a new collaboration with the Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University.
First Year Of Impact 2015
Sector Healthcare
Impact Types Policy & public services