The elderly’s quality of life based on individual characteristics determinants in the elderly population of Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

Backgroud/Purpose: The data showed that 62.5% of the elderly’s quality of life in the community is at the medium level, which have a tendency to downgrade to a lower level over the aging process in the future if there is no immediate intervention. As expected, analyzes of the individual determinants of the elderly can produce insights that will reinforce the improvement of their quality of life. Methods: An analytical study of correlation, using crosssectional approach. The population were the elderly in Surabaya, Indonesia who joined the gemeinschaft (n=120). The sample was taken using consecutive sampling technique among those who the aged =60 years. Results: The data indicated that the elderly’s dissatisfaction regarding their quality of life mainly comes from psychological domain (26.7%), environmental domain (15.0%), physical domain (14.7%), and social relationships domain (10,8%). There are correlations found between age (p=0.006), education level (p=0.035), health condition (p=0.001), and financial condition (p=0.005) with the elderly’s quality of life. However, the determinants of gender, ethnicity, workload, marital status, and living conditions are found to have no influence upon their quality of life. Conclusion: The specific characteristics of the elderly that need to be targeted are those who aged =71 years with education level of or below senior high school, have physical health problems, elderly whose retirement income is not sufficient for their daily living expenses, and who are still forced to work.