REVIEW PAPER
Environmental impact on quality of life in the elderly
1
Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny we Wrocławiu, Polska
2
I Klinika Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie, Polska
3
Akademia Medyczna Nauk Stosowanych Humanum, Warszawa, Polska
Corresponding author
Zuzanna Małgorzata Wróblewska
Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny we Wrocławiu, ul. Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Polska
Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny we Wrocławiu, ul. Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Polska
Med Srod. 2024;27(3):103-109
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Environmental factors play an important role in the quality of life of the elderly, who often have difficulty maintaining their previous physical, mental and social functioning. The article focuses on the impact of the environment in which the elderly live and the health factors affecting their quality of life. A friendly elderly environment means a balance of care, well-being and health services.
Objective:
The purpose of the analysis was identification of factors affecting the quality of life of elderly people living in home and institutional environments.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
The concept of quality of life in medicine involves a new, holistic view of the patient. It requires interest in all spheres of functioning of an elderly person, including physical, mental, social and spiritual. People aged over 65 are a special and growing social group in which various kinds of problems hindering their daily functioning are more common than in the younger population.
Summary:
The quality of life of seniors can be improved by minimizing, reducing or eliminating modifiable factors. Among the most important are: material, housing and family situation, acceptance of the environment, the incidence of ageism, the degree of satisfaction with medical care, the level of assistance offered by institutions, access to specialists, the occurrence of possible difficulties in daily functioning, and diagnosed chronic diseases, as well as their symptoms and accompanying ailments.
Environmental factors play an important role in the quality of life of the elderly, who often have difficulty maintaining their previous physical, mental and social functioning. The article focuses on the impact of the environment in which the elderly live and the health factors affecting their quality of life. A friendly elderly environment means a balance of care, well-being and health services.
Objective:
The purpose of the analysis was identification of factors affecting the quality of life of elderly people living in home and institutional environments.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
The concept of quality of life in medicine involves a new, holistic view of the patient. It requires interest in all spheres of functioning of an elderly person, including physical, mental, social and spiritual. People aged over 65 are a special and growing social group in which various kinds of problems hindering their daily functioning are more common than in the younger population.
Summary:
The quality of life of seniors can be improved by minimizing, reducing or eliminating modifiable factors. Among the most important are: material, housing and family situation, acceptance of the environment, the incidence of ageism, the degree of satisfaction with medical care, the level of assistance offered by institutions, access to specialists, the occurrence of possible difficulties in daily functioning, and diagnosed chronic diseases, as well as their symptoms and accompanying ailments.
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