QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN THE ELDERLY - A CONTRIBUTION TO ITS UNDERSTANDING

A review of the research literature reveals that there is extensive in terest in the meaning of quality of life of elderly people, particular ly those in residential facilities. Determining how best to uphold the qualify of life of elderly people is a challenge for practictioner an d researcher alike. This study attempts to clarify some of the importa nt quality of life issues by asking a range of elderly people to look closely at aspects of their routines. The responses of those people li ving in nursing homes, hostels, retirement villages and in the family home were compared and the results indicated that satisfaction with pe rceived quality of life differed according to where people lived. Wher e one lives appears to influence not what one regards at most importan t in life, bat rather how satisfied one is with it. implications are d rawn from the data for professionals and researchers working in the fi eld.