The characteristics and quality of life of home-based and institution-based older persons

• Main Authors: Adiarte, Justine Marie G., Lacaya, Abraham Walter, Uichico, Angelo Lago V.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2008
• Subjects: Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/17889
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aimed at investigating whether older person's living arrangement may affect their quality of life. It also allowed the researchers to identify the factors and the decision makers that influence the choice of living arrangement. The study had twenty (20) key informants, ten (10) institution-based older persons and ten (10) home-based older persons. All the informants were over sixty years (60) old and had retired from their respective jobs. Data was gathered through in-depth interview with the use of an interview guide, one set to evaluate the institution based older persons and another set to evaluate home-based older persons. The results revealed that older persons in both living arrangements positively affect the quality of life. Results also showed how familial and health factors of older persons determined the living arrangement that the older persons is to reside in. Furthermore, the study showed that some decisions regarding the living arrangement were not by the older person, but forced upon them by their family. Finally, it was discovered that despite the positive effects of the living arrangement on the older person's quality of life, institution-based older persons had lower scores. It was also revealed that freedom is another factor that affects an older person's quality of life institution-based older persons are limited to certain activities and services that are available inside the institution, unlike home-based older persons who are able to do anything they want inside or outside the house.