Active ageing and quality of life: factors associated with participation in leisure activities among institutionalized older adults, with and without dementia

FERNANDEZ-MAYORALAS, G.; ROJO-PEREZ, F.; MARTINEZ-MARTIN, P.; PRIETO FLORES, M.E.; RODRIGUEZ-BLAZQUEZ, C.; MARTÍN-GARCÍA, S.; ROJO-ABUIN, J. M.; FORJAZ, M.J.

AGING AND MENTAL HEALTH

ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2015

1360-7863

Objectives: Active ageing, considered from the perspective of participation in leisure activities, promotes life satisfactionand personal well-being. The aims of this work are to define and explain leisure activity profiles among institutionalizedolder adults, considering their sociodemographic characteristics and objective and subjective conditions in relation to theirquality of life.Methods: Two samples of institutionalized people aged 60 and over were analysed together: 234 older adults withoutdementia and 525 with dementia. Sociodemographic, economic, family and social network, and health and functioningvariables were selected. Cluster analysis was applied to obtain activity profiles according to the leisure activities, andordinal regression models were performed to analyse factors associated to activity level.Results: The sample was clustered into three groups of people: active (27%), moderately active (35%) and inactivepeople (38%). In the final regression model (Nagelkerke pseudo R2 D 0.500), a higher level of activity was associated withbetter cognitive function (Pfeiffer scale), self-perceived health status and functional ability, as well as with a higherfrequency of gathering with family and friends, and higher educational level.Conclusion: The decline in physical and mental health, the loss of functional capabilities and the weakening of family andsocial ties represent a significant barrier to active ageing in a context of institutionalization.