Exploring the role of family and social support in quality of later life

ROJO-PEREZ, F.; FERNANDEZ-MAYORALAS, G.; FORJAZ, M.J.; DELGADO-SANZ. M.C.; PRIETO FLORES, M.E.; MARTINEZ-MARTIN, P.; ROJO-ABUIN, J. M.

Congreso; The 2007 ISQOLS Conference (From Quality of Life Concepts to Quality of Life Performance Measures); 2007

Introduction: An empirical study in the Madrid Region has shown that Family and Social Networks represent the second and the fourth domains, spontaneously self­ nominated by aged people to define their Quality of Life. Older adults frequently find, when needed , emotional and/or instrumental support to perform their activities of daily living  from their spouses, children, other relatives, friends or neighbours. Moreover, among people aged 65 and more, many are caregivers of persons who need help themselves.Objective: This work aims at exploring the role of family and social networks inthe provision of care in old age, and its relationship with factors of health competence level among the elderly. The influence of both issues on the quality of later life is analyzed.Data source: The data come from a Survey on Quality of Life in Old age carriedout in 2005, with a representative sample of 499 people aged 65 and over, living infamily housing in the Madrid Region (Spain). In addition, focus groups with curers andin-depth interviews with aged people with disabilities are conducted .Methods: Univariate and multivariate statistical techniques are applied to reduce the dimensionality of the original variables and to examine their relationships. Qualitative analysis facilitates a better understanding of the individual 's experiences as carers and care receivers on their Quality ofLife.Results: Different levels of need and social family support are defined in order to assess their contribution on Quality of Life in aged people and in their caregivers.When analyzing the relationship of health variables and Quality of Life, measured through the Health Related Quality ofLife (tariff from EuroQoL-5D instrument);  a linear regression model explains 44% of the variance. Quality of Life is mostly related with health variables including comorbidity, depression (HAD  scale) and functional level (Barthel index).A separate model has been built to study the relationship between social support and Health Related Quality of Life. This model is significant, explaining 12% of the variance , through the following predictors: age,  frequency and satisfaction of relationship  with friends, gender, mean age of household  members, and social class.Findings from qualitative analysis confirm the role off family members, mainlyspouses and daughters, in the care of the frail and dependent elderly.