Quality of life among Visually Impaired Elderly People
Khadijeh Falahaty1, Loke Seng Cheong1 and Muhammad Bin Haji Mohd Isa21Institute of Gerontology,Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 2Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine factors are associated to visual impairment and assess quality of life among two welfare home residents. A cross-sectional design was employed to determine the factors that are associated with visual impairment among elderly people. A total of 150 subjects were selected by simple random sampling from two welfare homes (Cheras in Selangor, and Seremban) in Malaysia. The socio-demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, income), health behavior (smoking) and self-reported medical condition (diabetic, eye disease, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke) were examined in relationship with visual impairment. Instruments used in this study included eye exam test by Snellen E Chart and a list of questions about socio-demographic factors, health behavior and self-reported medical conditions and disease. Data analyzes were carried out using SPSS, 20. Descriptive analysis such as mean, standard deviation (SD) and frequency were utilized to describe the characteristics of the respondents. The mean age of respondents was 69 years (SD = 7.31). A chi-square test (Pd” 0.05) and multiple linear regression (R2=0.64) analyzes were utilized to determine predictors of visual impairment. Also independent t test were utilized to determine quality of life among elderly people. It was found that the majority respondents had visual impairment (46%) and blindness (28%) in compare with normal vision (26%).Sociodemographic factors (age,gender,ethnicity,income) health behavior (smoking) and disease (diabetic,eye disease, heart disease, hypertension and stroke) were associated to visual impairment. Also the subjects with visual impairment had poorer quality of life than subjects without visual impairment. The results indicated the important role of visual impairment on quality of life among elderly people. Health care providers are in position to prevent and control of visual impairment. Visual impairment should be acknowledged and emphasized in policy and intervention programs are needed to improve quality of life in older Malaysians.
Keywords: visual impairment; quality of life; welfare homes; elderly Back to TOC