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

Abstract

Objectives: Active ageing, considered from the perspective of participation in leisure activities, promotes life satisfaction and personal well-being. The aims of this work are to define and explain leisure activity profiles among institutionalized older adults, considering their sociodemographic characteristics and objective and subjective conditions in relation to their quality of life.

Methods: Two samples of institutionalized people aged 60 and over were analysed together: 234 older adults without dementia and 525 with dementia. Sociodemographic, economic, family and social network, and health and functioning variables were selected. Cluster analysis was applied to obtain activity profiles according to the leisure activities, and ordinal 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 inactive people (38%). In the final regression model (Nagelkerke pseudo R² = 0.500), a higher level of activity was associated with better cognitive function (Pfeiffer scale), self-perceived health status and functional ability, as well as with a higher frequency 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 and social ties represent a significant barrier to active ageing in a context of institutionalization.

Keywords:

• institutionalized older adults
• leisure activities profile
• active ageing
• quality of life
• Spain

Acknowledgements

The Spanish Research Group on Quality of Life and Ageing is formed by P. Martinez-Martin, CNE-ISCIII; F. Rojo-Perez, IEGD-CSIC; G. Fernandez-Mayoralas, IEGD-CSIC; M. J. Forjaz, ENS-ISCIII; B. Frades, Fundación CIEN-ISCIII; M. E. Prieto-Flores, UNED; J. M. Rojo Abuin, CCHS-CSIC; S. Martin, EULEN; I. Martinez, EULEN; C. Rodriguez-Blazquez, CNE-ISCIII; A. Ayala, ENS-ISCIII; and B. Leon Salas, Fundación CIEN-ISCIII.

The authors especially thank to the staff of EULEN Social Care Services for contributing to this study with the valuable information of institutionalized older adults.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Research Center for Neurological Diseases Foundation (CIEN Foundation) [Ref. PI 017/09].