Page 173 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2021. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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lth behaviors and quality of life of the elderly on the example posterji | poster presentations
of patients of the Rehabilitation Center
Bozena Kowalczyk, Jolanta Poręba, Bogumiła Lubińska-Żądło
Podhale State College of Applied Sciences in Nowy Targ, Poland
Introduction. The development of medicine and its achievements, progressive
economic and social changes and the raising standard of living lead to the ex-
tension of human life, which is associated with the growth of the “third-age” so-
ciety. Due to this state of affairs, it is necessary to focus social policy not only
on extending life, but also on taking measures to improve the quality of life of
elderly people. The key role in the process of shaping and protecting health is
played primarily by people’s lifestyle, habits and health behaviors. The aim. The
aim of the study was to assess the health behaviors of elderly people and their
impact on the quality of life.
Material and methods. The study involved 125 elderly people. The tests were
carried out in the Rehabilitation and Medical Center in Poland, from February
to May 2019. The research was carried out using the author’s questionnaire,
the WHOQOL-BREF life quality assessment scale and the Inventory of Health
Behaviors.
Results. Health behaviors had a significant effect on the quality of life (p <0.004).
The differentiation occurred in the issue of quality of life, which was influ-
enced by: age (p <0.001), marital status (p <0.001), professional activity (p
<0.001), number of co-morbidities (p <0.001). On the other hand, in the issue
of health-related behaviors, the differentiation concerned the influence of ed-
ucation (p <0.002) and professional activity (p <0.045).
Discussion and conclusions. The obtained research results may be important in
maintaining optimal health of the elderly, which will indirectly improve their
quality of life. They will also allow for the acquisition of knowledge, which
makes it possible to implement appropriate health education programs by
qualified medical staff.
Keywords: health behaviours, quality of life, elderly people, WHOQOL-AGE
questionnaire

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