Determinants of health-related quality of life in institutionalised older persons in northern Sydney

It is recognised that the focus of health-care interventions for frail older persons should not be restricted to increasing longevity, but should encompass measures aimed at improving or maintaining the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of these individuals. We studied the HRQoL profile of 612 frail older persons residing in nursing homes and hostels in northern Sydney, Australia, and sought to ascertain some of the factors that affect their perceived quality of life. Our findings suggest that common health states that may cause loss of independence and dignity (e.g. presence of osteoarthritis, presence of urinary incontinence, previous fracture, Parkinson's Disease and increasing frailty as reflected by residence in nursing homes) are strongly, and independently, associated with the HRQoL of institutionalised older persons. Some of these conditions may be amenable to intervention.