The impact of healthy lifestyle education and integrated care on the quality of life of the elderly

Background: Due to increasing life expectancy and declining fertility rates, the population over the age of 60 in developed and developing countries is increasing. This matter draws attention toward the improvement of the health of the elderly and consideration of the health and treatment needs of this important group of human society. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of integrated care and educational interventions of a healthy lifestyle on the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Materials and Methods: This semi-empirical study was conducted on 180 elderly patients admitted to the health centers in Rafsanjan, Iran. Multistage sampling was performed in the health centers of the city and the suburbs. The subjects were divided into two groups of intervention (n = 90) and control (n = 90). The intervention group was under the program of healthy lifestyle education for a period of 6 months. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The quiestionnaires were completed through interviews during two time intervals of before and after the intervention. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: The mean ages of subjects in the intervention and control groups were 71.8 &plusmn; 2.3 and 66.4 &plusmn; 2.3, respectively. The mean QOL scores of subjects in the intervention and control groups before the intervention were 56.05 &plusmn; 2.17 and 61.39 &plusmn; 1.46 (out of 100), and after the intervention were 62.11 &plusmn; 3.03 and 56.9 &plusmn; 1.59, respectively. The statistical comparison showed that the QOL score of the intervention group after the intervention was significantly higher than before the intervention (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study showed an increase in QOL of the elderly after the intervention compared to before the intervention. Therefore, by educating the elderly as groups and individuals about adopting a healthy lifestyle and by implementing healthcare, their QOL can be promoted.