The Relationship Between the Communication Capabilities, Quality of Life, and Physical Activity of Older Adults

Abstract

Quality of life of the elderly is an important social problem due to demographic changes associated with lengthening life expectancy. With age, numerous health problems tend to appear, most commonly vision and hearing defects. A consequence of age-related hearing loss is difficulty associated with communication capabilities. This in turn affects quality of life, relations with loved ones, and the effectiveness of social contacts. The aim of the survey, conducted among 116 people aged over 60 years old, was an attempt to analyse the relationship between communications capabilities (using the SAC self-assessment questionnaire) and quality of life (the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire).

The results established that the quality of life of older adults stood at an average level, while their auditory capabilities were described as good. The higher the assessment of health, activity and physical fitness, the higher the quality of life and this was also associated with slightly better capabilities of communicating with their surroundings. Lower quality of life in the areas of physical health, social relations, scope of communication, were declared by respondents from the group over 70 years of age. Men slightly more often than women indicated worse communication capabilities. No correlation was found between the quality of life of the respondents and self-assessment of their communication capabilities. There is a need solutions to support preventive physical activity in groups of older adults and younger people which would affect quality of life, and can contribute to improving the quality of communication, among others, by broadening the network of interpersonal contacts.