Life satisfaction in older people

Objective: Factors influencing life satisfaction were studied in a cohort study. Methods: Life satisfaction was measured using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) morale scale. Two thousand one hundred and fifty-one older people, approximately 99% of all older people (2165 subjects) in a rural town, Tashiro, Akita prefecture responded to the questionnaire and, after eliminating 455 for incomplete answers, 1710 subjects (79% of all older people) were entered into the present study. Approximately 10% were self-care dependent older people. Results: Female self-care independent older people showed lower morale scores than men. Morale scores in self-care independent older people decreased with age in both women and men. Morale scores of self-care independent men were higher when they were healthy, I-lad an occupation and took part in social activities in the community; morale scores of self-care independent women were higher when they were healthy and had hobbies. Family composition, self-care dependency, income and habits for health promotion were also factors of morale scores, while education was not. Conclusions: Healthy older persons with some gender specific lifestyles I-lad the higher morale scores. With advanced age, lifestyles do not determine the morale scores.