| Summary: | 碩士 === 長庚大學 === 護理學研究所 === 97 === Abstract
The purpose of the research was to explore the influence of environmental satisfaction level on the quality of life, focusing on residents of self-supported senior housing communities. The cross-sectional descriptive correlation method was adopted. The participants (N=76) of this study were the residents of a senior housing community in the northern part of Taiwan. The age of the participants ranged from 67 years to 93 years, with an average of 78.34 years. They are all cognitive intact and physically independent. Structured questionnaires including demographic information, environment satisfaction scale (Environment), self-care abilities scale (ADL, IADL) and quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version) were administered. Three subjects, however, were excluded due to missing out two questions on the “Quality of Life- Social Domains”. The number of valid subjects, therefore, was 73 only. The research results showed that, within the environment satisfaction scale, the residence quality domain and neighborhood status domain had positive correlation with the seniors’ quality of life. Through hierarchical regression analysis, we further identified five variables which were the predictive factors for quality of life, respectively, gender, original living status, self-care abilities (IADL), residence quality domain, and environmental/personal security. The residence quality domain was the best predictive factor which accounted for 15%-50% of the variance in the overall quality of life and various domains. The total variance can be explained by the entire model is 32% to 64%. The seniors would enjoy a better quality of life if they were not living alone; had good self-care ability (IADL) and better environmental satisfaction levels in the “Residence Quality Domain”. In terms of gender, male seniors have a better quality of life in the “Psychological Domain”; while female seniors have a better quality of life in the “Social Domain”.
Based on the research results, we recommend environmental assessment can be included in the routine assessment for residents of senior housing communities. Nursing personnel need to be enabled and encouraged to evaluate the influence of environments on the seniors’ quality of life; identify and prevent any hazardous factors to the senior group; and elevate the life quality satisfaction level of the elderly.
Key Words: Senior Housing Facilities, Environment Satisfaction Level, Quality of Life
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