Tough Topic: Quality of Life

I was talking today with some peers in the seniors sector and we happened upon the topic of quality of life. It seems to me that often as our parents age, their quality of life deteriorates slowly and without anyone really noticing. I thought it might be valuable to think about how we can measure our parents quality of life. What is quality of life? Quality of life really just covers our social, material and physical well being; is it good, or not so very? There are several quantitative measures out there, but for today, lets just consider the following for seniors as they age:

Social well being: does the individual have friends? How often do they see those friends? How many are there, and what is the nature of the interaction? The occasional letter doesn’t really have the same punch as a weekly lunch date. Consider the quality of the friendship as well; is it deep and meaningful, or merely casual acquaintances? Do they travel, see new things? Do they have the chance to meet new people?

Physical well being: Is the person getting regular (safe) exercise? Are they eating regular meals that cover the main food groups? Do they get restful sleep? Are they at risk from falls? Is their health good? Are they free from pain? Can they see and hear adequately?

Emotional well being: Is your family member happy? Do they feel fulfilled? Are they contributing in some way to society or their network? Is their mental state positive or negative? Do they have a loved one in their life? How often do they see family? Do they belong to groups and networks? Are they mentally active and stimulated? Is there variety in their day?

Material well being: Does the person have enough money for adequate housing? Is the housing sufficient for their needs? Is there enough money for food, heat, medical needs? Will money become more of an issue down the road? Is it something the individual worries about constantly? Are they comfortable, warm enough? Is their home safe?

As you consider these points, compare the answers for your loved one with your own life. It is not so much about a high score or low score as has there been a change. If so, is it large one? Is it a drastic decrease from the past? Are there ways to increase quality of life easily? These questions are tools to consider what we can do to increase someone’s quality of life.

I am in the midst of creating a specific quality of life checklist for seniors. While some already exist, this one is intended as a tool for family members to use for conversation about planning for the future. Please watch for it on my website, or email me for a copy at differentpath17@gmail.com.