Measuring Quality of Life of Urban Poor Older People: Correlation with Physical Function, Mental Status, and Independence in Daily Activities

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between quality of life and physical function, mental status, and independence in daily activities in urban poor older people. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 33 older people living in Wirobrajan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia from February–April 2017. WHOQOL-BREF was used to assess quality of life, TUG, Berg Balance Scale and Borg test to assess physical function, MMSE and HVLT to assess mental status, ADL and IADL to assess independence in daily activities. Older people aged 62–90 years were evaluated. Physical condition was strongly correlated to quality of life in physical health and psychological domains, mental status with quality of life in physical health, psychological and environment domains, independence in daily activities with quality of life in physical health and psychological domains. No significant correlation was found with quality of life in social relationships domain. This study concluded that the quality of life of urban poor older people was strongly and positively correlated with their physical function, mental status and independence in daily activities. Health programs to improve the physical function, mental status and independence in daily activities were recommended to increase the quality of life of poor older people living in urban areas.