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Analysing the Quality of Life of Older Adults: Heterogeneity, COVID-19 Lockdown, and Residential Stability

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  • Ching-Yi Chen

    (Department of Living Science, National Open University, New Taipei City 247, Taiwan)

Abstract

This study aims to, first, investigate the quality of life (QOL) of older adults in Taiwan, from the perspective of heterogeneity and, second, clarify the social isolation affecting their QOL during the pandemic. Additionally, it explores the residential stability of older adults. Our empirical model, a Generalized Ordered Probit Model, uses secondary data from the 2019 Taiwan Social Change Survey for people aged 65 and above, with a total sampling size of 417. The results show that the self-assessed physical health of older adults is a significantly heterogeneous variable affecting their QOL, and has a varying impact on the probability of them being satisfied with their QOL. Results suggest that better financial plans and staying healthy are the main determinants of their QOL. Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly hampered their QOL, which was not compensated by the use of the internet. Furthermore, older adults’ residential stability significantly influences their QOL. Family members and relevant social work units should contribute to in-person home care for older adults to reduce their social isolation, with a focus on improving their living environments and to ensure that they age in a safe and healthy place.

Suggested Citation

  • Ching-Yi Chen, 2022. "Analysing the Quality of Life of Older Adults: Heterogeneity, COVID-19 Lockdown, and Residential Stability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12116-:d:924497
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    1. Pantell, M. & Rehkopf, D. & Jutte, D. & Syme, S.L. & Balmes, J. & Adler, N., 2013. "Social isolation: A predictor of mortality comparable to traditional clinical risk factors," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(11), pages 2056-2062.
    2. Karen M van Leeuwen & Miriam S van Loon & Fenna A van Nes & Judith E Bosmans & Henrica C W de Vet & Johannes C F Ket & Guy A M Widdershoven & Raymond W J G Ostelo, 2019. "What does quality of life mean to older adults? A thematic synthesis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(3), pages 1-39, March.
    3. Xun Bian & Zhenguo Lin, 2022. "Housing debt and elderly housing tenure choices," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 50(5), pages 1360-1397, September.
    4. William H. Greene & Mark N. Harris & Bruce Hollingworth & Pushkar Maitra, 2008. "A Bivariate Latent Class Correlated Generalized Ordered Probit Model with an Application to Modeling Observed Obesity Levels," Working Papers 08-18, New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Department of Economics.
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    1. Claudiu Coman & Carmen Bărbat & Cosmin Goian & Maria Cristina Bularca & Felicia Andrioni & Lavinia Popp & Adrian Netedu & Mihai Burlacu & Dănuț Bălăuță & Nicolae Talpă & Bogdan Popa, 2024. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Immobilized Lifestyle of Institutionalized Older Persons: An Empirical Study," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-29, June.

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