Elder abuse and its impact on quality of life in nursing homes in China.

There are limited available data on elder abuse and its impact on quality of life (QOL) in China. This study investigated the prevalence of elder abuse in nursing homes and its associated demographic, clinical factors and QOL in Macau and Guangzhou, China. A total of 681 subjects (244 in Macau and 437 in Guangzhou) were consecutively recruited. The prevalence of elder abuse was 11.48% and 8.24% in Macau and Guangzhou, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that having a religion and depressive symptoms were independently and positively associated with elder abuse. No significant association between elder abuse and any QOL domain was found. Elder abuse is common in nursing homes in both Macau and Guangzhou. Appropriate strategies and educational programs should be developed for health professionals to reduce the risk of elder abuse.

Prevalence of Sleep Disturbances and Their Associations With Demographic and Clinical Characteristics and Quality of Life in Older Adults in Macao.

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence of sleep disturbances (difficulty initiating sleep [DIS], difficulty maintaining sleep [DMS], and early morning awakening [EMA]), their socio-demographic and clinical correlates, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults in Macao. DESIGN AND METHODS: Four hundred fifty-one subjects were interviewed using standardized instruments. FINDINGS: The prevalence of at least one type of sleep disturbance was 38.1%; the figures of DIS, DMS, and EMA were 18.6, 31.3, and 23.9%, respectively. Female sex and depressive symptoms were independently associated with more frequent sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances were independently associated with lower physical QOL. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Sleep disturbances are common in older adults in Macao. Appropriate strategies should be implemented to prevent and treat sleep disturbances and concerted attempts should be made to improve access to treatment.

Quality of life and clinical correlates in older adults living in the community and in nursing homes in Macao.

AIM: There have been no previous studies of quality of life (QOL) in older adults in Macao. This study aimed to examine QOL in relation to the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adults aged ≥50 years in Macao. METHODS: A sample of 451 subjects (203 living in the community, 248 living in nursing homes) was interviewed using standardized instruments. Basic sociodemographic and clinical data including QOL were collected. RESULT: There were no significant differences between the community and nursing home groups in any of the QOL domains. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that poor physical QOL was significantly predicted by severe depressive symptoms, insomnia, major medical conditions, unmarried status, and lower education ( F 11,438 = 26.2, P < 0.001), which accounted for 38.2% of the variance. Poor psychological QOL was significantly predicted by severe depressive symptoms and lower educational level ( F 11,438 = 24.3, P < 0.001), which accounted for 36.4% of the variance. Poor social QOL was significantly predicted by severe depressive symptoms, male gender, and unmarried status ( F 11,438 = 5.6, P < 0.001), which accounted for 12.5% of the variance. Poor environment QOL was significantly predicted by lower educational level, severe depressive symptoms, and younger age ( F 11,438 = 6.6, P < 0.001), which accounted for 12.1% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Older Macanese adults had poorer scores on physical and social QOL domains than the general Hong Kong Chinese population. Their QOL was more strongly related to severe depressive symptoms, major medical conditions, and insomnia.