Quality of Life and Its Factors in Korean Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Based on the secondary data analysis, this study aimed to identify quality of life and factors that affect quality of life among Korean elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Demographic characteristics, physical factors, and psychosocial factors as well as quality of life of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment were comprehensively measured. The research subjects consisted of 348 home-resident elderly and their quality of life scores were relatively high at 29.86. Their quality of life varied according to education and gender, and instrumental activities of daily living (actual, latent), somatic symptoms, sleep quality, depression, and social support affected their quality of life. Depression and social support were predictors of quality of life. The most powerful predictor was depression (β = −.583, p <.001). To improve the quality of life among elderly with mild cognitive impairment, nursing interventions to alleviate depression and to enhance social support from family, friends, and relevant neighbors are needed. © The Author(s) 2017.