Quality of life
Quality of life and social participation fall with age
Quality of life of people aged 50 and over by age measured by CASP-19 scores, England, 2006
Remaining an active member of society in older age is important and influences the quality of life. Older adults' participation in family, community and social life increases their own feelings of fulfillment and respect.
The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) collects a range of measures of well-being, including CASP-19, which is used to measure the quality of life of older adults. CASP-19 measures quality of life in four domains:
• C-Control: the ability to intervene actively in one's own environment • A-Autonomy: the right of an individual to be free from unwanted interference by others • S-Self-realisation: the active processes of human fulfillment • P-Pleasure: the sense of fun derived from the more active (doing) aspects of life
The CASP-19 measure takes account of whether or how often (often, sometimes, not often or never) statements on the four domains of quality of life apply to older people. A scale is created that ranges from 0, which represents a complete absence of quality of life, to 57, which represents total satisfaction on all domains.
For women, the overall quality of life, as measured by CASP-19 scores, increases between the age groups of 50–54 and 55-59 but thereafter decreases with age. For men there is a similar pattern but it occurs slightly later. The overall quality of life increases between the age groups of 55-59 and 60-64 but then decreases with age.
In other words, for both women and men, CASP-19 scores decrease from state pension age onwards with the fastest decline occurring after the age of 70.
Social detachment of people aged 50 and over by social activity England, 2006
Social detachment is the term used when people lack active participation in society. It is measured in ELSA using the following domains: societal involvement, participation in social or recreational activities, frequent contact with others, social support, participation in cultural activities and leisure.
About one in ten people aged 50 and over in England in 2006 were not a member of any of the following: political party, trade union or environmental groups, tenants, resident groups or neighbourhood watch, church or other religious groups and charitable associations. Sixteen per cent had not participated in the following social or recreational activities: education, arts, music groups or evening classes, social clubs, sports clubs, gyms or exercise classes and did not have a hobby or pastime. Participation in social or recreational activities fell with age and women were more affected than men.
It is important for older people to have personal contact with somebody on a daily basis. In 2006 about 15 per cent of people aged 50 and over in England did not live with a spouse or partner and met up with their children, family or friends less than three times a week. Frequent contact with people declined with age.
According to the social support domain, which measures quality rather than frequency of social contacts, about one in ten people aged 50 and over in England in 2006 did not have anyone (a partner, children, family or friends) strongly supporting them when in need.
Source: English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, Wave 3, 2005/06
Notes: Hyde M, Wiggins RD, Higgs P, and Blane DB (2003) 'A measure of the quality of life in early old age: the theory, development and properties of a needs satisfaction model (CASP-19)', Aging and Mental Health 7, pp 186-194.
State pension age: refers to current state pension age: age 60 for women and 65 for men.
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