Factors Affecting Quality of Life Flashcards
6 physical factors
Exercise Diet Physical safety Physical comfort Pain relief Hygiene
Exercise
Children need it to assist development, older people to maintain mobility.
Different age groups need different types of exercise to improve their QOL.
Important long term benefits and most people feel better after doing it.
Diet
The amount and types of food they eat can affect QOL, particularly if individuals have a condition such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
A balanced diet consisting of varied and appetising food can contribute to a good health as well as forming a major part of a persons social and cultural well being.
Physical safety
QOL can be improved by Proventil to risk such as injury or infection eg. Using a stairlift.
Individuals may be at risk from a number of things: their own carelessness, problems caused by age or disabilities, incorrect use of equipment or ill treatment from others.
Physical comfort
The provision of a suitable environment which meets the individuals needs e.g too hot, too cold, comfortable beds, not too noisy.
This also means proving the care required to maintain comfort.
Pain relief
The provisos of the way to ensure individuals are free from pain.
Some individuals experience pain on a regular basis and sometimes continuously usually as the result of a health condition such as arthritis or cancer. If this pain is not controlled it can have negative effects on QOL. Example: physio, medication.
Hygiene
Refers to cleanliness and the use of precautions to guard against infection to prevent unnecessary diseases or illness. Example: sterilising bottles and toys in nurseries.
2 intellectual factors
Engaging in activities
Stimulation
Engaging in activities
Having something to do, being occupied.
It could be voluntary work, paid work or a hobby such as knitting, sports etc.
Certain activities provide individuals with a sense of wellbeing and make them feel worthwhile, some activities also provide opportunities for social interaction or developing physical fitness.
Stimulation
The presence of stimulus to keep the mind active and alert, thus preventing boredom and often depression cause by having nothing interesting to do.
Stimulation helps individuals find life interesting and feel motivated and challenged e.g day room in care homes.
5 emotional factors
Autonomy Privacy Dignity Approval Psychological security
Autonomy
An individuals ability to have control over their own life and the opportunity to make decisions without coercion from this.
It is difficult to achieve in care settings as individuals receive a lot of care from others. However, individuals can become more autonomous if they are encouraged to assert themselves and gain confidence.
Privacy
All individuals have a right to privacy. Example: curtains, being able to go to room when they want, lock the door.
They should be allowed opportunities to be unobserved or undisturbed as they wish.
This could be at times when they may be embarrassed e.g dressing/undressing, bathing.
Dignity
Provided by treating individuals with respect.
Can be done by not demeaning an individual in any way to ensure their self esteem remains positive e.g patronising names like love, darling, sweetheart.
Approval
This means showing affection or praise for someone’s actions.
This helps individuals maintain a positive self esteem and a feeling of achievement or value for their actions e.g stickers
Psychological security
Used when individuals are afraid or anxious about an aspect of their life.
Individuals experience times of worth or stress such as family or financial problems.
Reassurance and effective communication can help alleviate fears e.g parents send children to nurseries for half a day.
2 social factors
Social support
Social contact
Social support
Provides individuals with emotional security as they can discuss problems and get the help they need to solve them, this may need physical support e.g help with a practical activity or psychological support like having someone to talk to who knows and understands them.
Individual receives social support from people who they trust, usually family or friends.
Differed from social contact as it is more serious.
Social contact
Provided by belonging to a range of social groups depending on age, abilities and interests.
Opportunities to be with other people.
Without social contact individuals may become isolated which may lead to depression.
Example: make elderly people sit around the TV together.
