Assessment of the relationship between caregiver psychosocial factors and the quality of life of the elderly at home in northern region, Ghana

This study examined the quality of life of the elderly, and relationship between caregiver psychosocial factors and the quality of life of the elderly. A multistage sampling method with a sample of 400 elderly and their caregivers was used. A modified Older People’s Quality of Life scale, in addition to a structured questionnaire, were used to collect the data. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 software. The findings of the study showed that, the quality of life of the elderly is above average. Age, gender and educational level had a significant influence on the quality of life of the elderly. Psychological and Emotional well-being, Independence, Freedom and Health were the most significant factors influencing the quality of life of the elderly. Caregiver psychosocial factors were significantly negatively correlated to the quality of life of the elderly. Thus, the higher the caregivers’ stress, the lower the quality of life of the elderly and vice versa. The study further revealed that all the caregivers were related to the aged either by blood or by marriage. Age, gender, educational level and duration of care of caregivers had a significant influence on the quality of life of the elderly.