Aging with quality of life--a challenge for society

This article focus on biological, nutritional, psychological, medical and social variables which have proven useful indicators for assessing wellbeing of individuals. Such objective data (measured by the two investigators) and subjective information (self-reported by the participants) were collected between 2002-2003 from samples of healthy, free living females and males aged between 59 and 92 years from Vienna and surroundings. In both these groups some habitual practices (habit variables) were observed of elderly and old which have a negative influence on health i.e low daily liquid uptake and smoking. There is also a fair amount of overweight and obesity (BMI>or=30) and also of hypertension, particularly in males, There is also malnourishment, predominantly in females, as reflected by the Body Cell Mass Index. Several participants either were not aware of being hypertensive or admitted that they deliberately ignored medical advice. With respect to social variables there are greater percentages of married males and widowed females. Possibly partially resulting from this loss of the partner a greater number of females report feelings of loneliness than do males. Positive results relate to the overall high percentages of family contacts, positive feelings towards life and physical activity as reported by the large majority of the participants. These findings stress the need for further information of living habits of the elderly and old as a possible guide of helping improve their quality of life.