Quality of life in old age. A population study of elderly in Copenhagen

733 elderly citizens of Copenhagen filled in a questionnaire about quality of life. This questionnaire formed part of a follow-up performed 3 years after a socio-medical intervention study. A modified Cantril ladder scale was used to evaluate quality of life. When asked about the best and the worst that could happen, nearly half of the old people mentioned health. The second and third subjects most often mentioned were dwelling conditions and contact with relatives. There was no correlation between scores on the ladder scale and sex and age. The socio-medical intervention performed 3 years previously had no measurable effect on quality of life. Old people with a low score on the ladder scale were more inclined to be housebound, feel lonely, stay in institutions, and have a poor subjective health and economy compared with respondents with a high score.