Determinants of Well-Being Among Elderly Residents of Selected Old Age Homes in Kolkata: A Cross-Sectional Study

Population ageing has emerged as a major public health challenge globally and in India. Elderly individuals residing in old age homes often face physical, social, and psychological challenges that may adversely affect their well-being. This study aimed to assess the level of well-being and identify its determinants among elderly residents of selected old age homes in Kolkata.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 273 elderly individuals aged ≥60 years residing in four selected old age homes in Kolkata, West Bengal, from November 2020 to October 2022. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a predesigned and pretested schedule. Well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), functional status using the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, and psychological distress using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Factors associated with well-being were examined using multivariable logistic regression.

The mean age of the participants was 74.1 ± 7.8 years, and 142 (52.1%) were male participants. The mean WHO-5 score was 13.32 ± 3.72, with 152 (55.7%) of participants demonstrating good well-being. Chronic morbidity was present in 255 (93.5%) of participants, while 253 (92.7%) experienced some degree of psychological distress. Well-being was negatively correlated with age (rho = -0.311, p < 0.001) and psychological distress (rho = -0.242, p < 0.001), and positively correlated with functional status (rho = 0.339, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, nuclear family background (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-3.75), married status (AOR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.35-6.11), previous government employment (AOR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.29-7.31), voluntary admission to the old age home (AOR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.82-7.39), duration of stay ≤2 years (AOR: 4.8; 95% CI: 1.19-19.8), and absence of psychological distress (AOR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.29-7.31) were independently associated with good well-being.

More than half of the elderly residents demonstrated good well-being, although psychological distress was highly prevalent. Functional independence, psychosocial factors, and psychological health were important determinants of well-being. Strategies aimed at strengthening mental health support, maintaining functional ability, and fostering supportive institutional environments may help improve well-being among institutionalized elderly populations.