A comparative study on psychological and physical health among elderly people who aged 60-64 and 65-69 years

Azar Cheshmberah¹ Mohammad Mojir-Leylani² Mostafa Hoseini³ Davood Shojae Zadeh⁴ Bijan Moghimi-Dehkordi⁵

1) MSc, MPH, Deputy of health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2) MSc, PUN University of Kermanshah , Iran.
3) PhD, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4) PhD, Department of Education& Health Promotion, School of Public health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5) MSc, Department of Health System Research, Deputy of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Publication : 2nd International Conference on Behavioral Science and Social Studies(2ibsconf.com)
Abstract :
Introduction: The population ageing phenomenon has started in many of developing countries like Iran. Most developed countries have accepted the age of “65” years as a definition of “elderly”, but some developing countries like Iran consider the age of “60”. We aimed to compare the physical and mental health of people who aged 60-64 years with those who aged 65-69 years in order to determine if the definition of elderly in our country is true. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April to September 2011, in the west in Iran. Participants in this study are those who referred to the elderly care centers. With random sampling, 2 from 3 centers and with convenience sampling 302 peoples aged 60-69 years were selected. All participants were interviewed via face to face or with telephone using standard questionnaires including Kessler (K6) scale, psychological wellbeing scale, activities of daily living scale and sf-36 scale. The statistical differences were assessed by Pearson’s chi-square at 5% level of significance. Results: Statistical comparisons have shown that there is a significant difference among two age groups under study regarding to psychological distress scale, psychological wellbeing scale and activity of daily living scale. No meaningful difference was seen concern with physical functioning (SF-36) scale between two groups. Conclusion: Our finding proposed that age of 60 possibly is better for onset of delivering elderly care services. Other studies using representative sample and with larger sample size are needed for better understanding of the issue.
Keywords : Elderly psychological distress psychological wellbeing SF-36 scale Kessler scale