Quality of life and health needs among elderly in Paro, Bhutan

Background: The human longevity has risen because of advancement in health care and taking measures of quality of life (QoL) as an important area of concerning. Especially in elderly people, needs of health are lacking although they are information for health policy and planning. Objectives: To study the quality of life and the health needs among elderly aged between 60 – 79 years old in the rural communities under Paro district, Bhutan.Methodology: This study was carried out in four selected rural areas of Paro district. A mixed method study design, where quantitative study used a survey and qualitative study used Focus Group Discussion (FGD). A representative sample of 403 respondents was selected by simple random sampling in quantitative work and 12 elderly people in FGD. The quantitative data included QoL (SF-36) and demographic data were analyses by ANOVA and data from FGD were done in content analysis.Results: The quantitative data for the overall QoL score among elderly showed the mean score at 39.01 which was considered low level of QoL. Among the eight components of QoL role of pain and general health showed the same result level as the overall QoL. While the others (physical function, body pain, vitality, social function, role of emotion and mental health) were in the average level (score 46.19-58.68). The result also revealed that people who have had lose spouse in older age had lower QoL. Health needs in both long term and short terms for volunteer and geriatric clinic should be added in policy. The social movement to support for the elderly are suggested to work out from push up culture value and law.Conclusion: Overall QoL of the elderly people in Bhutan are lower than the average level. Mental health is in the average level although the physical health is in low level. Clinic and health volunteer need to be workout by both social support and law.