• SANGITA DEY
• DR. KALLOL BHANDARI

In India the number of elderly people is increasing and disability increases with age. Disability is complex, dynamic in nature and multidimensional. Quality of life is an abstract concept that is related to the level of disability in the population. The investigator conducted a descriptive survey with the objective to assess the disability and quality of life among elderly people and its association with socio demographic factors in a selected rural community of West Bengal. The conceptual framework of the study was based on Myra Levine’s conservation model. Systematic random sampling technique was adopted to select 200 elderly persons. Participants were interviewed by administering semi structured interview schedule, WHODAS 2.0 for assessing disability and WHOQOL-Bref scale for assessing quality of life. The study findings revealed that the most of the elderly female than men were moderately disabled and perceived poor quality of life. The study findings also revealed that there was a strong negative correlation between disability and overall quality of life (r = - 0.7, t=12.38, t 0.001 (198) = 3.29). Quality of life decreased among elderly as disability increased. There was significant association found between disability with age, economic dependency, occupation chronic illness and type of family. The study also revealed that there was significant association found between the quality of life with age, marital status, education and occupation. The study had several implications in nursing practice, education, administration and research. The study can be replicated on large scale and as a comparative study on disability and quality of life among elderly between urban and rural community.

Disability - In this study disability is defined as difficulty in health conditions. It includes the impairment of 6 domains as measured by standardized tool WHODAS 2.0. The 6 domains are cognitive impairment (difficulty in understanding and communicating), mobility (difficulty in moving and getting around), self-care (difficulty in maintaining hygiene, dressing, eating, and staying alone), getting along (difficulty in interacting with other people), life activities (difficulty in performing domestic responsibilities, leisure, work and school, participation (difficulty in joining in community activities). Quality of life The individual's physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health as measured by standardized tool WHOQOL (BREF). Socio demographic factors In this study socio demographic factors includes age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, per capita monthly income, type of family and chronic illness.

"Assessment of disability and quality of life among elderly people and its association with socio demographic factors in a selected rural community of West Bengal", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 8, page no.h619-h747, August-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRTHE2147.pdf

"Assessment of disability and quality of life among elderly people and its association with socio demographic factors in a selected rural community of West Bengal", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 8, page no. pph619-h747, August-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRTHE2147.pdf