Measuring the quality of life in institutionalized seniors in Lima (Peru)

Introduction: Older adults experience physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that impact their quality of life. It is therefore necessary to have instruments with appropriate measurement properties to identify and measure this variable, so that inferences or interpretations are valid for decision-making. Objective: This study analyzes the measurement properties of the WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire for Peruvian institutionalized seniors. Method: Participants included 300 adults over 65 years (M_age=78.41) institutionalized in a nursing home in the city of Lima, of which 173 (57.7%) were men and 127 (42.3%) were women. The internal structure of the WHOQOL-OLD was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), whereas the convergent validity was analyzed using the Quality of Life Index (QLI). In addition, reliability scores were calculated and a scale for the study sample was obtained. Results: The results show that the structure of the six factors involved in the WHOQOL-OLD is suitably adjusted to data (CFI = .97; TLI = .97; SRMR = .02; RMSEA = .06), with proper internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ranging from .94 to .98). Likewise, it is possible to observe significant relationships with the autonomy (r_s = .13, p < .05) and social involvement (r_s = .16, p < .01) dimensions included in the QLI. Conclusions: The WHOQOL-OLD Quality of Life Questionnaire has empirical evidence of validity and reliability that makes it an appropriate instrument to measure the quality of life variable.