Life satisfaction and quality of life among the elderly: Moderating effect of activities of daily living

Introduction: Increased human life expectancy has led to increases in the elderly population, both in developed and developing countries. Consequently, maintaining and raising the elderly’s quality of life has become an important issue. Most studies on aging have found that a person’s life satisfaction is strongly associated with their quality of life. This study investigated the moderating effect of activities of daily living on life satisfaction and quality of life. Materials and Method: The sample comprised 360 elderly people (≥65 years old) who resided in Karabük City, Turkey, and visited the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health Karabük 100. Yıl Family Health Center for treatment or checkup. Data were collected using the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment—Old Version, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and a demographic information form. To determine the factors that affect the elderly’s quality of life, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed. Results: As elderly individuals’ levels of independently maintaining activities of daily living rise, the relationship between their satisfaction with life and quality of life grows stronger. Conclusion: Life satisfaction positively predicted the elderly’s quality of life, whereas activities of daily living did not. In addition, activities of daily living moderated the relationship between life satisfaction and quality of life.