돌봄이 필요한 노인의 건강 관련 삶의 질 관련 요인 = Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in Care-Dependent Older Adults

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study investigated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated factors among care-dependent older adults using data from the 2023 Korea Health Panel Survey. The participants were 301 older adults who reported difficulties in daily activities, social participation, or leisure activities due to illness or injury. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis with SPSS WIN 26.0. The mean age of participants was 80.13 years, and the average HRQoL score was 0.74. This level was lower than that reported in previous studies of the general older population, suggesting that care dependency may be associated with reduced functional independence and psychosocial vulnerability. Significant factors associated with HRQoL were poor subjective health status, unmet healthcare needs, depressive symptoms, and bedridden experience, explaining 30% of the variance. In particular, unmet healthcare needs and bedridden experience indicated that limitations in healthcare accessibility and functional status may negatively affect the daily lives of care-dependent older adults. These findings suggest that HRQoL among care-dependent older adults is associated not only with physical health conditions but also with psychological and healthcare-related factors. Therefore, integrated interventions including improvement of healthcare accessibility, continuous mental health management, maintenance of physical functioning, and community-based care programs are needed to improve HRQoL in this population.