Health self-assessment among elderly females – students of the University of the Third Age

Background: Health self-assessment is one of the elements influencing the quality of life assessment among the elderly. Subjective evaluation of one’s health has an impact on an individual’s level of physical activity, their stress management techniques as well as their self-esteem.
Aim: The aim of the research was to explore the subjective health self-assessment of elderly women and to determine factors affecting it.
Material and methods: 84 female students of the University of the Third Age aged 65 or over were subjects of the research. To assess health self-assessment the NHP questionnaire was used. Functional, mental and nutritional status as well as physical fitness were evaluated.
Results: The study group did not indicate a high level of health disorders. Their intensity increased in subjects aged 75 or over. The most frequently recorded disorders were sleep disturbance and lower energy levels. Family situation affects emotional state and social alienation. Greater intensity of depressive symptoms, larger amounts of medicine taken, worse nutritional status, and lower functional fitness aggravate health self-assessment in most health aspects. Health status, to a certain degree, hampered the execution of household duties and leisure time management, which redoubled with age.
Conclusions: Female students of the University of the Third Age demonstrate minor problems in reference to their health and functioning in various life spheres. Subjective health assessment is shaped by age, years of studying, mental state, amount of medicine taken, nutritional status and efficiency in completing daily duties.