Skip to main content
Log in

A European perspective on quality of life in old age

  • Review
  • Published:
European Journal of Ageing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article focuses on the scientific study of quality of life in old age and summarises, on the one hand, what we know and, on the other, what further research is needed. It consists of three main parts, with an extended introduction charting the recent evolution of a European perspective on ageing. First of all, it emphasises the amorphous, multidimensional and complex nature of quality of life and the high level of inconsistency between scientists in their approach to this subject. Secondly, the article summarises the main areas of consensus about quality of life in old age—its dynamic multifaceted nature, the combination of life course and immediate influences, the similarities and differences in the factors determining quality of life between younger and older people, the most common associations with quality of life and the likely variations between groups, and the powerful role of subjective self-assessment. Thirdly, the main research priorities and gaps in knowledge are outlined, together with the key methodological issues which must be tackled if comparative, interdisciplinary research on quality of life is to develop further. The main sources for the article are two European Framework Programme projects—the one a small five-country comparison and the other a large multidimensional project which, among other things, has been developing recommendations for research on quality of life in old age and included an extensive literature review on this topic. The article also draws on the recently completed UK Growing Older Programme of research on extending quality of life.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersson L (2005) Sweden: quality of life in old age I. In: Walker A (ed) Growing older in Europe. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 105–127

  • Andrews FM (ed) (1986) Research on the quality of life. University of Michigan, Michigan

  • Andrews FM, Withey SB (1976) Developing measures of perceived life quality: results from several national surveys. Soc Indic Res 1:1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baltes PB, Baltes MM (eds) (1990) Successful ageing. Perspectives from the Behavioural Sciences, Cambridge University Press, New York

  • Beaumont JG, Kenealy PM (2004) Quality of life—perceptions and comparisons in healthy old age. Ageing Soc 24:755–770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtson V, Rosenthal C, Burton L (1996) Paradoxes of family and aging. In: Binstock R, George L (eds) Handbook of aging and the social sciences. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 263–287

  • Bigelow DA, McFarlane BH, Olson MM (1991) Quality of Life of Community Mental Health Programme Clients: validating a measure. Community Mental Health J 27:43–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bond J (1999) Quality of life for people with dementia: approaches to the challenge of measurement. Ageing Soc 19:561–579

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowling A (1994) Social networks and social support among older people and implications for emotional well-being and psychiatric morbidity. Int Rev Psychiatr 9:447–459

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowling A (1997) Measuring health. Open University Press, Buckingham

  • Bowling A (2004) A taxonomy and overview of quality of life. In: Brown J, Bowling A, Flynn T (eds) Models of quality of life: a taxonomy and systematic review of the literature. FORUM Project, University of Sheffield

  • Bowling A, Windsor J (2001) Towards the good life. J Happiness Stud 2:55–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowling A, Banister D, Sutton S, Evans O, Windsor J (2002) A multidimensional model of the quality of life in older age. Ageing Mental Health 6:355–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradburn NM (1969) The structure of psychological well-being. Aldine Press, Chicago

  • Brandtstädter J, Renner G (1990) Tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment: explication of age-related analysis of assimilative and accommodative strategies of coping. Psychol Ageing 5:58–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown J, Bowling A, Flynn T (2004) Models of quality of life: a taxonomy and systematic review of the literature. FORUM Project, University of Sheffield (http://www.shef.ac.uk/ageingresearch)

    Google Scholar 

  • Calman KC (1984) Quality of life in cancer patients—a hypothesis. J Med Ethics 10:124–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke PJ, Marshall VW, Ryff CD, Rosenthal CJ (2000) Well-being in Canadian seniors: findings from the Canadian study of health and aging. Can J Aging 19:139–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper K, Arber S, Fee L, Ginn J (1999) The influence of social support and social capital in health. Health Education Authority, London

  • Deeg DJH, Bosscher RJ, Broese van Groenou MI et al. (2000) Ouder Worden in Nederland. Thela Thesis, Amsterdam

  • European Commission (2003) Draft Joint Inclusion Report, Statistical Annex, COM 2003 773 final. European Commission, Brussels

  • Evandrou M, Glaser K (2004) Family, work ad quality of life; changing economic and social roles through the lifecourse. Ageing Soc 24:771–792

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farquahar M (1995) Elderly people’s definitions of quality of life. Soc Sci Med 41:1439–1446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Ballesteros R (1998a) Quality of life: concept and assessment. In: Adair JG, Belanger D, Dion KL (eds) Advances in psychological science. Psychology Press, East Sussex, pp 387–406

  • Fernández-Ballesteros R (1998b) Quality of life: the differential conditions. Psychol Spain 2:57–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Ballesteros R, Zamarrón MD, Marciá A (1996) Calidad de vida en la vejez en distintos contextos. IMERSO, Madrid

  • Fernández-Ballesteros R, Zamarrón MD, Ruiz MA (2001) The contribution of socio-demographic and psychosocial factors to life satisfaction. Ageing Soc 21:25–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferring D, Wenger GC, Hoffmann M (2003) Comparative report on the European model of ageing well. Centre for Social Policy Research and Development, University of Wales, Bangor

  • Filipp SH, Ferring D (1998) Regulation of subjective well-being in old age by temporal and social comparison processes? Zeitschr Klin Psychol—Forsch Prax 27:93–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Freund AM, Baltes PB (1998) Selection, optimization and compensation as strategies of life management: correlations with subjective indicators of successful ageing. Psychol Aging 13:531–543, Erratum in Psychol Aging (1999) vol 14, pp 700–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabriel Z, Bowling A (2004a) Quality of life in old age from the perspectives of older people. In: Walker A, Hagan Hennessy C (eds) Growing older: quality of life in old age. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 14–34

  • Gabriel Z, Bowling A (2004b) Quality of life from the perspectives of older people. Ageing Soc 24:675–692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerritsen D, Steverink N, Ooms M, Ribbe M (2004) Finding a useful conceptual basis for enhancing the quality of life of nursing home residents. Qual Life Res 13:611–624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grundy E, Bowling A (1999) Enhancing the quality of extended life years. Ageing Mental Health 3:199–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gubrium J, Lynott R (1983) Rebuilding life satisfaction. Hum Organ 42(1):33–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Havighurst RJ (1963) Successful aging. In: Williams RH, Tibbits C, Donahue W (eds) Processes of aging, vol 1. Atherton Press, New York, pp 299–320

  • Hornquist J (1982) The concept of quality of life. Scand J Soc Med 10:57–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes B (1990) Quality of life. In: Peace S (ed) Researching social gerontology. Sage, London, pp 46–58

  • Kellaher L, Peace SM, Holland C (2004) Environment, identity and old age: quality of life or a life of quality? In: Walker A, Hagan Hennessy C (eds) Growing older: quality of life in old age. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 60–80

  • Knipscheer CPM, Jong Gierveld J de, Tilburg TG van, Dykstra PA (eds) (1995) Living arrangements and social networks of older adults. VU University Press, Amsterdam

  • Larson R (1978) Thirty years of research on the subjective well-being of older Americans. J Gerontol 33:109–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawton MP (1983) Environment and other determinants of well-being in older people. Gerontologist 23:349–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawton MP (1991) Background. A multidimensional view of quality of life in frail elders. In: Birren JE, Lubben J, Rowe J, Deutchman D (eds) The concept and measurement of quality of life in the frail elderly. Academic Press, San Diego

  • Lehr U, Thomae H (eds) (1987) Formen seelischen Alterns. Enke, Stuttgart

  • Lowenstein A, Ogg J (eds) (2003) Oasis: old age and autonomy. The role of service systems and intergenerational family solidarity. OASIS, Haifa

  • Maddox G (1992) Long-term care policies in comparative perspective. Ageing Soc 12:355–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maslow A (1954) Motivation and personality. Harper, New York

  • Mayer K, Baltes P (eds) (1996) Die Berliner Altersstudie. Akademie, Berlin

  • Mayring P (1987) Subjektives Wohlbefinden im Alter. Zeitschr Gerontol 20:367–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazroo J, Bajekal M, Blane D, Grewal I (2004) Ethnic inequalities. In: Walker A, Hagan Hennessy C (eds) Growing older: quality of life in old age. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 35–59

  • Neugarten BL, Havighurst RJ, Tobin SS (1961) The measurement of life satisfaction. J Gerontol 16:134–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Noll HH (2002) Towards a European system of social indicators: theoretical framework and system architecture. Soc Indic Res 58:47–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Boyle CA (1997) Measuring the quality of later life. Philos Trans R Soc Lond 352:1871–1879

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peeters A, Bouwman B, Knipscheer K (2005) The Netherlands: quality of life in old age I. In: Walker A (ed) Growing older in Europe. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 83–104

  • Perrig-Chiello P (1999) Resources of well-being in elderly: differences between young and old and old old. In: Hummel C (ed) Les sciences sociales face au défi de la grande vieillesse. Questions d’Age, Geneva, pp 45–47

  • Polverini F, Lamura G (2005) Italy: quality of life in old age I. In: Walker A (ed) Growing older in Europe. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 55–82

  • Roos NP, Havens B (1991) Predictors of successful aging: a twelve year study of Manitoba elderly. Am J Publ Health 81:63–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharf T, Phillipson C, Smith AE (2004) Poverty and social exclusion: growing older in deprived urban neighbourhoods. In: Walker A, Hagan Hennessy C (eds) Growing older: quality of life in old age. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 81–106

  • Singer B, Ryff C (2001) Person-centred methods for understanding aging: the integration of numbers and narratives. In: Binstock R, George L (eds) Handbook of aging and the social sciences. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 44–65

  • Staudinger UM, Freund A (1998) Krank und “arm” im hohen Alter und trotzdem guten Mutes? Zeitschr Klin Psychol 27:78–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Suzman RH, Willis DP, Manton KG (eds) (1992) The oldest old. Oxford University Press, Oxford

  • Tesch-Römer C, von Kondratowitz HJ, Motel-Klingebiel A (2001) Quality of life in the context of intergenerational solidarity. In: Daatland SO, Herlofson K (eds) Ageing, intergenerational relations, care systems and quality of life. Nova, Oslo, pp 63–73

  • Tester S, Hubbard G, Downs M, MacDonald C, Murphy J (2004) Frailty and institutional life. In: Walker A, Hagan Hennessy C (eds) Growing older: quality of life in old age. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 209–224

  • Torres S (1999) A culturally-relevant theoretical framework for the study of successful ageing. Ageing Soc 19:33–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veenhoven R (1999) Quality-of-life in individualistic society. Soc Indic Res 48:157–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verbrugge LM (1995) New thinking and science on disability in mid- and late life. Eur J Publ Health 1:20–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Faber M et al. (2001) Successful aging in the oldest old: who can be characterised as successfully aged? Arch Intern Med 161(22):2694–2700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wahl HW, Mollenkopf H (2003) Impact of everyday technology in the home environment on older adults’ quality of life. In: Schaie KW, Charness N (eds) Impact of technology on successful aging. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

  • Wahl H-W, Mollenkopf H, Oswald F (1999) Alte Menschen in ihrer Umwelt. Westdeutscher Verlag, Wiesbaden

  • Wahl H-W, Scheidt R, Windley P (eds) (2004) Aging in context: socio-physical environments. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics 23

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker A (1980) The social creation of poverty and dependency in old age. J Soc Policy 9:75–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker A (1993) Age and attitudes. European Commission, Brussels

  • Walker A (2002) A strategy for active ageing. Int J Soc Security 55(1):121–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker A (2005) Growing older in Europe. Open University Press, Maidenhead

  • Walker A, van der Maesen L (2004) Social quality and quality of life. In: Glatzer W, von Below S, Stoffregen M (eds) Challenges for quality of life in the contemporary world. Kluwer, The Hague, pp 13–32

  • Walker A, Guillemard A-M, Alber J (1991) Social and economic policies and older people. European Commission, Brussels

  • Walker A, Guilllemard A-M, Alber J (1993) Older people in Europe—social and economic policies. European Commission, Brussels

  • Weidekamp-Maicher M, Reichert M (2005) Germany: quality of life in old age I. In: Walker A (ed) Growing older in Europe. Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp 33–54

  • Wenger GC (1989) Support networks in old age: constructing a typology. In: Jeffreys M (ed) Growing old in the twentieth century. Routledge, London, pp 166–185

  • Wenger GC (1996) Social networks and gerontology. Rev Clin Gerontol 6:285–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westerhoff G et al. (2003) The personal experience of aging. Multidimensionality and multidirectionality in relation to successful ageing and well-being (English abstract in PubMed). Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr 34(3):96–103

    Google Scholar 

  • WHOQOL Group (1993) Measuring quality of life. World Health Organisation, Geneva

  • Wiggins RD, Higgs P, Hyge M, Blane DB (2004) Quality of life in the third age: key predictors of the CASP-19 measure. Ageing Soc 24:693–708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank (1994) Averting the old age crisis. World Bank, Washington, DC

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alan Walker.

Additional information

This article was previously published with DOI s10433-005-0015-8, which was mistakenly created twice and has therefore been replaced by the current DOI.

I would like to thank very warmly the following for their help with this paper: Ann Bowling, Joe Cook, Rocio Fernández-Ballesteros, the EJA’s anonymous referees, and all of the participants in the FORUM project quality of life workshops.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Walker, A. A European perspective on quality of life in old age. Eur J Ageing 2, 2–12 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-005-0500-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-005-0500-0

Keywords

Navigation