Introduction: For the first time in Austria, a representative and randomised study has been carried out examining quality of life, state of health and pain in the elderly.
Methods: A random sample of 520 persons, 65 years of age or over at the time of the study, was taken from the registers of all the regional bureaus. The individual interviews (duration on average 90 min.) comprised data concerning demographic features, present and past health, actual pain intensity, psychological state and coping methods and attitudes with respect to death and dying.
Results: 514 fully completed questionnaires were evaluated. 60% of the probands were female and the average age was 75 years (range 65 to 97). More than half of the probands (56%) live at home and care for themselves. 60% of those questioned are suffering from pain, due in most cases to illnesses of the musculoskeletal system. 40% of the afflicted describe their pain as severe to very severe. The duration of pain is in the order of several years. Only 50% of the afflicted take pain medication, on average 7 tablets per day. Approx. 90% wished to have a partner to the end, whereby freedom of pain is absolutely important (96%). 15% are afraid of dying, but only very few are willing to discuss the subject, and then only with family members (79%). Only 4% have made a patient will or organized a someone to accompany them at the time of death. 95% would like to spend the last part of their life at home, 54% with ambulant palliative care. 9% would spend their last days in the hospital, 13% in a chronic care home and 9% in a hostel.
Conclusions: Due to the unique methods of this study, a broad base of information has been obtained with respect to the social status, the quality of life, the experience of pain and the attitudes and coping mechanisms with respect to death and dying in the elderly in Corinthia.