Global Perspective on Quality in Later Life

Abstract

Despite controversies in theory and in practice when measuring wellbeing and quality of life, there is sufficient agreement to consider these constructs to be relevant in the context of elderly people to identify factors that affect living conditions and quality of life at older-adult ages. This chapter is drawn from a wider perspective on theory and empirical research in quality of life and wellbeing. Based on the analyses of the backgrounds on quality of life throughout the literature to review the concept, domains and measurements instruments, we look into several ageing longitudinal works in order to analyze the factors that most contribute to quality of later life within a worldwide context and from a longitudinal approach. We finish with a reflection on public policy and quality of life related to old people.