Elderly woman tending to a garden, symbolizing active aging.

Unlock Your Best Life: How Health and Happiness Intertwine for Active Aging

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the surprising links between physical health, mental well-being, and daily activities, and learn how to boost your overall quality of life as you age."

Japan's rapidly aging population highlights the critical need for elderly individuals to maintain their health and independence. Understanding and improving the quality of life (QOL) for this demographic is paramount. Traditionally, QOL has been assessed through two primary lenses: health-related QOL, which considers physical and environmental factors, and subjective QOL, which focuses on feelings of satisfaction and happiness.

While both approaches offer valuable insights, a comprehensive understanding of elderly individuals' QOL requires considering both perspectives. Many studies assess QOL from one dimension, but that gives you only one piece of the puzzle.

This article explores the interplay between health-related and subjective QOL in community-dwelling elderly females receiving orthopedic outpatient care. By examining how these aspects correlate with daily life activities and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), we aim to provide actionable insights for improving the well-being of this population.

The Mind-Body Connection: Unveiling the Links

Elderly woman tending to a garden, symbolizing active aging.

A recent study investigated the relationship between health-related QOL, subjective QOL, daily activities, and IADL in 27 community-dwelling elderly females (average age 76.3 years) attending orthopedic outpatient clinics. Researchers used several tools to assess these factors, including the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for health-related QOL, the Life Satisfaction Index K (LSIK) for subjective QOL, the Life-Space Assessment (LSA) for daily activities, and the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) for IADL.

The study revealed significant correlations between subjective QOL (LSIK) and several aspects of health-related QOL (SF-36):

Body Pain: Higher subjective QOL was associated with less body pain.
General Health: A stronger sense of overall health correlated with greater life satisfaction.
Vitality: Feeling energetic and alive contributed to higher QOL.
Social Function: Active social engagement enhanced subjective well-being.
Mental Health: Positive mental health was a strong predictor of life satisfaction.

Interestingly, the study found no direct statistically significant relationship between subjective QOL and the LSA or FAI scores. However, certain health-related QOL subscales (physical function and vitality) did correlate with LSA and FAI, suggesting that physical health influences activity levels and independence, which in turn can affect overall well-being.

Empowering Active Aging: Practical Takeaways

This research underscores the interconnectedness of physical health, mental well-being, and daily activities in determining the QOL of elderly women. It highlights the importance of addressing not only physical ailments but also emotional and social needs to promote a fulfilling and independent life.

For community-dwelling elderly females, prioritizing pain management, maintaining social connections, and fostering a sense of vitality are crucial for enhancing subjective QOL. Encouraging physical activity and independence in daily tasks can further contribute to overall well-being.

In conclusion, a holistic approach that integrates both health-related and subjective perspectives is essential for supporting active aging. By addressing the multifaceted needs of elderly individuals, we can empower them to live healthier, happier, and more independent lives.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1589/jpts.29.880, Alternate LINK

Title: Interrelationship Among The Health-Related And Subjective Quality Of Life, Daily Life Activities, Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living Of Community-Dwelling Elderly Females In Orthopedic Outpatients

Subject: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Journal: Journal of Physical Therapy Science

Publisher: Society of Physical Therapy Science

Authors: Seiichi Takemasa, Ryoma Nakagoshi, Masayuki Uesugi, Yuri Inoue, Makoto Gotou, Susumu Naruse, Yoshihumi Nanba

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What does Quality of Life (QOL) mean?

QOL, or Quality of Life, is a crucial aspect to understand, particularly for the elderly population. It's traditionally assessed through two main lenses: health-related QOL and subjective QOL. Health-related QOL considers physical and environmental factors, while subjective QOL focuses on feelings of satisfaction and happiness. A comprehensive understanding requires considering both perspectives to improve well-being, especially among community-dwelling elderly females.

What is health-related QOL and what does it entail?

Health-related QOL encompasses physical and environmental factors, measured using tools like the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). This survey explores various aspects of health such as body pain, general health, vitality, and social function. The study showed these areas significantly correlate with subjective QOL. For instance, higher subjective QOL was associated with less Body Pain and a stronger sense of General Health correlated with greater life satisfaction.

What is subjective QOL, and how is it measured?

Subjective QOL is concerned with an individual's feelings of satisfaction and happiness. In the research, it was measured using the Life Satisfaction Index K (LSIK). The study showed several correlations between subjective QOL (LSIK) and health-related QOL (SF-36) aspects. Positive Mental Health was a strong predictor of life satisfaction, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being. Feeling energetic and alive, referred to as Vitality, also contributed to higher overall QOL.

How are daily activities and IADL measured, and how do they relate to the other factors?

Daily activities are assessed using the Life-Space Assessment (LSA), while Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) are evaluated with the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). The study found no direct statistically significant relationships between subjective QOL and the LSA or FAI scores. However, health-related QOL subscales like physical function and vitality did correlate with LSA and FAI. This suggests that physical health influences activity levels and independence, which, in turn, can affect overall well-being.

What is the main takeaway about health and happiness?

The study highlights the interconnectedness of physical health, mental well-being, and daily activities in determining the Quality of Life (QOL) of elderly women. It underscores the importance of addressing not only physical ailments but also emotional and social needs to promote a fulfilling and independent life. By focusing on both health-related and subjective aspects, healthcare providers can better support elderly individuals and enhance their overall well-being.