Reliability of the LIFE-H satisfaction scale and relationship between participation and satisfaction of older adults with disabilities.

PURPOSE

To (1) document the test-retest reliability of the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H 3.1) in measuring the satisfaction of older adults with disabilities regarding their level of participation and (2) explore the relationships between level of participation and satisfaction with the level of participation achieved.

METHODS

Thirty older adults having functional disabilities were interviewed twice using the LIFE-H. This questionnaire assesses the (1) participation in daily activities and social roles (life domains), and (2) satisfaction with this participation.

RESULTS

The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of the satisfaction total score and its two subscores revealed high reliability (ICCs > or = 0.84). Moderate to excellent ICCs were also obtained for the life domains (ICCs = 0.65-0.88). Satisfaction was positively associated with participation for the daily activities subscore and LIFE-H total score (p < 0.05) but not the social roles subscore. Half of the life domains showed significant correlations between participation and satisfaction scores (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results support the reliability of the LIFE-H satisfaction scale in older adults having functional disabilities. Also, as satisfaction is only partly related to the level of participation, the study emphasizes the relevance of considering both participation and satisfaction of older adults with disabilities when evaluating their needs.