Some characteristics of the quality of life in old age illustrated by means of Allardt's concept.

This study illustrates some characteristics of the quality of life in old age when ageing is seen as a continued human development. In the Kungsholmen Project 87 healthy elderly persons were asked about the quality of their lives. Allardt's definition of quality of life was used as the conceptual framework for the content analysis. The findings indicate that the dimensions of loving and being, as Allardt describes them, take on a different meaning and the material things in the having dimension become less important. The differences point to another meaning of the quality of life in old age. The emphasis is on health and independence, contentment and a peaceful life, personal integrity in terms of a moral and a caring attitude. The findings tend to be in accordance with the successful ageing as described in Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and in Tornstam's theory of gerotranscendence. To gain a deeper understanding of this complex phenomenon, qualitative methods which go beyond definitions are required.