Quality of Life

 

Heard this term several times today and wondered what is the ‘quality’ of life?

Quality of life (QOL) is defined by the World Health Organization as 'individuals' perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. '

Standard indicators of the quality of life include wealth, employment, the environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, social belonging, religious beliefs, safety, security and freedom.

This includes all emotional, social and physical aspects of the individual's life. In health care, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an assessment of how the individual's well being may be affected over time by a disease, disability or disorder.

I don’t know what my interpretation of ‘Quality of Life’ is?

I’ve been lucky (so far) not had any disabilitating injuries or diseases that didn’t quickly go away with a shot or a quick surgery. I’ve been lucky not to had broken anything that I know of and most cuts and bruises could be fixed with a band-aid and an ice pack.

I know people who have a tough time getting around but they seem to have adapted to it. I know people who have tough time breathing and they seem to understand their limits. I don’t know when this limitation happened to them, but when I see them they seem happy and comfortable.

I know people who seem to wake up on the wrong side of the bed everyday. No matter what is happening they are always complaining. The smallest thing ticks some off while others strike out at things beyond their control.

I know people who have lifestyles many try to avoid. For whatever reason, these folks have a difficult time cooping with life mentally or physically. Maybe the best that they can do is their ‘Quality of Life’?

I know people who take chemistry to have a ‘Quality of Life’. I know people who follow a dream to have a ‘Quality of Life’.

Now getting to the age where others are on walkers or canes or hospitalized look to the future for the ‘Quality’ of what life holds for the rest of us?

If what we call ‘Quality of Life’ diminishes, what do (or can) we do?

Only time will tell.