Understanding ageing: fear of chronic diseases later in life
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Abstract
Objectives: Ageing is often associated with deteriorating mental and physical health and the need for long-term care, creating a fear of ageing. We investigated what people fear most in terms of disabling chronic diseases and their concerns regarding having long-term illnesses. Methods: Data were obtained from an online survey of 518 respondents aged 40 years and older residing in Malaysia, which was based on a convenience sample collected in May 2015 to January 2016. Data were analyzed using chi-squared tests and multinomial logistic regression. Results: Of the most dreaded diseases, heart disease and cancer are life-threatening; however, dementia, diabetes, and hypertension persist and have a disabling effect for a long time. While there were variations in the diseases feared most across sex, ethnicity, and place of residence, the biggest worry for all respondents with regard to having a long-term illness was that they would become a burden to their family, a concern that superseded fear of dying. Conclusions: We found our survey respondents had a fear of chronic diseases and placing a burden on others. Thus, there is a need to provide motivation for people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, to remain healthy.
Keywords
Ageing, fear, disabling diseases, burden to family, dying, multinomial logistic regression
Divisions
FacultyofEconomicsAdministration,Faculty_of_Business_and_Accountancy
Funders
Social Security Research Centre (SSRC), University of Malaya
Publication Title
Journal of International Medical Research
Volume
46
Issue
1
Publisher
SAGE Publications