The Influential Factors of Life Satisfaction among the Retired Elderly in Taiwan

[[abstract]]In recent years,the population of the aged is relatively increased. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of life satisfaction among the retired elderly in Taiwan. The source of data used in this study was based on the 2003 “Survey of the Health and Living Status of the Middle-Aged and the Elderly in Taiwan”, which was a face-to-face interview survey conducted by Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health. The samples who were 57 years old or more were selected, and totally 2,139 retired persons were included in the analysis. The retired elder who lived with others had higher life satisfaction than those who lived alone. Those who were reported better self-rated health, showed normal function of instrumental activities of daily living, having less stress, without depressive symptoms, satisfied with families supports or economic status, and more attending leisure activities, had a better life satisfaction. The retired elderly who live with their family or relatives could get higher life satisfaction compared with those living alone. The policy should consider how to enlarge the health support network, improve the exercise or leisure environment, and encourage the participation in leisure activities are suggested to improve the subjective well-being for the retired elderly