The role of aesthetics in promoting health-related quality of life for older adults transitioning to long-term services and support.

This was a cross-sectional secondary analysis. It cannot show whether aesthetic experiences influence quality of life or whether quality of life influences aesthetic experiences. The sample came from 59 sites in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania between 2007 and 2010. It may not apply to other regions or times. Participants were recruited as a convenience sample. 94 participants lacked complete outcome data, though the complete-data subset did not differ from the missing-data group in sex, age, race, ethnicity, or long-term care type. Race and ethnicity were not included in the regression because they were confounded with long-term care setting. Setting differences cannot be separated from race or ethnicity. Religiosity and spirituality were measured by one investigator-developed question, not a validated spiritual instrument. Sensory impairment may have been underreported because interviews relied on self-report and interviewer observations. Participants with a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 12 or less, impaired reality, or terminal prognosis were excluded. The findings do not apply to those groups.

The authors declared no conflict of interest. No funding source for this analysis is stated in the supplied text.

Do not read this as proof that art or nature activities improve quality of life. This was a cross-sectional analysis of associations, and it did not test whether adding aesthetic experiences changes health-related quality of life.