Aging in the Himalayas: Assessing the Quality of Life and Needs of Senior Citizens in Lomanthang, Nepal.

The elderly population in Lomanthang Rural Municipality, Mustang, accounts for 13% of the total population, significantly exceeding the national average of 6.93%. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with narrative components designed to comprehensively assess their healthcare needs and Quality of Life (QoL). We surveyed all 188 older adults in the region. Functional assessment showed over 90% of participants managed daily activities independently. 58.51% reported uncomfortable movement within their homes due to architectural barriers such as stairs and unfriendly toilets. Social assessment revealed that 62.23% lived with their children, whereas 37.77% lived without children. Physical health findings showed widespread musculoskeletal pain (84.57%) and sight impairments (65.42%). 8.51% of respondents were hypertensive, while 5.85% had signs of malnutrition (upper arm circumference <21 cm). Mental health and well-being assessment revealed that 71.81% had forgetfulness and 5.85% had suspected cognitive impairment. Furthermore, we found that their happiness lies in their relationship with family and good friends. Overall, 20.20% were classified as requiring professional care support. This research underscored the need for interventions to provide timely physical check-ups and improve easy access to basic healthcare services and social connections through FCHVs- an effective community-based approach to enhancing their quality of life and addressing healthcare needs.