Answer to Question 1
Quality of life is one's well-being and life satisfaction. It is a broad, multidimensional concept that includes such factors as physical and mental health, interpersonal relationships, and social support. It also includes psychological constructs such as personality, emotions, and locus of control. Personal evaluation of quality of life is critical to understanding how people perceive their situations. For example, in one study (Strawbridge, Wallhagen, & Cohen, 2002), even though half of the respondents did not meet the criteria for successful aging as defined in the study, these subjects still defined themselves as successful and having a good quality of life. Quality of life is a subjective assessment, a value judgement of sorts, and it may or may not correspond to others' assessments of the individual's life.
Answer to Question 2
Over 52 million Americans depend on Medicare for their health care insurance. To be eligible, one must be over 65, be disabled, or have permanent kidney failure. Medicare consists of three parts: Parts A, B, and D. Part A covers skilled nursing home care, hospice care, home health services, and inpatient hospital services. Part B covers things such as outpatient hospital services, physician services, and medical equipment and supplies. Part D covers some prescription drugs. Like Social Security, Medicare is funded by a payroll tax. However, it is unlike Social Security in that the tax to support it is paid on all one's earnings.