255. Rehabilitation tourism design: a study on the impact of tourism on the quality of life and mental health of the elderly

Abstract Background With the acceleration of the aging process in society, the quality of life and mental health issues of the elderly have received increasing attention. As a positive way of life, tourism not only enriches the elderly's later years, but also has a profound impact on their physical and mental health. Therefore, in order to improve the quality of life and promote the mental health of the elderly, this study explores the positive effects of rehabilitation tourism on their quality of life and mental health. Through in-depth analysis of how tourism activities can improve the social interaction, physical function, and psychological state of the elderly, research will provide scientific basis for the design of elderly tourism products, help create more targeted and effective rehabilitation tourism projects, meet the growing spiritual and cultural needs of the elderly, enhance their sense of life happiness, and provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the healthy development of the elderly tourism market. Methods Select 100 elderly people and randomly divide them into an experimental group and a control group, with 50 people in each group. The control group underwent routine outdoor activities, while the experimental group underwent rehabilitation tourism. Use the Mental Status and Social Participation Assessment Scale (MSSPAS) to assess the quality of life of elderly people, and use the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7) to evaluate their mental health status. The significance test p>.05 indicates significant differences between groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference in MSSPAS and GAD-7 scores between the two groups of volunteers before intervention (p>.05), indicating comparability between the groups. The MSSPAS and GAD-7 scores of each group after intervention are shown in Table 1. According to Table 1, after intervention, the MSSPAS scores of the experimental group and the control group were 7.32 ± 1.41 and 8.69 ± 1.69, respectively (p