RELEVANCE OF THE TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION IN THE EMOTIONAL STATE AND HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY

Abstract

The study aimed to explore differences between the elderly who lived in the institutions and those who lived with their family in terms of emotional state, generativeness, integrity, and psychophysical health. The sample included respondents (N=101) with an average age of 67 years, ranging from 65 to 85. The Current Emotional State Scale, the Adapted Loyola Scale of Generativity, the Integrity Scale and the RAND-36 Health Survey, were used. Higher scores on the scales of happiness, relaxation and pride as well as on the scale of generativeness and integrity were found in respondents living with family. In comparison, higher scores of anger, unhappiness, humiliation and fear/anxiety were found in elderly living in institutions (nursing homes). Statistically significant differences were confirmed in emotional well-being (U=586,000; p=0.001), social functioning (U=803,500; p=0.024), physical functioning (U=557,500; p=0.001), limitations in physical functioning (U=825,000; p=0.016) and general health (U=827,000; p=0.040). The findings of this study suggest the need to maximise the inclusion and participation of the family as a caring and long-term partner in the geriatric organisation of nursing homes, as well as to introduce the activities that would be feasible and adjusted to family members of the elderly in the residential accommodation. Improving such care would contribute to the current inquiries dealing with emotional state and health in the elderly. The assessment of the incidence of chronic morbidities in relation to the functional health of the elderly, along with continuous training of professional caregivers, who are in regular contact with the elderly, remain some of the crucial factors in establishing future preventive and long-term policies of care by the government.