Social Support, Health and Satisfaction among the Elderly with Chronic Conditions in Taiwan

Abstract

This study examines possible relationships between perceived social support, physical and mental health, satisfaction towards hospital services, and satisfaction towards life-asa-whole, among the community elderly with chronic conditions. A sample of 172 Chinese elderly living in a metropolitan Taiwanese city were home-interviewed. Results indicated that (a) the elderly perceived good social support, and tangible support was the most important aspect; (b) the elderly did not perceive great impact of illness(es) upon their life, and both physical and mental health were satisfactory; (c) the elderly were generally satisfied with both the hospital services and life-as-a-whole; (d) apart from health and illness factors, social support appeared to have profound and pervasive protective effects on adjustment and satisfaction of the elderly.