QUALITY OF LIFE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER LIVING AT HOME IN SIVAS, TURKEY

Abstract

Introduction: The study was conducted to investigate the Quality of Life (QOL) of adults aged 65 years and over living at home in Sivas city center. Materials and Method: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study. Data was collected by face to face interviewing technique using SF-36 QOL Scale and a form designed by the researchers for recording socio-demographic characteristics. Results: 45.4% of the participants were between 65-69 years of age, 51.9% were female, 43.4% were illiterate, and 42.7% lived with their spouses. Total SF-36 Scale score was found to be lower than acceptable in adults 65 years and older. The QOL was found to decrease with increasing age, and increase with increasing educational level. Spare time activities were a significant factor affecting QOL and having a chronic illness decreased QOL. Conclusion: Nurses may contribute to improve the QOL of the elderly with regular visits and systematic assessment and interventions especially by taking into consideration the effect of age, education, spare time activities and having a chronic illness.