Original scientific paper
Quality of Life and Well-Being in Elderly Individuals Receiving In-Home Healthcare Support: A Cross- Sectional Study
Ina Stašević
orcid.org/0000-0002-7868-8365
; Catholic University of Croatia University Department of Nursing
*
Neda Dušak
; Virovitica-Podravina County Health Center, Outpost Slatina
Dinko Puntarić
; Catholic University of Croatia University Department of Nursing
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Background: The basic problems faced by the elderly are: poor fi nancial condition, loneliness, insuffi cient health care, lack of social contacts, lack of activities and low general life satisfaction. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life of elderly people, with regard to the support of health professionals in their homes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on elderly individuals residing in the city of Slatina. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving in-home support from healthcare professionals and the other not receiving such support. A standardized questionnaire was used, including general sociodemographic data and three adapted scales to assess quality of life. Results: A total of 100 elderly individuals participated in the study, with half receiving in-home support from healthcare professionals and the other half not receiving such support. Participants receiving in-home support from health professionals have a signifi cantly poorer health status, indicating greater health needs (p<0.001). They also show a greater need for social interaction (p=0.007) and rate their current situation as very diffi cult and sad (p=0.01). No signifi cant differences were found in feelings of loneliness (p=0.85) or in overall quality of life assessment (p=0.053). However, reduced loneliness is associated with greater life satisfaction for all participants (p<0.001), especially for those receiving in-in-home support from healthcare professionals (p<0.001). Conclusion: Participants receiving in-home support from healthcare workers tend to rate their health as poorer and perceive their health needs as greater, alongside a more pronounced sense of loneliness. Although there is a signifi cant association between loneliness and quality of life, this relationship was not statistically confi rmed among the participants. Loneliness is increasingly becoming a concern among the elderly, highlighting the need for focused social efforts to address this issue.
Keywords
elderly; quality of life; home care
Hrčak ID:
334385
URI
Publication date:
2.12.2024.
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