Factors Influencing the Health Status and Life Satisfaction of Elders in Free and Charged Welfare Facilities

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing the health status and life satisfaction of elders in welfare facilities. METHODS: The subjects of this study were selected randomly among those without cognitive impairment from free (140 persons) and charged (140 persons) welfare facilities in the Yeongnam area. Data was analyzed using t-test and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Health status and life satisfaction were 2.52 and 1.98, respectively, in the elders from free welfare facilities, and 2.67 and 2.08 respectively, in the elders from charged welfare facilities. In those from free facilities, life satisfaction and motivation for getting into the welfare facility were the influencing factors of health status. In those from charged facilities, life satisfaction, gender, motivation for getting into the welfare facility, limited service such as physiotherapy, age, and lack of staff and professionalism were the influence factors of health status. In those from free facilities, health status, relationship conflict with fellow elders, lack of staff and professionalism, insufficient facilities and inadequate environment, and indifference of sons and daughters were the influence factors of life satisfaction, In those from charged facilities, health status, education and age were the influence factors of life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that both health status and life satisfaction of elders in charged welfare facilities were higher than those in free welfare facilities.