A Comparative Study on Physical Health Status, Family Support, and Life Satisfaction between the Aged Living Alone and Living with Family

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was a descriptive survey research to compare and to examine the levels of physical health status, family support, and life satisfaction between the aged living alone and living with family, the relations among the factors. METHODS: Subjects were the 267 aged (living alone 133 subjects: living with family 134 subjects) in Seoul and Gyung-gi province. Measures were Cornell Medical Index(CMI) to check physical health status, family support scale developed by Cobb(1976) to check the family support, and elderly life satisfaction scale developed by Yun(1982) to check life satisfaction. Data were collected from March to August, 2006. Collected data were analyzed through SPSS/PC 12.0 version. RESULTS: First, degree of the physical health status, family support, and life satisfaction in the elderly living with family were better than them in the elderly living alone. Second, the relations among the factors were all positive correlation. Third, the education and monthly allowance in aged living alone did effect to the life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Clinical practice should be focused on family support/social support for the aged living alone. Also nursing practitioners for the aged living alone should consider the general characteristics of them.