Poster Presentation
Thursday, July 12, 2007
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Thursday, July 12, 2007
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Comparisons of the elderly's adaptation status in the community and in the institution in Taiwan
Shu-Yuan Chao, BS, MEd, DNSc1, Yii-Hai Lan, MSN1, and Chao-Ming Chuang, MS2. (1) Department of Nursing, Hungkung University, Sha-Lu, Taichung County, Taiwan, (2) Deaprtment of Nursing, Hungkung University, Taiwan
| Learning Objective #1: 1. to understand the differences of the elderly's adaptation status in community and in institution in Taiwan |
| Learning Objective #2: understand the influencing factors on the elderly’s adaptation in community and in institution in Tiawan |
Background
Aging in place is an important health policy of elevating the elder’s quality life in Taiwan. However, very limited information were found to understand the elder’s adaptation.
Objectives
1. To explore the elder’s adaptation status in the institution and in the community;
2. To explore the factors which have effects on the elder’s adaptation;
3. To explore the differences of the adaptation status and the influencing factor between these two settings.
Method: 165 residents recruited from four institutions located in Middle Taiwan, and 209 elderly people recruited from the community in the same area. A structural questionnaire was used for data collecting. The inventory included four parts, (1) demographic characteristics;(2) Adaptation Status, including three categories: Self-worth, Sense of Belonging, Being Continuous; (3) Life View; (4) Perceived Family Support. Data were collected by interviewing from June to September 2006. The SPSS( Version 13.0) was used to analyze data. .
Results
Most elderly people in the community felt lonely, lacking of being understood and being concerned by others, with the score of the subcategory Sense of Belonging significantly lower than that in the institution. In regard to self-acceptance and sense of continuous, the scores in the community were higher than those in the institution, although they did not achieve significant level. It indicated that the elderly in the community have more positive self image, and felt more satisfied with their whole life than the elders in the institution.
Perceived family support and life view have significant influence on the elder’s adaptation both in the community and in the institution. With living expense sponsored by the government, they have more positive adaptation in both settings.
Conclusion
Enhancing family support, providing financial support, and developing positive life view program for the elders will be necessary for elevating the elder’s adaptation in both setting.