Health Condition and Satisfaction of Elderly People Living in Free Welfare Facilities

무료시설 노인의 건강상태와 생활만족도

Purpose: This study focused on the health conditions and satisfaction in day-to-day life of elders using welfare facilities where there is no charge, and thus provides basic data for development of quality services required for health enhancement and a variety of demands from these elders. Method: The participants in the study were 140 elders selected at random from facilities for elders in Taegu. The tools for the study were the Korean Health Status Measure for the Elderly (Shin, H. C., 2002), and Yoon's "Criteria of Older Adults Life Satisfaction"(1982). Results: Differences in life satisfaction were found according to general characteristics of the elders, and that a lack of caretaker professionalism and relationships with other elders, but not the program were scored lower. In the correlation between health status and life satisfaction, it was found that emotional, social function and physical pain showed correlations with life satisfaction. Conclusion: It is necessary for the enhancement of health status of these elders and improvement in life satisfaction that a variety of nursing interventions be implemented.