[Social needs of the institutionalized elderly in long-term care and their perception of self and others]

In this study social needs of the elderly are examined using the closeness needs of Yura and Walsh (1988). With a little material it is described how the elderly and his relative experience appreciation, acceptance, feeling of togetherness and the needs of closeness of the elderly and his body image and sexual integrity. The study was implemented in a geriatric hospital as half structured theme interviews. Ten elderly and one relative of each elderly were selected to interview. The interviewed elderly experienced that the relatives and nurses were appreciated them being matter-of-fact and helpful. The elderly described their own health better than that of the others in the same room. The closest relatives formed the network of their social support. The elderly had to become adjusted to their incompetence to move and their needs of help. The relatives thought with the same way.