Life satisfaction level of elderly people: a field study in Sivas, Turkey

To determine the life satisfaction levels among elderly individuals--age 65 or over--who live with their families and those who dwell in rest house.

The field-based descriptive study was conducted in the Sivas city of Turkey between May and June 2009, and included 71 elderly people. To form sampling group, random sampling technique was used. Using the Socio-Demographic Information Form and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, data was collected by interviewing the aged individually. The data was analysed using SPSS Version 130.

Of the study population, 21 individuals lived in rest houses, while 50 lived with their families. Of the subjects 70.4 % were men, 52.1% were between 65-74 years of age, 46.2% suffered from unhappiness due to solitude, while 62.0 % preferred to live with their families. It is determined that considerable number (36.6 %) of the subjects were not satisfied with their lives.

Interventions need to be planned to improve life satisfaction among elderly people. Proper old age policies containing decisive solutions to the problems of the old people are essential to make them feel part of society.