Change in significant other relationship and life satisfaction in the aged

Changes in the choice of significant others from pre- to postinstitutionalization were examined in relation to life satisfaction in a population of well-aged retirement home residents. A total of fifty-nine residents, both male and female, ranging in age from 69 to 101 placed in three groups based on length of residence (Group 1 - up to 2 years, Group 2 - 3 to 8 years and Group 3 - 9 to 17 years), and asked to indicate whether a relative, or friend was most important to them at both pre- and postinstitutionalization. Reported preferences were examined in relation to subject scores on the Life Satisfaction Index - A (LSI-A). Significant changes in reported preferences, from pre- to postinstitutionalization were found only in Group 3, with the shift being away from relatives. LSI-A score differences between the groups were significant, only in the Group 1 vs 3 comparison. Analysis of LSI-A scores for residents who changed vs those who did not change pre- to postpreferences produced significant differences within the three groups with change individuals achieving higher scores in Groups 2 and 3. It was concluded that a shift in significant relationships away from the family may be an important factor in successful adjustment to a retirement home.