TURKISH ELDERLY’S LIFE SATISFACTION ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DEPENDENCE IN DAILY LIFE ACTIVITIES

Background: Older people must maintain their lives in the face of various obstacles due to health and social problems that occur with aging. Certainly, difficulties in daily life activities become more evident with advancing age and impair life satisfaction Purpose: This study’s primary aim was to investigate and compare life satisfaction according to individual characteristics and dependence in daily life activities of the Turkish elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 200 (female=121, male=79) participants aged 65 and above, who were living in the area of Dikmen, Akpınar in Ankara, Turkey. The Information Gathering Form, the “Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale,” and the “Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living” were used to collect data. Results: The results revealed that elderly people’s morale levels show significant differences depending on their dependence / independence during the following daily activities: bathing, dressing, sitting down/standing up, using the toilet, walking, cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Conclusion: The results indicate that elderly people who can continue their daily activities independently have higher levels of satisfaction