Comparing the loneliness levels of the old people living at home and at nursing home

This study is a type of descriptive study with aim of comparing the loneliness levels of the old people living at home and nursing home. The population of study was comprised of two nursing homes related to Kırklareli Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Policies and people aged 65 and over recorded in Kırklareli Family Health Centre. The number of the samples was counted as 171 people in their 65 and over. The samples of the study was comprised of (n=120) old people applied to Family Health Centers in the center of Kırklareli and living in nursing homes (n=51) of Kırklareli Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Policies and between 01.11.2015 and 01.04.2016. The data was gathered by interviewing old people face to face and by using Information Form For Descriptive Qualities, Standardized Mini Mental State Examination, and Loneliness Scale (UCLA LS3). 58.5% of the old people whose average of age is 73.15±6.29 are male and 57.3% of them are married. 56.1% of the samples were stated that they don't feel themselves alone. It is detected that among the old people in the study, the ones who are married and have children feel less lonely. The loneliness level of the illiterate old people in the samples was high (p<0.05). Loneliness Scale UCLA LS3 points of old people was counted as 21.53 for the ones living in nursing homes, 12.03 for the ones living at home, and 14.86 for general loneliness point. It is confirmed that the old people living in the nursing homes feel more lonely than the ones living at home (p<0.05). According to these results, it is suggested to provide necessary economic conditions in order to make a living for old people, to increase the number of the services offered to the old, to inform the society in the subject of loneliness of the old, to arrange the social programs fort the old people.