Huzurevinde ve evde yaşayan yaşlıların el fonksiyonları açısından karşılaştırılması

This study aims to examine the effects of the residence style of elderly individuals on the hand functions of the home environment and the nursing home. The study included 55 geriatric individuals (38F, 17M) aged 65 and over, living in Nezih Nursing Home and in their own home in Istanbul between October 2021 and December 2021. Individuals were separated into two groups according to their type of residence. The elderly participants were determined that live in a nursing home as Group 1 (n=27; 79.3±7.52 years), and the elderly living at home as Group 2 (n=28, 75.32±7.25 years). Mini Mental State Examination was applied to evaluate the cognitive function levels of individuals, and the Nottingham Sensory Assessment was used to assess the sensory state of the hand. Purdue Pegboard Test was used to assess hand dexterity. To evaluate the muscle strength of the hand, Hand Grip Strength Evaluation with a hand dynamometer and Joint Range Of Motion Evaluation with a goniometer to evaluate the range of motion of the wrist joint were performed. As a result of the study, when the two groups were compared, a statistically significant difference was found in the tactile and stereognosis, the hand dexterity, the hand strength, and right hand ulnar deviation scores of range of motion (p<0.05). Lifestyle affects hand functions, and the hand dexterity, strength and joint functions of the elderly living at home are better than those living in a nursing home. Keywords: elderly, geriatrics, hand function, handgrip strength, nursing home, purdue pegboard test