Determination of life satisfaction levels in ELDERLY individuals living in rural areas

This study was conducted to determine life satisfaction levels in elderly individuals living in rural areas. The population of the study consisted of individuals aged 65 years and over registered to Ibni Sina Family Health Centre located in Erbaa district centre of Tokat province. The sample of the research was determined by the formula used when the number of individuals in the population was unknown and the research was carried out with the participation of 335 elderly individuals registered to Ibni Sina Family Health Centre. The research data were collected by the researcher through a questionnaire form determining the sociodemographic characteristics of elderly individuals and life satisfaction scales by face-to-face interview method. The data obtained were summarised using percentage, mean and standard deviation. Chi-square test, Pearson test, t-test, Tukey multiple comparison analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, multi-way ANOVA and correlation analysis were used to associate life satisfaction with characteristics such as age, gender, chronic diseases, sporting status, bad habits. The sample of this study consisted of 335 participants, 147 (43.9%) female and 188 (56.1%) male, with an average age of 71.89 (±5.56). It is seen that the majority of the participants (52.8%, n = 177) have primary education. 191 (57%) reported that their income was less than their expenses. Of the participants, 252 (75.2%) were married and 83 (24.8%) were single. Of these, 24 (7.2%) were employed and 311 (92.8%) were not employed. As a result of the research, the mean score of the life satisfaction scale was 17.12±4.52 and it was seen that there were differences according to socio-demographic characteristics. In the context of this study, life satisfaction scores of males were significantly higher than females (t = -2.58, p < .01); life satisfaction scores of participants without chronic diseases were significantly higher (t = -3.076, p < .01); life satisfaction scores of participants doing sports were significantly higher (t = 2. 587, p < .01); men had significantly higher rates of feeling vigorous (χ² = 8.27, p < .01); women had significantly higher rates of chronic diseases (χ² = 7.47, p < .01) and men had significantly higher rates of doing sports (χ² = 8.58, p < .01). As a result, it was determined that there were significant relationships between a high level of life satisfaction and socio-demographic characteristics in individuals aged 65 and over living in Erbaa district of Tokat province. In this context, since the chronic disease status is high in elderly individuals and the life satisfaction of those with chronic diseases is lower, organising nursing care that reduces the symptoms of individuals related to their diseases and adapting to the disease will contribute to increasing the life satisfaction level of the individual. Key Words: Nursing, Life Satisfaction, Aging, Old Age.