The relationship between quality of life and spirituality in elders

ABSTRACT The Relationship Between Quality of Life and Spirituality in Elders Aim: This study was planned to determine the relationship between quality of life and spirituality in elders. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted Between December 2016 and November 2017.The study's universe constituted 8,741 inviduals over 65 years of age registered in 10 Family Health Centres affiliated to Malatya province.The sample of the study was identified as 368 elderly inviduals. The data were collected using the personal information form, the WHO Quality of Life Scale, Elderly Module and Spiritual Orientation Scale. Data obtained from the study were evalvated using frequancy and percentage distribution, Anova, t test and Correlation. Results: 77.7% of elderly people are in the age range 65-74, 62.2% are male and 65.5% are married. A statistically significant difference was found between participants' income status, cohabitation, receiving support, perceived health, chronic illness, device use and spiritual orientation. When the socio-demographic charaterictics of the elderly and the quality of life point average are compared, a statistically significant difference was found between age, education level, income status, health perception, chronic illness, physical disability and device use status. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between quality of life and spirituality of elderly inviduals participating in the study (r=,21, p=.000). Conclusion: It has been found that there is a positive relationship between the quality of life and spirituality in the elderly; as the spirituality increases in the elderly, the quality of life increases. It has been determined that as the age and income level increases, the quality of life increases but the level of education declines and the existence of the physical disability decreases the quality of life. It is suggested that nurses sould raise awareness about the importance of spiritual dimension by those in their surroundings in order to increase the quality of life while the elderly inviduals maintain their daily lives. Keywords: Quality of Life, Elderly, Spirituality, Nurse