The relationship between the spirituality levels and the happiness and life satisfaction of elderly individuals living in their homes and nursing homes

Abstract

Spirituality and religion have an important place in the lives of Turkish elderly people. With modernization and changes in social life, the position of Turkish elderly people at home has changed and the need for institutional care has increased. Elderly individuals who have partially lost their place in traditional Turkish culture often resort to spirituality in coping with the problems they experience. This situation requires conducting studies on determining and comparing the relationship between the spirituality levels, happiness and life satisfaction of elderly individuals living at home or in nursing homes in our country. The sample of the study consisted of 139 elderly individuals over the age of 65 who were followed in nursing homes and Family Health Centers. The data of the research were collected by face-to-face interview technique using the Personal Information Form, Spirituality Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale and Subjective Happiness Scale. The research revealed that there is a significant difference between the spirituality levels of elderly individuals living in homes and nursing homes. It also showed that, although there was no significant difference, the life satisfaction and happiness levels of elderly individuals living at home were higher than those of elderly individuals living in a nursing home.