Objective: To compare the social support network and expectation of care among elderly persons who live alone and those who live with others. Method: A cross-sectional study with 348 elderly people living in the community in the municipal region of Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso, Brazil was performed. The elderly were interviewed using a questionnaire composed of socio-demographic issues; evaluation tools of basic and instrumental activities of daily living; and care expectation and perceived social support network. The data were submitted to descriptive and comparative statistical analysis, the chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test at a significance level of 5%. Results: Most of the interviewees were younger elderly women. Of these,14.66% lived alone and 85.34% lived with other people, with mainly bi-generation family arrangements. The majority stated that they had fair health, had up to two diseases, were dependent in instrumental activities of daily living and independent in self-care activities. Elderly persons who lived with others relied on their family, and the expectation of care was aimed at a daughter or daughter-in-law; while those who lived alone expected to rely on neighbors or friends to help with their tasks, if needed. Conclusion: Family members are the greatest providers of support and care, and the elderly hope to count on them when they need help in carrying out basic and instrumental activities of daily living.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.