The loneliness of older people

Introduction. Very often, the elderly are experiencing feelings of loneliness. Factor in affecting the sense of loneliness are social and cultural conditions. Also, the state of health — both physical and mental - of man, has an influence on the feeling of loneliness of older people. Often people who are hospitalized feel isolated, marginalized, alone.

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the loneliness of elderly people treated in hospital.

Material and methods. The research method was a diagnostic survey and research-survey technique. Research tools in this study were: the author’s questionnaire, and a scale for measuring loneliness Jenny De Jong Gierveld i Frans Kamphuis. Data analysis was performed using basic descriptive statistics test and Mann-Whitney U, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient using SPSS 17.0.0. The study was conducted in hospitals Cracow internal medicine wards of 115 patients.

Results. Almost half of the respondents felt the general emptiness, a lack of really close friend, the people around you and the company of other people and felt disapproved. Subjects can count on little support from family, grandchildren and children. Key factors affecting loneliness by respondents are: the personality of the person, poor health, not having a hobby. Main ways to combat loneliness is a cultural activity and good time management.

Conclusions. The feeling of loneliness was found in almost half of the patients in the hospital, wherein the more often it refers to women.

Nursing Topics 2015; 23 (2): 233–238