10th International Congress of the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 17 - 19 September 2014, pp.140
Purpose and Method: Senility is a period, when social problems must also be handled apart from physical and cognitive problems. In this study, we aimed to show social data of patients over 75 years old, who applied to our Geriatrics Polyclinic within 1 year.
Findings: Out of 203 elderly patients, 33% was male and 67% was female. Average age of the groups was 80.9±4.3. When marital status of the patients were analyzed, it has been seen that 5 (2.4%) out of 203 participants were single. Average number of children of the participants was 3.3. When educational backgrounds of the patients were analyzed, it has been seen that 35.3% of the female patients were illiterate. This ratio was 3% in male patients. When job status of the patients were analyzed, it has been seen that 49.3% of all participants, 49.3% of male patients and 25.7% of female patients were retired. When the income types of the patients were analyzed, it has been seen that 98% of male patients and 77.2% of female patients were on salary. When properties of their residences were analyzed, it has been seen that 20.2% of the patients were living alone, 26.1% of the patients were living with their spouses. 91.1% of the patients were living in houses with 3 or more rooms. When frequency of meeting with relatives was analyzed, it has been seen that 15.3% of the patients never see their relatives. 62.1% of the patients in this study group had spouses or children, who could help them when they get sick. When their social activities were analyzed, it has been seen that 4.9% of the patients were driving, 52.7% of the patients were reading newspapers, and 91.2% of the patients were watching TV. 63% of the patients had daily or weekly physical activities. 53.7% of the patients were taking a walk. When the Daily Life Activities (DLA) scores of the study group were analyzed, it has been seen that average DLA score of the elderly patients was 16.1 (min. 6, max. 18). Rate of dependent or quasi-dependent patients in DLA was 8.9%.
Conclusion: When the income status, residence, daily life activities and all other social data of patients over 75 years old, who applied to our polyclinic within the last 1 year, are evaluated, meaningful differences were observed between males and females. Social status of the elders is a critical part of comprehensive geriatric evaluation and it must be routinely questioned since it affects functional capacity.