ABSTRACT

Introduction: Elderly is a crucial course of life. So, attention to the needs and problems of this stage is a social necessity. In this stage, because of decrease in social communication, sense of loneliness and need to belonging, in addition to physical health, affect their life style and satisfaction of life. Therefore, this study aims to compare the loneliness, belonging and satisfaction of life in elderlies who referred to daily remedial centers with elderlies who staying at home.

Method: This descriptive study was conducted on100 individuals who were selected from elderlies who referred to daily remedial centers (50 people) and elderies who stay at home (50 people). Data gathering tools was UCLA (loneliness scale) and “needs to belong scale” in elderies. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 and descriptive and analytical statistics.

Results: The results show a meaningful statistical correlation between loneliness (p < 0.01) and satisfaction of life (p < 0.01), az feeling loneliness and satisfaction of life in elderlies that stay at home was more. Also, in the case of belonging, there were no correlations between two groups (p=0.26).

Conclusion: Increase of social contacts, being in heart felt spiritual environment, especially between�family�members�such�as�children, in addition to promotion of quality of life decreases the psychological problems, particularly depression and lonelinses, and increases satisfaction and feeling of belonging.

Keywords: Loneliness, belongingness, Satisfaction of Life, Elderly