Determination of the opinions of individuals aged 65 and over on aging in place: the case of Ankara

Abstract

This study was planned to determine the opinions of individuals aged 65 years and older on "aging in place" and was conducted with 506 elderly individuals living in the cankaya district of Ankara. In order to determine the level of satisfaction of the elderly with the environment they live in, the "Aging in Place Scale," consisted of 15 items and three sub-dimensions, was used. In the study, the score received from the scale indicates the level of satisfaction of elderly individuals with the environment they have lived for a long time. In the study, the elderly were observed to receive scores well above the averages in all three sub-factors, and this situation demonstrated that their satisfaction levels were high. There was no statistically significant difference between the Aging in Place Scale and its sub-factors scores of the elderly and gender and housing ownership. A statistically significant difference was found between the "Attainable Social Support" sub-factor and the level of education and income, and Aging in Place Scale, "Perceived Social Support" and "Physical Competence" sub-factors with living situation. Furthermore, in the study, the relationship between marital status and Aging in Place Scale, its all sub-factors were also statistically significant. The obtained results were discussed within the framework of the studies in the literature, and suggestions were made to individuals, the related institutions and organizations for elderly individuals to age in place successfully.