This study was started based on a question on the life of low-income elderly living alone, what they think about life satisfaction and what services could be provided to enhance their life satisfaction. Therefore, this study looks at the factors that ...
This study was started based on a question on the life of low-income elderly living alone, what they think about life satisfaction and what services could be provided to enhance their life satisfaction. Therefore, this study looks at the factors that effect life satisfaction among low-income elderly living alone and looks at methods to enhance their life satisfaction. To do this, this study examined and analyzed 225 low-income elderly living alone and receiving regional social welfare services from 25 social welfare centers in Daegu. The results of this study are as follows.
First, out of physical, psychological, economic and social support factors, physical factors were found to have the highest effect on the life satisfaction of low-income elderly living alone. After that, it was social support factors, psychological factors and economic factors.
Second, life satisfaction among low-income elderly living alone was overall 'normal,' and among sub-factors, health was the highest and friends the lowest.
Third, looking at personal factors, there were differences in life satisfaction among elderly who went to school and those that did not and differences between those that lived alone for 20~40 years and those that lived alone for less than 20. There were also differences based on eligibility to receive social welfare benefits and on monthly income, with differences between those receiving more than 500,000 won, less than 300,000 won and between 300,000 and 500,000 won. Differences based on employment were also present. In particular, low-income elderly living alone had greater life satisfaction depending on employment and age, with life satisfaction increasing for those younger.
Fourth, looking at personal factors, life satisfaction was affected by employment and age.
Fifth, psychological factors consisted of self-efficacy and self-esteem, with self-efficacy having significant effects.
Sixth, out of economics factors, perception of current economic status had a significant effect on life satisfcation.
Seventh, social support factors consisted of family support, friend support and professional support, with all three having a significant effect on life satisfaction. Of these, family support had the greatest effect and professional support the least.
In conclusion, of the social support factors that effect life satisfaction among low-income elderly living alone, life satisfaction was higher for those with greater family support, better perception of current economic status, higher fried support, greater self-efficacy, employment, higher professional support and lower age.
Based on these results, this study proposes the following methods to enhance the life satisfaction of low-income elderly living alone.
First, a family relationship strengthening program must be developed to increase family support for low-income elderly living alone.
Second, concerning perception of current economic status, an adjustment in social welfare benefits provided to low-income elderly living alone and economic education is needed, as well as realistic cost of living support.
Third, increased regional society attention must be given to low-income elderly living alone, through support of friends and neighbors.
Fourth, a psycho-social program and confidence boosting program must be developed for elderly to increase self-efficacy.
Fifth, as life satisfaction among employed elderly is high, vocational education and services to create jobs of the elderly are needed to induce elderly to participate in society.
Sixth, to increase professional support, access to professional institutions such as social welfare institutions must be increased, and rapport must be formed between professionals and elderly.