The Role of Social-Economic Class and Activity on the Social Health of Older Adult People Living at Home and Living in Nursing Home

Introduction: Several studies indicate that with increasing age, psychological and social disorders increase. Therefore, considering the importance of providing appropriate psychological, medical and social services to the older Adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of social-economic class and activity on the social health of older adult people living at home and living in nursing home.

Method: The current study is descriptive research. Statistical population of this study is people over 60 years old in Tehran. 90 of them were older adult people living at home and 90 people living in nursing homes. They selected by cluster sampling. Data collection tools included Keyes social health questionnaire (SH), Activities of daily living (ADL), and Socio-Economic Status Questionnaire (SES). Data were analyzed by using variance, correlation and regression analysis.

Results: The results showed that there is a significant relationship between socio-economic status and social health of the older adults living in the nursing home but there is not significant relationship between social-economic status and social health in the older adults living in the home. Also, there is a significant relationship between activity and social health of the older adults living in the nursing home but there is not significant relationship between activity and social health in the older adults living in the home.

Conclusion: Therefore, it is suggested that creating appropriate grounds for the activity of the older adults and improving their socio-economic status. It can improve the social health of the older adults.

Keywords: Activity; Nursing home; Older adults; Socio-Eeconomic status, Social health