Abstract:

Despite the gradual increase in the elderly population in Turkey, studies on elderly individuals are quite limited. The main purpose of this study is to examine the loneliness levels of the elderly in terms of various demographic variables. It is thought that determining the variables affecting the loneliness levels of the elderly will be effective in reducing the loneliness levels of the elderly by planning studies on elderly individuals. In this study, descriptive survey model, which is one of the quantitative research methods, was applied. The study group consists of elderly individuals over 65 years of age. The 'Loneliness Scale for the Elderly' and the 'Personal Information Form' prepared by the researchers were used as data collection tools in the study. In the analysis of the data, reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, t test for independent samples and ANOVA test analysis methods were applied. As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that the elderly were alone at an acceptable level. It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the loneliness levels and genders of the elderly. There is a statistically significant difference between the loneliness levels of the elderly and their education level, socio-economic level, spending time with friends/neighbors and grandchildren, and living alone or with others. The results of the research were discussed in the light of the literature.

Keywords: