Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate what the differences were in life satisfaction and daily life activity levels of elderly people who are living in institutional settings versus home and living in a big city versus in a small town. Furthermore, variables which predicted life satisfaction were also examined. The sample of this study was comprised of 750 elderly between the ages of 60 - 95. In this study, Demographic Information Questionnaire, Life Satisfaction Scale (LS) and Daily Life Activity (DLA) Scale were used. Compared to a big city, in a small town the Life Satisfaction Scale scores were higher, the Daily Life Activity Scale scores was lower. In a big city, higher educational level and living at home increase Life Satisfaction and Daily Life Activity scores. In contrast to big city in a small town, none of the variables had an effect on Life Satisfaction scores. In a small town, women with high educational level who are living at home had high Daily Life Activity scores. Hierarchical regression shows that in a big city Daily Life Activity and type of residence variables significantly predicted Life Satisfaction scores and in a small city Daily Life Activity and age variables significantly predicted. A brief conclusion discusses practical implications drawn from the study

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