Percorrer por autor "Peixoto, Mariana de Paiva"
A mostrar 1 - 1 de 1
Resultados por página
Opções de ordenação
- The Profile of the Older Adult Residing in a Long-Term Care Facility in Sabugal Loneliness and Perceived Social SupportPublication . Peixoto, Mariana de Paiva; Afonso, Rosa Marina Lopes Brás Martins; Patto, Maria da Assunção Morais e Cunha Vaz; Pinto, Nuno Filipe CardosoObjectives: Loneliness has been increasingly recognized as a major health concern, that parallels established health risk factors and perceived social support (PSS) emerges as a crucial protective factor against it. The challenges of old age frequently demand for relocation of older adults to long-term care facilities which can associate with external isolation and decreased interactions. The study aims to better understand the prevalence of loneliness among institutionalized older adults and the role of perceived social support to mitigate these feelings. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in long-term care facilities in Sabugal (n=21), with a sample size of 119 participants. The sample was inquired about sociodemographic data, the institutionalization process, their health, functional and social status and geriatric assessment scales were applied. Results: Prevalence of loneliness was 37.0%, n=44. Low PSS from significant others (p<0.001) and friends (p<0.001) associated with significantly higher odds of experiencing loneliness and medium PSS from family was also associated (p=0.018). Perceiving the process of institutionalization as difficult associated with loneliness (p=0.001). Receiving visits and establishing phone contacts were positively associated with PSS. Establishing phone contacts frequently was associated with higher levels of PSS and with decreased risk of loneliness. Conclusion: A significant portion of older adults in long-term care facilities in Sabugal experience loneliness. The study corroborates the positive associations between perceived social support, especially from friends, and loneliness, and highlights the contribution of a difficult institutionalization process to loneliness. Fostering friendships in older age and supporting the transition from home to care facilities could benefit wellbeing and reduce loneliness in this population.