Social Welfare Home Research Articles

Preventive treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in persons living in social welfare homes due to mental pathology

Preventive treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in persons living in social welfare homes due to mental pathology

Sexuality of people 60+ in care institutions - theoretical approach and directions for future research

The article focuses on the sexuality of people aged 60+ in care institutions. We characterise the ageing process of this group in psychosexual and social terms. A review of the literature and legal documents concerning the functioning of the care system for older people, including both public and private social welfare homes, was presented. The analysis of previous Polish and foreign research allowed us to verify the extent to which the sexual rights of residents are respected. In addition, we pay attention to the substantive preparation of employees of 24-hour care facilities, especially in the case of unwanted sexual behaviour. We also consider the situation of older non-heteronormative people and the possibility of their sexual expression within the framework of formal long-term care. We identify four areas of future research: (1) comparative analysis of 24-hour public and private facilities in terms of respecting residents’ rights to privacy and intimacy; (2) examining how the provisions in legal acts are understood and implemented by employees of care institutions in the context of working with sexuality; (3) getting to know the competence of employees to plan interventions and support in the area of residents’ sexuality, as well as checking whether the C. Archibald (1994) model of action can be applied in Polish institutions; (4) describing the functioning of elderly non-heterosexual people in nursing homes.

ADDRESSING PROSOCIAL DEFICITS: A COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN IN A SOCIAL WELFARE HOME - A CASE STUDY AT UPT PSPA PEKANBARU, RIAU

This report presents an assessment and intervention plan aimed at addressing low prosocial behaviour among children residing at the Unit Pelaksana Teknis Panti Sosial Pengasuhan Anak (UPT PSPA), a social welfare home established in 2016 in Pekanbaru, Riau Province, Indonesia. The UPT PSPA serves as a haven for orphans, underprivileged children, and those facing various socio-economic challenges. Their honesty and empathy have become a constant concern, which may affect their daily behaviour as an individual and in a group. As a qualitative research method, the assessment phase involved a combination of interviews and participant observations conducted over the course of several weeks. The Respondents are all the Children (37 children) at UPT PSPA. Using the description analysis of the data results, the finding revealed a significant lack of prosocial behaviours, including honesty, empathy, and helping others, among the children. Instances of lying, bullying, and reluctance to assist peers were frequently observed. These behaviours prompted the need for intervention to foster prosocial behaviours and emotional intelligence. The intervention plan consisted of group counselling sessions and psychoeducation. The counselling sessions aimed to instil the values of honesty, gratitude, empathy, and mutual assistance in daily life. The psychoeducation component emphasized the importance of prosocial behaviour, including the use of “please”, “thank you”, and “I’m sorry” in interactions with others. Following the intervention, a post-assessment was conducted to evaluate changes in the children’s behaviours. While improvements were observed in some children, challenges remained, particularly with those who continued to engage in dishonesty due to fear of punishment or a desire for attention. In conclusion, this report highlights the importance of addressing prosocial behaviour deficits among children in social welfare homes. It underscores the need for ongoing efforts to nurture these behaviours, given their significance in promoting healthy social interactions and personal development. Future interventions will explore additional strategies to further enhance prosocial behaviours in the context.

The level of actual functional fitness of men from different living environments in Poland and associations with health - a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe study aimed to assess the differences in functional fitness between older men living in social welfare homes (SWH) and men living in society.MethodsThe study involved 474 men aged 60–84, including 134 men living in social welfare homes and 340 men living in community. The Senior Fitness Test was used to assess functional fitness. Body weight and height were measured. Moreover, data on age, education, taking up physical activity and place of residence were collected.ResultsA significantly lower level of functional fitness of SWH residents was demonstrated compared to men living in the society (p < 0.001). A significant percentage of seniors living in SWH did not reach the normal range for the Polish population. Also, the level of education, physical activity and health self-assessment differentiated the institutionalized men from those living in the community.ConclusionsThe place of residence is a factor that differentiates seniors’ functional fitness levels. The reduced fitness of social welfare home residents may also result from the low level of their daily physical activity, education and health. Introducing physical activity programs for elderly residents in social welfare homes seems reasonable.Trial registrationISRCTN platform as 18,225,729; December 2020.

Healthy Ageing and Associated Factors among the Older Adults Living in Government Social Welfare Home for Older Persons in Southern Thailand: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Institutionalized older adults tend to experience higher levels of impaired health conditions compared to older persons living in the community. Healthy ageing is a global objective, however, there is limited knowledge about promoting healthy ageing specifically among older persons in social welfare homes. Objective: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with healthy ageing among institutionalized older adults in government social welfare home for older persons (GSWHOP) in the complex societies of the Southern region of Thailand. Materials and Methods: The present study was an analytical cross-sectional study that included 126 older participants aged 60 years or older capable of self-help activities. The present study defined healthy ageing as having independent physical function, good mental health status with no depression, normal nutrition status, and good quality of life. Results: Approximately 33.3% of the older residents who were capable of self-help activities achieved healthy ageing. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of healthy ageing between men at 36.2% and women at 30.9% (p&gt;0.05). After controlling for other covariates, the present study found that factors such as length of institutional stay, knowledge of health promotion behavior (HPB), perceived stress, received HPB related information, and exercise were significantly associated with healthy ageing (p&lt;0.05 to p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The present study revealed that approximately one in three institutionalized older residents in southern Thailand met the criteria for healthy ageing. The findings indicate the importance of social welfare staff, administrators, and policymakers in implementing effective solutions. These include providing practical knowledge of HPBs, promoting regular exercise, and implementing stress management strategies for institutionalized older adults. Targeting individuals after their first year of institutional stay is crucial. These measures can improve the health and well-being of institutionalized older adults in the region. Keywords: Healthy ageing; Institutionalized older adults; Health promotion behaviors; Educational and ecological factors; Quality of life; Southern Thailand

Uwarunkowania działania systemu szczepień przeciwko COVID-19 i ich znaczenie dla funkcjonowania domów pomocy społecznej

As part of counteracting the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic, at the beginning of 2021, the possibility of vaccinating residents and staff of nursing homes (DPS), who found themselves in the first group covered by the National Immunization Plan, was introduced. The level of this vaccination was and is surprisingly high, especially compared to other social groups. In connection with access to vaccinations, it is the DPS managerial staff who are first obliged to build a vaccination system for residents and employees, closely related to other legal regulations relating to the functioning of the institution at this difficult time.With the introduction of the possibility of vaccination against COVID-19, and thus the exceptionally high vaccination rate of residents, there appeared issues of a praxeological, legal, ethical and medical nature that should be presented in the context of the description of the process of protecting residents and DPS employees in the COVID era. The goal of this article is to present a broad analytical perspective for the situation of the participation of DPS residents in the National Vaccination Program, along with the presentation of sensitive issues and the consequences of the preventive and protective action for social issues, taking into account ethical, legal, economic and psychological issues. The article is presenting the most recent data on vaccination and the epidemic situation in the context of residents and employees of selected social welfare homes and discusses the broad context of implementing the vaccination in these institutions.

Indywidualne doświadczenie pracy w warunkach ogniska wirusa SARS-CoV-2 – badania partycypacyjne w Domu Pomocy Społecznej w Choroszczy

The article is a presentation of the results of the research carried out in the Social Welfare Home in Choroszcz during the SARS-CoV-2 focal period in the facility. The analyzed research material was collected using the method of open participant observation of the social worker in the Social Welfare Home, carried out during the covid duty at the turn of September and October 2020. The purpose of the research was to show individual experiences of working in the conditions of a coronavirus outbreak and to identify the challenges resulting from increased social isolation. The article emphasizes the epidemiological situation in the facility related to: staff shortages, psychophysical condition of employees and residents, limitations in working with mentally suffering people, the needs of residents experiencing increased social isolation, difficulties in implementing the assumptions of social rehabilitation and occupational therapy. There was also an assessment of good operating rehabilitation practices in the covid sub-unit using modern technologies.

Evaluation of changes in eating habits of chronically mentally ill patients residing in 24-hour social welfare home, subject to various forms of health-promoting education.

One of the decisive factors in maintaining good health and physical and mental fitness is proper nutrition. Its role becomes particularly important when a disease occurs, including chronic and mental illness. This study was aimed at investigating whether, and to what extent, it is feasible to conduct health-promoting nutritional education and to implement principles of correct nutrition in chronically mentally ill patients residing in a 24-h Social Welfare Home (SWH). 52 people staying in the 24-hour SWH for chronically mentally ill participated in the study. Nutritional education was conducted by a dietitian with whom a psychologist, nurse and physiotherapist collaborated. Nutritional education was aimed at accepting changes in the way of nutrition by changing the composition otfthe diet and food preparation, changing eating behavior (throwing food under the table, taking food from other residents, etc.) and changing the structure of own purchases. One year after the correction of the diet and nutritional supervision, a statistically significant increase in the consumption of vegetables, fruit, cottage cheese, fish and vegetable fats and a decrease in the consumption of white wheat bread, rennet cheese, cold meats and sugar and sweets. In the assortment of women's own purchases, the amount of cold cuts, sweets and cakes decreased, and apples and dairy products appeared. In men, the amount of cold cuts, cheese, cakes and sweetened drinks decreased, and fruits and fermented milk drinks appeared. A significant reduction in the value of the glycemic load was found: 2nd breakfasts, snacks and the value of a 24-hour diet. It was found that multidirectional pro-health nutritional education of chronically mentally illpeople is reflected in their nutritional behavior. The fact that the respondents are aware of the influence of thediet on their health also translates into a change in the range of their own purchases.

Dental Prosthetic Rehabilitation Interventions in Elderly Patients Hospitalized in the Nursing Homes of the Lombardy Region: A Retrospective Study.

Background: The difficulty of frail, non-self-sufficient or non-ambulatory collaborating elderly residents in nursing homes to eat due to a lack of teeth or the absence of a dental prosthesis leads to an increasingly evident increase in the patients' systemic pathological state, particularly in older patients who take a lot of medications. Total or partial edentulousness that is not filled with dental prostheses or that is filled with inadequate prostheses, associated with socioeconomic factors, depression, impaired motor functions, heart disease and a large number of chronic diseases including excessive use of drugs, often affects elderlies' feeding. Aim: In this study, prosthetic rehabilitation was performed on some frail elderly residents in 10 nursing homes in the Lombardy district, and, subsequently, meal behavior and social activity were examined in two information questionnaires through compilation. Methods: The research was conducted on only 67 patients, 26 men and 41 women, aged between 75 and 99, who were guests in 10 health facilities (nursing homes) in the Lombard district; only 8 residents did not undergo prosthetic rehabilitation, as they did not cooperate. All the patients who were visited underwent oral prosthetic rehabilitation, and, subsequently, some aspects such as nutrition and socialization were assessed with other residents through the aid of two information dossiers. Results: the results showed that all the residents, despite difficulties in chewing with the new prosthesis, were fed and did not refuse more consistent foods; in addition, there was an improvement in social activity among the residents. Only 19.3% of men and 22% of women continued to eat little; there was an improvement in the participation in social activities among the residents, with a percentage of 73% of men and 88% of women; in particular, during meals 35 residents conversed with the other residents. Discussion: The dental problems of elderly people residing in social welfare homes are increasingly evident when other systemic pathologies are present. It would be desirable to introduce telemedicine in residences for the elderly for the monitoring of dental problems. Conclusions: From the information obtained and from the evaluation of the change in the elderly, it can be concluded that it would be desirable to include specific dental protocols to create a network, including a telematic one, to monitor and perform more dental checks in nursing homes.

Knowledge, Awareness and Prevalence of Hepatitis B Among Urban Slum Dwellers and Residents of Social Welfare Home: A Cross sectional Study From Eastern India

In view of limited data on the knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the available preventive strategies at the community level, it was aimed to analyse the knowledge and awareness of HBV in the community. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among residents of an urban slum and a social welfare home in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from October 2019 to April 2021. The prevalence of HBV infection was also measured by testing the serum positivity for hepatitis B surface antigen using rapid point-of-care test kits. The statistical analysis was done by using the software SPSS version 20. A total of 370 individuals (mean age 38.7±14.9 years, males: 55.1%) were assessed. Although 18.1% (67) had good knowledge, only 16.7% (62) had good awareness about HBV. Approximately 14.8% (55) knew that a vaccine is available in the country for HBV, and 6.2% (23) identified themselves as being vaccinated. Educational status was a significant independent predictor of knowledge and awareness such that people with education level of matriculation and above had odds of 11.05 (95% confidence interval: 5.3-22.7) and 14.7 (95% confidence interval: 6.5-33.1) for having good knowledge and awareness regarding HBV, respectively. A total of 10 participants tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen contributing to a point prevalence rate of 2.7%. The proportion of individuals with an education status of matriculation and above was higher in the slum area when compared with the welfare home (67% vs 33%; P<0.001), the knowledge (71.6% vs 28.4%; P<0.001) and so was the awareness (71% vs 29%; P<0.001) about HBV as well. The relatively low figures of knowledge and awareness identified in our study undermine the need for intensification of health education and promotion activities regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B infection on a large scale at the community level.

Detection and Quantification of Gastrointestinal Parasites among Inmates of Social Welfare Homes and Low Socio-economic Areas in Metropolitan Port Harcourt

Background: Detection and quantification of gastrointestinal parasitic infections (GIPIs) causing public health problems among poorer layers of the society are still one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in developing countries.&#x0D; Objective: The aim of the study was to detect gastrointestinal parasites among inmates of Social Welfare Homes and Low Socioeconomic Areas in Metropolitan Port Harcourt.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out for the evaluation of all the 1500 participants for GIPs among residents of social welfare homes and low socioeconomic areas in Rivers State, Nigeria for a period of one year (July 2019- June 2020). Stool samples were collected from each participant for isolation of GIPs in stool sample. Formol-ether concentration methods and Modified Ziehl-Neelson Staining techniques was used for the isolation and identification of gastrointestinal parasites. Descriptive and Chi square statistical analysis was applied.&#x0D; Results: Out of 1500, 1,381 (92.1%) participants showed negative report, while 119(7.9%) participants were positive for GIPs. Females account for 839 (55.9%) while males were 661 (44.1%). Positivity in males accounted for 9.8% (65/661) and the females had 6.4% (54/839). Age group with high prevalence occurred among 11-15yrs (13.5%)/340. Both variables were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). Seasonal distribution of GIPs was high during the wet season (p&lt;0.05). Overall, A. lumbricoides was the most predominant gastrointestinal parasites, accounting for 35.3% of the total identified. Others were as follows; T. Trichiura 26.1%, hookworm 21.9%, C. sinensis and S. mansoni 2.5%, tapeworm 1.7%, while H. nana and H. diminuta had 0.8% each. Co-infection of A. lumbricoides + hookworm and hookworm + T. Trichiura recorded 4.2% each. Protozoa species were not identified. Risk factor of the use of toilet papers was found to be statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) among others.&#x0D; Conclusion: We recommend that knowledge of epidemiology and transmission routes of C. sinensis and H. diminuta needs to be improved and effective health education on personal hygiene and mass treatment should be sustainable to control the spread of gastrointestinal parasites.

Assessment of Physical Fitness and Risk Factors for the Occurrence of the Frailty Syndrome among Social Welfare Homes' Residents over 60 Years of Age in Poland.

The study aimed at assessing physical fitness and occurrence of the frailty syndrome among social welfare homes’ residents as well as defining factors which determine the level of frailty and its occurrence. The examination included 198 residents (115 females and 83 males of average age 75.5 ± 10.21) and was carried out with the use of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test with the following cut-off points: 0–6—frail, 7–9—pre-frail, 10–12—non-frail. The research additionally collected data regarding age, gender, number of chronic diseases, education level, type of prior work and current physical activity. In addition, the height and weight of the respondents were measured. The frailty syndrome was found in more than a half of the examinees (104; 52.53%), the pre-frailty state in 30.30% (n = 60) and 17.17% (n = 34) were non-frail. The average result of the SPPB test was 6.52 ± 2.73, which proves a moderate limitation of the sample group’s fitness. No significant differences were noted between female and male respondents (p = 0.27). The multifactorial linear regression model showed that independent and direct frailty syndrome predicators included age, number of chronic diseases and regular physical activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, promoting and encouraging regular, age and interest-related forms of physical activity among seniors might foster the maintenance of their physiological reservoir and functional efficiency.

Sexuality of Elderly People

Abstract The subject of the work is the rarely discussed issue of the sexuality of the elderly. The article describes the sexuality of people in the "autumn of life". The aim of this work is to draw attention to the need to promote sexual health, as well as to prevent sexual disorders. A review of 34 literature items on various aspects of sexuality in the elderly was made: physiology, psyche, and social significance. There are restrictions on the intimate sphere resulting from the need for older people to stay in care and treatment facilities, social welfare homes. Love is presented as a biochemical process to show that it does not depend only on the changing corporeality of a person and that its epicenter is in the brain. The change of the hierarchy of sexual needs occurring with age, the evolution of the art of love from procreation to pleasure and sensuality are presented. Conclusion: the sexuality of seniors is an important sphere of their everyday life and has a large impact on functioning in society, as well as on the perception of their own attractiveness and self-acceptance.

Konstytucyjna ochrona praw osób starszych w zakresie wybranych świadczeń pomocy społecznej - założenia a realizacja

The ageing of the population and the reduction of the caring potential of families result in an increased demand for caring services provided by institutions of the social assistance sector for elderly dependent persons. The article aims to present and evaluate constitutional regulations, supplemented by statutory regulations on the protection of rights of the elderly, especially in the area of institutional support, i.e. social welfare homes, and to identify barriers that prevent obtaining individual benefits. The article analyses legal acts, jurisprudence and statistical data concerning the provision of care services in the community and stationary form. Although the discussed political regulations secure the rights of the elderly in the field of social assistance, there is a noticeable lack of precise regulations, which were included in acts of a lower rank.

Selected Elements of Lifestyle and the Level of Functional Fitness in Older Women.

Background: The appropriate level of functional fitness is a very important element for seniors to maintain self-reliance in daily life. The aim of this research was to assess sociodemographic differences, selected elements of lifestyle, and functional fitness in the older residents of social welfare homes and community dwellers Methods: The analysed group comprised 693 women aged 65–79, including 173 subjects living in social welfare homes and 520 community-dwelling women. Basic anthropometric features were measured, and functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Basic sociodemographic characteristics, as well as data on health self-assessment and selected elements of lifestyle, were also collected. Results: The female residents of social welfare homes were found to have a lower body mass index (BMI), and they came from smaller cities, compared with community-dwelling older women. Furthermore, almost a third of them had no children and completed primary or vocational education. They also reported smoking, poor health conditions, and lack of physical activity. The functional fitness of women living in social welfare homes was significantly lower than in community-dwelling women. Conclusions: As seniors living in social welfare homes have such a significantly reduced level of functional fitness, compared with their peers living independently, it is necessary to include them in adaptive physical activity and diversified daily activities.

Study on the Mental Health of the Elderly under Different Pension Models.

Objective To compare the mental health status of the elderly under different pension modes and to provide evidence for improving institutional services and the quality of life of the elderly. Methods A total of 118 elderly people in social welfare homes, nursing homes, and elderly welfare centers in D city and 165 elderly people from families in D city were assessed by self-made questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), activities of daily living scale (ADL), and social support rating scale (SSRS). Results The total scores of mental health and self, emotion, and adaptation subscales in the social group were higher than those in the home group, with a significant difference (p > 0.05). The scores of cognitive and interpersonal subscales in the home group were higher than those in the social group, but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Under the mode of family pension and social institution pension, the health status of the elderly has certain differences. The elderly in different old-age care modes have good performance in diet and sleep, and there is no statistical difference between them (p > 0.05). Conclusion The investigation shows that the mental health status of the elderly under the family pension model is obviously better than that under the social institution pension model.

Implementation of Self-Government Tasks in the Field of Social and Vocational Rehabilitation of Disabled People in the Lubelskie Voivodeship in 2008-2017

Abstract Disability is an interdisciplinary-medical, social and professional phenomenon. The goal of medical professionals is to treat a person and restore his or her fitness. The group of disabled people in Poland is characterized by a lower level of education than among non-disabled people and high unemployment. The purpose of vocational rehabilitation is to make it easier for a disabled person to obtain and maintain appropriate employment and career advancement. Social rehabilitation is defined as an activity aimed at enabling a disabled person to fully participate in social life. The tasks of the local government addressed to disabled people include conducting occupational therapy workshops (WTZ), occupational activity establishments (ZAZ), community self-help homes (ŚDS) and social welfare homes (DPS). The aim of the study was to analyze the implementation of self-government tasks in the field of social and vocational rehabilitation of disabled people, with particular emphasis on ZAZ in the Lubelskie Voivodeship in 2008-2017. The work uses data collected in 2008-2017 by the Regional Center for Social Policy (ROPS) in Lublin. In addition, in December 2017, they were sent by e-mail to ROPS and Marshal’s Offices in voivodship cities in Poland, inquiries about tasks and ways of implementing these tasks in the field of social and vocational rehabilitation of disabled people in 2008-2017. The available data on expenditure from the State Fund for Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PFRON) was collected. The research material was statistically developed using the IBM SPSS Statistics (v. 25) and Statistica (v. 13) statistical packages. In the years 2008-2017 in the Lubelskie Voivodeship, PLN 75,529,959 was allocated for vocational and social rehabilitation of people with disabilities, the most (PLN 9,158,243) in 2016. In the same year, the largest number of people used the ZAZ. In 2008-2017, the average annual amount of expenditure on social and vocational rehabilitation of disabled people in all Polish provinces was PLN 7 576 718.9. In the discussed period, the highest amounts from PFRON were allocated to the rehabilitation of disabled people in the Śląskie Voivodeship, and the lowest in Lubuskie, while Lubelskie received average amounts. In Poland, in the field of social and vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled people, solutions similar to those already developed are applied in the countries of Western Europe. The costs of financing vocational rehabilitation, understood as financing the functioning of the ZAZ by voivodship self-governments, are constantly growing. The growing expenses incurred on the activities of the ZAZ do not significantly improve the situation related to vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled people. Improving the operation of the system of vocational and social rehabilitation of people with disabilities should not only consist in increasing the funds spent under the current inefficient system, but should be preceded by a thorough analysis of the current state and the development of extensive organizational changes.

Symbolic violence against a person with intellectual disability in a nursing home care

The system of institutional support should be tailored to the needs and capabilities of the persons using it, ensuring full social development. However, institutional care involves tearing the individual out of real social life, isolating him or her and imposing actions that lead to a specific change. The approach of professionals focuses on restoring a state of normality to people with disabilities at all costs or takes the form of neglecting the needs of the individual through an infantile approach to them. The aim of this paper is to present the results of research on the reconstruction of experiences and interpretations of the experience of symbolic violence by people with intellectual disabilities residing in social welfare homes. The research presented in this paper is set in the interpretative paradigm, which consequently allowed the application of the biographical method with the use of autobiographical narrative interview. The analysis of the empirical material reveals various forms of symbolic violence. Some are the result of imposed assistance, i.e., the system of social policy, which in its essence does not take into account the individual needs and possibilities of the individual. Systemic assumptions condemn narrators to certain actions and behaviours. Symbolic violence is also evident in the relationships between the staff of the institutions and the residents, which results, among other things, in anxiety, a sense of being inferior and insecurity.

الدعم الاجتماعي کمنبئ بقلق الموت لدى عينة من المسّنين في دور الرعاية الاجتماعية بمدينة مکه المکرمة

هدفت الدراسة إلى الکشف عن علاقة الدعم الاجتماعي بقلق الموت لدى عينة من االمسنين المقيمين في دور الرعاية الاجتماعية، في ضوء بعض المتغيرات الديموجرافية (النوع - مدة الإقامة بالدار). وتکونت عينة الدراسة من (80) مسن ومسنه، تم انتقاؤهم بالمعاينة العشوائية البسيطة من دار الرعاية الاجتماعية بمکه ممن تتراوح مدة إقامتهم بالدار مابين (عاما إلى أقل من 5 أعوام)، وقد طبق عليهم مقياس الدعم الاجتماعي إعداد (ناصر،2009)، ومقياس قلق الموت إعداد (القيق 2016). وقد کشفت نتائج الدراسة عن وجود علاقة ارتباطية دالة إحصائيا بين الدعم الاجتماعي وقلق الموت لدى المسنين من عينة الدراسة، کما اظهرت النتائج وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين متوسطات درجات قلق الموت لدى المسنين ترجع إلى النوع في اتجاه الاناث، وعدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين متوسطات درجات قلق الموت لدى المسنين ترجع إلى مدة الاقامة، کما أکدت النتائج على وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين متوسطات درجات الدعم الاجتماعي لدى المسنين ترجع إلى النوع، بينما لم تظهر أية فروق ذات دلالة احصائية بين متوسطات الدعم الاجتماعي لدى المسنين ترجع لمدة الاقامة بالدار، کما أکدت النتائج على القدرة التنبؤية للدعم الاجتماعي بقلق الموت لدى المسنين المودعين بدور الرعاية الاجتماعية بالمملکة العربية السعودية. وقد قدمت الدراسة بعض التوصيات والبحوث المقترحة للاستفادة منها لفئة المسنين. الکلمات المفتاحية: الدعم الاجتماعي، قلق الموت، المسنين، دار الرعاية الاجتماعية. Abstract: The study mainly aims to reveal the relationship between social support and death anxiety among a sample of elderly people residing in social care homes and some demographic variables like gender and duration of stay in the house. The sample of the study consists of (80) male and female of the elderly, who were selected with simple random inspection from the Social Care Home in Makkah from the period of their residence in the house ranging between (one year to less than 5 years). The measurement of the social support scale prepared by (Nasser, 2009) and the death anxiety scale prepared by (Al-Qaq 2016) was applied on the sample of study. The results of the study revealed a statistically significant correlation between social support and death anxiety among the elderly study sample.The results also showed that there are statistically significant differences between the mean levels of death anxiety in the elderly due to the type in the female direction.results also indicated that ther are no statistically significant differences between the mean levels of death anxiety in the elderly due to the length of stay. The results also showed that there were statistically significant differences between the averages of social support degrees for the elderly due to gender, while no statistically significant differences between the averages of social support for the elderly were due to the length of stay in the home. The results also revealed the predictive ability of social support with anxiety of death among elderly people in social care homes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study presented some recommendations and proposed research to be used by the elderly. Keywords: The social support, death anxiety, the elderly, social welfare homes.

Nutritional rate in social welfare homes - does it meet the nutritional needs of elderly residents?

Abstract The adequate nutrition for residents in social welfare homes is one of the basic tasks in terms of living needs. Numerous studies indicate that the amount allocated to nutrition service among institutionalized elderly is insufficient. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the amount of the daily rate and the quality of nutrition in social welfare homes. The research material consisted of 3000 menus from 30 social welfare homes located in Upper Silesia (Poland). The menus were evaluated using the Diet Quality Index (Kurskal-Wallis test; p = 0.05). In the quantitative assessment we took into consideration: the number of meals, the frequency of consumption of various product groups and the content of selected micro- and macro-nutrients. The research confirmed significant differences in daily rates among institutions; 14% of facilities have a daily rate of EUR 3.00 - 4.00 per person, 21% - EUR 2.00 - 2.99, 48% - EUR 1.00 - 1.99, 17% less than EUR 1.00. The establishments with a higher daily rate (EUR 3.00 - 4,00 - 35%) provide the residents with 5 meals. A similar situation applies to plant products - only 23% of institutions with the rate lower than EUR 2.00 provide fresh vegetables and fruits to residents, and in the case of the rates above EUR 2.00 it is 67%. Quantitative assessment of menus indicated that mean dietary intakes did not meet recommendations for calcium, vitamin D, fat and protein requirements. Fat intake was 1.5 times higher than recommended. This study showed significant relationship between the amount of the daily rate in social welfare homes facilities and the number of meals and the nutritional quality of foods. Key messages The adequate nutrition for residents in social welfare homes is one of the basic tasks in terms of living needs. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the amount of the daily rate and the quality of nutrition in social welfare homes.