Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Ege Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Yüksek Okulu, Hemşirelik Esasları Anabilim Dalı, İZMİR This study was planned to determine the loneliness level and to assess the factors that effect the loneliness level in the elderly individuals residing in two different rest home. The sample of the study was composed of 206 elderly individuals residing in Gürçeşme Zübeyde Hanım Rest Home and Narlıdere Resting Facilities of İzmir, and was chosen randomly (Gürçeşme Zübeyde Hanım Rest Home n:100, Narlıdere Resting Facilities n:106). The study datas were collected by using elderly introduction form which was composed of twenty questions and Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS) which was also composed of twenty items by developed by Russell, Peplau and Ferguson (1978). In conclusion of the study, it was determined that the loneliness level of elderly individuals residing in Gürçeşme Zübeyde Hanım Rest Home was higher than those residing in Narlıdere Resting Facilities. There was no correlation between the ages of elderly individuals and their loneliness level. While the education level increased, the loneliness level decreased. The loneliness level of the elderly individuals visited and went to their relatives was lower, the loneliness level of the elderly individuals without income was higher in elderly individuals residing in each rest home. Keywords : Loneliness, Old age, Rest home, UCLA loneliness scale