Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Ege Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Yüksekokulu Halk Sağlığı Hemşireliği A.D., İzmir
Ege Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Yüksekokulu, Psikiyatri Hemşireliği A.D., İzmir In this descriptive study it was aimed to find out the physical health problems and habit of using drugs of elderly residents living in a nursing home in Izmir. Study was implemented in 2000 and data was gathered by interview by the researchers, using by a questionnaire form from the elderly (191) who accepted to participate to the study. Sample consisted 66. 7 percent of all. the residents. According to the study results the mean age for the elderly was 72.6 ± 8.5, 55.5 percent of them was male and the others were female. According to their self evaluation, 44.5 percent of the elderly reported their genital health status at good level. Among the main leading physical health problems were as follows; vision. problems (61.3%), arthritis (53.9 %), pain (52.9 %), sleep disturbance (43.5%), hypertension (40.8%), constipation (38.2%). While 57.4 %of the elderly felt his/herself happy, 40.0% of them felt his/herself weak and fatique during the day generally, most of the elderly reported that they were using drugs (84.2%). 38.1% of them reported that they were in need of a person who will stay with him/her during the day in order to support and assist. In the conclusion, health problems of the elderly were found to be similar to the other research findings. Taking into consideration the study results, some nursing interventions such as health education programs, recreational activities were organized by the researchers and nursing students with collaboration and cooperation of the staff and the program was found to be profitable. Keywords : Elderly, nursing home, physical health problems, behaviors of using-drugs