European journal of geriatrics and gerontology (Online), vol.5, no.2, pp.95-101, 2023 (ESCI)
Objective: This study investigated the effect of social support systems and strengthening approaches on the quality of life in elderly patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 390 participants above the age of 65 receiving service at the Kayseri State Hospital Geriatric Care Center between September-October 2019. The World Health Organization quality of life scale module and multidimensional scale of perceived social support and the patient perceptions of empowerment scale were used as the data collection tools. The effect of multidimensional scale of perceived social support and the patient perceptions of empowerment scale on the quality of life was tested using structural equation modeling. Results: It was determined that education, income, smoking, and chronic disease were significantly related to the quality of life of the elderly. When the effects of multidimensional scale of perceived social support on the quality of life were modeled, it was determined that social support and patient empowerment influenced the quality of life. In the model, patient empowerment significantly affected the quality of life with a standardized regression coefficient of 0.47 and a patient empowerment scale of 0.59. Conclusion: Patient empowerment level has a significant effect on the quality of life of the elderly, with social support. Patient empowerment is an essential determinant of the quality of life in the elderly.