1999 Volume 4 Issue 1 Pages 105-112
The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to well-being consciousness of elderly patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Fourty three hemodialysis patients, all over 60 years old, were used for the study. Well-being consciousness was measured using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGC) and the data was analyzed statistically. The following factors were found out to be significant (p< 0.05) for well-being consciousness : occupation, experience of hospitalization, complications of cataracts, fatigue and its degree, headache, degree of daily movement, supportive family, and having a friend to consult. Further analysis showed that having a friend to consult was the most significant factor, even when we eliminated the influence of the other variables from our analysis. These findings enable nursing staff to practically enhance well-being consciousness of elderly patients with chronic hemodialysis. Further investigation of the related factors will help nurses to clearly understand how the support they give to patients can be most effective.
