Subjective Well-being of Elderly People at the Onset of Home Care Service: A Questionnaire and Interview Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence the subjective well-being of elderly people as they begin home care service (hereinafter called service) and considers points of attention to improve the subjective well-being of elderly people. Questionnaires containing the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale were administered and interviews were conducted with 200 elderly people beginning home care service.,

As a result, two factors affecting the subjective well-being were extracted. The factors are “how home care service usage was decided” and “family members.” The subjective well-being of elderly people who start the service shortly after hospital discharge is low and that of those who live in three-generational households is high.

The anxieties of elderly people are certainly over home care service. Staff of home care services should accept their feelings and offer services.