HEALTH/ILLNESS STATUS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OF ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES LIVING IN REMOTE AREAS AND THEIR HEALTH MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE

The purpose of this study was to explore the optimal method of nursing assistance for health maintenance by studying the living conditions, health/illness status, and social activities of elderly patients with chronic diseases living in remote areas as well as the relationship among the abovementioned parameters. Ninety-five patients receiving routine visiting health care services were interviewed in regard to their demographic characteristics, family structures, means of transportation, health/ illness status and index of social activities for the elderly. Data were also collected from the patients' records. The following were found : 1. Many of the subjects had multiple chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and heart diseases, digestive diseases, endocrine disorders, and bone/joint disorders. Most of them were on medication and their compliance was relatively good. A total of 40% of the patients had symptoms, mostly in the bone and joints, including knee joint pain and/or low back pain, and 44% of the patients considered themselves healthy. 2. The level of social activities of the male subjects was lower than the average elderly in term of socially related activities, learning activities, and personal activities. Those of the female subjects were higher in relation to job activities and personal activities and lower in terms of learning activities. 3. Social activity scores were related to age, sex, means of transportation, hobbies, subjective health status, presence/absence of symptoms, and whether they were careful in regard to health maintenance. 4. It was considered important to support and assist elderly patients with chronic diseases living in remote areas to make symptoms, pain managements and weight control including muscle strengthening meaningful in their lives.