RISIKO KESUNYIAN DALAM KALANGAN WARGA TUA DI RUMAH SERI KENANGAN

Abstract

Loneliness has been identified as a major mental health problem among older adults. They are at risk to experience loneliness because of loss and life changes. Inadequate social support, physical inability, and chronic diseases increase the risk of loneliness among older adults. Older adults who live separately from the family or in the institution are more prone towards loneliness. A pilot study has been conducted to explore the risk of loneliness among elderly in “Rumah Seri Kenangan”. This study employed semi-structured interview to research the problem. Two female elderly and one male elderly became the respondents of the study. The findings showed that respondents are at risk of suffering from loneliness in the institution. They did not have a good rapport with the children, being visited only twice a year, and rarely being contacted by the family members. Majority of the respondents reported unfriendly relationship with other residents in the institution. On average, they have only one close friend. Respondents have negative stigma towards other residents and workers at the institution. Respondents also reported depressive symptoms like loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, and despair. The findings will benefit policy makers, nurses, social workers, and counselors for lifelong learning, treatment, counseling, and community development.