The relationship between loneliness and healthy lifestyle in elderly in Gonabad city in 2017

Loneliness is one of the most common problems of elderly aging, which greatly affects the health of the elderly. Lifestyle is one of the most important factors affecting health. This study was conducted to explore the relationship between loneliness and healthy lifestyle in the elderly 60-75 years in Gonabad city in 2017.

In this cross-sectional study, 263 elderly people in Gonabad were selected by stratified random sampling. In order to collect information, a questionnaire of demographic information, feeling of loneliness and healthy lifestyle in the elderly was used. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests (independent t-test, analysis of variance and Spearman correlation coefficient) and SPSS version 20 were used to analyze the data. Significance level less than 0.05 was considered.

The mean score of loneliness and stuttering style of elderly was 65.26±11.65 and 153.19±27.95. Furthermore, a significant and reverse relationship was detected between loneliness and healthy lifestyle in the elderly. Thus, lifestyle score was higher in the elderly who had less loneliness (P=0.00, R=-0.72).

The results of this study show that reducing loneliness  has an effective role in improving lifestyle of elderly. With this in mind, the role of supporting nursing caregivers, educating specialist staff in the field of egalitarian medicine, family counseling and mental health for the elderly and their families are highlighted.