Comparison of the Effects of Different Living Environments in Geriatric Individuals: A Pilot Study

In Turkey, 63% of geriatric people who make up approximately 8.3% of the entire population live in their own living environment, 36% live with their children and 1% live in nursing homes. The number of individuals living in nursing homes is increasing as the nuclear family structure becomes more evident. National Social Security programs give special importance to nursing home restructuring and Social Health Policy aims to increase practices related to "aging in place" and "Active and Healthy Ageing" for geriatric individuals. In this context, projects aimed at preventing secondary negative symptoms in aging and supporting the quality aging process are outstanding.

The aim of this study is to assess and compare cognitive functions, balance, musculoskeletal pain severity, psychological state, participation level in activities of daily living, and quality of life of geriatric individuals living different environments.

Aging is a process that negatively affects the individual physiologically, psychologically, and socially. Degenerative changes in the musculoskeletal system cause joint pain, limitations, restrictions on activity participation, and physical and social dependence. Neurodegenerative processes, on the other hand, lead to loss of cognitive functions, balance, and coordination. The decrease in biological and social motives and the gradual increase in social and physiological losses, lead to dependence in the activities of daily living, worsening psychological condition, and deteriorating quality of life. With this process, the caregiver burden increases economically and socially.

Today, there is a growing proportion of geriatric individuals in society. According to 2015 data from the World Health Organization, 900 million geriatric individuals live on earth. According to a population projection made by the WHO in 2018, the elderly population is estimated to reach around 2 billion people out of 900 million people by 2050. These data show that 22% of society will be made up of older individuals by 2050.

There were no studies that investigated the effects of different living environments thoroughly on geriatric individuals.The purpose of this research is to evaluate and compare cognitive functions, balance, musculoskeletal pain level, psychological state, participation level in activities of daily living, and quality of life of elderly people living at home and elderly people living in nursing homes in Turkey.

The Aim of This Study Is: To assess and compare of cognitive function, balance, quality of life, depression and daily living activities of geriatric individuals, living in home environment and nursing home

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Volunteering to research,
* Being in the age range of 65-95,
* Individuals with no known health problems, caused inactivity.
* Adequate cognitive functions (Standardized Mini Mental Test score of 24 and above).
* Individuals who do not have musculoskeletal problems that prevent physical activity.
* Giving the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Mental retardation
* Epileptic history
* Those with diseases that cause neurological, orthopedic, and musculoskeletal problems.