Evaluation of mental and physical health indicators among elderly residents and non-residents of elderly homes based on TOPSIS technique(In 2017-2018)

Abstract

Introduction: Iran has surpassed its population structure changes to an elderly country, as a result, their mental and physical health problems become important. This study aimed to compare the mental and physical health of resident and non-resident elderly people. Method: this research is cross sectional conducted in Tehran city. Statistical sample in this research include 160 elders in three groups resident in home, elders resident in private and public elderly homes. Australian Ministry of Health questionnaires have been used to collect data that reliability and validity of questionnaires has been proven by Alizade et al (2008). In addition, TOPSIS technique has been used for data analysis. Results: Among the factors affecting mental and physical health, the option of elderly living at home with index 0.044291 is in the first rank, the second is the elderly living in a private sanatorium with the index 0.005953 and elderly living in a public sanitary are in third rank with the index 0.004557. Conclusion: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the elderly living in the private and public sanatorium in terms of mental and physical health and its components. The most important factors are: psychological distress index, that in terms of less importance of this index, elderly living in home are in first rank, elderly living in the private nursing homes are in the second rank and the elderly living in the public sanatorium are in third rank. Physical performance evaluation and evaluation of everyday activities performance in terms of most important of this factor, elderly living in home are in the first rank, elderly living in the private nursing homes are in the second rank and the elderly living in the public sanatorium are in third rank.