Evaluation of the Psychoeducation Program Given to the Elderly Living Alone at Home in Terms of Some Parameters

The aging process can cause decreases in psychological well-being levels and bring about some mental health problems. It is stated that the most common mental health problems in the elderly are depression, delirium, dementia, anxiety disorders, sleep problems and fear of death. However, factors that negatively affect psychological well-being, such as loneliness experienced in old age and hopeless looking at the future, negatively affect cognitive functions. It can be said that it may affect However, it can be said that the environmental arrangements that can improve the coping channels of elderly individuals and activate them against the changes in old age are very limited.In their studies examining the effect of coping with stress on life satisfaction in the elderly, using optimistic and social support seeking methods while coping with stress increases their life satisfaction. The same study will support intervention programs aimed at increasing the life satisfaction of the elderly. In studies conducted in Turkey, coping skills; Self-confident approach, helpless approach, submissive approach, optimistic approach, seeking social support were determined as self-confident approach, optimistic approach and social support seeking sub-dimensions were determined as effective coping methods, and helpless and submissive approach were determined as ineffective coping methods. It is thought that environmental arrangements that will make elderly individuals happy and prevent them from being alone may be effective in helping them spend more quality time. In this context, psychoeducation will be provided to the elderly living alone at home through regular home visits in order to increase psychological well-being. Within the scope of psychoeducation, the following activities will be planned according to the interests of elderly individuals. 1-Art therapy (the elderly's preferences for artistic pursuits such as wood painting, creating shapes with mud will be taken into account. 2-Expression of emotions through motivational interviewing 3-Conscious Awareness therapy, staying in the present moment 4- Hobbies (growing flowers, gardening, handicraft knitting art, puzzle solving, card games, chess game, etc., organizing trips, cinema, movie events, etc.) With the psychoeducation to be planned, a self-integrative approach will be provided for the elderly person to be happy in the present by accepting the negativities he/she perceives about his/her past, which affects the psychological well-being of the elderly living alone at home. One of the variables is the lack of social support of the elderly. Ensuring the elderly's participation in activities related to their areas of interest by reducing loneliness through home visits will increase both the elderly's coping power and psychological well-being. In the study where they evaluated the psychoeducation given as; They applied psychoeducation consisting of 8 sessions to 42 elderly individuals. Life satisfaction scale after psychoeducation, total score and subscale of healthy lifestyle behaviors scale

It was determined that the mean scores of (nutrition, health responsibility, self-actualization, stress management, interpersonal support and exercise) increased at a statistically significant level.