1Principal,
2Reasearch Guide and Principal,
*Corresponding Author Email: manjula_siva@yahoo.co.in
Aging is a natural process. As people age they tend to suffer from problems associated with physical, physiological, emotional and social aspects. These aspects determine the wellbeing of an aged person.
The aim of the study was to assess the Therapeutic Nursing Intervention on psychophysiological wellbeing among elderly residing in old age home, Tamilnadu, India.
Quasi experimental non-equivalent pretest posttest control group design was used for the study. The study was conducted in selected four old age homes in Madurai, Tamilnadu. A total of 140 elderly were selected using purposive sampling technique, out of which 70 were in the experimental group and control group each. Tools used were structured interview schedule on physiological problems, General Health Questionnaire-12 and psychophysiological wellbeing assessment tool. The Therapeutic Nursing Intervention, which includes exercise and geriatric counseling (life review and need based counseling) were administered over 4 days in a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
The therapeutic nursing intervention was effective in improving Physiological wellbeing of the elderly residing in old age home (pre-test post-test comparison t=22.01, P<0.001) posttest comparison t=9.32, P<0.001), Psychological wellbeing (pre-test post-test comparison t = 46.58, P<0.001, post-test comparison t = 17.19, P<0.001). The problems reported by the elderly were, physiological problems such as arthralgia, back pain, dyspnea, insomnia, anorexia, fatigue and psychological problems like feeling of loneliness, sadness, problems with adjustment, lack of love and affection.
The problems of the aged vary from society to society; study findings concluded that, therapeutic nursing intervention such as exercise and counseling are effective intervention to improve psychophysiological wellbeing among the elderly in old age home. There is a real need for geriatric nurses to provide physical, mental and social support to treat the health problems and to heighten their spirit. It recommended that the Government should recruit more health workers and social workers for better improvement of the aged.
Geriatric counseling, Therapeutic nursing intervention, Psychophysiological wellbeing)
