Death anxiety and social support between community and institutionalized older persons

The objective of the study was to assess the level of death anxiety and compare it with the level of perceived social support between institutionalized (N=60) and community-based older persons (N=60). Institutionalized elderly (18 males and 42 females) were compared with the community-based (24 males and 36 females) elderly on measures of Death anxiety (Templar's Death Anxiety Scale; DAS), cognitive functions (Mini-Mental Status Examination; MMSE) and Social support (Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support; MPSS). The findings revealed that death anxiety was significantly more among elderly living in institutionalized set-ups (20.55 ± 5.62) as compared to community older persons (15.88 ± 4.97); however, the institutionalized older personsreported significantly poorer social support (4.50 ± 7.43). Compared to the older persons living in the community (3.12 ± 1.47). The correlation between death anxiety and social support was found to be insignificant for both communities (r=0.63, p=.705) and their institutionalized counterpart (r=0.34, p=.799). Persons living in institutional setups exhibit a poor sense of social support in their lives and also exhibit higher death-related thoughts than their community counterparts.