Measuring Family Support in the Elderly’s Independence in Performing Activities of Daily Living (A Case Study in Medan Tuntungan District, Medan City, Indonesia)

Abstract

Family support for the elderly people plays a pivotal role in their lives. Approximately 77% of the elderly live with their families. The aging process which results in physical, mental, spiritual and psychosocial changes leads to the nature of the elderly being dependent on others in performing activities of daily living. This study aimed to determine the relationship of family support with the elderly’s performing activities of daily living in the Neighborhood III and IV of Baru Ladang Bambu Sub District, Medan Tuntungan Distrcit,m Medan City, Indonesia. This analytical survey study applied cross sectional approach. Sixty one elderlies were involved as the population in this study. This study used total sampling technique wherein the number of sample equals to the number of population. In analyzing the data, chi-square test was used. The results showed that there was a relationship of family support with the elderly’s performing activities of daily living with p value of 0.000. It is suggested that family members ought to spend time communicating with each other, maintaining the role of parents and caring for all family members, so that the elderly are encouraged to actively perform activities of daily living