Difficulties that elderly people encounter and their life satisfaction

The number of elderly people in Turkey is increasing. The purpose of this study was to examine the life satisfaction levels of elderly people who live in the Ankara, Kocatepe region. Most of the participants had migration experience, and an occupation, and lived in their own houses. Approximately one third of the participants had serious health problems and encountered difficulties in sustaining their daily life. Life satisfaction of the elderly who have an occupation and their own house was found to be high, but those who had health problems encountered difficulties in activities such as paying bills, performing small repairs, shopping, reading, and organizing transport. Moreover, the life satisfaction of people whose income levels were low was found to be significantly lower than for those with higher income levels.