Table 3.
Sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants
| Variable | Control (n = 46) | Intervention (n = 46) | All (N = 92) |
|---|---|---|---|
| N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | |
| Age, years (mean, SD) | 78.2 (8.1) | 73.7 (6.9) | 75.9 (7.8) |
| Sex | |||
| Female | 39 (84.8) | 39 (84.8) | 78 (84.8) |
| Male | 7 (15.2) | 7 (15.2) | 14 (15.2) |
| Marital status | |||
| Married | 18 (39.1) | 23 (50) | 41 (44.6) |
| Widowed | 23 (50) | 19 (41.3) | 42 (45.7) |
| Divorced | 4 (8.7) | 2 (4.3) | 6 (6.5) |
| Single | 1 (2.2) | 2 (4.3) | 3 (3.3) |
| Education | |||
| No schooling | 15 (32.6) | 4 (8.7) | 19 (20.7) |
| Primary | 19 (41.3) | 23 (50) | 42 (45.7) |
| Secondary | 11 (23.9) | 19 (41.3) | 30 (32.6) |
| University | 1 (2.2) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.1) |
| Employment | |||
| Employed | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Retired | 46 (100) | 46 (100) | 92 (100) |
| Housing type | |||
| Flat | 46 (100) | 46 (100) | 92 (100) |
| Subdivided flat | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Cage Home | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Household | |||
| Living alone | 13 (28.3) | 10 (21.7) | 23 (25) |
| Living with elderly spouse | 9 (19.6) | 10 (21.7) | 19 (20.7) |
| Living with family | 24 (52.2) | 26 (56.5) | 50 (54.3) |
| Perceived economic status | |||
| More than enough | 14 (30.4) | 9 (19.6) | 23 (25) |
| Just enough | 31 (67.4) | 32 (69.6) | 63 (68.5) |
| Not enough | 1 (2.2) | 4 (8.7) | 5 (5.4) |
| Inadequate | 0 (0) | 1 (2.2) | 1 (1.1) |
| Source of income | |||
| Provided by family | 34 (73.9) | 23 (50) | 57 (62) |
| Self-savings | 10 (21.7) | 11 (23.7) | 21 (22.8) |
| Retirement pension | 4 (8.7) | 3 (6.5) | 7 (7.6) |
| Comprehensive Social Security Assistance | 0 (0) | 2 (4.3) | 2 (2.2) |
| Old Age Living Allowance | 34 (73.9) | 29 (63) | 63 (68.5) |
| Source of care | |||
| Self | 37 (80.4) | 37 (80.4) | 74 (80.4) |
| Spouse | 11 (23.9) | 9 (19.6) | 20 (21.7) |
| Siblings | 0 (0) | 4 (8.7) | 4 (4.3) |
| Children | 23 (50) | 23 (50) | 46 (50) |
| Children in law | 4 (8.7) | 5 (10.9) | 9 (9.8) |
| Volunteers | 3 (6.5) | 3 (6.5) | 6 (6.5) |
| Domestic helpers | 8 (17.4) | 1 (2.2) | 9 (9.8) |
| Frequency of care | |||
| Always | 33 (71.7) | 21 (45.7) | 54 (58.7) |
| Sometimes | 7 (15.2) | 10 (21.7) | 17 (18.5) |
| Only at night | 2 (4.3) | 5 (10.9) | 7 (7.6) |
| No help from others | 4 (8.7) | 10 (21.7) | 14 (15.2) |