This is a descriptive study which aimed at identifying the composition of social support networks of the institutionalized elderly, as well as the types and quantity of support received. The social support network has an important role when dealing with the losses and limitations of old age. Thirty institutionalized elderly (with a median age of 74) participated in the study. To identify the composition of social support and types of support received by the institutionalized elderly, interviews and a social support scale were applied. The social support network of the institutionalized elderly was composed in descending order of the quantity of support received from: acquaintances, friends, the other institutionalized and the workers of the institution. Even though the institutionalized elderly had living acquaintances, 29 received more support from friends than from their acquaintances. Only 13 of the elderly received support from few acquaintances (in median 1.8 members of the family offered support to the institutionalized elderly), suggesting an existence of a weak relationship between the institutionalized elderly and their acquaintances. The institutionalized elderly almost always received material, affectionate and emotional support and at times they received informational and interactive positive social support. The outcomes yielded evidence that the institutionalized elderly received support from few people and their social networks.
Aging; Homes for the Aged; Aged; Social Networking; Social Support
