The Needs of the Elderly and Their Relationship to Social and Psychological Adjustment: A Proposed Perspective from the Social Casework Method to Meet These Needs – A Study Applied in the City of Nazareth and Its Surroundings

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the needs of the elderly in Nazareth and its suburbs and their relationship with the level of social and psychological adaptation from the perspective of the casework method. The study employed a descriptive-correlational approach to achieve its objectives. A sample of 371 elderly individuals was selected through simple random sampling from the study population, which consists of approximately 10,451 elderly residents in the city and its suburbs. Two primary scales were utilized in the study: the Elderly Needs Scale and the Social and Psychological Adaptation Scale. The results revealed that the elderly in Nazareth and its suburbs experience high psychological and social needs overall, with an average score of 4.20 (84%). The highest need identified was health-related needs (86.2%), while welfare-related needs ranked last (82.6%). The findings also indicated that the elderly in the sample demonstrate a high level of social and psychological adaptation, with an average score of 4.17, where social adaptation slightly exceeded psychological adaptation. The study confirmed that there are no statistically significant differences in psychological and social needs based on variables such as gender, marital status, or monthly income. However, statistically significant differences were observed based on age and receiving external assistance. Additionally, the study's findings showed no statistically significant correlation between the elderly's needs and their social and psychological adaptation. Based on the results, the researcher recommended enhancing social and psychological support programs for the elderly, particularly for those receiving external assistance. It was also recommended to improve access to specialized health services and provide educational and psychological programs to develop skills for adapting to psychological and social changes associated with aging.