Application Researches Upon Peer Support In Enhancement Of Quality Of Life In Elderly Patients With Chronic Diseases

As the aging of population is becoming a tendency,the number of elderly patients with chronic diseases is constantly on the rise.The increase of such patients comes as heavy burden to both family and the society.The prolonged illness has led to worsening somatic functions,negative moods and wrong self-cognition.As their normal interpersonal communications are interrupted,they feel lonely.As a consequence,their quality of life is degraded.According to social support theory,the more social supports vulnerable groups have received,the better they’re able to handle difficulties and get out of trouble.Highly applicable to the actual living conditions of elderly patients with chronic diseases,the theory can help them build social support network,ease their existing trouble with life and improve their life quality.Based on early-stage investigations and interviews of elderly patients with chronic diseases from community X to gain deeper insight into their emotional catharsis,interpersonal communications,life cultivation and health preservation and information acquisition,elderly peers with chronic diseases were included into the project,in an attempt to strengthen social support network.Individuals with similar experience were selected,through group working,to create a peer group.Targeted group activities were held to establish peer support network,so that elderly patients with chronic diseases could keep mentally,physically and social functionally healthy and face trouble in life more easily and bravely.This contributed to improvement in their quality of life.Finally the group work was summarized and evaluated.The results indicate that group work plays a significant role in establishing peer support network for elderly patients with chronic diseases.Encouragement and supports from peers also contributes to improvement,to a certain extent,in their quality of life.Practical experience from the group work will come as enlightenment to future relevant researches on building peer support network for elderly patients with chronic diseases.