A Medical Look at the Elderly in the Hospices of the City of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of the elderly in the old people's home in the city of Kisangani, to assess the health status of these elderly people and to determine the predictors of their medical suffering. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study with an analytical focus. The survey method was used through interviews to collect information useful for this study, which benefited from the participation of 56 elderly people living in the hospices of the city of Kisangani. Results: It was shown that the hospices for the elderly in Kisangani are dominated by women (51.8%), widows and divorcees are in the majority (92.9%), and the primary level predominates (37.5%). Also 41.1% of the subjects suffered since their accommodation, of which acute rheumatism occupies the first position (47.8%) and 52.2% are taken care of by the churches, but 65.2% are not satisfied with the medical treatment, among them, 41.1% do not make medical controls; 85.7% do not walk well and 82.1% do not urinate well. Similarly their suffering in hospices was associated with five factors including lack of exercise, not urinating well, insecurity in the hospice, needing a man or woman for sex and not eating well. Conclusion: Ageing is accompanied by a decrease in the functional capacities of the body. Also, several systems of regulation of physiological parameters are less efficient in the elderly. They need to be cared for so that their end of life is also better in all respects.