Demographic characteristics and self independence among elderly in Surabaya City

Background: National Socio Economic Survey (NSES) in 2008, 2009 and 2012 showed that the percentage of elderly population had reached >7% of the total population. Large number of elderly might be a burden to the society. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of the demographic characteristics with elderly independence. Methods: This study was an observational, cross-sectional research. The population of this study was all elderly in Surabaya city. The samples were elderly aged >60 years old in Tambaksari Sub District. Sample size of 80 elderly determined by a Multi Stage Random Sampling. Demographic characteristic variables were level of education and kind of work. The self independence of the elderly included the ability to prepare meal, physical mobility, self neatness, ability to use telephone and manage their own finances. Results: The Spearman correlation test showed relationships of education level with the ability to prepare the meal (r = 0.308), self neatness (r = 0.234), ability to use telephone (r = 0.378) and manage the finances (r = 0.293). There was a relationship between the type of work and physical mobility (r = 0.237) and the ability to use telephone (r = 0.226). Likewise, there was a relationship between the type of work that have been done with the ability to use telephone (r = 0.236). Conclusion: The demographic conditions in the elderly can contribute to the self independence of the elderly.