Self-esteem among elderly people receiving care insurance at home and at day centers for the elderly

Background: Implementation of the Long-term Care Insurance Law of 1988 in Israel has made it possible to provide services to frail elderly people in the community. This study compares two specific services that are offered to elderly people as part of the law: (1) help offered to elderly people by homecare workers, and (2) help offered in day-care centers. Methods: The study sought to analyze the impact of the two social service approaches on the self-esteem of the care seekers, and included 300 elderly women (150 of whom received services at home and 150 at day-care centers). Results: The findings showed that the self-esteem of elderly women receiving services in a day-care center was higher than that of elderly women receiving the same services at home. Conclusions: The study shows that the provision of services in a social context is important in giving elderly people proper attention which increases their selfesteem, self-evaluation and sense of mastery.