Abstract Background: The elderly in old age homes at Benha city and Mansoura city have to face the burdens of long-term illness and numerous treatment associated stressors. The ability of these elderly to cope with and adapt to these stresses has an important influence on physical and psychological well-being Aim of the study: The aim of this research is to assess the effect of guided imagery as therapeutic strategy in reduction of stress among elderly people in geriatric homes at Benha city and Mansoura city. Research Hypothesis: The guided imagery as a therapeutic strategy will have a positive effect on reducing stress among elderly people in geriatric homes. This study used: Quasi experimental design study. Subjects: The target of this study consists of 40 elderly people. Setting:- The study was conducted at geriatric homes at Benha city and Mansoura city. Tools for data collection: The following tools were used for data collection part I:- Socio-demographic data sheet and part II the stress scale was developed by Jacob, (2005). It consisted of 25 items covering psychological, physiological, social and spiritual areas of stress. Positive and negative statements were included in this scale. The response alternatives were always, sometimes, rarely and never. Results: The result reveals that most of the elderly were Widowed (85.00%). In relation to elderly educational levels that the majority of the study groups had a secondary education (45.00%) and there are highly statistically significant differences between pre and post program related to stress level. Conclusion: Elderly in geriatric homes at Benha city and Mansoura city had significant reduction in the level of stress after the Practice of guided imagery. Recommendation: Practice of guided imagery can be introduced in the inpatient and outpatient settings of the hospital, before, during and after various medical procedures, Guided imagery can be made a part of daily routine of students and staff, which would help them to overcome their academic stress and a study can be carried out to find out the effectiveness of guided imagery on the occupational stress of employees of different fields. |
