Perceived social support and associated factors among older people living in metropolitan cities of northwest Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

In this study more than two-fifth of older people have low perceived social support. Number of children, mental health, sense of coherence, wealth index, and participation in social services were had a significant association with the perceived social support of older people. In order for these vulnerable populations to age healthily, alternative forms of support should be provided as the societal culture supporting the elderly has declined. Particularly, emphasis should be given for older people with mental health problems and those having no social service participation. Besides, further research is crucial targeting the actual social support of the elderly people including those living in the street, temporal residents, and religious places.