The relationship between Self-motivation and the Perceived Family Support with Adherence to Physical Rehabilitation among Geriatric Patients

Background: Adherence to physical rehabilitation programs enhances geriatric patients' quality of life by regaining mobility and promoting recovery. Self-motivation and perceived family support are significant factors influencing adherence. Gerontological nurses play an important role in assessing and recognizing barriers to adherence and suggesting strategies to maintain it. Aim: To identify the relationship between self-motivation and the perceived family support with adherence to physical rehabilitation among geriatric patients. Setting: The study was carried out in the Rheumatology, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine Unit of El-Hadara Orthopedic and Traumatology University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. Subjects: A convenient sample of 100 geriatric patients underwent physical rehabilitation. Tools: Six tools were used: Mini-Cog© Test, Geriatric Depression Scale Short-Form, Geriatric Patients' Socio-demographic and Clinical Data Structured Interview Schedule, General Rehabilitation Adherence Scale, Patient Rehabilitation Motivation Questionnaire, and Family Support Scale for Elderly People. Results: The study showed that there was a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between self-motivation and adherence to physical rehabilitation among geriatric patients (p < 0.001, r = 0.416) as well as between the perceived family support and adherence to physical rehabilitation (p < 0.001, r = 0.579). Additionally, perceived family support strongly positively correlated with geriatric patients’ self-motivation to physical rehabilitation (p < 0.001, r = 0.675). Conclusion: The study has shown a strong significant correlation between geriatric patients' self-motivation, perceived family support, and their adherence to physical rehabilitation. Recommendations: Continuous assessment by the gerontological nurses is vital for geriatric patients undergoing physical rehabilitation to estimate their level of self-motivation and perceived family support and help in designing effective physical rehabilitation plans