Evaluation of Prevalence of Geriatric Depression among Residents of Nursing Homes in Ahwaz, 2016

Hatam Boostani1,

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In the U.S nearly 50% of the elderly living in nursing-homes with depressive disorders (a third of them with major depression), respectively. The incidence of depression and its severity in elderly living in private homes far less than nursing-homes. Since, according to the 2007seniors 26.7% of the total population are old. By the year 2021will reach more than 10%. We decided to assessed prevalence and factors affecting depression in the elderly living in nursing-homes in Ahvaz. Methods: This cross-sectional study on elderly residents nursing-homes in Ahvaz. Among elderly nursing-home residents GDS questionnaire which contains thirty questions is yes or no forms were distributed and collected the required information. And chi-square regression methods were used to analyze the data. Results: In this study, 180 elderly residents of nursing-homes in the city of Ahvaz participated. Including 98 males and 82 females. The mean age 76 years (minimum 62, maximum 89). Overall, 73 patients (40.55%) of elderly depression that 54.79% of men and 45.20% of the women had depression. 50.79% of seniors over 12 months in a nursing-home resident who had depression and 54.83% of the elderly who usually a week, visitors were not depressed. Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of depression among the elderly living in nursing-homes and also a significant correlation between depression in older adults with increased length of stay and lack of visitors. It appears to reduce depression in the elderly living in nursing-homes pay special attention to these two factors.

Keywords: Depression, elderly, nursing homes, Geriatric Depression Scale, Ahwaz