Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Factors Affecting Depression and Quality of Life in the Elderly

Nihal Bakar and Rabia Hacihasanoglu Asilar

Aim: This study was conducted to assess depression and quality of life in the elderly and the factors influencing these methods.

Methods: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 450 individuals, 65 years of age and older, who presented to the Family Healthcare Centers in the provincial center of Erzincan between October 2010 and March 2011. The data were collected using a descriptive questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-OLD) and Europe Health Impact Scale- World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (EUROHIS-QOL.8-WHOQOL-8.Tr).

Results: It was determined that 62.2% of older people suffer from depression. The mean WHOQOLOLD subdomain scores of older people were moderate and their overall scores were low. As the study participants’ mean WHOQOL-OLD and EUROHIS-QOL.8 scores increased, the mean GDS score declined, and the difference in between was statistically significant (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Our study results showed that the majority of older people were at risk for depression, and as the mean depression risk score increased, the mean quality of life score decreased.