. Soumya S. Sahoo; . Vazinder Kaur; . Udit K. Panda; . Bhola Nath; . Pragyan P. Parija; . Dinesh P. Sahu
Volume 12, Issue 8 , September 2022, , Pages 1-7
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Depression among elderly is an emerging public health concern. Along with othercomorbidities, depression affects the quality of life and functional ability of the geriatric ...
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BACKGROUND: Depression among elderly is an emerging public health concern. Along with othercomorbidities, depression affects the quality of life and functional ability of the geriatric population.This study aimed to assess the depression and quality of life among elderly and compare theseparameters among the inhabitants of old age home and in the community.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional study was conducted among the elderly of thecommunity and old‑age homes in the urban areas of Raipur, Chhattisgarh between March andJuly 2016. Hundred elderly (50 in each group) participated in the study. Geriatric Depression Scale15 (GDS‑15) and Older People Quality of Life (OPQoL)‑35 scale were used to assess the geriatricdepression and quality of life, respectively. Association between depression and demographicvariables were analyzed by Chi‑square/Fisher’s exact test. Pearson’s correlation coefficient wascalculated between GDS‑15 and OPQoL‑35 scale.RESULTS: The prevalence of geriatric depression was 59%. Quality of life was better among theold‑age home elderly participants than that of community elderly when compared for score of lifeover all (11.78 vs. 13.56), health (12.8 vs. 14.0), social relationship (10.48 vs. 13.9), control overlife (11.92 vs. 14.08), home and neighborhoods (9.38 vs. 12.36), psychological and emotionalwellbeing (10.96 vs. 13.7), financial circumstances (14.5 vs. 16.7), and leisure and activities (13.86 vs.15.28). Moderate positive correlation was observed between depression and quality of life.CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence in our study emphasizes the need to delineate the actualburden in the elderly population and provide necessary supportive measures. It needs to be addressedadequately through a coordinated primary care approach and community and social support. Timelyand adequate management of depression can improve the quality‑of‑life outcomes.
