Abstract

The study was conducted with the participation of elderly living in Keçiören Municipality Residential Home to determine their sociodemographic properties, percentage of depression risk, and opinion about the institution. The universe of the study was composed of 117 elderly living in Keçiören Municipality Residential Home. Eighty seven elderly (74.4%) participated in the study. It was a descriptive study. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score, sociodemographic properties, presence of chronic disease, mental health and opinion about the institution were the variables. Face to face interview technique was used. The data was collected with a 27 item questionnaire and 30 item GDS questionnaire. The average age of the elderly was 76.1 (standart deviation=8.7). Women composed 63.4% (52 persons) of the elderly. Of the participants, 63.4% (52 persons) felt themselves as very healthy or healthy. According to GDS score, 41.5% of the elderly, living in residential home, had depression risk . There was a statistically significant relation between feeling himself/herself healthy and GDS score. As 41.5% of the elderly had GDS score of 14 or more, it would be useful to improve psychologic counselling services at the institution and apply screening tests rutinly.

Key words: Depression, Residential Home, Elderly, Geriatrics Depression Scale

Article Language: Turkish English