Abstract

FRADE, João; BARBOSA, Patrícia; CARDOSO, Susana  and  NUNES, Carla. Depression in the elderly: symptoms in institutionalised and non-institutionalised individuals. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2015, vol.serIV, n.4, pp.41-49. ISSN 0874-0283.  https://doi.org/10.12707/RIV14030.

Theoretical framework: Psychiatric disorders in the elderly are common and responsible for the loss of autonomy, worsening of pre-existing conditions and self-care negligence. Objectives: This study aims to assess the association between institutionalisation and depression in the elderly. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a group of elderly people aged 65 years or more. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was applied. Results: The sample was composed of 75 elderly people aged between 65 and 91 years: 44 were institutionalised and 31 lived in the community. The prevalence of depression symptoms was higher in single and widowed elders than in married elders (p<0.001). The likelihood of having depression symptoms was 74.1% lower in non-institutionalised elders. Conclusion: The fact that the elders under study lived alone, were widowed and were institutionalised seems to clearly contribute to the presence of depressive symptoms. It would be of paramount importance to find therapeutic strategies to minimise the impact of institutionalisation.

Keywords : depression; elderly; institutionalization.

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