Prevalence of depression in older adults living in old age home

Background: The elderly population is large in general and growing due to advancement of health care facilities. These people are faced with numerous physical, psychological and social role changes that challenge their sense of self and capacity to live happily. Many people experience depression in old age, either as a result of living alone or due to lack of close family ties and reduced connections with their culture of origin, which results in an inability to actively participate in the community activities. Aim: To find out prevalence of depression in older adults living in old age homes. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in two old age home in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. Eighty participants living at old age home in the age group of 60 to 85 years were included in this study. The elderly persons were contacted personally and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) questionnaire was administered in their local language. Results: The prevalence of depression in older adults living in old age home was 53.75%. An increase in depression cases was found as the age increases e.g. Young old (47.92%), Mid old (57.69%) and Old old (83.33%). Percentage of depression in females (58.82%) was more than men (44.83%). Percentage of depression according to marital status was found higher in widows/ widowers (67.57%) followed by divorcee/ separated (63.63%) than in people living with spouse (33.33%) and never married (40%). Conclusion: The prevalence of depression was higher in elderly living in old age home. Percentage of depression in females was more than men and found to be increasing with increase in age.