Geriatric Depression and Associated Risk Factors: The Level of Depression Symptom at Elderly Living in Nursing Home

Aim: With aging; psychological illnesses like depression can be seen as well as physical illnesses. This research was made to determine the levelsof depressive symptoms and to examine risk factors contributing to thedevelopment of depressive symptoms in the geriatric population living innursing homes. Material and Method: In this descriptive study,251 peopleaged over 60 were conducted that were living in nursing homes in Maltepeand Goztepe,Istanbul.Sociodemographic information was received andresearch data was collected by face-to-face interview method and GeriatricDepression Scale (GDS). Results: The depressive symptom levels were higherin elderly living in nursing home. A significant relationship between levels ofdepressive symptoms and education levels and duration of stay in nursinghomes was found(p <0.05). Discussion: Elderly living in nursing home havehigh levels of depressive symptoms, associated risk factors were detected.Making social arrangements for these risk factors and provision of socialsupport can play an important role in the prevention of depression.