[Depressive symptomatology among elderly residential home residents in Manisa: prevalence and related risk factors].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression and related factors among elderly residential home residents in Manisa.

Methods: The study was carried out in all residential homes in Manisa and the surrounding towns. One hundred and forty-five residents completed a form asking questions about demographic features, health conditions and the pattern of relationships with their relatives, the employees of the home, and the other residents. The Geriatric Depression Scale Turkish Form (GDS-TF) was used. The data was analysed by logistic regression to determine the factors which had an effect on the presence of depression.

Results: The mean age of the sample was 73.9 +/- 9.2 and the mean score of GDS-TF was 11.9 +/- 6.52. Some 35.9% of subjects were depressed according to the cutoff point of 13/14 for the GDS-Turkish Form. Associations between dissatisfaction with the perceived social level (p=0.004), decline in the ability to perform personal care (p=0.045), having worries about leaving the home (p<0.001), the lack of enthusiasm for participating in social activities (p=0.007), not being pleased with the physical conditions of the home (p=0.032) and the presence of depression were determined.

Conclusion: The prevalence of depression, which is common in residential homes is not associated with the social support from outside the home, and the feelings of belonging towards the institution and other residents are more important than non-institutional social support.