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 levels of depressive symptoms and to examine risk factors contributing to the development of depressive symptoms in the geriatric population living in nursing homes. Material and Method: In this descriptive study,251 people aged over 60 were conducted that were living in nursing homes in Maltepe and Goztepe,Istanbul.Sociodemographic information was received and research data was collected by face-to-face interview method and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: The depressive symptom levels were higher in elderly living in nursing home. A significant relationship between levels of depressive symptoms and education levels and duration of stay in nursing homes was found(p <0.05). Discussion: Elderly living in nursing home have high levels of depressive symptoms, associated risk factors were detected. Making social arrangements for these risk factors and provision of social support can play an important role in the prevention of depression.