Depression among Geriatric Population: Need of Caregivers Support | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

Depression is the most common mental health problem in the elderly and is associated with a significant burden of illness that affects patients, their families, communities and takes an economic toll as well. Prevalent studies suggest that 14% to 20% of the elderly living in the community experience depressive symptoms, with higher rates among the elderly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression will be a major burden of illness in most of the developing countries (Murray& Lopez, 1996). A study has been carried out in Nellore to assess the prevalence of depression and the factors influencing depression among the geriatric population in Andhra Pradesh with a sample of 100 elderly by using Geriatric Depression Scale (Yesage et.al., 1983). The results revealed that of the total population 59.2% were normal, 23% were having mild depression and 17.8 % were severely depressed. The results revealed that there is a high incidence of depression among the geriatric population and demand gero-psychiatric services to mitigate the problem.