Depressive symptoms and associated factors in elderly long-term care residents

To determine the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly.

This is an epidemiological cross-sectional study with 42 elderly in a Long-Term Care Institution for the Elderly (LTCIE). Data was collected from April to December 2014 through a questionnaire with information on demographic and socioeconomic aspects, the Geriatric Depression Scale short version (GDS-15) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Of the elderly studied, 54.8% had depressive symptoms and were predominantly females (64.7%). There was a significant association between depressive symptoms and variables retired (p = 0.043); urinary incontinence (p = 0.028); self-perceived health (p-value = 0.042) and sleep quality (p-value = 0.000).

The study found a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly, associated with the presence of urinary incontinence, (negative) self-perceived health, (poor) quality of sleep and retirement (yes). Following the study and in the face of the needs of this population, it is necessary to seek measures that act directly on the modifiable variables, preventing and treating them.