A comparative study on psychiatric morbidity among elderly population residing in old-age homes and community

The objective of this study is to study, assess and compare the socio-demographic profile, psychiatric morbidity, cognitive functioning, quality of life and social support of senior citizens in care homes as well as in the communities.

Hundred subjects (50 were from old-age home and the rest were from the community) were assessed using intake pro forma details and an interview questionnaire. The Geriatric Mental Status questionnaire, Mini-Mental Status Examination, Quality of Life Support, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support scales were then performed on each subject from the two groups in that order, and they were rated on all scales.

Individuals with lack of spouse and lack of children were higher and common attitude was death in old-age homes. Past history of psychiatric illnesses was more in the inmates of old-age homes. Memory disturbances, concentration problems, hypochondriasis, somatic dysfunction, error behaviour, thought disturbances, perceptual disturbances, persecution, expressed happiness and satisfaction were greater in the inmates of old-age care homes. The quality of life was poor in community group than in old-age home group.

There is a need to increase community and health-care professional awareness of mental health problems in later life, as well as improve access to appropriate geriatric and mental healthcare.