Perceived social support, loneliness, and depression among elderly living in old-age homes

Older persons occasionally or permanently relocate from their own houses to institutions or old-age homes as a result of the current socio-demographic changes and circumstances. In this scenario, the current study aimed to assess the perceived social support, loneliness, and depression among the elderly living in old-age homes.

We have conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among the elders living in old-age homes in Bengaluru urban, who have been staying in old-age homes for at least 6 months or above, and the age group of 60 years or above. Data were obtained from 40 respondents from four old-age homes using a simple random sampling method. Structured interview schedules have been used which included a socio-demographic profile, geriatric depression scale, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and emotional and social loneliness scale.

The majority of the respondents (82.5%) belonged to the age category of 60-70 years. More than half of the respondents were females (57.5%); 30% of the respondents were widowed. Nearly two-thirds of them belonged to below poverty line families. The analysis showed a negative correlation between perceived social support and loneliness and depression and a positive correlation between loneliness and depression. There is a significant gender difference among study variables such as perceived social support and depression. The results also show significant differences across the categories of socioeconomic status, duration of physical illness, and a number of organizations changed while comparing perceived social support and depression variables.

Perceived social support influences older adults' experience of loneliness and depression among inmates of old-age homes. Hence, there is a need to sensitize the staff working in old-age homes on caregiving skills for enabling the elderly to enjoy better-perceived social support and quality of life.