Level of loneliness, anxiety, and activities of daily living among elderly patients with depression
Main Article Content
Abstract
Late-life depression is common and is associated with deterioration in physical and mental health, reduced self-care capacity, and frequently co-occurs with loneliness, anxiety, and loss of independence in daily activities. This study describes the levels of loneliness, anxiety, and functional independence, and analyzes their associations with depression severity in older adults. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 147 patients aged ≥ 60 years old, diagnosed with depression using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30). Associations were examined using T-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests. The results showed that UCLA and HAM-A scores were significantly elevated in this population (p < 0.001). The median Katz ADL score was 6 (IQR = 3); 11.6% of patients were partially dependent and 23.8% were fully dependent in activities of daily living. The study indicates that loneliness, anxiety, and functional impairment are common problems among older adults with depression and should be systematically screened for and addressed early within geriatric mental health care.
Article Details
Keywords
Loneliness, anxiety, depression, elderly, Katz ADL, GDS
References
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