Disability and Depression among The Elderly People with Chronic Physical Disease

Aim: The study was performed in order to explore the status of disability and depression among the elderly people diagnosed with chronic physical diseases.

Method: This descriptive study included 303 elderly individuals aged 65 ≥ years who received treatment at a university hospital due to the diagnosis of a chronic physical disease. The data of the study were gathered using questionnaire form, Brief Disability Questionnaire and Geriatric Depression Scale.

Results: It was found out that there was a signifi cant correlation between age and disability; and disability and depressive symptoms among the elderly people with a chronic disease and that as age increased so did disability and as disability increased so did depressive symptoms. It was noted that scores of disability and depressive symptom of the elderly people who were female, illiterate and dependent in order to continue activities of daily living were high whereas that scores of disability of those who belonged to 65-70 age group and high economic status were low. Widow’s scores of disability were high.

Conclusion: Disability and depressive symptoms are closely interrelated among the elderly people with chronic physical diseases. As the disability increases so do depression signs among the elderly people. Therefore; in terms of providing treatment and care for the elderly people with a chronic disease, evaluation of disability and depressive symptom status will be helpful in realizing interventions to prevent or to decrease the effects of disability and depression upon the lives of the individuals.