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A Descriptive Study to Assess the Level of Depression among Geriatric Persons Living in a Selected Old Age Home at Cuddalore District

R Radha, Ratna Chaya Singh

Abstract


Aging is normal process. This is deadline all responses that affect all the systems of the body. The aim
of geriatric nursing is to safeguard and increase the health of the older people. The study was
conducted in HelpAge India old age home in Thamaraikulam at Cuddalore District. A total of 100
geriatric persons were selected by using the convenience sampling technique. The level of depression
of the geriatric persons living in old age home was assessed by using Geriatric Depression Scale. The
study revealed that 44% of the geriatric persons had mild depression and 41% of them had severe

depression. Regarding the factors leading to the depression 81% of the geriatric persons had socio-
economics problem, 81% of geriatric persons had spouse problem, 88% of them had problem with

their children, 96% of them had health problems, 93% of them had sleeping problems, 96% of them
had psychological problems and 96% of them had family problems. It was found that majority of the
geriatric persons had mild depression. Regarding factors leading to depression majority of them had
socio-economic problems, health problems, psychological problems, and inadequate family support.
This implies that depression is common among the elderly persons. Early detection and proper
counselling to the geriatric persons would reduce depression.


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.37628/ijgn.v4i2.1995

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