A comparative study of depression between the elderly living in their own home and those in nursing home for the aged, Mueang district, Chiang Mai.

Abstract

Background : Depression is a common mental health problem in the elderly in the community and home for the aged. An international research found that older people who live in communities were more depressed than those living in nursing home for the aged. Therefore, researcher wanted to determine difference of depression between the elderly living in their own home and those living in nursing home for the aged in Thailand in a different context.

Objective : To study and compare the prevalence of depression and factors associated with depression in the elderly living in their own home and those living in nursing home for the aged.

Design : A cross – sectional analytic study.

Setting : Tambon Suthep Municipality Mueang District, Chiang Mai and Thampakorn Chiangmai Social Welfare Development Center for the Elderly, Department of Social Development and Welfare, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

Materials and Methods : Data were collected from 170 elderly living in their own home and those living in nursing home for the aged; in 85 elderly each group. The measurement used to assess including: 1) A general information questionnaire: 2) Chula ADL Index; CAI: 3) Life Stress Event: and 4) Thai Geriatric Depression Scale, TGDS.

Results : The results revealed that the elderly living in nursing home for the aged and those living in their own home had different prevalence of depression. The elderly living in nursing home for the aged had depression about 42.4% and those living in their own home had depression about 7.1%. Furthermore, the elderly living in nursing home for the aged had a statistically significant higher level of depression than those living in their own home (P <0.001). There were 5 factors correlated to depression in the elderly living in nursing home for the aged; age above 75 years, marital status, insufficient income, totally dependent state and absence in social activities. Also, there were 2 factors correlated to depression in those living in their own home; insufficient income and having moderate to high life stress event. The predictors of depression both groups of elderly were no own regular income (OR = 8.840, 95%CI = 3.379 - 23.130), insufficient income (OR = 2.624, 95%CI = 1.155 – 5.964) and absence in social activities (OR = 3.348, 95%CI = 1.012 – 11.079).

Conclusion : The elderly living in nursing home for the aged had more depression than those living in their own home. This study found the risk factors to which the surveillance plan and prevent depression in the elderly and assistance as appropriate.