ABSTRACT
Around the globe the increasing number of older adults is predicted to create many opportunities and challenges in the health services system. The overall changes in biological and psychological aspects due to aging and the involvement of chronic illness could lead to depression. This study aims to examine (1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms among institutionalised elders, (2) the relationship between cognitive function, social support and depression. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed on 58 elders living in institution using Mini-Cog to assess their cognitive function, Perceived Social Support Friend (PSS-Fr) to assess their perceived social support and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Version (GDS-15) to assess their level of depression. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to assess the association between variables. Chi-square analysis showed that depression was negatively correlated with social support (r=−.857, P=0.003), while cognitive function had no correlation with depression (x2 0.057, α 0.05). However, logistic regression analysis showed that both variables (cognitive function and social support) were correlated to depression x2 7,952 significant at 0.019 <0.05. Cognitive function and social support were associated with depression, with the strongest correlation was with the variable of social support. We encouraged that older adults who live in the institution to arrange group-based activities such as brain gym to maintain the elders’ cognitive function and at the same time maintaining their social activities.
