Determination of the Effects of Daily Life Activities and Self-Care Capacity on Depression of the Elderly in Northern Turkey

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of daily living activities and self-care capacity on depression of the elderly in northern Turkey. The study was conducted with participation of 451 voluntary elderly individuals. Data were collected via a questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, Exercise of Self-care Agency Scale, Daily Activities Index, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Index. The mean Exercise of Self-care Agency Scale score and Geriatric Depression Scale score was 91.44±16.32 and 11.87±5.01, respectively. Negative and highly statistically significant correlations (p=0.000) were found between depression scores and self-care capacity scores (r=-0.470), daily activities scores (r=-0.351), and Instrumental Activity of Daily Life scores (r=-0.270). Study results showed that depression scores of the elderly increased as their daily life activities and self-care capacity scores decreased.