Analysis of Factors that Affect Depression and Cognitive Status in Elderly Individuals

Abstract

Introduction. A significant portion of cognitive deficits are explained by Late-Life Depression (LLD) in geriatrics. Nevertheless, it seems to be quite difficult to distinguish between cognitive problems accompanied by depressive symptoms resulting from neurodegenerative diseases and late-life depression. In longitudinal studies, we encounter depression as a significant risk factor for dementia.Aim. It was aimed in the study to analyze the factors affecting depression and cognitive status in elderly individuals.Material and Methods. The study, which was conducted in a nursing home located in central Turkey, was designed as a descriptive research. In the selection of study sample, purposive sampling method was used.Results. The study was seen that 79.59% of the participants had depression loads above 14, and 65.31% had cognitive deficit scores above 25 and was determined that there was a statistically significant relationship in elderly individuals older than 85 years and above between having a neurological and psychiatric disorder, having a chronic disease, experiencing a sleep disorder and cognitive deficit and depression load.Conclusions. Advancement of age, additional presence of a neurological or psychiatric disorder, additional presence of a chronic disease, and presence of sleep disorders increase both the rate of cognitive deficit and depression in a geriatric individual. (JNNN 2022;11(1):14–21)