Mental Health Assessment of Elderly People Attending Geriatric Clinic in Medical City

摘要

Background: Worldwide elderly population and their life expectancy are increasing gradually. Longevity in most cases brings down poorer health as well as functional status. Thus, it is necessary to understand the problems as well as social, psychological, and medical needs of elderly people in order to plan their optimal care. Objectives: To assess the mental health status (depression and memory state) of elderly people attending Geriatric clinic in medical city, and to determine the influence of some sociodemographic factors on elderly mental health status. Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly people aged 60 years and more who attended geriatric clinic of medical city in Baghdad, from 1st of April to the end of June 2015. Special questionnaire form had been used for data collection via direct interview. The evaluation of the mental state was performed by using modified version of Wechsler Memory Scale and geriatric depression scale. Results: A total of 400 elderly persons were enrolled in the study, 109 (27.3%) of them had impaired memory. The analysis of data revealed that the age and marital status had statistical significant association with memory state. Nearly three quarter (72.8%) of study group had depression according to geriatric depression scale. The majority of studied women had depression (90%), and the same percentage was observed among widowed elders joining in the study.