The Comparison of Depression and Death Anxiety among Nursing Home Resident and Non-Resident Elderlies

Abstract

Abstract Background & Aim: Different physical and social contexts can be affecting the various aspects of life in elderly people. The aim of present study was to investigate and compare of depression and death anxiety among nursing home resident and non-resident elderlies. Material & Method: The research was a descriptive comparative study and 250 nursing home resident and non-resident elderlies were participated. The sampling was done by available sampling method. The research instruments were Geriatric Depression Scale and Collet& Lester death anxiety test. Data gathering was based solely on self-reports. Data were analyzed via SPSS (V. 16) using independent t-test. Result: Depression and death anxiety were significantly greater in nursing home resident elderlies respect to non-resident elderlies (P=0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, it is necessary to improve quality of life in elderly by attention to living conditions of nursing home resident elderlies, periodic psychiatric examinations and using psychological interventions in depression and anxiety.

Keywords

• depression
• death anxiety
• the elderly