Análise da depressão em octogenários de uma instituição de longa permanência para idosos.

Abstract

The number of people aged 60 and over is growing faster than any other age group. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that up to 2025, 120 countries have fertility rates. Total below replacement level and, until then, Brazil will be sixth country in the world in number of elderly. Within this group, the so-called "older, very old or advanced age in the elderly" (above 80 years), also have increased proportionately and more rapidly. Aging is a natural process that results in age-related changes and is despite the individual enjoy a good quality of life. Within these changes, is depression, which is one of the most frequent pathologies of the elderly and considered an important public health problem. Thus, this study aims had analyzed the prevalence of depression in the elderly octogenarian and institutionalized. This works is important to analyze the situation of the elderly living in long-term institutions, and to evaluate the prevalence of depression among elderly octogenarians and impact of this problem in the context of institutionalization. This is a study exploraty, descriptive and quantitative approach, performed in the Long-Term Institute for elderly St. Vincent de Paul, located in the city of Campina Grande - PB, in the period from July to May 2014. The study population consisted of 41 elderly 80 years or more, of these, 11 were selected who answered the inclusion criteria. Interviews were conducted with application of a structured questionnaire and the Abbreviated Geriatric Depression Scale. The data collected made up a database by descriptive statistics using Epi Info version 3.5.2 program. The results show that only an elderly octogenarian sample had signs of depression, which corresponding to a prevalence of 9.1%. Most of the elderly respondents were female, white, single, with incomplete primary education for more than two years and were brought by third parties, had aged between 80-89 years and are independent for activities of daily life. Further research about the issue, since there is a need to better understand the factors that determine depressive symptoms, thus enabling the identification and thus early intervention of depression in elderly octogenarians.