Prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among veterans home elders in Eastern Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Depression in the elderly has become a serious health care issue worldwide. However, no studies have determined the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among a representative sample of veterans home elders in Taiwan.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among veterans home elders in eastern Taiwan.


METHODS
Elderly veterans (n = 947) were recruited from four veterans homes in eastern Taiwan.


RESULTS
The prevalence of depressive tendency was 35.5%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that depressive status in this sample was significantly predicted by poorer functional status, dissatisfaction with living situation, poorer perceived health status, and lower education level.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk factors for depressive symptoms identified in this study need to be considered when assessing the health of elderly veterans. In addition, strategies to improve elderly veterans' perception of health status, physical function and living situation should be considered in interventions to reduce their depressive symptoms.
Ku
Yan-Chiou
YC
Nursing Department, Taoyuan Veterans Hospital, Taiwan.
Liu
Wen-Chien
WC
Tsai
Yun-Fang
YF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*