title: [Depressive disorders in the elderly depending on life activity].
abstract: Depressive disorders in the elderly are an important medical and social problem. Age is one of the risk factors of depression, which, apart from dementia, is the most frequent mental disorder after the age of 65.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess mood in respect of the presence of depressive disorders in the elderly depending on their life activity, for example participation in Third Age University classes. The authors also decided to assess general life-satisfaction of Third Age University students comparing to the control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  200 respondents (aged 60 to 85), living in tLdi were enrolled in the study. The study group was comprised of 100 students of the II Third Age University, aged 60 to 85. The control group was comprised of 100 not associated with Third Age University, randomly selected citizens of t6di. The following tools were used in the study: Beck Depression Inventory and Socio-demographic questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depressive symptoms were less frequent among Third Age University students comparing to the control group. Life satisfaction of Third Age University students was higher comparing to seniors of the control group. CONCLUSIONS. Third Age Universities as a form of activity for the elderly satisfy many needs of the elderly. They allow to find new environment and forget about loneliness, old age, and every form of activity in this age is the source of health, gratification and life satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi, II Katedra Chorób Układu Nerwowego, Klinika Psychiatrii Dorosłych. agrafka1005@wp.pl
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orzechowska
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wysokiński
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Przybylska
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jałosińska
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Florkowski
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zboralski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gałecki
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors