title: Rates of depression and participation in senior centre activities in community-dwelling older persons.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the role that senior citizen centres play in decreasing depression in community-dwelling older persons. A quantitative cross-sectional design was utilized. A questionnaire was used to determine demographic and lifestyle data. The dependent variable, depression symptoms, was measured using the 15-point Geriatric Depression Scale. Eighty-eight per cent stated that they attend for the friends and social support. Second, the study demonstrated that community-dwelling older persons can have those needs fulfilled at the senior centres. Ninety-four per cent of them have made close friends at their centres. Ninety-four per cent stated that their lives had improved since attending the senior centre. Eighty-six per cent felt they had made friends on whom they could rely when needed.
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Fort Smith, AR, USA. sfulbrig@uafortsmith.edu
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fulbright
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires