Abstract
BackgroundIt is important to understand the complex inter-relationship between depression and physical illness in order to plan and provide quality health care services for older persons and reduce suffering and early mortality. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge of age-care staff of the link between physical morbidity and depression.MethodsOne hundred and nineteen staff from both residential (high and low care) and community aged care facilities were surveyed on their awareness and knowledge of the relationship between physical morbidity and symptoms of depression. Predictors of levels of knowledge were assessed using multiple regression analysis.ResultsAwareness of the link between physical morbidity and symptoms of depression was generally high. However, while nearly eighty percent of respondents said they had had training in mental health, they were only able to answer an average of six out of ten of the knowledge questions correctly. Predictors of knowledge were: higher age, higher educational status and working in a high care facility.ConclusionsResponses to the survey questions demonstrated gaps in knowledge about the relationship between depression and physical health. The need for regular ongoing training to improve knowledge and awareness of this relationship is indicated. Treatment of physical health issues which is essential in reducing the risk for depression in older persons in aged care environments could be optimized by improved staff training.
Highlights
It is important to understand the complex inter-relationship between depression and physical illness in order to plan and provide quality health care services for older persons and reduce suffering and early mortality
Older persons residing in aged care facilities are likely to have high rates of physical illness and disability as well as high rates of depression
There is less research examining the link between depression and physical illness in elderly populations but a relationship has been found between depression and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease [14], osteoporosis and psychiatric illness [15,16], and depression and diabetes [17]
Summary
It is important to understand the complex inter-relationship between depression and physical illness in order to plan and provide quality health care services for older persons and reduce suffering and early mortality. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge of age-care staff of the link between physical morbidity and depression. The link between depression and physical illness has been well documented e.g. Older persons residing in aged care facilities are likely to have high rates of physical illness and disability as well as high rates of depression. A cross sectional study [18] found that both physical comorbidities and functional limitations increased the likelihood of depressive illness in older persons and a meta-analysis found that chronic illness was a risk factor for depression in this age group [19]. The relationship between depression and functional impairment or mobility disability in elderly populations has been established e.g. [20,21,22]
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