Relationship between living arrangements, quality of life and depressive symptoms of older adults

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between different types of living arrangement, quality of life and depressive symptoms of older adults. This study was conducted in 2012 in the provincial centre of Kayseri, Turkey. Four groups were formed according to living arrangements of older adults; living alone, living with spouse only, living with spouse and children, living with other family members without spouse. Socio–demographic questionnaire, activities of daily living scale (ADL), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults (WHOQOL OLD) questionnaire and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were administered. The mean depression score (13.9±6.6) of the older adults participated in the study was high. Nearly fifty percent (45.8 %) of the whole group had depressive symptoms. Among older adults living with other family members without spouse, median ADL score (11.0, min: 1.0, max: 12.0) was lowest (p=0.001), mean GDS score (16.3±5.9) was highest (p=0.011) and two domains of quality of life scores mean: autonomy (p=0.002) and social participation (p=0.006) were lowest. Older adults living with other family members without spouse were more likely to be ADL restricted and worse at autonomy and social participation. As having depressive symptoms were common among older adults especially the ones having more risk (poor economic situation, restricted ADL and living in an extended family) should be followed closely by health professionals.