Effects of Nursing Care on The Level of Depression and Nursing Diagnoses of Elderly People

Abstract

Background. One of the major geriatric disorders is depression. Loneliness, despair and problems with performing basic activities of daily living are the major psychosocial and physical problems among elderly people which are also among risk factors of depression. Research in this area shows that depressive symptoms and bio-psychosocial problems are decreased by appropriate nursing interventions. Objectives. Our study aims to examine the effects of nursing care on the symptoms of depression in elderly people. In addition, changes in number of nursing diagnosis was also examined. Methods. Pretestposttest one group quasi experimental model was used. The sample consisted of 36 elderly individuals residing at the Turkish Pension Fund’s Narlıdere Rest and Care Facilities. The study was carried out during the period May 5 – June 6, 2003 by a group of intern nursing students. Depression scores and nursing diagnoses of elderly people have been measured before and after a specific nursing intervention. Data analysis was done using, descriptive, student t, and McNemar (chisquare) test. Results. The depression scores in the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were seen to decrease after intervention. The difference was statistically significant. Although there was a decrease in the number of nursing diagnoses after intervention, the differences in the number before and after intervention was statistically in the following areas: selfcare deficit, interrupted the family process, deficient diversional activity and risk for loneliness. Conclusions. Nursing interventions given to the elderly has resulted in a decrease in depression points and number of the nursing diagnoses.