Evaluation of depressive symptoms in patients aged 65 and over registered to a family health center

Objective: Depressive symptoms can often be seen in the elderly. This situation is also an important health problem for family physicians providing service in primary care. This study was conducted to evaluate depressive symptoms in patients aged 65 and over who were registered to a family health center. Materials and Methods: This study is cross-sectional study and was conducted on 350 people aged 65 and over who were registered to a family health center. As the sample group, people aged 65 and over who were registered to the Salipazari Family Health Center in Salipazari district of Samsun province were selected. A survey including questions on sociodemographic variables and the Geriatric Depression Scale was administered to the elderly people included in the sample. Results: 57.4% of the elderly included in the study are women. 63.7% of the participants are between the ages of 65-74 and the average age is 72.65±6.6. 4.,9% of the participants are illiterate. 74.9% of the participants are married. 79.1% of the participants live in the village. 6.6% of the participants live alone at home. 82.2% of the participants have social health insurance. 86.6% of the participants has a less than 8864 TL monthly income. 14.9% of the participants were diagnosed with a psychiatric disease. 22.6% of the participants used a psychiatric drug medication. Frequency of depressive symptoms increases in those who are illiterate, single or widowed, in those who do not have their own room in their home, in those with social health insurance, in those diagnosed with a psychiatric disease and in those with a history of psychiatric drug use. Gender, age, number of people living together at home and monthly income do not affect the frequency of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: As a result, elderly people aged 65 and over who are registered to a family health center should be evaluated for depressive symptoms when they consult a family physician, and the scope of preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative health services for this group should be expanded. Keywords: family health center, depression, elder