Physical Health Status and Depression of a Community-Dwelling Elderly Group

We aim to clarify the behaviors toward noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) prevention focusing on lifestyle-related diseases and physical health status and examine their relationship among community-dwelling women in Indonesia. This cross-sectional study included women aged 45 years and older. Data were collected through an interview using a structured questionnaire; the following parameters were also measured: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), handgrip strength, and 10 m gait speed. This study found that the majority of women adopted one or more healthy behaviors to prevent NCDs, while few women practiced comprehensive behaviors. Age, satisfaction with house income, living alone, social support, social participation, and household decision making were the determinant factors for behaviors toward NCDs prevention. A high prevalence of underweight (26.4%), overweight (31.9%), obesity (5.6%), high systolic blood pressure (SBP) (62.5%), and low muscle strength (54.2%) were frequently observed. Eating well-balanced meals, avoiding fatty foods, and undergoing blood cholesterol testing had significant correlations with physical health status. It is concluded that the activities at Posyandu Lansia (health village posts for older adults) are necessary to help women with unhealthy eating behaviors and lower physical activity and unawareness of health checkups to maintain focus and to develop a more practical approach to NCDs prevention.

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Physical Health Status and Frailty Index in Community Dwelling Older Adults in Tehran

Salmand ◽

10.32598/sija.13.special-issue.652 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 652-665

Author(s):

Sima Ghasemi ◽

Nastaran Keshavarz Mohammadi ◽

Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahboulaghi ◽

Ali Ramezankhani ◽

Yadollah Mehrabi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Physical Health ◽

Frailty Index ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Physical Health Status ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Evaluation of a health promotion program for reducing depression, anxiety and stress in community-dwelling older adults

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)72408-7 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 703-703

Author(s):

W. Walker ◽

D. Pierce ◽

S. Davidson ◽

J. Walker

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Health Status ◽

Physical Health ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Health Promotion Program ◽

Physical Health Status ◽

Promotion Program ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Significant Change

AimHealth education programs that address risk factors for depression and promote positive mental health are approaches that can improve mental wellbeing. We investigated the effectiveness of a health promotion program for reducing levels of depression, anxiety and stress and for promoting appropriate help-seeking behaviour.MethodsFifty-five adults 55+years (43 female, 12 male) self-selected to attend the Healthy & Wise program - a group-based, 8 × 2hr session health-literacy program for promoting positive physical, mental and social functioning in a rural setting. A questionnaire was administered at base-line and post-intervention which included the DASS-21 to measure depression, anxiety and stress levels.ResultsNo significant change in depression scores (mean = 3.60pre-3.51post). Anxiety scores increased (mean 2.92pre-3.51post) (p = .036) correlating with age (p = .029) and change in physical health status (p = .002).Stress scores increased (mean 4.81pre-5.59post) (p = .05) correlating with age (p = .033) and change in physical health status (p = .016).Most participants (pre = 96.36%, post = 98%) indicated they would be likely to seek help from a GP if depressed. Men who mainly rely on their spouse for support were more likely to seek help from a psychologist or psychiatrist (p = .038).ConclusionsThere was no significant change in DASS-21 scores for depression. There was an increase in anxiety and stress levels which may be attributable to older participants experiencing a decline in physical health during the program. Participants remained firm in their preference for seeking help from their GP for depression. Further evaluation is needed to determine whether: at-risk-populations need to be targeted; the intervention has an impact at 12-month follow-up.

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Multimorbidity is associated with more subsequent depressive symptoms in three months: a prospective study of community-dwelling adults in Hong Kong

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610218001916 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (9) ◽

pp. 1367-1371 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Francisco T. T. Lai ◽

Tsz Wah Ma ◽

Wai Kai Hou

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Health Status ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Physical Health ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Physical Health Status ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Cross Sectional

ABSTRACTMultimorbid adults are more likely to have depression. However, existing data are mostly cross-sectional or retrospective with poor control of baseline depressive symptoms and a focus on long-term effects. This prospective study examined the short-term independent predictive association of multimorbidity with depressive symptoms. We collected baseline and three-month follow-up data from a population-based sample of 300 community-dwellers (aged 18–77) in Hong Kong. Multiple regression was used to examine the predictive association of baseline multimorbidity (two or more physical chronic conditions), relative to having one or zero conditions, with depressive symptoms in three months measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D, out of 60) scale. Multivariable adjustments were made for socio-demographics, baseline CES-D scores, and baseline self-perceived physical health status. A sub-analysis was conducted to compare multimorbid participants with monomorbid (one condition) ones. In our sample, 48 participants (16%) had multimorbidity. Adjusted analysis showed that on average, multimorbid participants had 2.71 (95% CI, 0.36–5.06, Cohen’s d = 0.128) more points in the CES-D scale at three-month follow-up than non-multimorbid participants (zero or one condition) did, which was independent of baseline CES-D scores, self-perceived physical health status, and socio-demographics. Compared with monomorbid participants, multimorbidity was associated with a similar difference of 2.92 (95% CI, 0.81–5.66, Cohen’s d = 0.220) points. Incremental R-square changes associated with the inclusion of multimorbidity were significant (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the effect of multimorbidity on depressive symptoms may take a shorter period to manifest than previously assumed. The mental health of adults with multimorbidity warrants more attention.

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