Abstract

NEVES, Rafael Trevizoli et al. Aging and cardiovascular disease: depression and quality of life of elders at home. Psicol. hosp. (São Paulo) [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.2, pp. 72-98. ISSN 2175-3547.

Among the elderly, depression has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CD). This situation may benefit from forms of treatment that improve one’s quality of life (QOL), such as home care (HC). The aim of the study was to identify and describe the presence and characteristics of depression in elderly patients with CD having HC treatment, to evaluate their QOL and the relationship between these two. In a public hospital, the following were applied to 30 elderly patients who were receiving HC: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30), SF-36 inventory and conducted semi-structured interviews. There being a female majority (73.4 percent) and a mean age of 83.3 years, 60 percent of participants had a score indicative of depression on the GDS, with 10 percent of these experiencing severe depression. On the SF36, the Social Aspects domain had higher average score (75.8), and the lowest scores were for Functional Capacity (14.6) and Physical Aspects (46.5). The increase of depressive symptoms had a relationship with the lowest average score in all domains of QOL, especially in Emotional Aspects, as well as Physical and Mental health.

Keywords : Cardiovascular diseases; Home care; Depression; Quality of life.

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