Prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among veterans home elders in Eastern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Depression in the elderly has become a serious health care issue worldwide. However, no studies have determined the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among a representative sample of veterans home elders in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among veterans home elders in eastern Taiwan.

METHOD: Elderly veterans (n = 947) were recruited from four veterans homes in eastern Taiwan.

RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive tendency was 35.5%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that depressive status in this sample was significantly predicted by poorer functional status, dissatisfaction with living situation, poorer perceived health status, and lower education level.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for depressive symptoms identified in this study need to be considered when assessing the health of elderly veterans. In addition, strategies to improve elderly veterans' perception of health status, physical function and living situation should be considered in interventions to reduce their depressive symptoms.