Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2014 , Vol 17, Issue 2
DETERMINATION OF PAIN CHARACTERISTICS, PAIN BELIEF AND RISK OF DEPRESSION AMONG ELDERLY RESIDENTS LIVING AT NURSING HOME
Bahire ULUS1, Arzu Ä°RBAN2, Nadi BAKIRCI3, Ela YILMAZ1, Yasemin USLU1, Nurullah YÃœCEL4, Fatma ETÄ° ASLAN1
1Acıbadem Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Hemşirelik Bölümü İSTANBUL
2Medipol Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Anesteziyoloji ve Reanimasyon Anabilim Dalı İSTANBUL
3Acıbadem Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı İSTANBUL
4İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi, Sosyal Hizmetler Daire Başkanlığı, Darülaceze Müdürlüğü İSTANBUL
Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine pain frequency, pain characteristics, pain beliefs and depression status of elderly people living in nursing homes.

Materials and Method: This descriptive study was carried out in nursing homes affiliated with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Elderly people who were residents in these nursing homes were included in the study. Data were collected with the Descriptive Data Form, Pain Evaluation Form, Geriatric Depression Scale and Pain Beliefs Questionnaire.

Results: One hundred forty-six people were included in the study. 76% of the elderly people complained about pain, especially leg pain. This was severe chronic pain of a high intensity (Numerical Rating Scale 5-7). This chronic pain adversely affected their daily activities. The risk of depression even higher in older patients with neurological disease. Half of the elderly residents (51%) stated that it was easier to cope with the pain when they were happy, and also that pain was an indicator of having something wrong with their body.

Conclusion: In the light of this study, we can say that pain is a frequently seen symptom in elderly residents living in nursing homes. The psychological status of the residents has a great impact on the management of their pain. Therefore people's psychological status and their beliefs related to pain should also be assessed. Keywords : Aged; Pain, Depression