Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Ege üniversitesi Atatürk Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksek Okulu
Ege Üniversitesi İzmir Atatürk Sağlık Yüksek Okulu Bornova Objective: Sociodemographic variables, social support, cognitive function, physical and mental health have been used previously in a few predictor models of loneliness and psychological distress in late life.. This study investigated relationships between loneliness, cognitif disfunction and depression in 90 elder people.
Materials and Methods: Ninety elder residents completed a form asking questions about demographic features. The analyses focused on subset of cognitive and psychosocial instruments, including Ucla loneliness scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Short Cognitive Examination (KKM). The data was analysed by mean, ANOVA, correlation.
Results: The mean age of the sample was 71± 9.6 and the mean score of GDS- was 12.1± 6.5, Ucla loneliness scale mean 37.1± 9.1, Short Cognitive Examination (KKM ) mean 41± 8.8. The present our findings that cognitif disfunction may also influence the experience of loneliness. The most significant relationship to depression was that of loneliness, with lonelier men and women reporting higher scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The older women had more depressive symptoms than older man.
Conclusion: Feelings of loneliness decrease one\'s evaluation of physical and psychosocial well-being. Loneliness in older people are associated with both poor cognitive function and depressive symptoms Keywords : Loneliness, Cognitive function, Depression, Elder people