Abstract
Purpose: This study was to investigate prevalence of depression and its related factors, for developing care program to promote mental health in the elderly living alone in an urban area. Methods: Subjects were 250 elderly living alone 65 years and older in A ward in Tokyo. The unsigned and self-writing questionnaire was sent to the subjects by mail. The variables were demographic data, depression (Geriatric Depression Scale-15) as dependent variables, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence, social networks, number of the health medical welfare service, outing frequency, with or without pet, and so on as independent variables. Results: The prevalence of depression was 43.6 %. Factors significantly related to depression were a period of living alone, a degree of long-term care need, and social networks. Conclusion: It was necessary for the elderly living alone in urban area to develop the intervention program suitable for their period of living alone, a degree of long-term care need, and social networks.
