Abstract

Aim: To identify the gaps in current knowledge about existence of depression amongst old age people living in old age homes and living in intact families of Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: Following hypothesis will be researched on: 1) There would be a significant difference in the level of depression between individuals living in old age homes and individuals living in intact families. 2) There would be a significant difference in level of Perceived Social Support amongst elderly, living in old age homes and elderly living in intact families. 3) Perceived Social Support would be negatively correlated with depression in elderly people living in old age homes. 4) There would be a significant correlation between the level of depression and the length of institutionalization in old age homes 5) psychological depression is directly proportional to generalized fibromyalgia. The study employed a correlational research design to study depression in elderly people living in different old age homes from Lahore, Pakistan.

Results: This research included137(n=137) (70 = old age home, 67 = intact families) subjects in total, aiming elderly living in institutionalized settings from different old age homes of Lahore, Pakistan. They were selected on the basis of purposive sampling from different areas of Lahore. All subjects were evaluated by using a geriatric scale, developed by (Yesavage & Brink, 1983). The second scale was multidimensional scale of perceived social support developed by (Zimet & Dahlem,, 1988).

Conclusion: Keeping in view that retired employees are completely cut-off from their previous workplace once they are retired, that is one of the causes of social isolation. The respective workplace and departments should invite their retired employees in their functions so that should feel the same association as they had before the retirement.

Keywords: Geriatric depression, old age, fibromyalgia