Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF GERIATRIC DEPRESSION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE/ RECREATIONAL PACKAGE FOR GERON’S

*Namrata Jain and Vimla Dunkwal

ABSTRACT

Assessment of elderly depression and development of leisure/ recreational package was conducted in Bikaner city. Three hundred elderly aged 60-70 years belonging to different economic groups were selected purposely from following centers - Geriatric Research and Care Centre P.B.M, Helpage India (N.G.O.), Senior Citizen Society, Associated Group of Hospitals and a common site i.e.: “Vradh Jan Bhraman Path” near Town hall, Bikaner. Information was gathered from elderly through interviewing them using standardized tool known as “geriatric depression scale” (GDS). Further a recreational counseling package was developed to resolve the stress, loneliness, boredom and also to uplift the mental health. Results of findings revealed that overall 45 percent elderly were satisfied with their life contributing percentage of male is more as compared to female. Simultaneously explored the psychological information regarding feeling of unoccupancy, boringness, helplessness, memory loss and emotional instability. Data depicted that females reflected more depressive symptoms when compared to males (12.04-29.35; 9.94-36.69; 8.90-22.93; 57.06-81.65 and 2.61-39.44) for the same parenthesis respectively. Depression is widespread among elderly persons; overall 13% elderly are in mild depression, 4.6% in moderate depression and 1% in severe depression. Data also revealed that females are more depressed at every level. Scores obtained for the content of this package was 4.7. Visual quality, organization & continuity and authenticity scored 4.6, 4.6 and 4.5 respectively. Overall mean score (4.7) was also rated in the range of good to excellent category. The study concluded that recreational counseling package can be an effective measure for bringing about favorable changes in elderly‟s lifestyle.

Keywords: Geriatric depression scale, leisure/ recreational package.