The Guidance of prevention of depression in the elderly, Prathai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

This research was aimed to study the situation and to search the ways to prevent depression in the elderly in Prathai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The data were collected using the screening, questionnaire, in-depth interview, and group discussion. The research samples included: 363 general elderly people, 100 elderly participants, 13 stakeholders, and 9 elderly people who adopted the guidelines to practice. The quantitative

data were analyzed and expressed as the percentage and mean while the qualitative data as the category of the data. The research found that: (1) the majority of the elderly were female and agriculturists, age range 60-65 years. Income was between 15,001-20,000 Baht. When screening the elderly with 2Q, most elderly people had a tendency of depression, with 9Q, the elderly had mild degree of depression, with 8Q, the elderly had no tendency to commit suicide at present. (2) the ways to prevent depression in the elderly were: (2.1) nursing facilities: counseling, education, treatment, surveillance, (2.2) families: to understand the nature of the elderly, to listen the problems or opinions of the elderly, to take care closely and to observe the behavior of the elderly, (2.3) the elderly: to exercise regularly, to have adequate rest, to eat all five food groups, to have no stress and no worry about the future. Such guidelines were agreed by the personnels for their accuracy, appropriateness for practice. And when the guidelines were implemented in the field, the elderly thought that the guidelines could work well because the elderly had better human relationship. The continuation of usage of the guidelines was suggested.