Investigating the Relationship Between Social Support, Cognitive Status, and Depression With Daily Life Activities of the Elderly in Amirkola City

The rapid growth of the elderly population has led to more problems, such as declining independence. Due to the importance of doing independent daily living activities in the elderly, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between social support, cognitive status, and depressive symptoms with daily activities in the elderly in Amirkola City.

This matched case-control study is part of the first phase of the cohort project for the elderly in Amirkola City, which was conducted on all people aged 60 years and more in Amirkola City. To collect the data, various questionnaires, including demographic characteristics, mental brief assessment (MMSE), duke social support index (DSSI), elderly depression index (GDS), activity of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) were used. Statistical analysis of variables was performed using descriptive (frequency, mean and standard deviation) and analytical tests (independent t-test, conditional logistic regression) and at a significant level (P<0.05) with the SPSS v. 21 software.

In this study, the mean cognitive status of the elderly without a functional disability was significantly higher than the elderly with a functional disability (P=0.001). Also, in the elderly with functional disabilities, the mean score of depression and the presence of disease was significantly higher, and the mean of social support and ability to perform the activity of daily living were substantially lower (P=0.001). Findings of adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the elderly with cognitive impairment, chronic diseases, and lack of social support are more likely to be disabled in their activity of daily living (P<0.05).

The presence of cognitive impairment and concomitant chronic diseases in the elderly has played the most significant role in the disability of the elderly in activities of daily living. However, increasing social support effectively improved the ability to act for the everyday living of the elderly. Therefore, annual screening of the elderly regarding health status and chronic diseases, cognitive status, and improvement and expansion of the social support network for the elderly can play an effective role in preventing functional disabilities.