Rates of depression and participation in senior centre activities in community-dwelling older persons

Accessible summary • The purpose of this study was to determine the role that senior citizen centres play in decreasing depression in community-dwelling older persons. • Eighty-eight per cent of older persons who made friends at the centre on whom they could rely (n= 217) did not report symptoms of depression while 29.1% of those who did not have friends on whom they could rely (n= 38) reported symptoms of depression. • These results link close friends and social support with decreased chances of developing depression. • Attendance and involvement in senior centres have an effect on the lives of the community-dwelling elders. The purpose of this study was to determine the role that senior citizen centres play in decreasing depression in community-dwelling older persons. A quantitative cross-sectional design was utilized. A questionnaire was used to determine demographic and lifestyle data. The dependent variable, depression symptoms, was measured using the 15-point Geriatric Depression Scale. Eighty-eight per cent stated that they attend for the friends and social support. Second, the study demonstrated that community-dwelling older persons can have those needs fulfilled at the senior centres. Ninety-four per cent of them have made close friends at their centres. Ninety-four per cent stated that their lives had improved since attending the senior centre. Eighty-six per cent felt they had made friends on whom they could rely when needed.