ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not depressive symptoms were related to differences in the abilities of daily living activities and cognitive functions among the elderly attending senior community centers. METHODS: A total of 304 respondents over 65 years of age completed a set of interviews, which included clinical evaluation, neuropsychological batteries, Short Geriatric Depression Scale (S-GDS), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). RESULTS: Depression was observed in 34.2% respondents (n=105). The depressed group significantly decreased the sum of IADL than that of the non-depressed group (t=3.8, p=0.0002). With logistic analysis, they indicated significant impairment in six items of IADL associated with cognitions, but not in other items with physical functions. The depressed group scored significantly lower in MMSE-K (F=8.56, p<0.01) and delayed recall assessment (F=10.53, p<0.01) despite they showed no difference in immediate memory, compared with the non-depressed group. Among the sociodemographic variables, gender was not a significant risk factor in the depressed elderly, whereas lower income was the only risk factor after adjusting for other variables. CONCLUSION: The depressed elderly attending senior community centers showed impaired functions in their usual daily activities and cognitions. Furthermore, they revealed impairment in cognitive IADLs, whereas they preserved functions in physical IADLs.