Mental and Physical Morbidity in Oldage Homes of Lucknow, India.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: An exceptional increase in the number and proportion of ‘older adults’ in the country, rapid increase in nuclear families and contemporary changes in the psychosocial matrix and values often compel the elderly segment of society to live alone or in oldage homes. These and other factors make the older adults increasingly vulnerable to mental health problems and their undesirable effects. This study assesses mental health problems and associated morbidity amongst inhabitant of oldage homes in Lucknow, India. Methods: It is an exploratory study in which information about available oldage homes at Lucknow were obtained. Out of these, two oldage homes gave the permission to carry out the study. Survey Psychiatric Assessment Schedule, Mini Mental Status Examination, Mood Disorder Questionnaire, and Schedule for Clinical Assessment of Neuropsychiatric Disorder based clinical interviews were carried out. Results: More than half of the inhabitants of oldage homes were suffering from one or other mental health problems, depression being the most common one. The inhabitants suffering from psychiatric illnesses had one or more associated physical morbidity. Many either overtly or covertly tried avoiding giving details related to personal information.Conclusion: The present study was the first of its nature conducted in India to find the prevalence of mental health morbidity in the inhabitants of oldage homes. Findings reveal higher prevalence of mental health morbidity compared to the community prevalence. Future research may allow shedding light on the determinants of such findings.