RESUMO
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms among older adults after stroke in a nursing home (NH). DESIGN: The study was conducted in a NH and included 50 patients after stroke with a mean age of 74.62 (±8.2). METHOD: The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Acceptance Illness Scale (AIS) and Barthel Index (BI) were used. FINDINGS: Mean GDS was 7.60 (±2.75); 74% of patients had depressive symptoms. The study showed a significant relationship between GDS and marital status (p = .043). A negative correlations between GDS and MMSE (p = .029), GDS and BI (p = .049), and GDS and AIS (p < .0001) were found. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of depressive symptoms in older adults after stroke depends on their mental and functional status, degree of acceptance of illness, and marital status. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Early detection of depressive symptoms in stroke patients allows rehabilitation nurses to optimize the therapeutic effects.
