Effect of Occupational Therapy in the Elderly to Reduce Depression

Abstract

Objective: To know the degree of depression that older adults have and to determine the effect of occupational therapy through an Intervention Plan for the successful integration of the elderly into their usual biopsychosocial environment and in this way to reduce the degree of depression. Material and methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out, the sample consisted of 9 residents, with confirmed diagnoses of depression, who met the inclusion criteria, using the Yesavage Scale (15-item version). The type of sampling was non-probabilistic for convenience; 12 sessions of occupational therapy were carried out, where the main topics were: Kinesiotherapy, logical-mathematical operationalization and recreational therapy. Data processing was carried out through the statistical package SPSS version 21, using descriptive statistics through frequencies and percentages, of each of the variables, measures of central tendency and standard deviation. The application of a Pre-test and a Post-test was carried out. Results: in the application of the Pre-test none were in the normal range, 67% mild depression (6 participants) and the rest in established depression 33% (3 participants), after the application of the Occupational Therapy Intervention Plan the result in the Post-test; in normal range 67% (6 participants) which left with slight Depression 22% (2 participants) and a minority with Depression established 11% (1 participant). Conclusion: Occupational Therapy is a great tool in the treatment of depression in the elderly since it was possible to reduce the level of depression.