The effect of depression on perceived quality of life in the elderly

This thesis is a compilation of literature, and conclusions looking at the relationship between relationship between depression and quality of life in the community based elderly. The literature provided a great deal of information discussion the prevalence of depression in the elderly, and the corresponding need for quality of life.

The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to measure elderly depression, and the Life Satisfaction Index was used to measure quality of life. The two tools are less than 25 items in length promoting the participant's ease in completion. The scoring of the two tools are inverted. A low score on the Depression Scale would indicate a low level of depression, where a high score on the Satisfaction Index would indicate a positive view of quality of life.

The research data will establish the existence of the relationship between depression and quality of life. Even though a statistically significant relationship was established, a low level of predictability was obtained.