Depressive symptoms among community-dwelling, post-stroke elders in Hong Kong

Background: Depressive symptoms adversely affect functional recovery among post-stroke elders. Such symptoms manifest when elders face difficulties in realistic daily living after being discharged. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine (1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling post-stroke elders, (2) the relationship between depressive symptoms and demographic and clinical characteristics among community-dwelling post-stroke elders, and (3) the demographic and clinical factors that differentiate post-stroke elders with and without depressive symptoms. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed on 50 post-stroke elders from a geriatric day clinic. Findings: Depressive symptoms were highly prevalent (68%) among the community-dwelling post-stroke elders. Depressive symptoms were negatively correlated with social support network, social support satisfaction and functional independence. Lastly, poor social support satisfaction and lower functional independence was found to differentiate those post-stroke elders with and without depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The inclusion of psychosocial assessment and delivery of appropriate psychosocial interventions to post-stroke elders are recommended.