Influence of Social Conditions on Memory Decline, Risk of Dementia and Depression, and Social Involvement in Island Elderly

This study aimed to verify the influence of social conditions - living in nursing homes or attending social centres - on memory decline, risk of dementia and depression and social involvement of elderly living on Terceira Island - Azores. Different assessment scales were administered: Weschler Memory Scale - 3rd Edition, Dementia Rating Scale - 2, Geriatric Depression Scale - 15, and Social Involvement Scale. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that elderly participating in social centres had more positive outcomes than institutionalised ones regarding memory decline, risk of dementia, depressive symptoms, and level of social involvement. A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that social condition was a factor for memory decline and risk of dementia, that the principal factor associated with depression was social involvement, and that the main factors related to social involvement were age and gender. These results suggest the importance of activities that promote social involvement in institutionalised elderly individuals.