DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDEST-OLD RESIDENTS IN ISRAEL

The authors examined the rate and correlates of depressive symptoms am ong community-dwelling oldest-old citizens in Israel with a sample of about 1,200 Jewish Israelis age 75-94. The estimated national rate of depressive symptoms was 43.5%. Significantly higher rates of depressiv e symptoms were found in women (52%, vs. 29.5% for men) and those of l ow educational level low income, and Middle Eastern or North African o rigin. Having more depressive symptoms was associated with 1) all meas ures of impaired health status; 2) the psychosocial factors of living alone or with a nonspouse, having no available caretaker, and social a nd physical inactivity; 3) the following health behavior and habits: p oor sleep, skipping meals, sexual inactivity, and drinking no alcohol; and 4) traumatic life events and immigration after age 20. The rate o f depressive symptoms is relatively high among oldest-old citizens in Israel, possibly because of the immigrant nature of this population.