Abstract

Background. Assessment of the prevalence of signs and symptoms of depressions among patients in a geriatric rehabilitation ward as well as an analysis of the physiotherapist-patient relationship where the patient suffers from a mood disorder. Material and methods. 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), a questionnaire assessing the attitude of physiotherapists to working with specific patients. Results. 67.7% of the patients suffered from depression-type mood disorders. The presence of a mood disorder in chronically hospitalised elderly patients had a negative influence on the attitude of physiotherapists to those patients. Conclusions. Mood disorders are common in patients of long-term care institutions. Depression has a negative influence on the course of rehabilitation and the relationship between the physiotherapists and the patient. In order to increase the effectiveness of physiotherapy in geriatric rehabilitation wards, action must be taken to improve the emoctional health of elderly patients (diagnosis and treatment of depression).

Key words:

depression, rehabilitation, physiotherapist-patient relationship, long-term hospitalization