Lithuania, as the other former Soviet or Eastern Bloc nations, has experienced rapid transition from communism to market economy. Democratic government has been established, but with hyperinflation, a dramatic drop in living standards and the emergence of poverty as major issues.
The population of Lithuania is 3.43 million inhabitants, 17% lived in relative poverty in 2002 and 18% are at 65 years and above. The average pension was 197 euro in 2008 but older people who have daily help and care from family members and relatives have much better conditions than those who are alone.
Depression has been designated as a poverty-related disorder. Lithuania has the highest suicide rates in the world (WHO 2006) and suicide is highly associated with depression. Depression and dementia are associated with major individual and societal impact. Despite the importance of depression and dementia in old age there have been few if any epidemiological studies of late-life mental health to date in the former Soviet Baltic States or in former Eastern Bloc countries.
Epidemiological studies that have been carried out have not generally included older age groups, and general health in the oldest old is more sparsely studied. Ascertainment of general health status is particularly important since both conditions are strongly comorbid with somatic disorders.
In addition as part of the former Soviet states, persons suffering from psychiatric disorders have been stigmatized, and the psychiatric field, especially old age psychiatry, is still very underdeveloped. The increasing proportions of older people in these countries generate a pressing need for community mental health research to shape policy-making.
Overall aim
To describe and evaluate the community prevalence and impact of late-life depression and
dementia.
Objectives
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1. To estimate the prevalence of late-life depression
and dementia.
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2. To describe cross-sectional associations between
these two disorders and potentially population-
relevant environmental risk factors associated with
depression and dementia
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3. To describe the impact on depression, and dementia. In particular to describe:
1) association with disability
2) care arrangements and service use
3) socioeconomic impact and emotional burden on
caregivers
4. To disseminate the findings to policy-makers, public and colleagues in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia about the results
