Study: People with Severe Dementia Less Depressed in Nursing Homes

European researchers have found that people with severe dementia are less depressed living in a nursing home than a community-based setting.

The researchers, based out of the University of Manchester, studied about 400 people with late-stage dementia in eight European countries. They found that 23 percent of the people living in facilities showed signs of depression, compared to 37 percent of the subjects living in the community. This pattern was consistent across all eight countries.

The researchers reasoned that the rate of depression might be lower in nursing homes because the residents have more opportunities to socialize and take part in activities than they do in the community. They noted, however, that the results are somewhat subjective based on caregivers' impressions.

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