There is a growing attention of clinicians and researchers to the study of aging and the elderly. It is essential a better understanding of this population in order to allow an improve in their health, a better training of professionals, and an adequate planning of public health policies. The study presents sociodemographic characteristics and scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale of patients seen at the Geriatric Outpatient Unit, Brasilia University Hospital, Federal District. The sample includes 303 patients, with mean age of 71 years, women (67.3%), up to four years of education (74.4%), married (49.8%)or widowed (30.4%). Patients come to the Clinic by themselves (42.9%)or with their children (37.1%). Although most patients (63.3%) do not present signs of depression, 36.7% of them present some index of depression. Information on these topics may help planing alternative health treatment strategies, and also improve clinical assessment for this population.
Aging; elderly; outpatient geriatric service; patients' profile
