Effectiveness of Health Communication on Depression Elderly in Ho Chi Minh City

Study Design and Procedure: This prospective controlled study will enroll 200 dyadic pairs (older adult aged 60+ and their primary caregiver) in the intervention arm, alongside a matched control group receiving routine community health care. Participants in the intervention arm will attend 5 structured group education sessions (45-60 minutes per session), held over consecutive weeks. The curriculum covers: Session 1 (Early Recognition \& Screening): Identifying early signs and symptoms of depression, understanding its physical and emotional impacts, and learning basic screening tools. Session 2 (Sleep Hygiene): Understanding the link between sleep and mental health, and adopting practical sleep hygiene strategies. Session 3 (Nutrition \& Physical Activity): Nutritional guidelines for mental well-being and introducing gentle, age-appropriate physical exercises. Session 4 (Stress Management \& Social Support): Practicing stress-reduction techniques and linking dyads to local community resources and support systems. Session 5 (Caregiver Support \& Q\&A): Interactive group discussion, practical coping strategies for caregivers, and screening caregivers for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.