SIR—For older people (adults aged 65 and older), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is more than rating their physical health status; emotional and social health are also recognised as very important factors for their well-being [1–4]. Ageing studies show that depressive symptoms among older people are associated with reduced levels of functioning across all the domains in HRQoL [5–9]. Current geriatric research emphasises the importance of improved HRQoL of older people.

The rate of depression in this age group is most likely underestimated because many studies of depression leave out institutionalised patients, including nursing home residents, although they are twice at risk of being depressed than those living with their families [9–11].

About 10.2% of the population in Armenia is 65 or older [12]. Living conditions for the majority of older people have deteriorated since the collapse of the Soviet Union because of ongoing socio-economic transition and malfunctioning of the social support systems. Some older people in Armenia, who are no longer able to care for themselves, rely on public retirement homes (RHs) to get minimal supportive care [13].

In 2004, household (HH) surveys in two provinces of Armenia revealed that the majority of women aged 60 years and over were depressed (about 76% for mainly urban areas and 94% for mainly rural areas) [14, 15]. No studies concerning the HRQoL and/or depression among residents of RHs were previously conducted in Armenia. The experience of other countries and the relevant literature suggested the need to conduct the current study and assess the rate of depression and HRQoL in the older population in Yerevan, including people living in RHs and HHs, and to make comparisons between the two groups.