ObjectiveTo observe the status and related factors of depression symptoms in elders.MethodsRandomized multi-stage sampling method was used to select subjects.504 elders ( aged ≥65 years) in Jining were investigated and assessed by using the scales of Geriatric Depression Scale15 ( GDS-15 ),Katz-activity of daily liying (Katz-ADL) and Lawton instrumental ADL (IADL).ResultsThe GDS scores of males (2.24 ±2.12 ) were significantly lower than that of females ( 3.35 ± 3.49) ( t '=4.236,P ＜ 0.01 ).There were significant differences in GDS scores among different subgroups of age,single or not,physical activity,sleep quality,self-reported health,living condition,economic status and lonely feeling.GDS scores were significantly correlated to lonely feeling,IADL,living condition,economic status,self-reported health and age (F =27.47,P ＜ 0.001 ; R2 =0.372,R'2 =0.358 ),with the total contribution of 35.8％.ConclusionAmong elders,the main factors influencing depression symptoms are lonely feeling,IADL,female,health condition,economic condition and single,respectively.Enhancing IADL of elders can contribute to reduce the risk factors of depression.