[Cognitive, Emotional and Dependency Level on Institutionalized Older Adults]

Abstract

Introduction: It is necessary to analyze the aging process in institutionalized older people. For this purpose, a descriptive and analytical epidemiological study was carried out in nursing homes for older adults before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Provide an in-depth insight into cognitive (MEC), emotional (Geriatric Depression Scale), and functional (Barthel Scale) status within the older adult participants.

Method: A sample of 973 participants analyzed the relationship between cognitive status, vulnerability to depression, and autonomous performance in Daily Day Activities (DDA) to predict the impact of the comorbidity of these variables. Therefore, in addition to the general distribution of the sample in the previously mentioned dimensions, differences were analyzed according to gender, age, educational level, and geographic area.

Results: The results confirm the hypothesis that a more impaired cognitive state is associated with higher levels of depression and lower functional capacity. The MEC scores have positive and highly significant correlations with Barthel and Yesavage. The relationship between dementia and autonomy is observed for both sexes, while the relationship between dementia and depression is only observed in women. The educational level influences the MEC scores (the more education, the better performance) and the Barthel scores (the less education, the greater dependency). Statistically significant differences were also found depending on the area of residence location.

Conclusions: The more deteriorated cognitive state will be associated with a higher level of depression and lower functional capacity in daily life activities.

Keywords: Autonomy; Autonomía; Cognitive impairment; Depresión; Depression; Deterioro cognitivo; Institucionalización; Institutionalized; Older adults; Personas mayores.