Sleep and neurocognitive function in the geriatric population: a cross-sectional comparison between nursing-home and community-dwelling older adults.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of institutional care on sleep quality, cognitive functions, and quality of life in individuals aged 65 and over living in Türkiye.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included a total of 62 elderly individuals, either residing in a nursing home or living in their own homes. Participants were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index. After adjusting for age and education, ANCOVA confirmed that nursing home residents had significantly lower MMSE scores than community-dwelling individuals (F(1,58)=7.98, p=0.006, partial η²=0.121).

RESULTS

The mean PSQI score of the participants was 8.06± 3.3, and 64.5% had a score ≥5, indicating poor sleep quality overall. The MMSE scores were significantly lower in nursing home residents compared to community-dwelling individuals (22.2 ± 4.4 vs. 25.2 ± 3.4; p = 0.005). These differences in MMSE remained significant after adjustment for age and education (ANCOVA, p=0.006). Sleep latency was shorter (p = 0.022) and daytime dysfunction was higher (p = 0.028) among nursing home residents, while sleep efficiency was significantly better in those living at home (p = 0.030). A weak but statistically significant negative weak correlation was found between PSQI and WHO-5 scores (r = -0.299, 95% CI: -0.51 to -0.05, p = 0.018). However, no significant correlation was observed between PSQI and MMSE scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing-home residents exhibited lower cognitive performance and poorer sleep efficiency compared to community dwellers, reflecting group differences.