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Comparing sleep quality in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly individuals.
Raquel Martins da Silva1, Pedro Afonso1, Miguel Fonseca2
1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
Aging & Mental Health
|May 18, 2019
Summary
Institutionalized elderly individuals experience poorer sleep quality, increased daytime sleepiness, and more depressive symptoms compared to their non-institutionalized peers. These findings highlight the impact of long-term care environments on geriatric sleep health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Sleep is vital for overall health, yet insomnia is common in older adults.
- Nursing home residency may exacerbate sleep disorders in the elderly population.
- Understanding sleep quality differences is crucial for geriatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sleep quality between institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly individuals.
- To explore factors associated with sleep disturbances in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 100 individuals over 65, divided into institutionalized (GI) and non-institutionalized (GNI) groups (N=50 each).
- Utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for assessments.
- Statistical analysis compared sociodemographic, social, and clinical characteristics, and identified correlations between variables.
Main Results:
- Institutionalized elderly individuals (GI) reported significantly worse overall sleep quality.
- GI participants exhibited higher levels of daytime somnolence (ESS) and depressive symptoms (GDS).
- Positive correlations were observed between poor sleep quality and higher ESS and GDS scores (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Elderly individuals in long-term care facilities tend to have poorer sleep quality.
- Depressive symptoms, reduced occupational activity, and limited sunlight exposure are linked to worse sleep.
- Further research with diverse samples is recommended to confirm these findings.
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