The relationship between pain, sleep quality, and care dependency in older adults living in a long-term care facility

Due to the frequency of pain, sleep disorders and the complexity of their associated factors, the diagnosis of these disorders may be of great importance in identifying factors linked to care dependency in older people staying in long-term care facilities. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between pain, sleep quality, and care dependency in older adults living in a long-term care facility.

The study was conducted among older people staying in a long-term care facility between October 2022 and September 2023. The study used a survey questionnaire including questions about demographic and social characteristics, clinical condition and the following scales: ADL, IADL, GSD-15, GPM-24, CDS, PSQI.

The analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between the deterioration of sleep quality by 1 unit and: an increase in the level of pain (B = 0.68; SE = 0.17; 95% CI [0.38; 1.10]), dependency in ADL (B = -0.09; SE = 0.04; 95% CI [-0.17; -0.02]), feeling depressed (B = 0.18; SE = 0.06; 95% CI [0 0.06, 0.31]) and care dependency (B = -0.78, SE = 0.24, 95% CI [-1.25, -0.31]). A statistically significant effect was noted between: pain level (B = -0.18; SE = 0.06; 95% CI [-0.30; -0.05], dependency in ADL (B = 1.98; SE = 0.35; 95% CI [1.28; 2.68]), instrumental activities of daily living (B = 1.86; SE = 0.28; 95% CI [1.30; 2.42]], feelings of depression (B = -0.96; SE = 0.17; 95% CI [-1.30; -0.62]) and care dependency.

The study is a valuable addition to research showing a strong link between pain, sleep quality and care dependency. The results support the need for a holistic approach in assessing pain, sleep quality, care dependency in older adults living in a long-term care facility.