Objective: To examine the dependency levels of older adults living in nursing homes and home environments in their daily life activities, and the relationship involving pain, sleep, depression, and mental status affecting these levels.
Methods: The comparative-descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in Cinarcik district of Yalova province, Turkey, from February to May 2016, and comprised older adults living in a nursing home and those in home environments. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews, a questionnaire, Barthel Index, Visual Analogue Scale, Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.
Results: Of the 185 subjects, 100(54%) were living in nursing homes and 85(46%) in home environments. Overall, there were 101(54.6%) women and 84(45.4%) men, and 97(52.4%) were aged >75 years. There was a significant positive relationship between Barthel Index and Standardised Mini Mental State Examination scores (p<0.05) and a significant negative relationship between Barthel Index and Geriatric Depression Scale scores among those living in nursing homes. Among those living in home environments, there was a statistically significant negative relationship involving Barthel Index, Visual Analogue Scale, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and the Geriatric Depression Scale scores (p<0.05). Also there was a significant positive relationship between Barthel Index and Standardised Mini- Mental State Examination scores (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The dependency levels in daily life activities were found to be associated with mental status and depression in older adults living in nursing homes, while it was associated with pain, mental status, sleep and depression in those living in home environments.
Keywords: Activities of daily living, Aged, Depression, Mental health, Pain, Sleep, Nurse, Physical therapists.