Prevalence and Factors Associated With Cognitive Impairment Among Older People Living In Old Folk Homes, Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is common among older people living in old folk homes due to several factors including the aging process and moving to unfamiliar places. The present study aimed to explore the prevalence rates and factors associated with cognitive impairment in older people living in old folk homes RACF. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 167 older people aged 60 years and over living in two old folk homes in Malaysia. A questionnaire consists of three parts; sociodemographic background, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, and Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ) was used for data collection. Results: It was found that 49.1% of older people in this study found having cognitive impairment. There was a significant relationship between age (p = 0.02) and marital status (p = 0.02) with cognitive impairment. This study also found that there was a strong negative correlation between loneliness and cognitive impairment (r = -0.78, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of cognitive impairment is considered high among older people living in old folk homes. Age, marital status, and loneliness were found associated with cognitive impairment among older people living in old folk homes. Future studies should emphasize these factors to reduce the risks of cognitive impairment among older people living in old folk homes.