A Comparison of Cognitive Functions and Nutritional Status in Nursing Home Residents and Community-Dwelling Elderly

OBJECTIVE: This descriptive and comparative study was conducted to determine the cognitive functions and nutritional status of nursing-home-residing and community-dwelling elderly. METHODS: The study was carried out with a total of 204 elderly people who were community dwelling (n = 104) and nursing home residents (n = 100). Data were collected with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and standardized with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: Mean age of the nursing home residents and community-dwelling elderly people was 77.4 (SD = 6.7) years and 76.5 (SD = 7.4) years, respectively. Mean MMSE score was significantly different between nursing home residents (18.5 [SD = 4.5]) and community-dwelling elderly (22.1 [SD = 4.7]) (P < .05). Mean MNA score of nursing home residents (23.0 [SD = 3.7]) and community-dwelling elderly (24.6 [SD = 3.1]) was significantly different (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Nursing home residents were at risk of malnutrition and cognitive impairment. Precautions for the protection of the residents for maintaining nutritional status and cognitive functions were recommended.