Cognitive impairment among older adults living in the community and in nursing home in Indonesia: a pilot study

The demographic phenomenon of population aging has brought some consequences, including a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess and compare cognitive impairment and its risk factors between older persons living in the community and in nursing home in Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was employed among 99 older adults living in the community and 49 nursing home residents. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: Older people living in the community showed a higher score on MMSE than those living in nursing home (p=0.044). Age, marital status, education level, and literacy status were significantly related to the cognitive function of older adults living in the community (p=0.003, p=0.007, p=0.005, p=0.001, respectively), while gender, education level, and literacy status were significantly related to that of nursing home residents (p=0.012, p=0.004, p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults living in the nursing home were more likely to experience cognitive decline than their counterparts in the community. Factors associated with cognitive decline differ between community-dwelling older adults and nursing home residents.