The Influence of the Social Support on the Cognitive Functions of the Elderly Living in Old Age Asylums

OBJECTIVE: Although there has been a need for a systematic approach towards improving the care of the elderly in asylums, the related literature has been scarce throughout the world. In Turkey, the present knowledge about the cognitive functions of the elderly living in asylums is limited and the influence of social support on the cognitive functions is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the social support of family, friends, and others (doctors, nurses, social care experts and so on) on the cognitive functions of the elderly living in two physically different asylums. METHODS: 136 elderly people living in two different asylums operating Social Services department were included in the study. The elderly people taking part in the study were administered the Standardized Minimal Test (MMT), The Scale For Depression In The Elderly, and Multi-Dimensional Social Support Scale in order to test the social support. RESULTS: The MMT scores were low and the depression scores were high in the elderly in Group I and a significant difference was observed between the groups (t=- 4.94, p