Psychophysiological effects of residential options on older people living in long-term nursing house

Abstract

Background: Nursing home is critical for the elderly. Methods: To investigate the effects of decision-making process in terms of choosing room type and roommates on cognitive and psychosocial conditions of the elderly, 174 eligible participants were randomly assigned into three groups. In the first two groups, participants were randomly assigned to single-person rooms (Group SPR, n = 58) and multi-person rooms (2–4 persons per room, Group MPR, n = 58), and the third group of participants were allowed to voluntarily choose to live in single-person room or with preferred roommates (Group VPR, n = 58). Results: Participants who voluntarily choose room type and roommates (Group VPR) showed the least deterioration of cognitive function, psychosocial, and physical health, with Group MPR showing less deterioration than Group SPR. Allowing elderly people to voluntarily choose room type and roommate is better for preserving their cognitive, psychological, and physical health. Conclusions: Voluntary choice of room type and roommates is beneficial to the cognitive, psychological, and physical health of elderly people.

Keywords

• elderly population
• nursing home
• residential option
• cognitive function
• psychological function
• physical health