Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, New South Wales, 2109, Australia.
Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, New South Wales, 2109, Australia.
Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2020 Jul-Aug;89:104083. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2020.104083. Epub 2020 Apr 27.
Social engagement has been linked to preserved cognitive functioning in later life. Yet, little is known about the specific network factors that best predict cognitive function in older adults. This study aimed to (i) characterize the quality and quantity of interpersonal relationships and (ii) explore the relationship between social network types and cognitive function in older adults receiving home- and community-based aged care services.
Participants (n = 175) receiving aged care services participated in a structured interview regarding their cognitive function (Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified), social networks (Lubben Social Network Scale-12) and quality of life (European Quality of Life Scale). Socio-demographic and aged care service use factors were obtained from provider electronic management systems. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between the size and composition of clients' social networks, aged care service use and cognition.
The sample had a median age of 81 years (range 61-96) and most were women (65.8%). Over a third (37.6%) had cognitive impairment and reported moderately high social networks. Males had higher social networks, were receiving fewer hours but more types of services, and had significantly better cognitive performance. Age, network size and composition were not associated with cognitive performance.
More extensive social networks were associated with maintenance of cognitive health for older adults in community aged care. Whether this is causal or a marker of better cognitive health requires a longitudinal approach, and ideally should be tested with interventions at community levels.
社交参与与晚年认知功能的保持有关。然而，对于哪些特定的社交网络因素最能预测老年人的认知功能，我们知之甚少。本研究旨在：（i）描述人际关系的质量和数量；（ii）探讨在接受家庭和社区老年护理服务的老年人中，社会网络类型与认知功能之间的关系。
接受老年护理服务的参与者（n=175）参加了一项关于认知功能（电话认知状态修改测试）、社交网络（Lubben 社交网络量表-12）和生活质量（欧洲生活质量量表）的结构化访谈。社会人口统计学和老年护理服务使用因素从服务提供者的电子管理系统中获得。采用多元回归分析来检验客户社交网络的大小和组成、老年护理服务使用与认知之间的关系。
样本的中位年龄为 81 岁（范围为 61-96 岁），大多数为女性（65.8%）。超过三分之一（37.6%）的人有认知障碍，报告社交网络中等偏上。男性的社交网络更大，接受的服务时间更少但类型更多，认知表现显著更好。年龄、网络规模和组成与认知表现无关。
对于社区老年护理中的老年人，更广泛的社交网络与认知健康的维持有关。这是因果关系还是更好的认知健康的标志，需要进行纵向研究，并且理想情况下应该在社区层面进行干预测试。
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