"Assessment of cognitive impairment among elderly in a selected community, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu"

OBJECTIVE:

l To asses cognitive impairment among elderly in the selected community.

l To associate cognitive impairment with selected demographic variables.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

A prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment were 6.5 per 100 and 5.1 per 100. Cognitive impairment is very common in the younger old age (under 70 years of age). were as dementia becomes predominant after 75 years of age. Both conditions are strongly related to the educational level.

The world health organization predicts that by 2025 about 75% of the extremities 1.2 billion people aged 60 years and older will reside in developing countries. It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia will almost double every 20 years to 42.3 million in 2020 and 801.1 million in 2040.

In addition to these cognitive impairments, elderly can develop impairments to motor skills including reduced levels of flexibility, agility, strength, balance and aerobic resistance. Such impairments can directly affect the elderly’s ability to perform activities of daily living.

This study aims to identify the cognitive and functional impairment of elderly and to share information about the it and its management.

 REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 3.5 % it was higher in rural (2.3%) then in urban population (1.3%) with a rural /urban prevalence ratio (PR) of 1.8 (95% CL 0.6/5.7). in the logistic recreation model, old-old, literate and widowed showed a higher probability of cognitive impairment. It was not associate with use of alcohol. Cigarette smoking or under nutrition (Deepak Sharma, Salig Ram Mazta et al; 2013) .

Peracino (2014) reportedcognitive impairment and dementia are linked to progressive reduction in cognitive abilities, functional independence, social relationships. In the last decades, there has been increasing evidence that the association of cognitive impairment with hearing loss supports the need for medical research and clinical answers in this area.

Penny A. Dacks, Joshua J.Carman et al (2016) reported that common diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation are probable risk factors for dementia, suggesting that their treatments may influence the risk and rate of cognitive and functional decline. Moreover, specific therapies and medications may affect long-term brain health through mechanisms that are independent of their primary indication. While surgery, benzodiazepines, and anti-cholinergic drug may accurate decline or even raise the risk of dementia, other medication act directly on the brain to potentially slow the pathology that underlies Alzheimer’s and other dementia. In other words, the functional cognitive decline in vulnerable patient may be influence by the choice of treatment for other vulnerable population. Some therapeutic however may altered specific aspects of aging biology either through direct effects or indirect via management of comorbidities linked to accelerated aging.

METHODOLOGY:

Research approach:

Descriptive approach.

Research design:

Non experimental, descriptive research design.

Research setting:

The study will be conducted among individuals above the age 60 who are residing at Kokilamedu village, Kanchipuram district.

Population:

Individuals above the age 60 who are residing at Kokilamedu village, Kanchipuram district.

Study Object:

l To asses cognitive and functional impairment among elderly in the selected community

l To associate cognitive and functional impairment with selected demographic variables.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION

l Cognitive impairment: Is the impairment of concentration, recent memory,past memory, orientation, functioning and self-care as measured by Brief Cognitive Rating Scale

l Elderly: Are individuals above the age 60 who are residing at Kokilamedu village during the time of data collection.

Sample size:

The sample size will range between 71 and 81.

n= 4pq/d2

p=5%

d=5

n=76

Subject Selection:

Elderly above the age 60 year residing in Kokilamedu village during the time of data collection.

A. Inclusion criteria:

u Those who are 60 years and older.

u Those who are willing to participate.

B. Exclusion criteria:

u Those with known mental or psychological disorder.

Instruments

l Demographic Data

l Brief Cognitive Rating Scale

Duration of the study

One week

Statistical Methods

Descriptive statistics like frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation & inferential statistics like chi-square test will be used to analyze the data.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION**:**

Department clearance was obtained from department of mental health nursing and  Chettinad College of Nursing. Formal permission was be obtained from the Principal, Chettinad college of nursing. UG Committee clearance and institutional ethical committee clearance was obtained from Chettinad Academy of Research and Education.  Formal consent will be obtained from the study samples before collecting the information.