Paper
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Effects of Environmental Enrichment Program on Cognitive Function among Institutionalized elderly
Heeyoung So, PhD, RN, Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon Metropolitan, South Korea
| Learning Objective #1: acquire new measurements for cognitive function of elderly. |
| Learning Objective #2: obtain a new nursing concept. |
The Effects of Environmental Enrichment Program on Cognitive Function among Institutionalized elderly. Heeyoung So, Purpose: As population of elderly people continues to grow, successful aging has risen to the top of the nursing science agenda. The successful aging includes maintenance of the cognitive and physical functions, as well as emotional well-beings. This study was carried out to evaluate effects of the environmental enrichments on cognition of institutionalized elderly. Method: The population was selected among the elderly aging over 65 residing at two of institutions. A quasi experimental design was used with non-equivalent control group. Study subjects were thirteen for each group. For the experimental group, physical, social and symbolic environmental enrichment program was provided for six weeks. The data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA and repeated measure ANCOVA using SPSS Win 11.0. Result: Compared to control group, the experimental group showed a significant difference on DSF (F=3.29, p=.046), and TMTA (F=4.76, p=.013) of cognitive function, and depression(F=5.56, p=.007) of emotional distress after 1 and 12 weeks of environmental enrichment program. Conclusion: Findings indicate that physical, social, and symbolic environmental enrichment was effective to partially prevent from cognitive decline, and to decrease emotional distress of elderly. As a nursing intervention, environmental enrichment program for elderly should be expanded for nursing practice to promote healthy aging and to offer support to the growing population of elderly. Further research should be conducted to evaluate the effect on the community elderly.
Key words: Environmental impact, Aged, Cognition
So, Heeyoung Nursing Department. Chungnam National University 1-6, Munwha-Dong, Jung-Ku, Daejeon Metropolitan City