Social Support And Cognitive Function In Hospital-Based Population In Chongqing

Background: The population old age is the symbol which the human society progresses,is the world population development inevitable trend.According to the definition of aging society from World Health Organization(WHO),China has already stepped into aging society in 1999.By 2012,the aging population has reached 190 million,represented about 14.3 percent of total population,and it still growing.With the development of the world economic society,the global population aging is irreversible,as a developing country,China is not rich first,but poverty.and the sixth population census data show that our city is more than 65 years old.In the face of a new patient with Alzheimer's disease every 3 seconds,the cognitive decline of the elderly has seriously threatened the personal health,family happiness and social stability of the elderly population in our city.However,there are many factors affecting the cognitive function of the elderly,so it is very urgent to study and solve these factors.Objective: Some studies have reported that social support is associated with cognitive function in the elderly.China is a family-based society,social support mainly from family.The present study aimed to understand association between social support and cognitive function among the elderly in hospital population of Chongqing,Southwest China.Method: Face-to-face interviews were taken in a cross-sectional stratified random sample of 1405 elderly(?60 years)in hospital population.Using multiple linear regression analysis and independent sample t-test,we explored the influence of social support on cognitive function.Result: MMSE scores,in the elderly with married and living together,are higher than those in widowed elderly.The results also confirmed that patients with higher level of education had the higher MMSE score.MMSE score was negatively correlated with age.No statistically significant differences on some aspects of social support for cognitive function,including monthly income,making friends,living situation,subjective feelings for life.Conclusion: Social support brings positive impacts for the cognitive function to the elderly people in Chongqing,Southwest of China.Especially,the supports from the spouse and family are particularly important.Therefore,we raised the concern of the elderly lifestyle and mental state will be possible to improve the cognitive function of the elderly,and to improve the quality of life of older persons.