THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LONENESS AND SLEEP QUALITY IN OLDER ADULTS IN TABRIZ

Poor sleep quality and loneliness in the elderly are associated with many physical and mental disorders, lead to increased demand of healthcare services. The living environment also affects these issues. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the association between loneliness and sleep quality in older adults with a focus on their living environment in Tabriz.
This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 400 older adults residing in families or nursing homes in Tabriz, Iran. The participants were selected using a multi-stage random sampling method. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and loneliness scale were used in collecting data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the data as well.
The loneliness score in older adults living in families is significantly lower than nursing homes residents, and the level of sleep quality in older adults living in families is significantly higher that elderly residents in nursing homes in Tabriz as well (p According to the Iranian sociocultural context, it is necessary to educate the families to reconsider their decision about transferring the elderly to nursing homes. In addition, it is recommended that schedule programs are carefully considered to enhance the quality of environment and welfare facilities of nursing homes, and resemble the nursing home settings to the family environment as much as possible, Also, It is necessary to encourage relatives and significant others to have regular communication with their older adults in nursing homes.