RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COGNITIVE RESERVE, FUNCTIONALITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN INSTITUTIONALIZED OLDER ADULTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29076/issn.2602-8379vol10iss18.2026pp58-68pKeywords:
Aging, Cognitive Reserve, Functional Capacity, Institutionalization, Quality of LifeAbstract
Population aging requires understanding the determinants of well-being in institutionalized older adults, especially the interaction between cognitive reserve, functionality, and quality of life. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between cognitive reserve, functional level, and quality of life in institutionalized older adults at a gerontological center in Cuenca, Ecuador. A descriptive-correlational observational cross-sectional design was implemented with 30 institutionalized adults aged 65 years and older for at least 6 months. A battery of standardized instruments was applied including the Mini Mental State Examination to assess global cognitive status, Trail Making Test A and B to measure processing speed and executive functions, Clock Drawing Test to evaluate visuospatial abilities, Geriatric Depression Scale-15 for depressive symptoms, and Barthel Index for functional capacity. Statistical analyses included Pearson and Spearman correlations, and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results showed a cognitive profile of mild to moderate impairment with mean MMSE score of 21.4±3.8 points. Correlations revealed significant associations between cognitive reserve and functional capacity, highlighting executive functions measured by TMT-B as the strongest predictor (r=-.489, p<.01). The multiple regression model explained 74.2 % of variance in quality of life, identifying five significant predictors: depressive symptoms (β=-.485), executive functions (β=-.327), functional capacity (β=.298), visuospatial abilities (β=.265), and global cognitive status (β=.219). Findings confirm that quality of life in institutionalized older adults results from complex interaction between affective, executive, and functional factors rather than isolated cognitive deficits, providing evidence for developing multimodal interventions aimed at optimizing wellbeing in this vulnerable population.
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