Sleep quality and social support in people over 65 years old who have had a quarantine process due to covid-19

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effects of anxiety or social support on sleep quality in patients with COVID-19 who were older than 65 years of age and undergoing quarantine process. 
 Material and Method: The study included the patients ≥65 years of age who had a quarantine process for 14 days during the COVID-19 outbreak. The sociodemographic features and comorbidities were recorded in all patients. Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (SS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires were applied.
 Results: Totally 198 patients (123 male and 75 female) were included in the study. Among patients, 115 (58.1%) patients were living in a nursing home. All GAS scores and the total PSQI were significantly higher and all SS scores were significantly lower in PCR positive patients compared with the negative ones (p:0.001). Moreover, All GAS scores and the total PSQI were significantly higher and all SS scores were significantly lower in patients living in nursing homes compared with the others (p:0.001). 
 Conclusion: In elderly patients faced with the COVID-19, social support was negatively associated with the sleep disturbances. We suggest that, increasing social support is important in elderly patients in the clash against COVID-19.