Comparative Study of Cognitive Functioning of Aged Women 60+ of Jammu and Srinagar

Abstract

The present study was carried out among the aged women of Jammu and Srinagar Districts of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, in order to assess their cognitive functioning status. A sample of 120 aged women of various urban wards of Jammu and Srinagar districts was selected by using random sampling technique. To assess the cognitive functioning of the respondents Informants Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) were used. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS and frequency, percentage, mean plots and coefficient of correlation were computed. Results reveal that 38.3 % of the respondents from Jammu rated as Much worse by their informant,whereas 43.3 % of the respondents from Srinagar rated as Not much change by their informants. Age wise 100 % and 90 % of the respondents from both of the districts in the age group of 80 + years rated as much worse by their informants. MMSE is a performance test where the respondents themselves complete the cognitive tasks. Results reveal that 73.3 % of the respondents from Jammu and 40 % from Srinagar have mild to moderate cognitive impairment.Age wise it was seen that all the respondents in the age group of 70-80 years and 80+ years have mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Significant differences was seen in age wise and district wise.The mean plots of the scores of respondents on IQCODE and MMSE vis a vis their educational qualification. It was seen that as the level of education decreases the scores on IQCODE move towards “Much Worse” category, similarly it was also concluded that as literacy decreases the scores on MMSE move towards “Mild to Moderate” Cognitive Impairment. Results also reveal that correlation was positively significantly correlated with IQCODE and MMSE, whereas education is negatively significantly correlated with age. The need for health education during later years of life is stressed.