Changes in cognitive functioning and quality of life after relocation to a nursing home: a prospective longitudinal study of Swiss nursing home residents

TL;DR

This study examines how moving to a nursing home affects older adults' cognitive abilities and quality of life over six months.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into short-term cognitive and emotional changes following nursing home relocation.

Findings

Short-term and long-term memory declined in the first three months after relocation.

Emotional loneliness increased during the initial three months but stabilized afterward.

Friend visits and activity participation may help older adults adapt to relocation.

Abstract

A relocation to a nursing home is a major life transition in older age, with potential impacts on cognitive functioning and quality of life. In line with psychosocial models of successful aging, we investigated how older adults adapted to this major life transition. Using data collected at nine nursing homes in Geneva, Switzerland, we studied changes in cognitive functioning (i.e., short-term, long-term, and working memory, verbal fluency, prospective memory, and inductive reasoning) and quality of life (i.e., emotional and social loneliness, depressive symptoms, and purpose in life) in cognitively healthy older adults. Moreover, we exploratorily studied whether relational resources (e.g., participation in activities) impacted these changes. Forty-seven nursing home residents, aged 59 to 99 years (M = 85.55, SD = 9.43, 36 women), completed a neuropsychological test battery and self-report questionnaires approximately one, three, and six months after relocation. Repeated Measures ANOVAs indicated that short-term and long-term memory declined and (emotional) loneliness increased during the first three months after relocation. Yet, no differences were found between the first and last assessment of those indicators. Other factors did not show significant changes over time. Exploratory analyses revealed that visits of friends and participation in activities may play an important role in the impact of- and adaptation to this life transition. Although our results suggest preserved psychosocial adaptational capacities in nursing home residents, we should remain vigilant for the potential negative short-term and long-term impacts of major life transitions in this vulnerable population of older adults.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10433-025-00869-7.

Figures