Correlates of SuperAging in Two Population-Based Samples of Hispanic Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives ‘SuperAgers’ are generally defined as people 80+ years old with episodic memory performance comparable to those 20 years younger. Limited knowledge exists to describe characteristics of SuperAgers, with even less known about Hispanic SuperAgers. Methods We examined indicators of cognitive, physical, and psychological resilience in relation to the likelihood of being a SuperAger using data from two population-based studies of Hispanic older adults [Puerto Rican Elder: Health Conditions (PREHCO) study; Health and Retirement Study (HRS)]. SuperAgers were defined as 1) ≥80 years old, 2) recall scores ≥ the median for Hispanic respondents aged 55-64, and 3) no cognitive impairment during the observation period. Overall, 640 PREHCO participants and 180 HRS participants were eligible, of whom 45 (7%) and 31 (17%) met SuperAging criteria. Results Logistic regressions controlling for age and sex demonstrated that higher education (PREHCO: odds ratio[OR]=1.20, p<.001; HRS: OR=1.14, p=.044) and fewer instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) limitations (PREHCO: OR=0.79, p=.019; HRS: OR=0.58, p=.077) (cognitive resilience), fewer activities of daily living (ADL) limitations (PREHCO: OR=0.72, p=.031; HRS: OR=0.67, p=.068) (physical resilience), and fewer depressive symptoms (PREHCO: OR=0.84, p=.015; HRS: OR=0.69, p=.007) (psychological resilience) were associated with SuperAging, although not all results reached threshold for statistical significance, presumably due to low statistical power. Additionally, known indicators of physical health (e.g., chronic conditions, self-rated health) did not relate to SuperAging. Discussion Increasing access to education and recognizing/treating depressive symptoms represent potential pathways to preserve episodic memory among older Hispanic adults.