International Journal of Aging & Human Development最新文献

We examined how symptoms across the mood spectrum relate to Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers in older women at high risk for AD. Participants included 25 women aged 65+ with mild cognitive deficits and elevated AD genetic risk. The Profile of Mood States Questionnaire measured mood symptoms and a total mood disturbance (TMD) score. Tau burden in the meta-temporal region of interest was measured using MK-6240 Tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. A subset (n = 12) also had p-Tau181, and Aß40/42 levels measured in plasma. Higher TMD scores related to higher tau PET standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR). Greater negative mood symptoms correlated with higher tau PET SUVR, while greater vigor correlated with lower SUVR. Similar results were seen with plasma p-Tau181 levels, but not with Aβ40/42 levels. In conclusion, positive and negative mood symptoms related to tau pathology in older women at high risk for AD, highlighting a role of mental well-being in AD risk.

Background: Trust is an integral part of the patient-physician relationship. None of the current measures of patient-physician trust has been validated with a sample of older adults. Age-appropriate samples are needed to support the use of assessment instruments and accurate interpretation of assessment results. The purpose of the study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale (WFPTS) with a sample of older adults. Methods: Internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validity evidence were examined. One hundred and sixty-one English-speaking, community-dwelling older adults participated. Results: Reliability evidence is strong based on coefficient alpha and average inter-item correlations. Convergent validity evidence is strong, with significant, moderate to strong correlations with measures of related constructs. Discriminant validity evidence is strong. Discussion: The results of this study provide support for the psychometric properties of the WFPTS with older adults. Future directions for research with this instrument are discussed.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to researchers collecting data with older adults, particularly older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The goal of this article is to articulate the communicative and methodological challenges and lessons learned from collecting data with older adults in senior living communities with mild cognitive impairment and ADRD and their adult children (who were geographically separated) during the pandemic. Communication was much more than what we were studying; it was essential to the success and ethical implementation of our research. We were working with a vulnerable population during a pandemic where recruitment, consent, and data collection required heightened and adapted communication strategies to reduce confusion, promote safety, and ensure data could be collected in an effective manner. The way we communicated with the participants, their networks, and the senior living communities was crucial to establishing strong human connections and subsequently successful data collection.

This study explored grandparent caregiving experiences in Korea and the United States. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 custodial grandparents (10 in Korea, 10 in the United States) to understand their lived experiences. Under the guidance of role theory, the caregivers' experiences were explained by themes of role consensus, role conformity, and role conflict. Despite Korean and U.S. grandparent groups performing a similar role, relative differences were observed, including Korean grandparents with increased role conformity and the U.S. grandparents with increased role conflict. The distinction highlights the importance of understanding grandparent caregiving in cultural contexts and ensuring that interventions are culturally responsive. Regardless of cultural context, the grandparent caregivers disclosed relatively positive experiences of the pandemic, testifying to their resilience. Lastly, critical role supporters were identified at various levels, demonstrating that developing support systems can be a key in empowering grandparent caregivers.

Creating interaction opportunities between people of different ages can reduce ageism and increase solidarity. However, spatial age segregation persists due to a lack of age-inclusive public spaces. We explored factors motivating older adults to seek/avoid contact with younger adults in regular neighborhood coffeeshops primarily frequented by younger customers. Semi-structured interviews in Study 1 (N = 12) revealed that older adults perceived age-related exclusivity in "young" spaces like coffeeshops, were hindered from visiting by metastereotypes and discrimination, but were motivated by perceived learning opportunities. Studies 2 (N = 107) and 3 (N = 218) employed questionnaires and tracked coffee vouchers, showing that participants with stronger learning goals and more positive metastereotypes showed greater intention to seek contact. However, only the higher-powered Study 3 revealed the importance of frequent intergenerational contact and learning goals for initiating contact in real-life. The discussion highlights implications for creating more age-inclusive spaces to foster intergenerational interaction.

The current study examined onset and maintenance insomnia as mediators of the bidirectional relation between anxiety and depressive symptoms over a three-year period. The sample included 3,415 US community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 66-103. Participants completed measures of types of insomnia, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms at four time points. Analyses included two double mediation models adjusted for baseline depressive or anxiety symptoms, chronic health problem burden, use of sleep medications, age, and sex. Both covariate-adjusted models showed significant direct relations between anxiety and depressive symptoms, and these relations were modestly partially mediated by onset and maintenance insomnia. In older adults, onset and maintenance insomnia are distinct outcomes of both anxiety and depressive symptoms and also predictors of each symptom cluster. Further research testing these models is warranted and, if supported, may support prevention and treatment studies focused on primary and secondary prevention of these problems in older adults.

The National Institute of Health R25 Research Education Program was evaluated in the second year of implementation. Twelve mentors and 20 underrepresented minority students (URMs) scholars from partnerships and collaborations among five colleges and universities were added to the program to provide a more diverse research experience. Findings reveal that 100% of research mentors agree that the approachableness and accessibility of the program coordinator were beneficial in achieving mentorship goals and objectives. In addition, 85% of the students strongly agreed that the presentation of their research findings and the weekly reflection on goals, identification of accomplishments, and obstacles through the individual development plan were very effective. Of the 23 successfully tracked students for 2 years, six URMs (26.09%) obtained a bachelor's degree and were admitted into a graduate program; two were directly admitted to a PhD program in biomedical sciences.

We examined the association between comorbid conditions and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) (n = 54). Cross-sectional, self-reported questionnaires were utilized to collect demographic, comorbid conditions, and MCI (via the AD8 index) data. Separate logistic regression models were conducted to investigate the relationship between comorbid conditions and MCI, adjusting for other covariates. We found significantly increased odds of MCI in those reporting high blood pressure (OR = 5.27; 95% CI: [1.36, 20.46]; p = 0.016), high cholesterol (OR = 7.30; 95% CI: [1.90, 28.14], p = 0.004), and prediabetes or borderline diabetes (OR = 4.53; 95% CI: [1.27, 16.16], p = 0.02) compared with those not reporting these respective conditions. These data show that hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and prediabetes are associated with MCI in the NHPI community, suggesting that preventive strategies to reduce chronic conditions may also potentially slow cognitive decline in underrepresented/understudied NHPI.

Underrepresented minorities (URMs) are disproportionately affected with aging-related conditions and have inadequate representation in gerontology and geriatrics professions. The Mentorship for Advancing Undergraduate Research on Aging (MADURA) Program aims to increase inclusion of URMs by improving undergraduate retention and success, increasing rates of graduate/medical school applications, and increasing entry into aging research/clinical employment. MADURA provides cohorts with faculty and peer mentorship, research skills training, paid research lab experiences and professional development opportunities. About 87% of the 2023 MADURA cohort intends to take 1+ year after receiving a Bachelor's degree, to prepare for graduate education. Planned activities include gaining work experience, preparing for standardized tests, and obtaining formal training to strengthen graduate/medical school applications. In addition to immediate graduate program acceptances, other student outcomes should be assessed. Longitudinal research on the effectiveness of various post-graduation pathways could assist Mentorship programs in supporting their graduates' longer term educational and career goal attainment.

The makeup of the US population of older adults continues to become more diverse as numbers from ethnic subgroups increase. However, these subgroups are generally underrepresented in research focused on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). This paper examines barriers to recruitment for older Asian Americans, to underpin potential strategies for future research, with particular emphasis on recruitment of Vietnamese Americans. The paper discusses three recommended strategies: implementing appropriate recruitment outreach methods, establishing and maintaining community partnerships, and adopting flexible and convenient assessment methods. All three complementary approaches may be applied to improve Vietnamese American aging research participation. This has the potential to promote early intervention, foster longevity, ameliorate health disparities, and reduce healthcare burdens for this population.