Journal of Aging and Health最新文献

This research examined whether educational polygenic scores were associated with physical limitations among older adults with European or African ancestry. In the European ancestry sample, we found that education polygenic scores were significantly associated with physical limitations, net of age, sex, and current socioeconomic status. In the African ancestry sample, education polygenic scores were not associated with physical limitations in any of the models. Observed educational attainment was a robust predictor of physical limitations in both samples. This research demonstrates the inequalities in the predictive capacity of educational polygenic scores for physical health. We hypothesize that this disparity is a result of structural barriers to educational attainment by race, selection bias, and/or racial inequities in data collection. All of these explanations stem from structural racism and highlight the limited usefulness of polygenic scores for clinical decision-making.

Objectives: Previous research shows a negative correlation between food insecurity and mental health, but limited exploration exists among older adults. This study examines this association in Canadian adults aged 65 and older, focusing on the mediating roles of perceived life stress and community belonging, and the moderating role of gender.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the 2017-2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (n = 28,044) were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results: The associations between food insecurity and both anxiety and mood disorders were partially mediated by high life stress and low community belonging. The adverse associations of food insecurity, high life stress, and low community belonging with an anxiety disorder were more pronounced in women than in men. Similar patterns were observed for a mood disorder.

Discussion: Interventions should address food insecurity, life stress, and community belonging, with particular attention to the unique challenges faced by older women to improve mental health.

Objective: Cognitive decline in older adults is a public health issue, with modifiable factors like obesity and sleep potentially influencing this trajectory. Previous research on their relationship with executive function has shown mixed results, particularly across older adulthood.

Methods: This study utilized time-varying effect modeling (TVEM) to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) and sleep on executive function in older adults aged 60 to 79, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 cycles (N = 2543). Executive function was evaluated using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).

Results: Findings indicated that while BMI did not significantly affect cognition, adequate sleep (7-8 hours) was linked to better executive function, especially in individuals aged 63 to 65.

Conclusion: These results highlight sleep's importance for cognitive health and suggest interventions focusing on sleep and weight management to mitigate age-related cognitive decline.

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is associated with better outcomes in individuals living with Alzheimer's and related dementia (ADRD). We examined environmental, intra-, and interpersonal correlates of PA for persons living with ADRD.

Methods: PA (accelerometry), cognitive function, physical function, and sociodemographic factors were collected in adults with ADRD and their caregivers. Spearman's correlations and generalized linear models were used to evaluate factors associated with PA of persons living with ADRD.

Results: Valid data were obtained from 65 pairs of adults living with ADRD (73.6 ± 8.4 years, 39.4% female) and caregivers (69.4 ± 9.4 years, 69.2% female, 93.8% spouse). Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and light PA of persons living with ADRD were correlated with upper and lower body strength, aerobic fitness, and agility. MVPA and sedentary time of persons living with ADRD were associated with that of their caregiver.

Conclusion: Physical function and caregiver PA may be targets for interventions in those living with ADRD.

Objectives: We determined if living in historically redlined neighborhoods was associated with level and change in cognitive functioning and if this association differed for Black and White older adults.

Methods: We linked the Health and Retirement Study 1998-2018 data to redlining scores from the Historic Redlining Indicator data. Our sample included adults aged 50 years and older (24,230 respondents, 129,618 person-period observations). Using three-level linear mixed models, we estimated the relationship between living in historically redlined neighborhoods on level and change in cognitive functioning for pooled and race-stratified samples.

Results: Residents of historically redlined "Declining" and "Hazardous" neighborhoods had lower cognitive functioning scores compared to residents of "Best/Desirable" neighborhoods. Among Black adults, living in "Hazardous" neighborhoods was associated with slower declines in cognitive functioning compared to living in "Best/Desirable" neighborhoods.

Discussion: Historical redlining is associated with older adults' cognitive functioning, underscoring the importance of sociohistorical context for the neighborhood-cognition relationship.

Introduction: Physical Activity (PA) and its links to frailty, quality of life (QoL), and other comorbidities in older Ugandans living with HIV remain under-explored.

Methods: We analyzed data from three annual assessments of older people living with HIV (PLWH) and age- and sex-similar people not living with HIV (PnLWH). We fitted linear generalized estimating equations (GEE) regression models to estimate the correlates of PA, including demographics, frailty, QoL, HIV, and other comorbidities.

Results: We enrolled 297 PLWH and 302 PnLWH. Older age (b = -157.34, 95% CI [-222.84, -91.83]), living with HIV (b = -979.88 [95% CI: -1878.48, -81.28]), frailty (b = -3011.14 [95% CI: -4665.84, -1356.45]), and comorbidities (b = -2501.75 [95% CI: -3357.44, -1646.07]) were associated with lower overall PA. Higher general QoL (b = 89.96 [95% CI: 40.99, 138.94]) was associated with higher PA.

Conclusion: PA interventions may support wellbeing of older people in the region, and tailored interventions should be explored.

Objectives: To examine the association of social connections with blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and all-cause mortality in older Costa Ricans.

Methods: Utilizing data from the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES), a prospective cohort of 2827 individuals aged 60 and above followed since 2004, we constructed a Social Network Index (SNI) based on marital status, household size, interaction with non-cohabitating adult children, and church attendance. We used linear regression to assess SNI's association with baseline LTL (N = 1113), and Cox proportional-hazard models to examine SNI's relationship with all-cause mortality (N = 2735).

Results: Higher SNI levels were associated with longer telomeres and decreased all-cause mortality during follow-up. Being married and regular church attendance were associated with 23% and 24% reductions of the all-cause mortality, respectively.

Discussion: These findings underscore the importance of social engagement in promoting longevity among older Costa Ricans, suggesting broader implications for aging populations globally.

This study aimed to document the typology of social participation and network among older Canadians and examine their associations with health. Using 2011-2015 cross-sectional data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a latent profile analysis was conducted to identify patterns of social participation and network, and multinomial logistic regressions examined associations with self-rated health. Four types of social participation and networks characterized older Canadians: diverse (74.0%), childless (12.1%), restricted (9.7%), and very socially active (4.3%). Compared to the diverse group and excellent/very good health, belonging to the restricted group was associated with higher probabilities of reporting fair or poor health, both general (1.95; p < .001) and mental (2.18; p < .001). Still comparing to the diverse group and excellent/very good health, the very socially active group presented lower likelihood of reporting good general health (0.82; p = .03). These results suggest that the social participation and network are associated with health inequalities in older Canadians. Future studies should look at the role of virtual interactions in the health of older adults.

Objective: Differences in cognitive outcomes for two home-based 16-week interventions after usual rehabilitative care post-hip fracture were examined.

Methods: Community Ambulation Project randomized controlled trial included 210 hip fracture participants. Interventions: Specific multi-component (PUSH) included strength-, balance-, function-, and endurance-based exercises; non-specific active control (PULSE) included seated range-of-motion exercises and sensory transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation. Cognitive measures: Modified Mini-Mental State Examination, plus Hooper Visual Organization Test and Trails A/B in an ancillary study (CAP-MP, n = 40), assessed pre-randomization and 16 and 40 weeks post-randomization.

Results: Over 16 weeks, PUSH-assigned participants became faster on Trails A (Δ = -6.3, 95% CI: -16.7, 4.2); those in PULSE became slower (Δ = 9.3, 95% CI: -1.7, 20.3, p = .04). At 40 weeks, PUSH-assigned participants became faster on Trails B (Δ = -21.5, 95% CI: -46.2, 3.3) while those in PULSE became slower (Δ = 15.2, 95% CI: -11.9, 42.3, p = .04). No other significant differences were found.

Discussion: Results suggest that multi-component exercise interventions like PUSH may prevent/delay decline or improve attention and psychomotor speed in patients with recent hip fracture.

Objectives: Involuntary exit from the labor force can lead to poor health and well-being outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to better understand the factors that contribute to perceived retirement voluntariness. Methods: We conducted descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses using a sample of recent retirees (n = 2080) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Results: More than one-quarter (28%) of older workers perceived their retirement to be involuntary. Among 37 possible predictors, 14 directly predicted retirement voluntariness and many more indirectly predicted retirement voluntariness. Only four direct predictors were common to both women and men, retiring because of organizational restructuring/job elimination; disability, health, or stress; financial possibility; and having wanted to stop working. Discussion: Findings suggest the need for employment support, health promotion, work disability prevention, financial education, and support that is sensitive to the differences between women and men to prevent involuntary retirement.