Journal of Aging and Health最新文献

Objectives: To examine the prevalence and predictors of healthy aging among community-dwelling older adults living in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study included older adults aged 60 and above (n = 845; M_age = 71 years; 56.4% females). Poisson regression estimated the Relative Risk (RR) of factors associated with healthy aging status. Results: 36.7% of respondents were classified as healthy agers. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of healthy aging included reporting not being lonely, adequate nutrition, no multimorbidity, good self-rated health, financial independence, and engaging in at least 1 hour of moderate physical activity per week. Discussion: The proportion of healthy agers in this study was substantially lower compared to developed countries but comparable to the prevalence reported in similar developing nations. Enhancing physical activity, ensuring proper nutrition, interventions to foster social participation engagement, and networking, and managing chronic diseases were identified as promising strategies to promote healthy aging.

Objectives (1) To investigate longitudinal associations between grip strength (GS) and cognition over 4 years in European older adults, (2) to examine differences in temporal associations between men and women and between levels of physical activity, (3) to explore in each year 2015 and 2019 associations between GS quartiles and cognitive performance, and (4) to explore longitudinal associations between GS quartiles (year 2015) and cognitive performance (year 2019). Methods: 25,281 individuals (14,200 women) from 17 European countries aged ≥50 years responded to waves 6th and 8th of the SHARE project. We analyzed GS, a general cognition index, and physical activity level. Results: Panel analyses revealed a bidirectional relationship over 4 years between GS and cognition, with differences between sex, as well as between participants with moderate-to-vigorous and low physical activity levels. Conclusion: Women and participants with low physical activity were more likely to experience cognitive performance deficits 4 years later.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the mediating role of lifestyle activities in the association between social deprivation and cognition. Methods: To investigate, we analysed data of 3867 respondents (Mean Age: 73.37, SD: 5.57) in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) using growth curve and path analysis, adjusted for demographic and health covariates. Results: Being in the high (vs. moderate) Social Deprivation Index group was associated with lower cognition scores (β = -2.63, [95 % CI: -2.90, -2.36]). Conversely, higher (vs. lower) Lifestyle Index scores were associated with higher cognition scores (β = 1.17, [95 % CI: 0.72, 1.63]). In mediation analysis, the Lifestyle Index score explained 27 % of the association of So Dep Index group on cognition at the final follow-up. Discussion: While lifestyle activities did mediate the association between social deprivation and cognition, factors not investigated accounted for the majority of the variation. These may include systemic disadvantages.

Objectives: This study examined whether older Chinese adults with different types of hukou status (government household registration system) exhibited different cognitive outcomes and whether receiving support from friends, an under-appreciated resource, helped mitigate the negative impacts of agricultural hukou status on cognitive health disparities.

Methods: Using nationally representative data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, this study tested these relationships with well-validated measures.

Results: Our results showed that older Chinese adults with agricultural hukou were more likely to have worse cognitive function than those with non-agricultural hukou. Further, friend support characteristics moderated the association between hukou status and cognitive function, whereby having better friend support was related to a weaker negative effect of agricultural hukou status on cognitive function.

Discussion: The findings suggested that agricultural hukou status reflects the effects of accumulated disadvantage across the life course with negative consequences for late-life cognition. The cognitive health disparities between agricultural and non-agricultural residents may be reduced in the context of a higher level of friend support, supporting a stress buffering hypothesis.

Objective: This study examines the interactions of physical activity and personality traits in the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of older adults. Methods: 520 Scottish participants (262 male; 258 female) completed self-reported surveys measuring their level of physical activity, personality, and SWB in 2011-2013 (mean age = 76.23 ± .68) and in 2014-2016 (mean age = 79.31 ± .62). Results: While all of the Big Five personality traits predicted SWB across the 3-year period in the expected direction, neither physical activity nor its joint effect with any of the personality traits was a significant predictor of subsequent SWB. Discussion: Further research on older adults with higher variation in age, exercise level, and cultural background is needed to disentangle how physical activity and personality influence SWB.

Introduction: Emotional functioning in older adults is influenced by normal aging and cognitive impairment, likely heterogeneous across positive versus negative aspects of emotional functioning. Little is known about positive emotional experiences at the early stages of cognitive impairment. Methods: We assessed different aspects of emotional functioning among 448 participants aged 65+ (Normal Control (NC) = 276, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) = 103, and mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (mild DAT) = 69) and tested moderators. Results: Compared to NC, older adults with MCI and mild DAT have maintained many positive aspects of emotional functioning, despite higher levels of negative affect, sadness, and loneliness. Among the oldest-old, the mild DAT group experienced higher fear and lower self-efficacy. Discussion: Older adults at early stages of cognitive impairment can experience positive aspects of emotional functioning, such as positive affect, purpose, and life satisfaction, all of which are important buildable psychological resources for coping.

Objectives: This study investigates the associations between five types of childhood interpersonal trauma (CIT) and depression in mid-later life, as well as the mediation roles of social integration in the associations. Methods: Two waves of data from a nationally representative survey in China were used, with participants aged 45 years and older (N = 14,180). Measures of CIT included physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, bullying victimization, and exposure to interparental violence. Binary logistic regression and Karlson-Holm-Breen mediation analysis were used as statistical methods. Results: People who were bullied, physically abused, and witnessed interparental violence during childhood were more likely to develop depression in mid-later years. The associations between CIT and depression were mediated by satisfaction with marriage, satisfaction with children, and perceived social support. Discussion: Although CIT elevates the risk of depression in later life, effective interventions that strengthen integration across family and social domains could benefit mental health.

Objectives: To investigate the availability of Alzheimer's Centers (ACs) in US hospitals. Methods: Utilizing the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, Area Health Resource File, and US Census (n = 3251), we employed multivariable logistic regression to examine hospital, county, and regional predictors of AC availability. Results: Large hospitals (>399 beds) had approximately 14 times higher odds of having an AC than small hospitals (<50 beds; OR = 14.0; 95% CI = 6.44 - 30.46). Counties with a higher proportion of Latino residents, relative to non-Latino Whites, had lower odds of having an AC (OR = .05; 95% CI = .01 - .41). Northeastern (OR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.15 - 3.22) and Midwestern (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.34 - 3.37) hospitals had higher odds of having an AC than Southern hospitals. Discussion: To address dementia needs and disparities, investment in a national infrastructure is critical.

Objectives: To examine the cross-national associations between familism and self-efficacy dimensions, and levels of burden and depression. Methods: Sociodemographic, familism, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and burden variables were measured in 349 dementia family caregivers from the US and Spain. Results: US sample: greater support from family was positively related to self-efficacy for obtaining respite and self-efficacy for controlling upsetting thoughts and behaviors. Both self-efficacy constructs were negatively related to depression. Similar findings were obtained for burden. Spanish sample: higher scores on family as referents were associated with lower scores on self-efficacy for obtaining respite; lower scores on self-efficacy for obtaining respite were associated with higher depressive symptomatology. Discussion: Study findings suggest that a significant interplay exists between the various facets of familism and self-efficacy, leading to differential caregiving outcomes. Unique cultural contexts and values derived from each country may exert distinct influences on how the caregiving role is perceived and appraised.

Objectives: Despite an increased policy focused on home- and community-based services (HCBS), little is known about their quality of life (QoL)-a key measure of person-centered care. This paper addresses this gap by measuring consumers' self-reported QoL and identifying factors associated with disparities in QoL.

Methods: We analyzed the 2015-2016 National Core Indicators-Aging and Disability survey for 3426 respondents in Minnesota, using factor analyses to identify latent QoL domains. Multivariable regression models identified predictors of QoL domains.

Results: Factor analyses identified three valid and reliable latent QoL domains: security, self-determination, and care experiences. Younger consumers with disabilities (versus consumers ≥65 years of age), minoritized racial/ethnic groups, consumers with hearing loss, without a spouse/domestic partner, and not living in consumer's own/family home reported significantly lower QoL in various domains (p < .001).

Discussion: Disparities in HCBS consumer-reported QoL exist, necessitating equitable reforms to improve HCBS quality for its increasingly diversified consumer base.