Journal of Aging and Health最新文献

Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the psychometric properties of the relatively new Everyday Ageism Scale. Methods: Data were from the 2021-2023 Experiences of Aging in Society project (N = 237, ages 50+, multiracial/multiethnic, 72.6% female). We assessed the multidimensional structure, reliability, and validity of the Everyday Ageism Scale. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis generally substantiated the three-factor structure of the Everyday Ageism Scale: exposure to ageist messages, ageism in interpersonal interactions, and internalized ageism. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were satisfactory for the full scale and two of the three subscales. The scale demonstrated acceptable validity for convergence within measure, convergence criterion with three other scales used to measure ageism, and prediction of concurrent health (number of chronic physical health conditions, mental health condition). Discussion: Findings establish the Everyday Ageism Scale as a valid and reliable, multidimensional scale, while recommending ongoing attention to messages subscale limitations.

Background: The Multiracial population is the fastest-growing racial group in the United States but remains underrepresented in cognitive aging research. No national estimates exist for subjective cognitive decline (SCD)-a self-reported indicator of worsening memory associated with dementia risk-among older Multiracial adults. Methods: We used 2019-2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from states that administered the optional cognitive decline module (n = 599,874 adults aged ≥45). We estimated crude and age/sex-adjusted SCD prevalence by race and Hispanic ethnicity using survey-weighted logistic regression with predictive marginal standardization. Results: Adjusted SCD prevalence was highest among American Indian or Alaska Native (16.3%) and Multiracial (16.0%) adults, twice that of Asian adults (7.9%). Among Multiracial adults, state-level adjusted prevalence showed low variation (IQR: 18.5%-19.2%). Conclusions: These are the first national estimates of SCD for the Multiracial population, highlighting the need for inclusion in cognitive aging and dementia research.

This study examined the association between perceived sleep quality and mental and cognitive health among older Korean Americans residing in subsidized senior housing. Survey data from 318 participants (Mean age = 79.5, SD = 6.66) were analyzed. Sleep quality was measured using a single-item self-rating (excellent/very good/good vs. fair/poor). Both screening tools and self-ratings were used for outcomes: mental health with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and self-rated mental health and cognitive health with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and self-rated cognitive health. Logistic regression models showed that poor sleep quality was associated with both probable depression (PHQ-9≥ 10) and fair/poor ratings of mental health. It was also associated with poorer ratings of cognitive health but not with MMSE-based cognitive impairment. Our findings suggest that efforts to promote health and well-being in senior housing should specifically address sleep.

ObjectivesThis study examines how education has shaped gender disparities in cognitive function across birth cohorts in China, where gender equality in education has substantially improved.MethodUsing longitudinal data from individuals aged 55+ in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1997-2015), we first applied within-between random effects models to assess whether gender disparities in cognitive function at the sample's mean age of 65.5 varied across birth cohorts. We then conducted a moderated mediation analysis to examine whether education mediated the cohort-cognition association differently by gender, thereby narrowing gender disparities in cognitive function across cohorts.ResultsIncreases in education years across cohorts were greater among women, and education years had a stronger positive association with cognitive function in women, contributing to reduced gender disparities in younger cohorts.DiscussionFindings underscore education's role in narrowing gender disparities in cognitive function. Future research should explore why men benefited less cognitively from education.

Purpose: Contrast sensitivity (CS), the ability to see objects against their background, is an important component of visual function. The effect of contrast sensitivity impairment (CSI) on physical functioning (PF) is not well documented. Methods: This study obtained data from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study. Baseline CS was measured, and self-reported PF, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were assessed biennially. Results: The sample included 263 individuals with a mean (SD) age: 82.1(5.3). Participants with severe CSI had PF limitation scores 1.05 points higher (95% CI: 0.07, 2.04) than those without CSI. Odds of ADL/IADL limitations were 4.45 times (95% CI: 2.00, 9.92) and 74% (95% CI: 1.24, 2.45) higher for those with severe CSI and moderate CSI. Older adults with severe CSI had 2.79 times (95% CI: 1.21, 6.43) higher hazard of incident ADL/IADL limitations. Conclusions: CSI is associated with PF and ADL/IADL limitations.

This study examines how neighborhood social cohesion and physical disorder, measured at baseline and as change over time, are associated with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) among older adults and whether these associations vary by race/ethnicity. Using 6 years of data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2015-2021), mixed-effects Poisson regression models were applied to a sample of 3,389 community-dwelling older adults. Higher social cohesion at baseline and increases in cohesion over time were associated with greater MCC burden. No significant associations were found for physical disorder, either at baseline or in changes over time. A significant interaction indicated that non-Hispanic Black older adults had lower MCC scores than non-Hispanic White adults in neighborhoods with higher baseline levels of physical disorder. No significant interactions were observed for social cohesion. It highlights the importance of public health strategies that combine environmental improvements with culturally responsive approaches to address group-specific resilience.

ObjectivesSocial isolation has negative health implications for older adults and caregivers. We examine the interdependency of social isolation among community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries and their primary caregivers.MethodsUsing data from the National Study of Caregiving and the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2015-2017, N = 522 dyads), we conducted actor-partner interdependence models to examine the dyadic associations between baseline social isolation and social isolation at 2-year follow-up among older adults and caregivers. We also tested for effect modification by dementia status and relationship type.ResultsThere was a low but significant correlation of baseline social isolation levels within dyads. Older adults' baseline social isolation was positively associated with caregivers' social isolation at follow-up but not vice versa. No evidence of effect modification was found.ConclusionReducing social isolation among older adults may benefit their caregivers. Future investigation of relationship quality and shared social activities of caregiving dyads is warranted.

ObjectivesThis study examined the role of education, acculturation, and network characteristics (size and diversity) in the cognitive function of older Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans.MethodsData were drawn from 158 participants aged 60 or older in the DREAMS study-a study on Asian Americans' sleep and health conducted in Southern California.ResultsMultivariate models of cognitive function showed significant effects of education (B [SE] = 0.28 [0.07], p < .001), acculturation (B [SE] = 0.17 [0.06], p < .01), and network diversity (B [SE] = 0.26 [0.12], p < .05).ConclusionsOur findings support the role of education as a general cognitive reserve factor and acculturation as an immigrant-specific one. We also observed cognitive health benefits associated with diverse social networks, underscoring the importance of fostering opportunities for varied social interactions.

Using data from the 2022 and 2023 U.S. National Aging and Health Trends Studies (N = 4,942 sample persons interviewed in both years), we examined cross-sectional and one-year lagged bidirectional relationships between the severity of cognitive impairment and depressive/anxiety symptoms. We fitted multinomial logistic and linear regression models for cross-sectional associations and a path model for one-year cross-lagged associations. Depressive/anxiety symptoms were cross-sectionally associated with a higher likelihood of both possible (mild) and probable (advanced) dementia compared to no dementia, with an even greater likelihood for probable dementia. Depressive/anxiety symptoms in 2022 were significantly associated with 2023 probable dementia, and probable dementia in 2022 was significantly associated with depressive/anxiety symptoms in 2023. The findings underscore the importance of early identification and concurrent management of both cognitive decline and depressive/anxiety symptoms in older adults.

ObjectivesSensory loss is associated with increased dementia risk, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This longitudinal study examined the association between self-reported sensory difficulty (vision, hearing, dual), social and physical activity, and dementia risk among older U.S. adults.MethodsData were drawn from the 2015-2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 6,295). Discrete-time survival mediation models with a structural equation modeling-based approach were estimated to examine the associations.ResultsDementia incidence was highest among those with dual sensory difficulty (21.8%), followed by visual (18.8%) and hearing (13.2%) difficulties. Visual difficulty and dual sensory difficulty were associated with decreased social activities and incident dementia in subsequent waves. Social activity, but not physical activity, significantly mediated the visual difficulty-dementia link and the dual sensory difficulty-dementia link.DiscussionOlder adults with sensory difficulty were at a higher risk of incident dementia. Future research should investigate other factors underlying the sensory loss-dementia link.