Journal of Aging and Health最新文献

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.

ObjectivesIndigenous populations in Mexico, comprising roughly one-fifth of the population, face significant unique cognitive health challenges in older adulthood. This study examines cognitive performance differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous language speakers and evaluates whether the cognitive benefits of educational attainment differs between these populations.MethodsWe analyzed the 2018 Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS, n = 16,199), a nationally representative study of Mexicans 50+. We assessed the association between educational attainment and cognitive performance, both general and domain-specific, for Indigenous and non-Indigenous language speakers.FindingsWhile Indigenous language speakers scored lower overall, they experienced significantly greater improvement with more years of education in Verbal Learning, Visual Scanning, and Visuospatial Ability.ConclusionsIncreasing educational attainment may improve cognitive functioning in Mexico, but especially for Indigenous populations. Further research is needed to explore mechanisms driving these stronger returns for Indigenous populations and to inform culturally responsive interventions and policies.

ObjectivesUnited States (U.S.) immigrants are rapidly aging, although little is known on how acculturation influences their disability risk.MethodsWe pooled 2000-2018 data (n = 50,075) from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to examine odds of activities of daily living (ADL) disability among middle aged (40-64) and older (65+) immigrants based on three acculturation indicators while accounting for various measures.ResultsAmong middle aged immigrants, citizenship was associated with higher odds of ADL disability after accounting for socioeconomic factors. Among both middle aged and older immigrants, English proficiency was associated with lower odds of ADL disability until accounting for socioeconomic factors. Among older immigrants, lower ADL disability odds were observed among those with English proficiency and greater U.S. duration.DiscussionAcculturation had heterogenous influences on ADL disability risk among aging U.S. immigrants, while the interplay of these mechanisms shaped varied outcomes.

ObjectiveOur study examines racial/ethnic differences in loneliness and social isolation among older adults with hearing loss.MethodsData were drawn from the 2022 Health and Retirement Study, including participants ages ≥50 with objectively determined hearing loss (N = 1817). Linear models were employed to analyze the association between race/ethnicity and both loneliness and social isolation.ResultsInitially, Black adults reported higher loneliness scores than White adults, but this trend reversed after controlling for contextual factors. Hispanic adults consistently showed lower loneliness scores across all models compared to both Black and White adults. Black adults reported significantly lower levels of social isolation compared to White adults, whereas Hispanic adults consistently exhibited higher levels than Black adults throughout the analysis.ConclusionThese findings reveal distinct patterns of loneliness and social isolation across racial/ethnic groups among adults with hearing loss, highlighting the interplay between these outcomes and social, cultural, and societal factors.