Search

Objectives: We examined the associations between state-level policies and the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Methods: Using data from the 2018–2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys, we assessed physical and mental health by the tally of points for enacted LGBT-related policies (Low= <0–49.9% of possible points, High= 50–100% of possible points) in 10,032 sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) and 1,072 transgender (non-sexual minority) adults aged 50 and older from 41 states. Results: Sexual minority adults in low tally states had greater odds of reporting fair or poor general health and 14 or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days. Transgender participants in low tally states also had greater odds of reporting fair or poor general health. Discussion: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults have significantly greater risk of poor health if they live in a state with fewer LGBT anti-discriminatory policies enacted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We examined associations between job strain and cognitive aging in a sample of older Puerto Ricans. Methods: Members of the Puerto Rican Elderly: Health Conditions study, aged 60–100 years at baseline, participated. Job strain indicators were quantified from O*NET (n = 1632) and a matrix of Job Content Questionnaire scores (JCQ; n = 1467). Global cognition was assessed twice across 4 years. Results: Controlling for age, sex, depressive symptoms, financial problems, hypertension, diabetes, childhood economic hardship, low job control and high job strain were consistently associated with greater cognitive decline. Adding education attenuated these associations. High education strengthened the JCQ job control-cognitive change link. Discussion: Low job control and high job strain may accelerate cognitive aging in this population. However, it may be more difficult to disentangle the intersecting roles of education and job strain in cognitive aging among older Puerto Ricans relative to older adults from contiguous United States or Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine whether changes in memory over a 10-year period could predict a change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Method: A mixed model analysis was first conducted to obtain the estimates for change in memory over the 10-year period using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Then a multivariate regression to determine whether a change in episodic memory could predict subsequent CRP levels was conducted. Furthermore, a general linear model was conducted to determine differences in CRP levels among different rates of change in episodic memory. Results: Greater declines in episodic memory were associated with higher levels of subsequent CRP (Estimate = −0.32, SE = 0.12, β = −.03, p =.008). The general linear model revealed that those with greater memory declines were more likely to have higher levels of CRP, F = 26.50, p <.001. Discussion: These results highlight the notion that memory decline and inflammation may be intertwined, and we discuss various avenues that warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of these secondary analyses was to examine cognitive speed of processing training (SPT) gains in cognitive and everyday functioning among older adults with psychometrically defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Method: A subgroup of participants from the Staying Keen in Later Life (SKILL) study with psychometrically defined MCI (N = 49) were randomized to either the SPT intervention or an active control group of cognitive stimulation. Outcome measures included the Useful Field of View (UFOV), Road Sign Test, and Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Test. A 2 × 2 repeated-measures MANOVA revealed an overall effect of training, indicated by a significant group (SPT vs. control) by time (baseline vs. posttest) interaction. Results: Effect sizes were large for improved UFOV, small for the Road Sign test, and medium for Timed IADL. Discussion: Results indicate that further investigation of cognitive intervention strategies to improve everyday functioning in patients with MCI is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the relationship between total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with disability and physical performance. Method: Wave 1 data were from Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (n = 2,827). Lipoprotein profiles were measured using blood samples. Disability and physical functioning were measured with activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs/IADLs) and objective assessment of physical performance. Results: Lower HDL-C was associated with greater ADL disability, and lower TC with longer time to pick-a-pencil and Time-Up-Go (TUG) test. Age interacted between (a) TG and lung function, chair stands, and picka- pencil, and (b) HDL-C and TUG. Stratification showed lower TG and longer time picking up a pencil only for those above 84 years. Based on significant interactions with sex, lower TC was associated with slower chair stand time in women and higher HDL-C with slower chair stand time in men. Discussion: Lower levels of lipoproteins may suggest worse physical function, but the association may differ by sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess occupational complexity in midlife in relation to psychological distress in older adulthood (69+ years) and explore the role of socioeconomic position. Method: Baseline data from the Swedish Level of Living Survey and follow-up data from the Swedish Longitudinal Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old were combined, resulting in 20+ years of follow-up. Data were analyzed using ordered logistic regressions. Results: Higher occupational complexity was associated with less psychological distress 20 years later adjusted for age, sex, follow-up year, hours worked the year before baseline, and psychological distress at baseline. Higher socioeconomic position yielded the same pattern of results. Socioeconomic position partially accounted for the association between occupational complexity and psychological distress. Discussion: With social gradient not easily amenable to modification, efforts to increase engagement at work may offer a viable option to attenuate the influence of work environment on psychological distress later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the role of working conditions in the association between socioeconomic position and health after retirement age using over 20 years follow-up. Method: Two Swedish nationally representative Level of Living Surveys (total N = 1,131) were used. Ordered logistic regression was used to assess the association between socioeconomic position and health (self-rated health, psychological distress, musculoskeletal pain, circulatory problems, physical and cognitive impairment). The role of physical and psychological working conditions was also assessed. Results: Lower socioeconomic position was associated with more adverse physical, but not psychological, working conditions. Physical working conditions partially explained the differences in physical impairment and musculoskeletal pain in old age attributed to socioeconomic position, but not differences in self-rated health, circulatory problems, psychological distress, and cognitive impairment. Socioeconomic position was a stronger correlate of health than psychological working conditions alone. Discussion: Improving physical working conditions may be important for reducing the influence of socioeconomic position on health after retirement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: The authors investigated whether factors related to health disparities--race, rural residence, education, perceived racial discrimination, vascular disease, and health care access and utilization--may moderate the association between diabetes and cognitive decline. Method: Participants were 624 community-dwelling older adults (49% African American and 49% rural) who completed in-home mini-mental state examination at baseline and 4-year follow-up. Results: Diabetes at baseline predicted four-year cognitive decline in regression models adjusted for a number of possible confounds. Only perceived discrimination and health utilization showed significant interaction effects with diabetes. Among African Americans who reported experiencing racial discrimination, there was a stronger relationship between diabetes and cognitive decline. Among participants who reported absence of visiting a physician within the past 6 months, the association between diabetes and cognitive decline was substantially larger. Discussion: Findings suggest that factors related to health disparities may influence cognitive outcomes among older adults with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The authors conducted a randomized control trial to examine the effect of the Exercise Dance for Seniors (EXDASE) program on lower-body functioning among older individuals from residential care facilities in the Czech Republic. Method: Participants were randomly assigned into an experimental or control group. The experimental group completed a 3-month EXDASE program. Lower-body functioning was assessed using four performance-based measures. A 2 (group) x 2 (test) general linear model for repeated measures was used to explore whether differences in performance could be attributed to the intervention. Results: The authors found Group x Test interactions for the chair stand test, F(1, 50) = 14.37, p < .001, the 2-minute step test, F(1, 50) = 7.33, p = .009, the chair sit-and- reach test, F(1, 50) = 5.28, p = .026, and the timed up-and- go test, F(1, 44) = 6.59, p = .014, indicating that the experimental group outperformed the control group from pretest to posttest. Discussion: A relatively simple dance-based exercise can support lower-body functioning in previously sedentary, frail older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The authors explored the association between complexity of primary lifetime occupation and cognition in older adulthood. Method: The study included 386 participants from the Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old. a nationally representative sample aged 77 years or older. The authors examined complexity of work with data. people, and things in relation to cognitive functioning, measured with a shortened version of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and cognitive impairment based on MMSE score cutoff. Results: Complexity of work with data and people were associated with better MMSE scores, controlling for age, sex, childhood socioeconomic status, and education. The association between complexity of work with data and MMSE remained statistically significant when adult occupational status was substituted for education as a covariate. Discussion: Complexity of primary lifetime occupation may be reflected in cognitive functioning even in advanced old age. This effect may be independent of education or occupational status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors explored the effect of predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics on risk of nursing home placement (NHP) in participants with and without dementia. Method: Participants were 1.943 newly enrolled Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries in Florida who were evaluated for health services by the Department( of Elder Affairs. They were at least 65 years of age during fiscal year 1998-1999 and were followed for up to 4 years. Results: Cox proportional hazard regressions indicated that baseline characteristics including older age, White race. diabetes, incontinence, stroke, and difficulties with instrumental activities increased risk of NHP in those without dementia. Caregiver, widowed status, arthritis, and heart disease reduced the risk. Only age, race. and marital status were predictive among participants with dementia. Discussion: Dementia plays a central role in risk of NHP. Understanding risk factors for NHP in this relatively vulnerable population has important policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors assessed the effects of resistance training and walking exercise on measures of functional fitness. Sixty-four volunteers (average age 83.5 years) from an independent-living facility were randomly assigned to walking, resistance training, or control groups. Participants in the walking and resistance-training groups engaged in two exercise sessions per week for 16 weeks. Measures of functional fitness included upper and lower body strength, hip and shoulder flexibility, agility and balance, coordination, blood pressure, and resting heart rate. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine pretest to posttest differences. Both exercise groups showed significant improvements relative to control group in upper and lower body strength, shoulder flexibility, and agility and balance exercise. Findings demonstrate that exercise can lead to improvements in multiple domains of functional fitness even among very old, previously sedentary individuals, possibly making activities of daily living easier to perform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]