Search

Objectives Cognition consists of specific domains that are differentially linked to health outcomes. We provide guidance on how to derive cognitive domains in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) study. We suggest the use of a bifactor analysis to derive cognitive domains. To support our view that a bifactor analysis is necessary, we created cognitive domains from a bifactor analysis and created cognitive domains through summing the cognitive items; we then regressed the cognitive domains created through both methods with functional health (activites of daily living [ADLs] and instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs]) and compared the regression results. Methods NSHAP is a nationally representative longitudinal study of U.S. older adults that started in 2005. Data from Round 3 (2015–2016) were used. The MoCA-SA contains 18 cognitive items to represent 6 cognitive domains: modified trail-making test-B, clock drawing test (3 items), rhinoceros naming, digit span (2 items), serial 7 subtractions, sentence repetition, phonemic fluency, abstraction, delayed recall (5 items), and orientation (2 items). We created cognitive domains through a bifactor analysis and through summing up the cognitive items. We used linear regression to examine how global cognition and each cognitive domain derived from both methods were associated with ADLs and IADLs. Analyses were restricted to respondents aged 50+ without dementia. Results The global cognition score derived from both methods was statistically significantly associated with ADLs and with IADLs. All but the memory domain constructed from summing the cognitive items were associated with IADLs; only the visuospatial domain was associated with ADLs. None of the domains derived from a bifactor analysis were associated with ADLs or IADLs. Discussion Researchers should derive cognitive domains using a bifactor analysis to reduce spurious associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives During social isolation imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, older adults with impaired hearing and vision potentially experienced more communication challenges, increasing their risk for poor mental health. Digital communication (e.g. video calls, e-mail/text/social media) may alleviate in-person isolation and protect against depression. We addressed this question using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative panel study of community-dwelling older adults. Method Two thousand five hundred fifty-eight adults aged 55 and older comprised the analytic sample. Interviewer rating at baseline (2015–2016) classified those with vision impairment (VI) or hearing impairment (HI). Olfactory impairment (OI) was measured by objective testing. During COVID-19 (2020–2021), respondents reported how often they contacted nonhousehold family or friends and whether this was by phone, e-mail/text/social media, video, or in-person. They also quantified the frequency of depressive feelings. Results Older adults with VI or HI but not OI at baseline were significantly less likely to report regular use of video calling and e-mail/text/social media during the pandemic compared to those without impairment. Sensory impairments did not affect the frequency of phone or in-person communication. Adults with VI or HI were more likely to experience frequent depressive feelings during COVID-19. Video calls mitigated this negative effect of VI- and HI-associated depressive feelings in a dose-dependent manner. Discussion Among communication modalities, video calling had a protective effect against depressive feelings for people with sensory impairment during social isolation. Improving access to and usability of video communication for older adults with sensory impairment could be a strategy to improve their mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Sensory function, a critical component of quality of life, generally declines with age and influences health, physical activity, and social function. Sensory measures collected in Wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) survey focused on the personal impact of sensory function in the home environment and included: subjective assessment of vision, hearing, and touch, information on relevant home conditions and social sequelae as well as an improved objective assessment of odor detection. Method. Summary data were generated for each sensory category, stratified by age (62-90 years of age) and gender, with a focus on function in the home setting and the social consequences of sensory decrements in each modality. Results. Among both men and women, older age was associated with self-reported impairment of vision, hearing, and pleasantness of light touch. Compared with women, men reported significantly worse hearing and found light touch less appealing. There were no gender differences for vision. Overall, hearing loss seemed to have a greater impact on social function than did visual impairment. Discussion. Sensory function declines across age groups, with notable gender differences for hearing and light touch. Further analysis of sensory measures from NSHAP Wave 2 may provide important information on how sensory declines are related to health, social function, quality of life, morbidity, and mortality in this nationally representative sample of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]