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The purpose of this paper is to examine factors that are associated with tooth loss in older adults living in the San Luis Valley (SLV), Colorado, which is a rural and large geographical area (roughly the size of Connecticut) that has a large population age 60 years or older. Data used in this manuscript were collected as a part of the SLV Community Health Survey. The analyzed sample included 308 adults over the age of 65 years who completed the survey. Basic descriptive statistics and a series of step-wise binary logistic regression analyses were conducted; the dependent variable was the number of permanent teeth removed because of tooth decay or gum disease. Fifty-two percent of the participants were male, Hispanic participants made up 40 % of the sample and 76 % of the participants had at least a high school education. Tooth loss was significantly associated with older age ( OR = 1.09; p = 0.02), lower income ( OR = 0.01; p = 0.00), less than high school education ( OR = 0.32; p = 0.01), being Hispanic ( OR = 2.15; p = 0.05), self-reported fair-poor health status (OR 2.94; p = 0.02), consumption of one or more than one sweet beverage per day ( OR = 4.52 ; p = 0.00), no dental insurance ( OR = 4.70; p = 0.01) and length of time since last dental visit ( OR = 0.21; p = 0.01). The findings of the present study suggest possible causes for tooth loss in rural adults and underscore the need for in-depth research to study the overall oral health of rural older adults living in SLV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiometabolic risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes are linked to cognitive impairment. The Hispanic population appears to be differentially affected by both cardiometabolic risk factors and cognitive impairment. We sought to determine whether ethnic differences in cognitive impairment in long-resident southwestern US elders was explained by the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors, and to explore patterns of cognitive decline over time. We performed a secondary analysis of data collected on 378 Hispanic and 409 non-Hispanic white adult participants in a longitudinal study of community-dwelling elderly in southern Colorado. Measures of cardiometabolic risk included waist circumference, blood pressure, diagnosis of diabetes, and random blood glucose. Cognitive measures included the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the behavioral dyscontrol scale (a measure of executive cognitive function), at baseline and after an average of 22 months. Subjects were also administered the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults 1-Year Activity Recall. At baseline, Hispanic elders had a greater number of cardiometabolic risk factors and lower MMSE and behavioral dyscontrol scale scores than non-Hispanic whites. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a greater likelihood of decline in general cognitive function, but not executive cognitive function, after adjusting for age and education. This differential decline was not explained by either individual or total number of baseline cardiometabolic risk factors, depression, or physical activity. A borderline increased risk of decline in general cognitive function was seen in sedentary individuals ( P = 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Pain often accompanies chronic disease in older adults and may exacerbate physical limitations, which the Disablement Model suggests may increase disability and decrease independence. This study tests the hypothesis that chronic pain and change in levels of pain over time have associations with worsening physical performance independent of disease conditions. Methods. We studied the effects of initial and changing levels of pain on observed physical performance over approximately 22 months in 925 community-dwelling Hispanic and non-Hispanic while participants in the San Luis Valley Health and Aging Study. Logistic regression models controlled for demographic variables, baseline performance, and comorbidities. Results. We found that chronic pain has an independent association with worsening physical performance, regardless of ethnicity. The intensity of the pain appears to have no independent effect. Although the presence of multiple comorbidities (or vascular disease or diabetes singly) also increases the risk of a worsened physical performance outcome, an independent effect of chronic pain remains after adjusting for these disease conditions. Furthermore, ongoing chronic pain increases the risk of worsening performance; obversely, recovery from chronic pain has a significant and substantial protective effect. Conclusions. Pain in and of itself appears to increase physical impairment. These results strongly suggest that controlling chronic pain may interrupt the negative disease-impairment-disability trajectory by significantly reducing impaired physical performance, no matter the disease conditions that may underlie the pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study examines utilization of health care resources, including nursing homes, among 1,433 rural Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants in the San Luis Valley Health and Aging Study. Results show substantially greater non-Hispanic White residence in nursing homes, greater Hispanic use of professional home nursing services, but little ethnic difference in outpatient care or hospitalization. Analyses based on the behavior model of utilization find health care use strongly associated with need factors. In particular, outpatient care correlated with disease and instrumental daily living activity dependence, home nursing care with basic daily living activity dependence, and nursing home use with daily living activity dependence and cognitive impairment. Predisposing characteristics (age, marital status, education) and enabling supports and barriers (insurance, availability of no- or low-cost care, transportation difficulties) also influenced utilization. The differential ethnic pattern of nursing home use persisted after controlling for these important characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale in the context of an oral health-related clinical trial conducted in an American Indian population-specifically, people of the Navajo Nation. Data were derived from baseline evaluations of parents (or caregivers) of Navajo children aged 3-5 from 52 Head Start classes enrolled in a trial of an intervention to prevent early childhood caries (ECC). A 190-item Basic Research Factors Questionnaire, which included the SOC, was administered to 1,016 parents/caregivers. Assessment of internal reliability and convergent validity, and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine associations between parents' SOC and other potentially convergent measures. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine 1- and 3-factor solutions of the SOC scale. Higher SOC was significantly related to higher parental education and income, employment status, and higher scores for social support, internal Oral Health Locus of Control (OHLOC), self-efficacy, importance of oral health, oral health knowledge and behavior, and children's oral health quality of life. Higher SOC also was related to lower reported distress and lower external OHLOC. Cronbach's α was 0.84 for all SOC items, but lower for each of the 3 SOC subscales. Confirmatory factor analyses suggested a 3-factor solution was superior to a 1-factor solution. The SOC scale had good internal reliability and convergent validity in this American Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the relationship between mortality and impairment and decline in a specific executive cognitive function, the capacity for behavioral self-regulation.Study Design and Setting: This study examined the association between mortality and baseline and 22-month decline in the capacity for behavioral self-regulation, as measured by the Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale, among 1,293 participants of the San Luis Valley Health and Aging Study (SLVHAS), a population-based longitudinal study. The Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale and a measure of overall mental status, the Mini-Mental State Examination, were administered at baseline and follow-up interviews. Cox regression was used to examine baseline and decline in capacity for behavioral self-regulation as possible predictors of mortality.Results: Baseline Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale score was predictive of mortality, independent of demographics and comorbidity count (hazard ratio [HR]=1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 1.09). It remained a significant predictor with further adjustment for Mini-Mental State Examination score. Decline in this specific executive cognitive function was associated with mortality after adjustment for covariates and baseline cognitive scores (HR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.13).Conclusion: Thus, both baseline capacity for behavioral self-regulation and its decline over time predicted mortality in the SLVHAS cohort. These associations may partly be attributed to maintaining the ability for self-care. Understanding how specific forms of impairment contribute to mortality may help identify patients who could benefit from early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In low-income and underserved populations, financial hardship and multiple competing roles and responsibilities lead to difficulties in lifestyle change for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. To improve CVD prevention behaviors, we adapted, pilot-tested, and evaluated a problem-solving intervention designed to address barriers to lifestyle change., Methods: The sample consisted of 81 participants from 3 underserved populations, including 28 Hispanic or non-Hispanic white women in a western community (site 1), 31 African-American women in a semirural southern community (site 2), and 22 adults in an Appalachian community (site 3). Incorporating focus group findings, we assessed a standardized intervention involving 6-to-8 week group sessions devoted to problem-solving in the fall of 2009., Results: Most sessions were attended by 76.5% of participants, demonstrating participant adoption and engagement. The intervention resulted in significant improvement in problem-solving skills (P < .001) and perceived stress (P < .05). Diet, physical activity, and weight remained stable, although 72% of individuals reported maintenance or increase in daily fruit and vegetable intake, and 67% reported maintenance or increase in daily physical activity., Conclusion: Study results suggest the intervention was acceptable to rural, underserved populations and effective in training them in problem-solving skills and stress management for CVD risk reduction.

Background: Palliative care services are lacking in rural hospitals. Implementing palliative care services in rural and remote areas requires knowledge of available resources, specific barriers, and a commitment from the hospital and community., Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine awareness, knowledge, barriers, and resources regarding palliative care services in rural hospitals., Methods: A descriptive survey design used an investigator-developed needs assessment to survey 374 (40% response rate) health care providers (chief executive officers, chiefs of medical staff, chief nursing officers, and social worker directors) at 236 rural hospitals (<100 beds) in seven Rocky Mountain states., Results: Significant barriers to integrating palliative care exist: lack of administrative support, mentorship, and access to palliative care resources; inadequate basic knowledge about palliative care strategies; and limited training/skills in palliative care. Having contractual relationships with local hospices is a key facilitator. Respondents (56%) want to learn more about palliative care, specifically focusing on pain management, communication techniques, and end-of-life care issues. Webinar and online courses were suggested as strategies to promote long distance learning., Conclusions: It is imperative for quality of care that rural hospitals have practitioners who are up to date on current evidence and practice within a palliative care framework. Unique challenges exist to implementing palliative care services in rural hospitals. Opportunities for informing rural areas focus around utilizing existing hospice resources and relationships, and favoring Web-based classes and online courses. The development of a multifaceted intervention to facilitate education about palliative care and cultivate palliative care services in rural settings is indicated.

Introduction: To facilitate national efforts to maintain cognitive health through public health practice, the Healthy Brain Initiative recommended examining diverse groups to identify stakeholder perspectives on cognitive health. In response, the Healthy Aging Research Network (HAN), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coordinated projects to document the perspectives of older adults, caregivers of people with dementia, and primary care providers (PCPs) on maintaining cognitive health. Our objective was to describe PCPs' perceptions and practices regarding cognitive health., Methods: HAN researchers conducted 10 focus groups and 3 interviews with physicians (N = 28) and advanced practice providers (N = 21) in Colorado, Texas, and North Carolina from June 2007 to November 2008. Data were transcribed and coded axially., Results: PCPs reported addressing cognitive health with patients only indirectly in the context of physical health or in response to observed functional changes and patient or family requests. Some providers felt evidence on the efficacy of preventive strategies for cognitive health was insufficient, but many reported suggesting activities such as games and social interaction when queried by patients. PCPs identified barriers to talking with patients about cognitive health such as lack of time and patient reactions to recommendations., Conclusion: Communicating new evidence on cognitive health and engaging older adults in making lasting lifestyle changes recommended by PCPs and others may be practical ways in which public health practitioners can partner with PCPs to address cognitive health in health care settings.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial and spiritual issues among patients receiving hospice care., Methods: A questionnaire addressing QOL, spirituality, optimism, loss, fears about the terminal process and death anxiety was administered to 66 adults receiving care from 14 hospices. The physical components of QOL (physical symptoms and physical well-being) were rated lower than the psychosocial and spiritual aspects (support, existential well-being, psychological symptoms)., Results: Respondents had a strong spiritual connection and a strong sense of hope. Although these individuals did not express anxiety or fear about death, there were concerns about the dying process itself. Also, although most felt at ease with their current situation, respondents were concerned about how their illness was affecting their family. Financial and legal issues did not concern most of these individuals., Significance of Results: There were few significant associations between patient characteristics and the QOL or other psychosocial or spiritual issues addressed. Among this older terminally ill population receiving hospice care, whose functional status was fair and for whom physical symptoms were troublesome, QOL persisted and a positive outlook prevailed.

Purpose: This study identified modifiable risks associated with incident functional dependence, compared their effects, and estimated the percent risk attributable to each factor, by ethnicity., Design and Methods: The prospective study cohort comprised 751 rural Hispanic and non-Hispanic White elders from southern Colorado who reported no dependence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs) at baseline. Logistic regression modeled the effects of physical inactivity, nutritional risk, smoking, and falls on incident disability 22 months later, with and without adjustment for baseline ADL and IADL difficulty. Population attributable risk percentages assessed these modifiable risks by ethnicity., Results: Each risk factor multiplied the likelihood of incident dependence by 1.4 or more, adjusted for covariates. Attributable risk percentages ranged from 8% to 32% depending on risk factor, ethnicity, and baseline ADL and IADL difficulty status. Attributable risk was generally greater among Hispanic elders, the result of higher prevalence of most of the risk factors., Implications: Interventions targeted at inadequate nutrition, inactivity, smoking, and preventable falls offer opportunities to reduce incident functional disability, especially among Hispanic elders.