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While the impact of neighborhood characteristics on access to social capital is well established, less is known about how neighborhood landscape design interventions play a role in shaping access to this resource and how this varies across the life course. In this study we examined the association between age and perceived impact of recently installed neighborhood block-scale green infrastructure (GI) on frequency of social interactions with neighbors. We also examined age variation in how alternative GI designs were perceived (e.g., how well cared for), and how these perceptions were associated with the anticipated impact on frequency of neighbor interactions. Data are from the Neighborhood, environment, and water research collaborations for green infrastructure (NEW-GI) project based in Detroit, MI. Four neighborhood GI interventions were installed in two Detroit neighborhoods in 2016. Surveys were conducted with residents living around the interventions in 2017-18 (n=171), and in nearby neighborhoods (n=145). Age was significantly associated with perceived impact of the landscape interventions on frequency of social interactions with neighbors. Specifically, older adults were significantly more likely to report that the landscape interventions that they were most familiar with resulted in increased frequency of interactions with their neighbors. Further, design alternatives perceived as more well cared for were anticipated to result in greater increases in the frequency of interactions with neighbors among older compared to younger adults. Results suggest neighborhood landscape interventions can improve access to social capital particularly among older adults, and perceptions of landscape care play a role in this process.

Background: Identifying the factors to improve the quality of life (QOL) is vital to decrease morbidity and mortality rates among older adults. Although unfavorable neighborhood features have a significant negative impact on QOL, few studies have investigated these relationships in a deprived community. The purpose of the study was to understand how neighborhood walkability is associated with QOL using the SF-36 among urban-dwelling older adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited in 2018 and 2019 at regional health clinics in Flint, MI. To be eligible, participants had to be over 65 years old and Flint residents. Results: Of the 132 participants, the majority were female (66%), African American (77%), single, divorced, or widowed (75%), and educated below GED level (84%). After adjusting for gender, assistive device use, medication, and the Supplemental Security Income receipt, multiple regression analysis revealed that those with better perceptions of land-mixed use and accessibility within their neighborhood were more likely to have better physical health (β = .36, p

Recent immigrant and undocumented Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States (U.S.) are an underserved segment of the aging population. In this cross-sectional pilot study, we examined associations between self-reported stressors metabolic syndrome, emotional reactivity, and cognitive functioning in a heterogenous sample (N=80) of Hispanic/Latino adults (43.8% Central America; 43.8% South America; 7.5% Caribbean; mean years in the U.S.=18.1, SD=12.8). Participants (Meducation=10.2 years, SD=5.34; Mage=48.6 years, SD=12.3) underwent blood draw, anthropometrics and NIH-toolbox cognitive and behavioral measures. Linear regressions indicated that, elevated glucose was inversely associated with working memory (r=-.30), whereas higher HDL and controlled glucose were associated with better episodic memory (r=.27) and executive functioning (r=.32). Results further revealed associations between immigration-related trauma and elevated posttraumatic stress symptomatology. Implications for mental health and early detection of modifiable risk factors to promote healthy aging in vulnerable Hispanic/Latino immigrant populations are discussed.

Insufficient physical activity (PA) is considered an independent risk factor for chronic diseases. Although older adults living in lower-income areas often experience obstacles to walking locally, few studies have compared their walking experiences and the degree of readiness to change on engaging in PA. The purpose of this study was to compare perceptions of neighborhood walkability by the stages of change among older adults living in a lower-income community. Participants were recruited in 2018 at a regional health clinic in Flint, MI. To be eligible, participants had to be over 65 years old and Flint residents. Of the 132 participants, the mean age was 69.74 (SD=5.00) years old. The majority of respondents were female (66%); African American (77%); single, divorced, or widowed (75%); and educated below a GED level (84%). The results showed that older adults at the pre-contemplation/contemplation stage (PC/C) were less likely to perceive the availability of sidewalks on most streets and more likely to complain about much traffic along the street than those at the action/maintenance stage (A/M) (p < 0.05). After controlling for covariates, multiple regression analysis showed that those at PC/C were less likely to state that their neighborhoods were accessible (β = .17*) and to perceive the presence of walking hazard (e.g., lack of sidewalks) (β = -.17*). Those who engaged in PA less than 30 minutes per day perceived the neighborhoods were accessible (β = .23*). Findings suggest that it is essential to develop friendly support systems and accommodations to encourage walking in lower-income communities.

We developed comprehensive multi-domain profiles of psychosocial stress in urban-dwelling, racially and ethnically diverse adults (age range: 25-65; N=256; 63% Non-Hispanic Black; 25% Hispanic; 9% Non-Hispanic White) and evaluated associations with cognitive function. Participants completed psychosocial stress measures tapping into ten domains and tasks of processing speed, working memory, and episodic memory. Latent profile analyses controlling for age yielded four-profiles: high neighborhood stress, moderate versus high work stress and daily discrimination, and high health and relationship stress. Profiles significantly differed in income, age, and employment status. The profile with moderate work stress and daily discrimination and the profile with high neighborhood stress each had significantly lower working memory than the other profiles. The finding of lower working memory among individuals in the moderate work stress and daily discrimination profile was not due to sociodemographic variables. Results highlight the potentially cumulative influence of different contextual stressors on cognition.

Information and communication technology (ICT) use has been associated with well-being among older adults. This link is often attributed to the fact that technology use facilitates connecting with social relations generally. What is less known, however, is the extent to which distinct dimensions of social relations uniquely influence how ICT use affects health. Thus, the importance of weak ties is receiving increased attention. Using data from the Detroit-based Social Relations Study collected in 2015, we examine the extent to which separate dimensions of weak ties (contact frequency and network size) mediate and moderate the link between technology use and depressive symptoms among adults age 65+ (n=213). A greater number of less close relations mediated the link as it was associated with technology use and fewer depressive symptoms. A moderating effect was also found as technology use was associated with fewer depressive symptoms only among those with lower contact frequency.

Few studies have examined how the intersectionality of geographic context and race/ethnicity influences Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) caregiving. Our aims were to determine whether 1) caregiver experiences and health differed across urban and rural areas; and 2) these links were moderated by caregiver race/ethnicity. We used data from the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. The sample included caregivers (n=808) of care recipients ages 65+ with ‘probable’ ADRD (n=482). Geographic context was defined as care recipient’s residence in metro (urban) or non-metro (rural) counties. Outcomes included caregiving experiences (burden, gains, life impacts, service/resource use) and health (self-rated, anxiety, depression symptoms, chronic health conditions). Bivariate analyses indicated that non-metro ADRD caregivers were less racially/ethnically diverse (82.7% white) and more were spouses/partners (20.2%). Among racial/ethnic minority ADRD caregivers, non-metro context was associated with having more chronic conditions (p

http://archive.org/details/themutualimpedan1094514448 Air Force Contract No. AF 19(604)-1296 U.S. Navy (U.S.N.) author.