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Comparison of the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and level of care home placement in Asian and European people with moderate to severe cognitive impairment living in New Zealand.

Authors :
Guo, Yuxuan Joyce
Rodriguez, Claudia Rivera
Cheung, Gary
Cullum, Sarah
Kerse, Ngaire
Martinez‐Ruiz, Adrian
Source :
Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association; Dec2021 Supplement S7, Vol. 17, p1-1, 1p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Background: Due to the ageing population in New Zealand (NZ), there will be more people with dementia in need of long‐term care. As a culturally diverse country, the characteristics of different ethnicities need to be understood in order to provide culturally appropriate care. This study aims to compare: 1) the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and 2) the level of care home placement in Asian and NZ European people with moderate to severe cognitive impairment living in long‐term care facilities. Method: The sample included individuals aged≥65 and self‐identified as Asian or NZ European who had received the Long‐Term Care Facility version of interRAI, a standardised and comprehensive geriatric assessment, in 2018. All participants had moderate to severe cognitive impairment defined by a score of ≥ 3 in the Cognitive Performance Scale (range 0‐6). The analysis examined the association of ethnic group with sociodemographic and clinical variables and level of care home placement. Result: The sample included 7298 older adults (441 Asians, 6857 NZ Europeans). The average age of the sample was 84.1 SD±8.7 (Asian= 83.7 SD±7.7, European= 84.1 SD±8.8, p=0.29), and 57.5% were female (Asian=62.6%, European=57.2%, p=0.08). Logistic regression showed that, compared with NZ Europeans, Asians were more likely to have untreated diabetes (OR=2.14, 95%CI=1.55–2.96); less likely to be overweight/obese (BMI 25–29: OR=0.54, 95%CI=0.41–0.73; BMI 30–40: OR=0.25, 95%CI=0.13–0.46), have hearing loss (OR=0.55, 95%CI=0.44–0.69) and had fewer medical comorbidities (OR=0.39, 95%CI=0.24–0.65). Despite lower comorbidity, Asians with cognitive impairment were more likely to be placed in hospital level care (OR=1.60, 95%CI=1.23–2.08) and less likely to be placed in dementia level of care (OR=0.53, 95%CI=0.36–0.77). Conclusion: The study results demonstrate differences in clinical characteristics and level of care home required for Asians and NZ Europeans living in NZ. Despite lower comorbidity, Asians with cognitive impairment were more likely to be placed in hospital level of care and less likely to be placed in dementia level of care. Additional studies are needed to understand this relationship, and the results may help to generate more culturally tailored health services aimed for people with cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15525260
Volume :
17
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
154496857
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.051261