Correlates and Predictors of Mobility Limitation in Community-Dwelling Hispanic Older Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review

Abstract PURPOSE: This study examines psychosocial risk factors associated with hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. METHODS: Using two waves of the National Health and Aging Trends Study from 2011 and 2015, we conducted descriptive and multivariate analyses of individual-level data from a nationally representative sample of 8,003 Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older. Associations between hospitalization and risk factors including social isolation, depression, and anxiety were assessed. Covariates included gender, race/ethnicity, age, region, insurance type, falls, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Overall, about 20.9% of older adults reported a hospitalization within the past year and 22.2% were socially isolated. The odds of hospitalization were higher for socially isolated adults (OR 1.17; p = .02), for depressed adults (OR 1.25; p = .01), and for individuals with anxiety (OR 1.25; p = .02). Individuals living in the Western region had lower odds of hospitalization (OR 0.71; p = .001), whereas men (OR 1.13; p = .03), those requiring assistance with activities of daily living (OR 1.48; p < .001), and those having one (OR 1.41; p = .03) or more (OR 3.05; p < .001) chronic health conditions had higher odds of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Social isolation, depression, and anxiety represent significant psychosocial risk factors for hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Efforts to reduce health care costs and improve health outcomes for older adults should explore ways to strengthen social integration and improve mental health.

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COVID-19 Worries and Behavior Changes in Older and Younger Men and Women

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3441 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 939-940

Author(s):

Sarah Barber ◽

Hyunji Kim

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Older Adults ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Older Men ◽

The United States ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Behavior Changes ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Younger Adults ◽

And Behavior

Abstract The case fatality rate of COVID-19 is higher among older than younger adults, and is also higher among men than women. However, worry, which is a key motivator of behavioral health changes, occurs less frequently for older than younger adults, and less frequently for men than women. Building on this, we tested whether older adults – and particularly older men -- would report the least amount of COVID-19 worry and also fewer COVID-19 behavior changes. To do so, from March 23-31, 2020, we administered an online questionnaire assessing COVID-19 perceptions, worries, and behavior changes. Participants were a convenience sample of United States residents, who were community-dwelling younger adults (18-35) or older adults (65 to 81). Analyses included 146 younger adults (68 men, 78 women) and 156 older adults (82 men, 74 women). Participants was predominately White, living in suburban/urban areas, and had completed some college. Our results showed that during the early phase of the outbreak in the United States, older adults perceived the risks of COVID-19 to be higher than did younger adults (e.g., thought COVID-19 was different than the flu). Despite this, older men were comparatively less worried about COVID-19 than their younger counterparts. Compared to the other participants, older men had also implemented the fewest behavior changes, such as wearing a mask. These tesults suggest that interventions are needed to increase COVID-19 behavior changes in older men. These results also highlight the importance of understanding emotional-responses to COVID-19, as these are predictive of their behavioral responses.

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Predictors of Emergency Preparedness Among Older Adults in the United States

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2020.80 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sue Anne Bell ◽

Dianne Singer ◽

Erica Solway ◽

Mattias Kirch ◽

Jeffrey Kullgren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Older Adults ◽

Emergency Preparedness ◽

The United States ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Power Outage ◽

Evacuation Plans ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Hispanic White

ABSTRACT Objectives: Emergency preparedness becomes more important with increased age, as older adults are at heightened risk for harm from disasters. In this study, predictors of preparedness actions and confidence in preparedness among older adults in the United States were assessed. Methods: This nationally representative survey polled community-dwelling older adults ages 50-80 y (n = 2256) about emergency preparedness and confidence in addressing different types of emergencies. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of reported emergency preparedness actions and confidence in addressing emergencies. Results: Participants’ mean age was 62.4 y (SD = 8); 52% were female, and 71% were non-Hispanic white. Living alone was associated with lower odds of having a 7-d supply of food and water (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56-0.96), a stocked emergency kit (aOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.86), and having had conversations with family or friends about evacuation plans (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.44-0.78). Use of equipment requiring electricity was associated with less confidence in addressing a power outage lasting more than 24 h (aOR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.94), as was use of mobility aids (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.45-0.93). Conclusions: These results point to the need for tailored interventions to support emergency preparedness for older adults, particularly among those who live alone and use medical equipment requiring electricity.

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Driving Status and Transportation Disadvantage Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464818806834 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (9) ◽

pp. 935-943 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Miriam Ryvicker ◽

Evan Bollens-Lund ◽

Katherine A. Ornstein

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Older Adults ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Medicare Beneficiaries ◽

Coordination Strategies ◽

Representative Study ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Transportation disadvantage may have important implications for the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults. This study used the 2015 National Health Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and over ( N = 7,498), to generate national estimates of transportation modalities and transportation disadvantage among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. An estimated 10.8 million community-dwelling older adults in the United States rarely or never drive. Among nondrivers, 25% were classified as transportation disadvantaged, representing 2.3 million individuals. Individuals with more chronic medical conditions and those reliant on assistive devices were more likely to report having a transportation disadvantage ( p < .05). Being married resulted in a 50% decreased odds of having a transportation disadvantage ( p < .01). Some individuals may be at higher risk for transportation-related barriers to engaging in valued activities and accessing care, calling for tailored interventions such as ride-share services combined with care coordination strategies.

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