scholarly journals Explaining Differences in Episodic Memory Performance among Older African Americans and Whites: The Roles of Factors Related to Cognitive Reserve and Test Bias

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise C. Fyffe ◽  
Shubhabrata Mukherjee ◽  
Lisa L. Barnes ◽  
Jennifer J. Manly ◽  
David A. Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Test Bias ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
Brain Resilience

AbstractOlder African Americans tend to perform poorly in comparison with older Whites on episodic memory tests. Observed group differences may reflect some combination of biological differences, measurement bias, and other confounding factors that differ across groups. Cognitive reserve refers to the hypothesis that factors, such as years of education, cognitive activity, and socioeconomic status, promote brain resilience in the face of pathological threats to brain integrity in late life. Educational quality, measured by reading test performance, has been postulated as an important aspect of cognitive reserve. Previous studies have not concurrently evaluated test bias and other explanations for observed differences between older African Americans and Whites. We combined data from two studies to address this question. We analyzed data from 273 African American and 720 White older adults. We assessed DIF using an item response theory/ordinal logistic regression approach. DIF and factors associated with cognitive reserve did not explain the relationship between race, and age- and sex-adjusted episodic memory test performance. However, reading level did explain this relationship. The results reinforce the importance of considering education quality, as measured by reading level, when assessing cognition among diverse older adults. (JINS, 2011, 17, 625–638)

scholarly journals Perceived Discrimination and Cognition in Older African Americans

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 856-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.L. Barnes ◽  
T.T. Lewis ◽  
C.T. Begeny ◽  
L. Yu ◽  
D.A. Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Perceptual Speed ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
Cognitive Test Performance

AbstractExisting evidence suggests that psychosocial stress is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Perceived discrimination is a persistent stressor in African Americans that has been associated with several adverse mental and physical health outcomes. To our knowledge, the association of discrimination with cognition in older African Americans has not been examined. In a cohort of 407 older African Americans without dementia (mean age = 72.9; SD = 6.4), we found that a higher level of perceived discrimination was related to poorer cognitive test performance, particularly episodic memory (estimate = −0.03; SE = .013; p < .05) and perceptual speed tests (estimate = −0.04; SE = .015; p < .05). The associations were unchanged after adjusting for demographics and vascular risk factors, but were attenuated after adjustment for depressive symptoms (Episodic memory estimate = −0.02; SE = 0.01; Perceptual speed estimate = −0.03; SE = 0.02; both p's = .06). The association between discrimination and several cognitive domains was modified by level of neuroticism. The results suggest that perceived discrimination may be associated with poorer cognitive function, but does not appear to be independent of depressive symptoms. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–10)

scholarly journals Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Cognition in Older, Non-demented African Americans

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 756-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie L. Hamilton ◽  
Adam M. Brickman ◽  
Rosalyn Lang ◽  
Goldie S. Byrd ◽  
Jonathan L. Haines ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Causal Pathway ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractKnowledge of the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognition in older adults has primarily come from studies of clinically depressed, functionally impaired or cognitively impaired individuals, and in predominately White samples. Limited minority representation in depression research exposes the need to examine these associations in more ethnic/racially diverse populations. We sought to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognition in a sample of non-demented older African Americans recruited from surrounding U.S. cities of New York, Greensboro, Miami, and Nashville (N=944). Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Cognition was evaluated with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Test scores were summarized into attention, executive function, memory, language, and processing speed composites. Controlling for age, education, reading level, and sex, African American older adults who endorsed more symptoms obtained significantly lower scores on measures of memory, language, processing speed, and executive functioning. Further investigation of the causal pathway underlying this association, as well as potential mediators of the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive test performance among older African Americans, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, may offer potential avenues for intervention. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–8)

scholarly journals Temporal aspects of wellbeing in later life: gardening among older African Americans in Detroit

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 2614-2634
Author(s):  
Jessica C. Robbins ◽  
Kimberly A. Seibel
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Structural Inequality ◽  
City Life ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
Nuanced Understanding

AbstractGardening has well-established physical, social and emotional benefits for older adults in varied circumstances. In Detroit, Michigan (United States of America), as in many cities, policy makers, funders, researchers, community organisations and residents regard gardening as a means of transforming bodies, persons, communities, cities and broader polities. We draw on ethnographic research conducted during one gardening season with 27 older African Americans in Detroit to foreground the social dimensions of wellbeing in later life and thus develop a more robust and nuanced understanding of gardening's benefits for older adults. Based on anthropological understandings of personhood and kinship, this article expands concepts of wellbeing to include social relations across multiple scales (individual, interpersonal, community, state) and temporalities (of the activity itself, experiences of ageing, city life). Even when performed alone, gardening fosters connections with the past, as gardeners are reminded of deceased loved ones through practices and the plants themselves, and with the future, through engagement with youth and community. Elucidating intimate connections and everyday activities of older African American long-term city residents counters anti-black discourses of ‘revitalisation’. An expansive concept of wellbeing has implications for understanding the generative potential of meaningful social relations in later life and the vitality contributed by older adults living in contexts of structural inequality.

scholarly journals New Evidence on the Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Chronic Pain in Aging African Americans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 784-784
Author(s):  
Staja Booker
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Pain Catastrophizing ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
New Evidence

Abstract African American older adults are living longer with chronic pain, which presents a huge personal and societal burden. A growing group of scholars are now devoted to accurately and precisely characterizing and phenotyping the experience of pain in aging using within-group and advanced methodological designs to elucidate the biopsychosocial-behavioral responses to pain. In this symposium, five dynamic presenters present new evidence on mechanisms of pain in older African-Americans. Dr. Roach’s investigation reveals the effect of genetic alterations of sickle cell disease (SCD) on stress-related pain in younger and older adults; this scientific inquiry is especially important because there is little research on SCD in aging. Next, Dr. Terry, extends these findings by exploring the association between psychosocial factors such as experiences of discrimination, pain catastrophizing, and perceived stress on neural (brain) responses via magnetic resonance imaging. From a clinical perspective, Dr. Booker reports on the first-ever model of intra-racial differences in movement-evoked pain in older African-Americans with knee osteoarthritis and healthy controls. Our final two presenters use a translational approach to identify how older African-Americans cope with chronic pain. Dr. Robinson-Lane’s study highlights the unique experience and predictors of coping, adaptation, and self-management of chronic pain in Black dementia caregivers. Finally, Dr. Cobb’s research from a large cross-sectional study correlates social, behavioral, and health factors with opioid and psychotropic use in economically disadvantaged older African-Americans. This symposium offers novel ways of understanding social determinants of pain and assisting African-Americans and their caregivers to manage complex chronic pain in later life.

scholarly journals Insights Gained From Developing Academic-Community Partnerships for Minority Aging, Community-Engaged Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 844-844
Author(s):  
Ronica Rooks ◽  
Peter Lichtenberg
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Dementia Patient ◽  
Community Engaged Research ◽  
Academic Partnerships ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
Minority Aging

Abstract Increasingly community-engaged research, characterized by collaborations between researchers and community partners, is recognized as an important part of translating research into improved health outcomes and reduced health disparities for community participants. Training community participants to engage in some or all aspects of this research, particularly focusing on racial and ethnic minority older adults, highlights the need to understand its opportunities and challenges. With this symposium we will discuss and reflect on community-engaged and community-based participatory research approaches to community-academic partnerships with minority older adults. The first presentation addresses recruitment, retention, and training of a community advisory board of older African Americans in Michigan. The second presentation addresses a health education outreach and engagement program to improve health outcomes among older African Americans in California. The third presentation combines community engagement with survey design methods for research with older Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults to improve data collection and health outcomes in this U.S. population. The final presentation examines partnerships between a hospital memory clinic, meal delivery service, research university, and low-income health clinic to improve caregiver and dementia patient outcomes for minority older adults. The symposium discussant will address opportunities, challenges, and implications of community-academic partnerships promoting minority aging.

scholarly journals ADAPTIVE GARDENING PRACTICES AMONG OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS IN DETROIT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S515-S515
Author(s):  
Jessica C Robbins ◽  
Kimberly Seibel
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Structural Inequality ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Selective Optimization With Compensation ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
Physical Abilities ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
Post Industrial

Abstract It is well established that gardening can promote physical, social, and emotional wellbeing for many older adults in varied circumstances (Milligan, Gatrell, and Bingley 2004; Nicklett, Anderson, and Yen 2016; Wang and MacMillan 2013). In post-industrial cities formed by historical and ongoing processes of structural inequality such as Detroit, Michigan, gardening is beneficial for residents in terms of health, economic activity, community-building, and city beautification (Lawson 2005; Pitt 2014; Pothukuchi 2015; White 2011). However, research has less frequently investigated how gardening can promote wellbeing for older adults living in contexts of urban structural inequality. This poster addresses this gap by exploring how older African American gardeners in Detroit adapt their gardening practices to changing physical abilities and capacities. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted during one gardening season (March-October 2017) with older African Americans in Detroit (n= 27), we employ a selective-optimization-with-compensation framework (Baltes and Baltes 1990) to understand the modifications that older Detroiters make in their gardening practices as they age. Findings demonstrate that older African Americans in Detroit engage in gardening in flexible, creative ways that accommodate new physical limitations, while also connecting to changes occurring in the city of Detroit. This study thus has implications for further understanding how gardening can benefit older adults, and how older adults can contribute vitality to contexts of structural inequality.

scholarly journals Older African Americans' Experience of the Opioid Crisis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 79-80
Author(s):  
Sharon Rainer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Senior Center ◽  
Opioid Crisis ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
College Of Nursing ◽  
Axial Coding ◽  
Opioid Users

Abstract In 2017, over 1200 Philadelphians died from opioid overdoses and an estimated 50,000 -70,000 people in the city are addicted to opioids. The opioid crisis is a family crisis that touches all communities affecting those using opioids, their family members, and the community. As policymakers develop responses to the opioid crisis, a multigenerational perspective is critical. With much published on the opioid crisis, there remains little understanding of older adult’s perceptions or experiences to this public health emergency. Older adults bring a unique voice. They are grandparents, parents, opioid users, and people living with chronic pain and/or addictions. Center in the Park (CIP), a nationally accredited senior center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania sought to understand older African Americans’ perceptions of the opioid crisis and how their experiences inform senior center programming. CIP leadership sought a community partnership with Thomas Jefferson University College of Nursing to respond to what some in their community called “a domino effect” of the opioid crisis. Using a Community-Based Participatory Research Model rooted in humanistic research theory, a qualitative study was designed. Three focus groups (n29) were convened. All focus group recordings were transcribed and checked for accuracy. An iterative axial coding process was used. All transcripts were coded using the qualitative software program NVivo12. Findings suggest older adults are concerned about younger generations and addictions. In addition, older adults lack knowledge of the use and safety of opioids and have a general mistrust of the medical community to adequately limit the opioid epidemic.

Sleep-Wake Disturbances and Episodic Memory in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 109980042094160
Author(s):  
An-Yun Yeh ◽  
Susan J. Pressler ◽  
Donna Algase ◽  
Laura M. Struble ◽  
Bunny J. Pozehl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Learning Test ◽  
The Relationship

Sleep-wake disturbances have been associated with episodic memory loss, but past studies were limited by use of single measures of objective or perceived disturbances. Notably, cognitive reserve and depressive symptoms have been associated with sleep-wake disturbances and poorer episodic memory in older adults. The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between episodic memory and sleep-wake disturbances using objective and perceived measures in older adults and to examine cognitive reserve and depressive symptoms as moderators of this relationship. In this descriptive study, 62 healthy older adults (mean age: 69.9 years; 75.8% women) were recruited from the University of Michigan Clinical Research Program. Objective sleep-wake disturbances were measured by 7-day actigraphy and perceived sleep-wake disturbances by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Episodic memory was measured by the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised. Analyses involved Pearson’s correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression. Results showed that more objectively measured sleep disruption was associated with poorer episodic memory and more perceived daytime sleepiness was associated with better episodic memory. Cognitive reserve and depressive symptoms were not moderators of this relationship. In this study, the relationship between sleep-wake disturbances and episodic memory differed by type of measure, objective or perceived. Future studies are needed using multiple measures of episodic memory to further understand the sleep-wake disturbances and episodic memory relationship in a larger diverse sample of healthy older adults.

scholarly journals Race and Objective Social Isolation: Older African Americans, Black Caribbeans, and Non-Hispanic Whites

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (8) ◽  
pp. 1429-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Joseph Taylor ◽  
Linda M Chatters ◽  
Harry O Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Differences ◽  
Religious Congregation ◽  
Older African Americans ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Congregation Members

Abstract Objectives Social isolation is a major risk factor for poor physical and mental health among older adults. This study investigates the correlates of objective social isolation among older African Americans, Black Caribbean immigrants, and non-Hispanic Whites. Methods The analysis is based on the older subsample (n = 1,439) of the National Survey of American Life. There are eight indicators of objective social isolation: no contact with neighbors, neighborhood groups, friends, family members, religious congregation members, not being married and no romantic involvement, living alone, and not being a parent. Results Very few older Americans are socially isolated from family and friends. Non-Hispanic Whites are more likely than both African Americans and Black Caribbeans to live alone, to be childless, and have limited contact with religious congregation members. For both African Americans and Black Caribbeans, being female is protective against social isolation, but for both populations, men are more likely to be married or have a romantic partner. For African Americans, residing in the South is also protective against social isolation. Discussion This analysis provides greater clarity on racial and ethnic differences in social isolation among older adults, as well as within-group differences in objective social isolation among African Americans and Black Caribbeans.

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