Early Retirement and Sensory Impairments: The Modifying Effect of Total Assets

Abstract Sensory impairments are common among older adults. Little is known on the association between sensory impairments, which impact labor productivity, and the effect modification of wealth. We used the 2006-2018 rounds of the Health and Retirement Study. Hearing (HI) and vision (VI) impairments (self-report) at baseline, and working status throughout the study period was observed. Logistic regression models, adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics, were used to characterize the association of sensory impairment and early retirement (i.e., before age 65). Secondary analysis stratified by assets. Among 1,688 adults ages 53-64, 1,350 had no impairment, 140 had HI only, 141 VI only, and 57 had dual sensory impairment (DSI). Only adults with HI had higher odds of early retirement (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.6; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.0,2.5) relative to those without sensory impairment. Among those with large assets, those with HI had higher odds (OR:2.6, 95% CI: 1.4,5.2) and those with VI had lower odds (OR. 0.37; 95% CI: 0.2,0.8) of early retirement. Among the low asset group, we found no differences across impairment groups for the odds of retirement. In sample of older adults, we provide evidence that the presence of hearing impairment is associated early retirement. Secondary analyses suggest wealth may modify this association which highlights the wealth disparities faced by people with sensory impairments.

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Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Adults With Auditory, Vision, and Dual Sensory Impairment

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264318781123 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (8) ◽

pp. 1353-1375 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Adam Simning ◽

Meghan L. Fox ◽

Steven L. Barnett ◽

Silvia Sorensen ◽

Yeates Conwell

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Late Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Self Report ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Sensory Impairments ◽

Dual Sensory Impairment

Objective: The objective of the study is to examine the association of auditory, vision, and dual sensory impairment with late-life depressive and anxiety symptoms. Method: Our study included 7,507 older adults from the National Health & Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative sample of U.S. Medicare beneficiaries. Auditory and vision impairment were determined by self-report, and depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated by the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) and two-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-2), respectively. Results: Auditory, vision, and dual impairment were associated with an increased risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms in multivariable analyses accounting for sociodemographics, medical comorbidity, and functional impairment. Auditory, vision, and dual impairment were also associated with an increased risk for depressive and anxiety symptoms that persist or were of new onset after 1 year. Discussion: Screening older adults with sensory impairments for depression and anxiety, and screening those with late-life depression and anxiety for sensory impairments, may identify treatment opportunities to optimize health and well-being.

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Episodic Memory in Later Life: Benefits of Prayer and Meditation

Journal of Holistic Nursing ◽

10.1177/0898010119898547 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 30-40

Author(s):

Nirmala Lekhak ◽

Tirth R. Bhatta ◽

Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Regression Models ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Later Life ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Generalized Estimating Equation ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Retirement Study ◽

Over Time

Purpose: To examine the effects of prayer and meditation on the episodic memory of older adults. Design: Secondary analysis of Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Method: Drawing from a subsample of HRS ( n = 1,135), this study utilized generalized estimating equation regression models to examine the effects of meditation and prayer on changes in episodic memory of older adults over time. Findings: Findings show a statistically significant positive effect of the use of prayer (0.50, p < .05) on episodic memory score at baseline. We also observed a slight gain in episodic memory over time for older adults who used prayer (0.04, p = .05). Meditation was not found to have a statistically significant effect on changes in memory in later life. Conclusion: This study illustrates the benefits of prayer in preserving memory and provides much needed empirical basis for community-level interventions to enhance memory in later life.

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Disseminating the Otago Exercise Program in the United States: Perceived and Actual Physical Performance Improvements From Participants

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464816675422 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 79-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Tiffany E. Shubert ◽

Matthew Lee Smith ◽

Luohua Jiang ◽

Marcia G. Ory

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Exercise Program ◽

The United States ◽

Functional Mobility ◽

Self Report ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Logistic Regression Models

The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is an evidence-based fall prevention program disseminated internationally. Little is known about the implementation or effectiveness of the OEP in the United States. The purposes were to (a) identify characteristics of older adults enrolled in OEP, and (b) examine perceived and actual functional performance changes after participation in 8 weeks of the program. Baseline and 8-week functional and self-report data were collected on 210 older adults from 2013 to 2015. Linear mixed models and general estimating equations logistic regression models adjusted for socio-demographic factors were performed to assess changes. At 8 weeks, scores dramatically improved on self-report and physical performance tests: Timed Up-and-Go ( p < .001), 30-Second Chair Rise ( p < .001), and Four-Stage Balance ( p < .001). Findings support that participation in the U.S. OEP as part of a plan of care can result in significant improvements in objective functional mobility, balance measures, and self-reported ability.

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Life-space assessment and associated clinical factors: SABE Colombia

Geriatrics Gerontology and Aging ◽

10.53886/gga.e0210043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Elly Morros-González ◽

Isabel Márquez ◽

José Pablo Prada ◽

Daniela Patino-Hernandez ◽

Diego Chavarro-Carvaja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Mental Disease ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Self Report ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Life Space ◽

Limited Life ◽

Logistic Regressions

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess whether an association exists between chronic diseases or multimorbidity and limited life space in older adults. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the SABE (Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento) Colombia Study. We assessed chronic diseases through self-report, and a limited life space was defined as any score ≤ 60 in the Life-Space Assessment scale. Multimorbidity was defined as having two or more coexisting diseases. We performed bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regressions aiming to obtain odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of limited life space was 2.95% with a mean score of 76.27 ± 19.34. Statistically significant associations were found between limited life space and mental disease (OR 1.45; 95%CI 1.15 – 1.82) and between limited life space and multimorbidity (OR 1.32; 95%CI 1.06 – 1.63). CONCLUSIONS: Mental disease and multimorbidity are associated with limited life space in older adults. Therefore, preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness should be sought in addition to the existing preventive and therapeutic approaches available for noncommunicable diseases.

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Self-Reported Sensory Impairments in Older Adults and their Association with Self-Rated Health and Mortality Outcomes

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/08982643211059133 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089826432110591

Author(s):

Bernard A. Steinman ◽

Jennifer Tabler ◽

Casandra M. Mittlieder ◽

Bremen Whitlock ◽

Carrie E. Goodman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Daily Living ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Medicare Beneficiaries ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Sensory Impairments ◽

Logistic Regressions ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Relationship ◽

Health And Mortality

Objectives This study assessed the relationship between self-reported impairments of vision, hearing, and dual sensory impairment, and change in self-rated health/mortality status over a 5-year period. Methods Data came from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative survey of Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older. Analyses consisted of a series of ordinal logistic regressions stratified by sex. Results For both women and men, self-reported sensory impairments were not statistical predictors of self-rated health/mortality, when other dimensions of health, such as physical functioning, participation, and activities of daily living functioning were included in models. Discussion Understanding how self-reported sensory impairments impact self-rated health could assist in targeting rehabilitation strategies to older adults who experience sensory impairments.

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Longitudinal Association Between Self-Reported Sensory Impairments and Episodic Memory among Older Adults in China: A Prospective Cohort Study

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology ◽

10.1177/08919887211006467 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089198872110064

Author(s):

Xiaochen Ma ◽

Jingkai Wei ◽

Nathan Congdon ◽

Yan Li ◽

Lu Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Word Recall ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Hearing Impairments ◽

Linear Mixed Effects ◽

Sensory Impairments ◽

Longitudinal Association

Sensory impairments, such as visual and hearing impairments, and cognitive decline are prevalent among mid-age and older adults in China. With 4-year longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we assessed the association between self-reported sensory impairments and episodic memory. Multivariate linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the association of baseline sensory impairment in 2011-2012 with cognitive decline at 2- and 4-year follow-up visits. Among the 13,097 participants, longitudinal associations were identified between having hearing loss (β = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.22, -0.05), having both poor hearing and vision (β = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.23, -0.04) and decline in immediate word recall over 4 years, compared to those without self-reported sensory impairment. In addition, these associations were more significant among those aged 60 and older and among women. Further research is needed to investigate these associations in the longer term, providing evidence to support interventions that can prevent or delay sensory impairments and preserve cognitive functions in older adults.

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Hospital, Emergency Department, and Home Health Use in Older Adults with Sensory Impairment

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3607 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1016-1016

Author(s):

Laura Wallace ◽

Karen Hirschman ◽

Mary Naylor ◽

Liming Huang ◽

Pamela Cacchione

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Home Health ◽

Health Care Use ◽

Hospital Emergency Department ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Healthcare Use ◽

Hospital Emergency ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Sensory Impairments

Abstract Hearing, vision, and dual (combined hearing and vision) sensory impairments (HI, VI, and DSI) are common in older adults and associated with adverse health outcomes. However, it is not clear how sensory impairments impact healthcare utilization in older adults. This study aims to examine hospital, emergency department (ED), and home health care use amongst adults 65 and older diagnosed with HI, VI, and DSI in an urban academic health system. This secondary analysis (N=45,000) used a limited data subset of older adult primary care patients’ EHR data from a parent study examining medical complexity, healthcare use, and social vulnerability. Using logistic regression and controlling for participant demographics and comorbidities, results show HI, VI, and DSI increase the likelihood of having an ED visit (OR 1.29, p<.0001; OR 1.28, p=0.0011; OR 1.50, p=.0328, respectively) and a home health episode (hearing OR 1.41, p<.0001; vision OR 1.42, p=.0002) compared to those without sensory impairment (SI). No significant difference was found in hospital use and home health use for DSI. This is the first known study to examine ED use for older adults with VI and DSI, and home health use for older adults with SI in the US. Findings suggest older adults with SI have greater utilization and dependence on healthcare services. Older adults with SI may benefit from outpatient assessments and interventions to mitigate risks of ED use. Findings also support research into the drivers of healthcare use amongst this population, financial implications, and intervention development to prevent avoidable healthcare use.

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The Association of Vision, Hearing, and Dual Sensory Impairments With Walking Speed and Incident Slow Walking

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.698 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 216-216

Author(s):

Ahmed Shakarchi ◽

Varshini Varadaraj ◽

Lama Assi ◽

Nicholas Reed ◽

Bonnielin Swenor

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Linear Models ◽

Population Based ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Slow Walking ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Sensory Impairments ◽

Walking Speeds

Abstract Vision (VI), hearing (HI) and dual sensory (DSI, concurrent VI and HI) impairments are increasing in prevalence as populations age. Walking speed is an established health indicator associated with adverse outcomes, including mortality. Using the population-based Health and Retirement Study, we analyzed the longitudinal relationship between sensory impairment and walking speed. In multivariable mixed-effects linear models, we found differences in baseline walking speed (m/s) by sensory impairment: Beta=-0.05 (95%CI=-0.07, -0.04), Beta=-0.02 (95%CI=--0.03, -0.003), and Beta=-0.07 (95%CI=--0.08, -0.05) for VI, HI and DSI, respectively, as compared to those without sensory impairment. However, similar annual declines (0.014 m/s) in walking speeds occurred in all groups. In time-to-event analyses, events were defined as “slow walking” (speed <0.60m/s) and “very slow walking” (<0.40m/s). Incident “slow walking” was 43% (95%CI=25%, 65%), 29% (95%CI=13%, 48%) and 35% (95%CI=13%, 61%) greater in VI, HI and DSI, respectively, than the no sensory impairment group, while incident “very slow walking” was 21% (95%CI=-4%, 54%), 30% (95%CI=3%, 63%) and 89% (95%CI=47%, 143%) greater; the increase was significantly greater in DSI than VI and HI. These results suggest that older adults with vision and hearing impairments walk slower and are at increased risk of slow walking than older adults without these sensory impairments. Additionally, older adults with DSI are at greatest risk of very slow walking.

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Perceived neighbourhood safety and volunteerism among older adults

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x20000677 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Erin G. Grinshteyn ◽

Judith A. Sugar

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Older Adults ◽

United States Of America ◽

Regression Models ◽

The United States ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Perceptions Of Safety ◽

Fair Poor ◽

Retirement Study

Abstract Previous research shows the benefits of volunteerism to individuals and communities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lower perceived neighbourhood safety is associated with reduced volunteerism and whether this association differs by sex. Data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study in the United States of America were used (N = 13,009 adults 60 years and older). Multivariate logistic regression models were estimated to assess the association between perceived neighbourhood safety and volunteerism while controlling for potential confounders. Perceived neighbourhood safety was associated with volunteering. The odds of volunteering were higher for those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as excellent compared with those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as fair/poor. Those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as very good also had greater odds of volunteering than those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as fair/poor. Results differed somewhat by gender. Men who perceived their neighbourhood safety as excellent had increased odds of volunteering. The association of neighbourhood safety with volunteerism was significant for women rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as excellent or very good. Among men, being married was associated with increased odds of volunteering; being completely or partly retired was associated with increased odds of volunteering among women. Initiatives aimed at improving older adults’ perceptions of safety would help improve volunteerism, which is beneficial to both older adults and communities.

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Performance-Based Impairment Measures as Predictors of Early-Stage Activity Limitations in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264316648113 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 880-892 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lauren Terhorst ◽

Margo B. Holm ◽

Pamela E. Toto ◽

Joan C. Rogers

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Daily Living ◽

Early Stage ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Performance Quality ◽

Functional Reach ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: The objective of the current investigation was to explore performance-based predictors of decline in the performance quality of everyday tasks as a first step for early identification, screening, and referral to minimize disability in community-dwelling older adults. Method: This was a secondary analysis of data from 256 community-based older women. Mobility, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were measured using the Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills (PASS). Logistic regression models explored cognitive and motor predictors of performance quality while controlling for demographics and diagnoses. Results: Functional reach ( p = .049) and cognition ( p = .012) were predictive of mobility quality, whereas balance ( p = .007) and the Keitel Function ( p = .005) were predictive of ADL quality. Manipulation and cognitive measures were predictive of cognitive and physical IADL quality. Discussion: Cognitive and physical screens are both important to identify older adults at risk for disability.

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