scholarly journals INCIDENCE OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AMONG U.S. CHINESE OLDER ADULTS: DOES SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT MATTER?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S929-S929
Author(s):  
Dexia Kong ◽  
XinQi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Cognitive Activities ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The increasing diversity in U.S. aging population warrants improved understanding of risk factors of cognitive aging in minority populations. This study presents the prevalence of incident cognitive impairment (CI) among U.S. Chinese older adults; and the relationship between social engagement and incident CI. Data were obtained from the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago, a prospective cohort study of Chinese older adults. Baseline (collected between 2011 and 2013) and one subsequent wave of data (collected between 2013 and 2015) were used in analyses (N=2,713). Social engagement was measured by the frequency of participation in social and cognitive activities (range=0-65). Cognitive function was assessed by a battery of 5 validated instruments. Incidence of CI was defined as having a follow-up cognition score lower than 1.5 standard deviations below the mean baseline cognition score. Logistic regression analyses were conducted. Nearly 6% of the sample reported incident CI. Chinese older adults who are more socially-engaged had a lower likelihood of developing CI (odds ratio [OR] 0.94, 0.92-0.96). The relationship was consistent across cognitive domains, including episodic memory (OR 0.95, 0.92-0.97), working memory (OR 0.92, 0.88-0.95), and perceptual speed (OR 0.95, 0.92-0.98). Furthermore, older age (OR 1.12, 1.09-1.15), and lower education (OR 0.91, 0.87-0.96) were associated with incident CI. No significant association was observed between gender, income, marital status, household size, acculturation, medical morbidities, depressive symptoms, and incident CI. The findings highlight the importance of social engagement in cognitive aging. Discrepancies with prior literature and implications of these findings will be discussed.

scholarly journals COGNITIVE AGING IN OLDER MINORITY POPULATIONS: LONGITUDINAL EVIDENCE FROM U.S. CHINESE OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S814-S814
Author(s):  
XinQi Dong ◽  
Melissa Simon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Minority Populations ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The increasing diversity in the aging population warrants systematic investigations regarding ethnic differences related to cognitive aging and ethnicity-unique risk factors. However, due to the great paucity of population-based longitudinal data on cognitive aging in racial/ethnic minority populations, our knowledge in this area remain limited. The purpose of this symposium is, therefore, to examine various psychological, socio-cultural, and physical factors associated with cognitive aging among U.S. Chinese older adults, representing one of the biggest and fastest growing older minority populations nationally. Using longitudinal data from a population-based prospective cohort study, namely The Population Study of ChINese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) with a sample size of 3,157, this symposium presents findings from five research projects. Session 1 investigates the relationship between psychological well-being and change of cognitive function over four years. Session 2 and 3 examine the relationships between two socio-cultural factors and cognitive function. Specifically, session 2 investigates the associations between immigration-related factors and the incidence of cognitive impairment. Session 3 explores the relationship between cognitive function and Tai-Chi practice. Session 4 and 5 examine the relationships between two physical health indicators and cognitive aging. Specifically, session 4 examines the relationship between physical function and change of cognitive function over two years. Session 5 explores the association between body mass index and cognitive function decline over two years. Taken together, this symposium aims to further our knowledge of cognitive aging among ethnically/culturally diverse populations. The research findings will identify unique factors related to cognitive aging in older minority populations.

scholarly journals HEARING IMPAIRMENT, DEPRESSION, AND THE ROLE OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S166-S167
Author(s):  
Shu Xu ◽  
Haowei Wang ◽  
Caitlin Connelly
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Status ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Studies suggest that depression is closely linked to hearing impairment, which is highly prevalent among older adults in the United States. There is evidence that social engagement may be impacted by hearing impairment in older adults. However, there is relatively little research on these associations among Chinese older adults. This study examines the relationships between hearing impairment, social activities, and depressive symptoms among older adults in China. Using nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011, we conducted cross-sectional analysis on adults age 60 years and older (n=10,994). Depressive symptoms were assessed by the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale and we considered self-reported hearing status (if participants wear a hearing aid and how they would rate their hearing), and social activities (i.e., volunteering, dancing, attending courses, etc.). Models were controlled for age, gender, education, and other covariates. Descriptive analysis showed that 9% of older adults experienced hearing impairment. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that hearing impairment was positively associated with depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults (β=1.32, p<.001). Social activities were found to partially mediate the relationship between hearing status and depressive symptoms. Respondents with hearing impairment were less likely to engage in social activities (OR=.78, p<.01) and those who did not participate in social activities reported more depressive symptoms (β=1.28, p<.001). These findings suggest that Chinese older adults experiencing hearing loss are at greater risk of depression and that social activities play an important role in the relationship between hearing status and depression.

Is Social Network a Protective Factor for Cognitive Impairment in US Chinese Older Adults? Findings from the PINE Study

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengting Li ◽  
Xinqi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Global Cognition

Background: Social network has been identified as a protective factor for cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between social network and global and subdomains of cognitive function remains unclear. Objective: This study aims to provide an analytic framework to examine quantity, composition, and quality of social network and investigate the association between social network, global cognition, and cognitive domains among US Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), a community-engaged, population-based epidemiological study of US Chinese older adults aged 60 and above in the greater Chicago area, with a sample size of 3,157. Social network was assessed by network size, volume of contact, proportion kin, proportion female, proportion co-resident, and emotional closeness. Cognitive function was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, executive function, working memory, and Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (C-MMSE). Linear regression and quantile regression were performed. Results: Every 1-point increase in network size (b = 0.048, p < 0.001) and volume of contact (b = 0.049, p < 0.01) and every 1-point decrease in proportion kin (b = -0.240, p < 0.01) and proportion co-resident (b = -0.099, p < 0.05) were associated with higher level of global cognition. Similar trends were observed in specific cognitive domains, including episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and C-MMSE. However, emotional closeness was only significantly associated with C-MMSE (b = 0.076, p < 0.01). Social network has differential effects on female versus male older adults. Conclusion: This study found that social network dimensions have different relationships with global and domains of cognitive function. Quantitative and structural aspects of social network were essential to maintain an optimal level of cognitive function. Qualitative aspects of social network were protective factors for C-MMSE. It is necessary for public health practitioners to consider interventions that enhance different aspects of older adults' social network.

scholarly journals From Normal Cognition to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Impact of Orthostatic Hypotension

Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Xia ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Davide L. Vetrano ◽  
Giulia Grande ◽  
Erika J. Laukka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Orthostatic Hypotension ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Survival Models ◽  
National Study ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Orthostatic Symptoms

The role of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in the continuum of cognitive aging remains to be clarified. We sought to investigate the associations of OH with dementia, cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND), and CIND progression to dementia in older adults while considering orthostatic symptoms. This population-based cohort study included 2532 baseline (2001–2004) dementia-free participants (age ≥60 years; 62.6% women) in the SNAC-K (Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen) who were regularly examined over 12 years. We further divided the participants into a baseline CIND-free cohort and a CIND cohort. OH was defined as a decrease by ≥20/10 mm Hg in systolic/diastolic blood pressure upon standing and further divided into asymptomatic and symptomatic OH. Dementia was diagnosed following the international criteria. CIND was defined as scoring ≥1.5 SDs below age group-specific means in ≥1 cognitive domain. Data were analyzed with flexible parametric survival models, controlling for confounding factors. Of the 2532 participants, 615 were defined with OH at baseline, and 322 were diagnosed with dementia during the entire follow-up period. OH was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.40 for dementia (95% CI, 1.10–1.76), 1.15 (0.94–1.40) for CIND, and 1.54 (1.05–2.25) for CIND progression to dementia. The associations of dementia and CIND progression to dementia with asymptomatic OH were similar to overall OH, whereas symptomatic OH was only associated with CIND progression to dementia. Our study suggests that OH, even asymptomatic OH, is associated with increased risk of dementia and accelerated progression from CIND to dementia in older adults.

scholarly journals An Integrative Framework to Guide Social Engagement Interventions and Technology Design for Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Lydon ◽  
Lydia T. Nguyen ◽  
Qiong Nie ◽  
Wendy A. Rogers ◽  
Raksha A. Mudar
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
Increased Risk

Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are associated with poor health outcomes and have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment and incident dementia. Social engagement has been identified as a key factor in promoting positive health behaviors and quality of life and preventing social isolation and loneliness. Studies involving cognitively healthy older adults have shown the protective effects of both in-person and technology-based social engagement. However, the benefits of social engagement for people who are already at-risk of developing dementia, namely those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), have yet to be elucidated. We present a narrative review of the literature, summarizing the research on social engagement in MCI. First, we identified social networks (quality, size, frequency, and closeness) and social activities (frequency, format, purpose, type, and content) as two overarching dimensions of an integrative framework for social engagement derived from literature examining typical cognitive aging. We then used this framework as a lens to examine studies of social engagement in MCI to explore (i) the relationship between in-person and technology-based social engagement and cognitive, emotional, and physical health, and (ii) interventions that target social engagement including technology-based approaches. Overall, we found that persons with MCI (PwMCI) may have different levels of social engagement than those experiencing typical cognitive aging. Moreover, in-person social engagement can have a positive impact on cognitive, emotional, and physical health for PwMCI. With respect to activity and network dimensions in our framework, we found that cognitive health has been more widely examined in PwMCI relative to physical and emotional health. Very few intervention studies have targeted social engagement, but both in-person and technology-based interventions appear to have promising health and well-being outcomes. Our multidimensional framework of social engagement provides guidance for research on characterizing the protective benefits of social engagement for PwMCI and informs the development of novel interventions including technology-based approaches.

scholarly journals Physical Work and Exercise Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Rural Older Adults: A Population-based Longitudinal Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan He ◽  
Junfen Lin ◽  
Fudong Li ◽  
Yujia Zhai ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Chinese Older Adults

Abstract Background: The effect of physical work on the risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults living in rural areas remains to be elucidated. We investigated whether physical work and exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. Methods: We collected data from 7,000 individuals without cognitive impairment (age ≥60 years) over a follow-up period of 2 years. The Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination was used to assess cognitive function, and the multivariable Cox regression model was used to identify associations between physical work/exercise and cognitive impairment. Results: Over a median follow-up period of 1.93 years, 1,224 (17.5%) of 7,000 participants developed cognitive impairment, with a total incidence of 97.69 per 1,000 person-years. Participation in physical work (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.78) or exercise (HR: 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93) was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment. Agricultural work (HR: 0.60; 95% CI, 0.49-0.73) and walking/tai chi (HR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93) exerted significant protective effects against cognitive impairment. Conclusions: Physical work and exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. Reasonable types and appropriate intensities of physical activity are recommended to prevent or delay the progression of cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Hypothetical Interventions on Risk Factors for Cognitive Impairment among Chinese Older Adults: An Application of the Parametric G-Formula

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Zi Zhou ◽  
Lun Cai ◽  
Jian Fu ◽  
Yaofeng Han ◽  
Ya Fang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Longevity

The effects of psychosocial and dietary interventions on risk of cognitive impairment is not known. The aim of this study was to estimate the 10-year risks of cognitive impairment under hypothetical interventions of psychosocial factors and dietary intake among Chinese older adults. A sample of 7377 respondents aged 65 and over was drawn from the last four waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2002 to 2011/2012. The parametric g-formula was used to estimate the risk of cognitive impairment under independent hypothetical interventions of social engagement, psychological well-being (PWB), dietary intake, and the joint interventions of their different combination. The observed risk of cognitive impairment was 20.08% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.81, 21.07). The risk ratios (RR) of cognitive impairment under the hypothetical interventions on higher social engagement, eating fruits at least sometimes, eating vegetables at least sometimes, positive PWB were 0.72 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.82), 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.95), 0.98 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.00) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98, 0.99), respectively. The RR of joint intervention was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.73). Hypothetical interventions on psychosocial factors such as social engagement and PWB, as well as fruits and vegetable intake, were beneficial to protect older adults from cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Leveraging a Population-Based Dyadic Data Set to Promote Health Equity Among Chinese Americans

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 200-200
Author(s):  
XinQi Dong ◽  
Dexia Kong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Chinese Americans ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Recognizing the central role of family-oriented values in Chinese culture, developing a family-based understanding of health and wellbeing in Chinese Americans is imperative. By linking two unique population-based datasets (one on Chinese older adults, and another on their corresponding adult children caregivers), the purpose of this symposium is to present interactive analyses of dyad-level data to achieve an interpersonal understanding of health outcomes of Chinese older adults and their adult children within the family context. Data were obtained from 807 Chinese older adults-adult children dyads by merging data from two epidemiological studies, namely the Population Study of ChINese Elderly in Chicago (the PINE study) and the PIETY study of corresponding adult children caregivers of PINE participants. Specifically, this symposium presents findings from five interconnected research projects. Session 1 provides an overview of study design and sample characteristics of the dyadic dataset. Session 2 examines the relationship between adult children’s endorsement of the filial piety value and older parents’ mental health outcomes. Session 3 investigates the level of congruence between older parents’ self-perceived mental health and adult children’s evaluation of their parents’ mental health. Session 4 investigates the extent to which depressive symptoms among older parents were associated with those of their adult children. Session 5 explores the relationship between older parents’ physical function and adult children’s perceived caregiving burden. Taken together, this symposium presents potential contributions of dyad-level analyses in advancing minority population health. Study findings have the potential to inform the development of family-centered intervention strategies targeting Chinese Americans.

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