scholarly journals USEFUL FIELD OF VIEW AND DRIVING SIMULATION ACROSS TWO AGE GROUPS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S968-S969
Author(s):  
Rebecca A Dunterman ◽  
Robert C Intrieri ◽  
Marisa Guernsey
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Driving Simulation ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Useful Field Of View

Abstract The Insurance Information Institute (2017) reports that drivers aged 65 and older have the second highest rate of fatal car crashes. Research with the useful field of view (UFOV) assessment has predicted crashes in older drivers (Ball, 2006). “UFOV is defined as the area from which an individual can extract information quickly without head or eye movement” (Posit Science, 2019). Research demonstrates that older drivers are limited by poorer vision, divided attention and the inability to ignore distractions, and slower reaction time to critical stimuli (Owsley et al. 1998). As a result UFOV is an effective variable in assessing driver safety. We hypothesized that older compared to younger drivers would be less likely to inhibit attention to task irrelevant visual stimuli while engaged in a simulated driving task. Participants were community dwelling older adults and students recruited from a research pool and through word of mouth. Participants completed a series of demographic and health questions, Snellen visual acuity test a series of cognitive measures (e. g., Trails 1 and 2, digit symbol, digit span) and the UFOV assessment. Participants completed a driving simulation task while information on driving performance: number of collisions, speed limit deviations, turn signal use, time spent tailgating another vehicle, and braking reaction times. ANOVA demonstrated that as hypothesized, younger participants had significantly lower UFOV risk scores (p = .000). Older adults’ (M = 2.15, SD = .945) and younger adults’ (M = 1, SD = 0).

scholarly journals A Modified CAIDE Risk Score as a Screening Tool for Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Magdalena I. Tolea ◽  
Jaeyeong Heo ◽  
Stephanie Chrisphonte ◽  
James E. Galvin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Predictive Values

Background: Although an efficacious dementia-risk score system, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia (CAIDE) was derived using midlife risk factors in a population with low educational attainment that does not reflect today’s US population, and requires laboratory biomarkers, which are not always available. Objective: Develop and validate a modified CAIDE (mCAIDE) system and test its ability to predict presence, severity, and etiology of cognitive impairment in older adults. Methods: Population consisted of 449 participants in dementia research (N = 230; community sample; 67.9±10.0 years old, 29.6%male, 13.7±4.1 years education) or receiving dementia clinical services (N = 219; clinical sample; 74.3±9.8 years old, 50.2%male, 15.5±2.6 years education). The mCAIDE, which includes self-reported and performance-based rather than blood-derived measures, was developed in the community sample and tested in the independent clinical sample. Validity against Framingham, Hachinski, and CAIDE risk scores was assessed. Results: Higher mCAIDE quartiles were associated with lower performance on global and domain-specific cognitive tests. Each one-point increase in mCAIDE increased the odds of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by up to 65%, those of AD by 69%, and those for non-AD dementia by >  85%, with highest scores in cases with vascular etiologies. Being in the highest mCAIDE risk group improved ability to discriminate dementia from MCI and controls and MCI from controls, with a cut-off of ≥7 points offering the highest sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Conclusion: mCAIDE is a robust indicator of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling seniors, which can discriminate well between dementia severity including MCI versus controls. The mCAIDE may be a valuable tool for case ascertainment in research studies, helping flag primary care patients for cognitive testing, and identify those in need of lifestyle interventions for symptomatic control.

scholarly journals WHY DON’T OLDER ADULTS USE SENIOR CENTERS? EVIDENCE FROM A SAMPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS ADULTS AGE 50 AND OLDER

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S498-S498
Author(s):  
Ceara Somerville ◽  
Nidya Velasco Roldan ◽  
Cindy N Bui ◽  
Caitlin E Coyle
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Senior Center ◽  
Community Resource ◽  
Senior Centers ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Vast Range

Abstract Senior centers are an integral community resource, providing programs and services intended to meet the vast range of needs and interests of older adults. There is a growing literature describing senior center participants and benefits to participation, but little is known about those who choose not to participate at a local senior center. This presentation uniquely characterizes non-users of senior centers, based on a sample of community-dwelling adults aged 50+ from seven communities in Massachusetts (N = 9,462). To date, this is the largest data set that describes senior center usage. Most of the sample were women (60%) and in the 60-69 age group (36%). More than three quarters of the sample do not use the local senior center (77%). The most common reasons for non-usage were lack of interest (27%) and not feeling old enough (26%). There are significant differences in reasons of non-usage among age groups and gender (p < .001). Younger age groups’ (50-69) most popular reasons for non-usage were not feeling old enough, not having time, inconvenient senior center hours, and not knowing what is offered. In contrast, older age groups (80+) more frequently reported having no interest or using programs elsewhere. Men were more likely to report not being interested and not being familiar with what is offered. Women were more likely to report not having time, inconvenient hours of programming, and using programs elsewhere. Based on results from this study, this presentation will outline implications for the future of senior centers and their programming.

scholarly journals Effects of masticatory exercise on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
Tae-Hoon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Stroop Test ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Digit Span Test ◽  
Span Test ◽  
Test Digit

BACKGROUND: Mastication improves cognitive function by activating cerebral cortical activity, and it is important to demonstrate the cognitive effects of masticatory training using a variety of different interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of masticatory exercise on cognitive function in healthy older adults living in the community. METHODS: For six weeks, twelve participants performed a masticatory exercise using a NOSICK exerciser device, and thirteen subjects performed daily life without masticatory exercises. Trail Making Test, Digit Span Test, and Stroop test were used to measure the cognitive function. RESULTS: The participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements in TMT-A/B (p= 0.001 and 0.004), DST-forward (p= 0.001), and ST-word (p= 0.001). The effect sizes after the intervention were calculated as (1.2 and 0.8) for TMT-A/B, (0.8 and 0.2) for Digit Span Test forward/backward, and (0.6 and 0.2) for Stroop test color/word. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the masticatory exercises improve cognitive function in healthy older adults. Therefore, masticatory exercises can be used as a therapeutic exercise during cognitive rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Motivations for Participating in a “Tune-Up” of Their Driving Skills: A Multi-Stakeholder Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482098241
Author(s):  
Ruheena Sangrar ◽  
Kyung Joon Mun ◽  
Lauren E. Griffith ◽  
Lori Letts ◽  
Brenda Vrkljan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Stakeholder Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Driver Training ◽  
Near Misses ◽  
Driving Experience

Driver training has the potential to keep older adults safe behind-the-wheel for longer, yet there is limited evidence describing factors that influence their willingness to participate in training. Focus groups with community-dwelling older drivers ( n = 23; 70–90 years) and semi-structured interviews with driving instructors ( n = 6) and occupational therapists ( n = 5) were conducted to identify these factors. Qualitative descriptive analyses highlighted how self-awareness of behind-the-wheel abilities in later life can influence an older adult’s motivation to participate in driver training, as well as their willingness to discuss their behaviors. Collision-involvement and near-misses prompted participants to reflect on their driving abilities and their openness to feedback. Participants’ preferences for learning contexts that use a strengths-based approach and validate the driving experience of older drivers, while providing feedback on behind-the-wheel performance, were raised. Older driver training initiatives that consider the needs of the aging population in their design can promote road safety and community mobility.

scholarly journals Using structural equation modeling in the understanding of functional disability in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlene Mara dos Santos Tavares ◽  
Nayara Gomes Nunes Oliveira ◽  
Flavia Aparecida Dias Marmo ◽  
Joilson Meneguci
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Likelihood Method ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objective: to analyze functional disability and its associated factors among community-dwelling older adults. Method: a cross-sectional study, conducted with 1,635 older adults distributed in the following age groups: 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80 years old or more, living in a health macro-region of the state of Minas Gerais. Descriptive and trajectory analysis was carried out (p<0.05). The parameters were estimated by the Maximum Likelihood method. Results: the highest percentage was female, with a monthly income of 1 minimum wage and living with a companion. In the age groups from 60 to 69 and from 70 to 79 years old, older adults with a partner predominated; and, among those aged 80 years old or more, widowed individuals prevailed. In the three groups, functional disability occurred hierarchically. Lower schooling, frailty and depressive symptomatology were factors directly associated with functional disability in the advanced activities; frailty and sedentary behavior were directly associated with functional disability in the instrumental activities. In the older adults aged between 60 and 69 years old and from 70 to 79 years old, sedentary behavior was associated with greater dependence on the basic activities. Conclusion: the expanded understanding of the factors in the functional disability of the older adults, according to age group, helps the health professional in the development of preventive measures for this disease.

Sensorimotor performance and reference values for fall risk assessment in community-dwelling adults: The Yishun Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict Wei Jun Pang ◽  
Shiou-Liang Wee ◽  
Lay Khoon Lau ◽  
Khalid Abdul Jabbar ◽  
Wei Ting Seah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Reference Values ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Sensorimotor Performance

ABSTRACT Objective What are the reference values of sensorimotor performance for fall risk in community-dwelling adults? How do our population norms compare to that of other populations? Are younger adults at risk of falls? Methods In a cross-sectional study design, sensorimotor functions and fall risk scores of community-dwelling adults were assessed and calculated to derive corresponding fall risk categories. Reference values were determined using the average scores by age-group. A total of 542 community-dwelling adults were recruited (21-90 years old) across 10-year (21-60 years) and 5-year age-groups (&gt;60 years) to obtain a representative sample of community-dwelling adults in Singapore. We assessed five physiological domains: vision, proprioception, muscle strength, reaction time and postural balance, according to the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA). Fall risk scores and the corresponding fall risk profiles were generated from an online calculator. Results Sensorimotor performance and PPA fall risk scores were significantly worse for increasing age categories (p &lt; .01). Females had significantly slower reaction time (p &lt; .001), lower muscle strength (p &lt; .001) and higher fall risk (p = .008). Our representative sample of older adults (≥65 years) performed poorer in postural sway (z = −0.50) and reaction time (z = −0.55), but better in proprioception (z = 0.29) and vision (z = 0.23) compared to Caucasian norms. Among younger adults (21-59 years), 36.8% appeared to exhibit higher fall risk. Conclusions Our study presents important reference data and compared sensorimotor functions and physiological fall risk across the age groups of community-dwelling adults in a South-East Asian population. Poor sensorimotor performance and fall risk appear already pertinent in younger adults. Further studies are warranted to improve our understanding of fall risk among younger adults. Impact Statement In physical therapy practice, PPA reference values can aid clinicians in the development of targeted interventions tailored towards an individual’s physiological risk profile, addressing specific physiological systems that require particular attention.

scholarly journals Association of Photopic and Mesopic Contrast Sensitivity in older drivers with risk of motor vehicle collision using naturalistic driving data

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Owsley ◽  
Thomas Swain ◽  
Rong Liu ◽  
Gerald McGwin ◽  
Mi Young Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Motor Vehicle Crash ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Crash Risk ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Naturalistic Driving

Abstract Background Older drivers have a crash rate nearly equal to that of young drivers whose crash rate is the highest among all age groups. Contrast sensitivity impairment is common in older adults. The purpose of this study is to examine whether parameters from the photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity functions (CSF) are associated with incident motor vehicle crash involvement by older drivers. Methods This study utilized data from older drivers (ages ≥60 years) who participated in the Strategic Highway Research Program Naturalistic Driving Study, a prospective, population-based study. At baseline participants underwent photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity testing for targets from 1.5–18 cycles per degree. Model fitting generated area under the log CSF (AULCSF) and peak log sensitivity. Participant vehicles were instrumented with sensors that captured continuous driving data when the vehicle was operating (accelerometers, global positioning system, forward radar, 4-channel video). They participated for 1–2 years. Crashes were coded from the video and other data streams by trained analysts. Results The photopic analysis was based on 844 drivers, and the mesopic on 854 drivers. Photopic AULCSF and peak log contrast sensitivity were not associated with crash rate, whether defined as all crashes or at-fault crashes only (all p > 0.05). Mesopic AULCSF and peak log sensitivity were associated with an increased crash rate when considered for all crashes (rate ratio (RR): 1.36, 95% CI: 1.06–1.72; RR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.01–1.63, respectively) and at-fault crashes only (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.16–1.93; RR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.07–1.78, respectively). Conclusions Results suggest that photopic contrast sensitivity testing may not help us understand future crash risk at the older-driver population level. Results highlight a previously unappreciated association between older adults’ mesopic contrast sensitivity deficits and crash involvement regardless of the time of day. Given the wide variability of light levels encountered in both day and night driving, mesopic vision tests, with their reliance on both cone and rod vision, may be a more comprehensive assessment of the visual system’s ability to process the roadway environment.

scholarly journals THE TRUTH ABOUT AGE DIFFERENCES IN PERFORMANCE ON VARYING LENGTHS OF LIKERT-TYPE TEST ITEMS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S707-S707
Author(s):  
Julie Lutz ◽  
Aaron Metzger ◽  
Nicholas A Turiano ◽  
Rachael Spalding ◽  
Emma Katz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Response Scale ◽  
Type Response ◽  
Scale Length

Abstract Guidelines for self-report assessment with older adults emphasize the use of shorter Likert-type or agree/disagree response formats to reduce cognitive load (e.g., Yesavage et al., 1983). However, these suggestions are not founded on empirical studies directly comparing younger and older adults’ responses on different scales. Thus, the current study tested differential responding on varying Likert-type response scale lengths between younger, middle-aged, and older adults. Participants completed three versions of the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) Neuroticism scale with 3, 5, and 7 Likert-type response scale lengths in counterbalanced orders with other questionnaires between versions. Six multi-group confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) assessed measurement invariance across scale lengths and age groups. Invariance of convergent validity networks was also assessed with multi-group CFAs of the associations between the IPIP and measures of depression, anxiety, anger, worry, and affect. The final sample consisted of 835 adults (327 18-44; 279 45-64; and 229 65 or older) via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Measurement invariance was supported in analyses by age within each scale length and by scale length within each age group, indicating that response patterns across all scale lengths and age groups did not significantly differ. Analyses of convergent validity also supported invariance, suggesting that responses across all scale lengths and age groups reflect the same underlying construct. This study indicates that, among community-dwelling adults, shortened response scale lengths do not yield significantly different or more valid responses for older adults compared to younger adults.

Speed-of-Processing and Driving Simulator Training Result in Improved Driving Performance

2003 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Roenker ◽  
Gayla M. Cissell ◽  
Karlene K. Ball ◽  
Virginia G. Wadley ◽  
Jerri D. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Simulator Training ◽  
Speed Of Processing ◽  
Useful Field Of View ◽  
Speed Of Processing Training

Useful field of view, a measure of processing speed and spatial attention, can be improved with training. We evaluated the effects of this improvement on older adults' driving performance. Elderly adults participated in a speed-of-processing training program ( N = 48), a traditional driver training program performed in a driving simulator ( N = 22), or a low-risk reference group ( N = 25). Before training, immediately after training or an equivalent time delay, and after an 18-month delay each participant was evaluated in a driving simulator and completed a 14-mile (22.5-km) open-road driving evaluation. Speed-of-processing training, but not simulator training, improved a specific measure of useful field of view (UFOV®), transferred to some simulator measures, and resulted in fewer dangerous maneuvers during the driving evaluation. The simulator-trained group improved on two driving performance measures: turning into the correct lane and proper signal use. Similar effects were not observed in the speed-of-processing training or low-risk reference groups. The persistence of these effects over an 18-month test interval was also evaluated. Actual or potential applications of this research include driver assessment and/or training programs and cognitive intervention programs for older adults.

Bias in discriminating very mild dementia for older adults with different levels of education in Hong Kong

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 995-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfang Chang ◽  
Chi-Shing Tse ◽  
Grace Tak Yu Leung ◽  
Ada Wai Tung Fung ◽  
Kit-Tai Hau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Mild Dementia ◽  
Low Education ◽  
Education Groups ◽  
Different Levels

ABSTRACTBackground:Education has a profound effect on older adults’ cognitive performance. In Hong Kong, some dementia screening tasks were originally designed for developed population with, on average, higher education.Methods:We compared the screening power of these tasks for Chinese older adults with different levels of education. Community-dwelling older adults who were healthy (N = 383) and with very mild dementia (N = 405) performed the following tasks: Mini-Mental State Examination, Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscales, Verbal Fluency, Abstract Thinking, and Visual/Digit Span. Logistic regression was used to examine the power of these tasks to predict Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR 0.5 vs. 0).Results:Logistic regression analysis showed that while the screening power of the total scores in all tasks was similar for high and low education groups, there were education biases in some items of these tasks.Conclusion:The differential screening power in high and low education groups was not identical across items in some tasks. Thus, in cognitive assessments, we should exercise great caution when using these potentially biased items for older adults with limited education.

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