scholarly journals Driving Status and Transportation Disadvantage Among Medicare Beneficiaries

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 935-943 ◽  
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.

Predictors of Emergency Preparedness Among Older Adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
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.

Association of Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure With All-Cause Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Prospective Observational Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110552
Author(s):  
Qian Lian ◽  
Tazeen H. Jafar ◽  
John C. Allen ◽  
Stefan Ma ◽  
Rahul Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives To assess the association of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with mortality among older adults in Singapore. Methods Association of SBP and DBP measured in 2009 for 4443 older adults (69.5±7.4 years; 60–97 years) participating in a nationally representative study with mortality risk through end-December 2015 was assessed using Cox regression. Results Higher mortality risk was observed at the lower and upper extremes of SBP and DBP. With SBP of 100–119 mmHg as the reference, multivariable mortality hazard ratios [HRs (95% confidence interval)] were SBP <100 mmHg: 2.41 (1.23–4.72); SBP 160–179 mmHg: 1.51 (1.02–2.22); and SBP ≥180 mmHg: 1.78 (1.12–2.81). With DBP of 70–79 mmHg as the reference, HRs were DBP <50 mmHg: 2.41 (1.28–4.54) and DBP ≥110 mmHg: 2.16 (1.09–4.31). Discussion Management of high blood pressure among older adults will likely reduce their mortality risk. However, the association of excessively low SBP and DBP values with mortality risk needs further evaluation.

scholarly journals Social Isolation and Hospitalization Risk Factors Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 95-95
Author(s):  
J Mary Louise Pomeroy ◽  
Gilbert Gimm
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Psychosocial Risk ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

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 &lt; .001), and those having one (OR 1.41; p = .03) or more (OR 3.05; p &lt; .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.

scholarly journals Experiences of Older Adults During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: An Initial Exploration of Nationally Representative Data at the Intersection of Gender and Race

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482110482
Author(s):  
Takashi Yamashita ◽  
Wonmai Punksungka ◽  
Samuel Van Vleet ◽  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Phyllis Cummins
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Project Data ◽  
Older Populations

Little is known about the overall experiences and feelings of diverse older populations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. To provide the baseline information for future research and policy, this study analyzed the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 project data ( n = 1782). More than 70% of older adults reported the following activities: watching TV (98%), reading (90%), using a computer and the internet (83%), gardening (82%), walking (75%), baking and cooking (73%), and praying (73%). Volunteering and attending community groups, which are known to benefit well-being, were unpopular (less than 8%). During the pandemic, older adults were generally satisfied with their lives, but more than half of them were concerned about their own health, family’s health, and future prospects. Our study also showed the differences in the experiences and feelings by gender and race as well as the intersection of gender and race in the United States.

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