Physical Activity Preferences for Low-Income Sedentary Urban African American Older Adults

Background. Several publications highlight data concerning multiple chronic conditions and the medication regimen complexity (MRC) used in managing these conditions as well as MRCs’ association with polypharmacy and medication non-adherence. However, there is a paucity of literature that specifically details the correlates of MRC with multimorbidity, socioeconomic, physical and mental health factors in disadvantaged (medically underserved, low income) African American (AA) seniors. Aims. In a local sample in South Los Angeles, we investigated correlates of MRC in African American older adults with chronic disease(s). Methods. This was a community-based survey in South Los Angeles with 709 African American senior participants (55 years and older). Age, gender, continuity of care, educational attainment, multimorbidity, financial constraints, marital status, and MRC (outcome) were measured. Data were analyzed using linear regression. Results. Higher MRC correlated with female gender, a higher number of healthcare providers, hospitalization events and multimorbidity. However, there were no associations between MRC and age, level of education, financial constraint, living arrangements or health maintenance organization (HMO) membership. Conclusions. Disadvantaged African Americans, particularly female older adults with multimorbidity, who also have multiple healthcare providers and medications, use the most complex medication regimens. It is imperative that MRC is reduced particularly in African American older adults with multimorbidity.

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Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge in Low-Income, Racially Diverse Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.918 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 286-287

Author(s):

Faika Zanjani ◽

Taylor Wilkerson ◽

Annie Rhodes ◽

Jennifer Inker ◽

Joann Richardson

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Older Adults ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

African American ◽

Low Income ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Racial Groups ◽

Or Education ◽

Disease Knowledge ◽

African American Older Adults

Abstract Individuals demonstrate varying levels of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) knowledge, as well as commonly held misconceptions about the risk factors and nature of the disease. Older adults often demonstrate low scores on AD knowledge scales and African Americans are often specifically not aware of their higher AD risk status compared to other racial groups. We measured the Alzheimer’s knowledge in 60+ community-dwelling adults, as part of a larger study on AD health coaching. Participants (n=20) were recruited from low-income communities within the Richmond, Virginia area. The study sample was 85% African American (n=17) and 55% male (n=11). Participants completed a behavioral psychosocial test battery, including the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale. Similar to previous research, this sample of older adults held common misconceptions about AD, including the ideas that mental exercise can prevent AD (80% answered incorrectly) and individuals with AD are incapable of making decisions about their care (70% answered incorrectly). In this sample, the majority of African American older adults were aware of the fact that they have the highest risk for developing AD (20% answered incorrectly) compared to other racial groups. Analyses found no significant relationship between AD knowledge and health outcomes, alcohol consumption, or education. In conclusion to reduce AD risk, addressing AD knowledge in minority low-income population is important and needed. This is especially relevant since African American older adults are more likely to live in communities rather than nursing or assisted living facilities, receiving less access to interventions and research innovation.

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Engaging Low-Income African American Older Adults in Health Discussions through Community-based Design Workshops

Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - CHI '19 ◽

10.1145/3290605.3300823 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Christina N. Harrington ◽

Katya Borgos-Rodriguez ◽

Anne Marie Piper

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

African American ◽

Low Income ◽

Community Based ◽

Community Based Design ◽

African American Older Adults

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Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Health Status Among African Americans Living in Low-Income Housing

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1921 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 577-578

Author(s):

Adrienne Aiken-Morgan ◽

Dextiny McCain ◽

Karon Phillips ◽

Keith Whitfield

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

African American ◽

Health Status ◽

African Americans ◽

Social Determinants Of Health ◽

Social Determinants ◽

Low Income ◽

Socioeconomic Disadvantage ◽

Determinants Of Health ◽

African American Older Adults

Abstract Research has shown the importance of social determinants of health in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in many health outcomes; however, less attention has been given to within-group differences in social determinants of health among low-income African American older adults. The Physical and Cognitive Health Pilot Study (n=50) was utilized to examine associations between level of neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and self-reported health in African American older adults living in public housing in Durham, NC and Annapolis, MD. Results from ANOVA showed that Durham participants living in more disadvantaged neighborhoods had statistically significantly worse cardiovascular health, higher depression symptoms, worse sleep quality, and higher alcohol use (p=.05) than Annapolis participants living in a more resource-rich neighborhood. These findings suggest that among low-income African American elders, greater neighborhood/state socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with worse health status. Future research should consider neighborhood context as an essential variable when assessing health status among aging African Americans.

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