Exploring the life experiences of less-educated rural older adults

Abstract Background Evidence concerning the association between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function among older people is inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate gender and age as moderators in association between BMI and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among rural older adults. Methods Data were derived from the 2019 Health Service for Rural Elderly Families Survey in Shandong, China. In total, 3242 people aged 60 years and above were included in the analysis. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used to examine the moderating roles of gender and age, then further to explore the relationship between BMI and MCI. Results There were 601 (18.5%) participants with MCI. Compared with normal BMI group, low BMI group had a higher risk of MCI among older people [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26–3.44], women (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.35–3.12), or the older elderly aged ≥75 years old (aOR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.34–7.45). This effect remained statistically significant among older women (aOR = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.69–6.73). Among older men, elevated BMI group had a higher risk of MCI (aOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.17–4.61) than normal BMI group. Conclusions Gender and age moderated the association between BMI and MCI among Chinese rural older adults. Older women with low BMI were more likely to have MCI, but older men with elevated BMI were more likely to have MCI. These findings suggest rural community managers strengthen the health management by grouping the weight of older people to prevent the risk of dementia.

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Delusions and Underlying Needs in Older Adults With Alzheimer’s Disease: Influence of Earlier Life Experiences and the Current Environment

Journal of Gerontological Nursing ◽

10.3928/00989134-20140512-01 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 40 (12) ◽

pp. 38-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jing-Jy Wang ◽

Wen-Yun Cheng ◽

Pei-Ru Lai ◽

Ming-Chyi Pai

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Older Adults ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Life Experiences

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Depressive Symptoms and Diabetes Self-Management Among Rural Older Adults

American Journal of Health Behavior ◽

10.5993/ajhb.34.1.5 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Ronny Bell

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Self Management ◽

Rural Older Adults

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How Area Agencies on Aging Contribute to Social Connection for Older Adults in Rural America

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 616-616

Author(s):

Claire Pendergrast

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

New York ◽

Social Networks ◽

Service Organizations ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Social Service Organizations ◽

Upstate New York ◽

Rural Aging ◽

Rural Older Adults

Abstract Social ecological models of health identify intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy-level contexts as social factors influencing individual and population health outcomes. However how institutions such as Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) shape rural older adults’ social networks and influence health is little explored. This research examines institutional influences of social networks for rural older adults, particularly the social connections resulting from their AAA services and programs. AAAs are local social service organizations that coordinate home- and community-based supports. Our 2020 case study of a rural AAA in upstate New York involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with AAA staff, volunteers and participants included key themes related to older adults’ social networks, social wellbeing, and physical and mental health. Our findings have both theoretical implications for rural community social structure as experienced by older adults, and practical implications to build AAA’s capacity to address social isolation for rural older adults. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Rural Aging Interest Group.

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Examining Rural and Racial Disparities in the Relationship Between Loneliness and Social Technology Use Among Older Adults

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.723925 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Kaileigh A. Byrne ◽

Reza Ghaiumy Anaraky ◽

Cheryl Dye ◽

Lesley A. Ross ◽

Kapil Chalil Madathil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Racial Disparities ◽

Technology Use ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Social Contact ◽

Primary Study ◽

Social Technology ◽

Study Results ◽

The Relationship ◽

Rural Older Adults

Loneliness, the subjective negative experience derived from a lack of meaningful companionship, is associated with heightened vulnerability to adverse health outcomes among older adults. Social technology affords an opportunity to cultivate social connectedness and mitigate loneliness. However, research examining potential inequalities in loneliness is limited. This study investigates racial and rural-urban differences in the relationship between social technology use and loneliness in adults aged 50 and older using data from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 4,315). Social technology use was operationalized as the self-reported frequency of communication through Skype, Facebook, or other social media with family and friends. Loneliness was assessed using the UCLA Loneliness scale, and rural-urban differences were based on Beale rural-urban continuum codes. Examinations of race focused on differences between Black/African-American and White/Caucasian groups. A path model analysis was performed to assess whether race and rurality moderated the relationship between social technology use and loneliness, adjusting for living arrangements, age, general computer usage. Social engagement and frequency of social contact with family and friends were included as mediators. The primary study results demonstrated that the association between social technology use and loneliness differed by rurality, but not race. Rural older adults who use social technology less frequently experience greater loneliness than urban older adults. This relationship between social technology and loneliness was mediated by social engagement and frequency of social contact. Furthermore, racial and rural-urban differences in social technology use demonstrated that social technology use is less prevalent among rural older adults than urban and suburban-dwelling older adults; no such racial differences were observed. However, Black older adults report greater levels of perceived social negativity in their relationships compared to White older adults. Interventions seeking to address loneliness using social technology should consider rural and racial disparities.

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