Structural damage-driven brain compensation among near-centenarians and centenarians without dementia

Compensation has been proposed as a mechanism to explain how individuals in very old age remain able to maintain normal cognitive functioning. Previous studies have provided evidence on the role of increasing functional connectivity as a compensatory mechanism for age-related white matter damage. However, we lack direct investigation into how these mechanisms contribute to the preservation of cognition in the very old population. We examined a cohort of near-centenarians and centenarians without dementia (aged 95-103 years, n=44). We constructed a structural disconnection matrix based on the disruption of white matter pathways caused by white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), aiming to explore the relationship between functional connections, cognitive preservation and white matter damage. Our results revealed that structural damage can reliably explain the variations of functional connections or cognitive maintenance. Notably, we found significant correlations between the weights in the functional connectivity model and the weights in the cognition model. We observed positive correlations between models for brain disconnections and cognitive function in near-centenarians and centenarians. The strongest effects were found between attention and somatomotor network (SMN) (r=0.397, p<0.001), memory and SMN (r=0.333 p<0.001), fluency and visual network (VIS) - control network (CN) (r=0.406, p<0.001), language and VIS (r=0.309, p<0.001), visuospatial ability and VIS-default mode network (DMN) (r=0.464, p<0.001), as well as global cognition and VIS-DMN (r=0.335, p<0.001). These findings suggest that enhancement of functional connectivity may serve as a compensatory mechanism, such that it mitigates the effects of white matter damage and contributes to preserved cognitive performance in very old age.

The Paradox in Positive and Negative Aspects of Emotional Functioning Among Older Adults with Early Stages of Cognitive Impairment

Introduction: Emotional functioning in older adults is influenced by normal aging and cognitive impairment, likely heterogeneous across positive versus negative aspects of emotional functioning. Little is known about positive emotional experiences at the early stages of cognitive impairment. Methods: We assessed different aspects of emotional functioning among 448 participants aged 65+ (Normal Control (NC) = 276, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) = 103, and mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (mild DAT) = 69) and tested moderators. Results: Compared to NC, older adults with MCI and mild DAT have maintained many positive aspects of emotional functioning, despite higher levels of negative affect, sadness, and loneliness. Among the oldest-old, the mild DAT group experienced higher fear and lower self-efficacy. Discussion: Older adults at early stages of cognitive impairment can experience positive aspects of emotional functioning, such as positive affect, purpose, and life satisfaction, all of which are important buildable psychological resources for coping.

"As I Grew Older, My Life Got Better": Conceptions of Successful Aging among Older Women Living with or at Risk of HIV

Successful aging (SA) is an important target for HIV care. However, we have insufficient understanding of how older women living with HIV (OWLH) in the US define SA. We explored conceptions of SA by OWLH and older women at risk of HIV and examined whether SA conceptions differed by (1) HIV serostatus, and (2) participation in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). These analyses were part of a larger mixed-methods study with a sequential design. Participants were recruited at two clinical WIHS sites. We enrolled both WIHS participants and non-WIHS clinic patients. Our sample was 84% Black and included 29 OWLH and 15 older women at risk of HIV. We conducted 21 semi-structured interviews and four focus groups. The dataset was analyzed using descriptive, comparative, and relational analysis. We found four interlinked themes: life course perspective, accepting and celebrating aging, taking care of yourself, and looking good. The life course perspective was a core theme: participants assessed their aging in comparison to their earlier life hardships. These themes were similarly present among OWLH and older women at risk of HIV, although OWLH emphasized taking care of HIV. SA conceptualizations by OWLH did not differ whether or not they participated in the WIHS. Women living with or at risk of HIV may experience severe hardships throughout their lives. Overcoming these hardships may be linked to SA. Assessing the needs and connecting women to resources and programs are critical for SA promotion.

The multifactorial nature of healthy brain ageing: Brain changes, functional decline and protective factors

As the global population faces a progressive shift towards a higher median age, understanding the mechanisms underlying healthy brain ageing has become of paramount importance for the preservation of cognitive abilities. The first part of the present review aims to provide a comprehensive look at the anatomical changes the healthy brain endures with advanced age, while also summarizing up to date findings on modifiable risk factors to support a healthy ageing process. Subsequently, we describe the typical cognitive profile displayed by healthy older adults, conceptualizing the well-established age-related decline as an impairment of four main cognitive factors and relating them to their neural substrate previously described; different cognitive trajectories displayed by typical Alzheimer's Disease patients and successful agers with a high cognitive reserve are discussed. Finally, potential effective interventions and protective strategies to promote cognitive reserve and defer cognitive decline are reviewed and proposed.

Cognitive and Functional Improvement via Novel Skill Learning for Low-Income Minoritized Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Prior research has demonstrated beneficial outcomes for learning new skills in older adulthood, including increased cognitive and functional abilities, which help prevent age-related declines and foster healthy aging. However, these studies largely have included participants not typically considered at risk for cognitive and functional decline (i.e., White, highly educated, higher income). Cognitive and functional disparities exist among minoritized racial and ethnic individuals, particularly Black and Latinx populations, because of a lifetime of inequalities associated with low socioeconomic status, low education, and discrimination. This theoretical paper proposes a potential pathway in which such disparities could be mitigated by increasing cognitive and functional abilities via novel skill learning in these at-risk populations in middle and later life to prevent decline. We also discuss indirect barriers (e.g., financial and health issues), direct barriers (e.g., limited learning opportunities), and motivational barriers (e.g., self-beliefs, values) that these adults may encounter. We further highlight that addressing these barriers to novel skill learning by providing appropriate resources is necessary to maximize the feasibility and potential effectiveness of this pathway. Lastly, we encourage future research to test this pathway and help inform policymakers and existing learning programs to implement better ways of promoting lifelong learning in an inclusive and equitable manner to prevent decline.

Socioeconomic Positions and Midlife Health Trajectories in a Changing Social Context: Evidence from China, 1991-2006

Cumulative (dis)advantage theory posits that socioeconomic disparities in health may increase with age. This study examines individuals' midlife health trajectories, taking account of how their life courses are embedded within changing social contexts. Using the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1991-2006), it examines the health gap between Chinese rural peasants and urban nonpeasants in three adjacent time periods, during which a rapid process of social change increased the inequalities between rural and urban areas. Findings show that the health gap increases more rapidly in the more recent time periods, with higher levels of inequality, indicating that health inequalities between the two groups are contingent upon the social contexts in which individuals' lives unfold. To better understand the differences observed over these time periods, further analysis will examine the roles of two structural factors: income inequality and differential access to medical care.

Longitudinal consistency of self-reports of adverse childhood experiences among adolescents in a low-income setting

A sizeable literature documents the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and poor health in later life. By and large, ACEs are measured using retrospective self-reports. Little is known about the longitudinal consistency of these self-reports in panel data with multiple measurements. This is especially true in adolescence, as most studies using ACEs self-reports have been conducted among adults. Furthermore, very few studies have explored the consistency of ACEs self-reports in low- and middle-income countries, where the reported prevalence of ACEs tends to be higher than in high-income countries. Addressing these gaps, the current study examines the consistency of ACEs self-reports among a cohort of adolescents (N = 1,878, age 10 to 16 at survey baseline) in rural Malawi. We use data from two waves of the ACE project of the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health carried out in 2017-18 and 2021. In addition to the high prevalence of self-reported ACEs among adolescents in our sample, we document very low consistency of self-reports over time (average Kappa coefficient of 0.11). This low consistency is attributable not only to adolescents reporting more ACEs over time, which could be due to new exposures, but also to adolescents reporting fewer ACEs over time. Analyses of survey vignettes indicate that individual and sociocultural perceptions of abuse do not explain this low consistency. We find that external events (such as changes in socioeconomic status and negative economic shocks) and internal psychological states (such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder) both predict inconsistencies in ACEs self-reports. Compared with results from prior studies, our findings indicate that the longitudinal consistency of ACEs self-reports may be lower in adolescence than in adulthood. Taken together, these findings suggest that ACEs self-reports provided by adults may be biased by key processes unfolding in adolescence.

Cognition in Successful Aging: Systematic Review and Future Directions

Objectives: To characterize the inclusion of cognition in definitions of successful aging (SA) according to empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals.Methods: A systematic review across ISI Web of Knowledge.Results: Of the 74 included studies, there were 65 studies (87.8%) analyzing cognition as one component of multicomponent SA model (cognitive component studies), and 9 studies (12.2%) focusing solely on successful cognitive aging (SCA studies). Most of the studies operationalized cognition in SA by defining SA group and analyzing single SA indicators. A minority of the studies calculated the SA index. Finally, emergent techniques to operationalize SA as a latent variable and emergent field of cognition in SA in pathology were identified.Conclusions: The results highlight that cognition is being included in SA using different levels of complexity. Even though research investigating SA in pathology is emerging, there is currently a lack of utilization of the concept in pathological and at-risk populations.Clinical implications: The current research of cognition in SA provides several valid options to evaluate if a person is aging successfully. The emerging research indicates that people from at-risk and pathological populations can age successfully.

Effects of Depression on Changes in Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Fixed-effects Model Analysis Using the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA)

PURPOSE

This study identified the rate of change in cognitive function of community-based middle-aged and older adults and investigated the longitudinal effects of depression, health status, and health behavior by cognitive function group [normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia] using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.

METHODS

This longitudinal panel analysis collected 21,425 data points from 4285 participants. Cognitive function change patterns in the groups were examined through descriptive analysis. A fixed-effects model was estimated using demographic factors, such as depression, health behavior, and disease states as independent variables.

RESULTS

Compared with the baseline score of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), the 8-year mean score decreased by 10.51, 8.6, and 1.21 for the dementia, MCI, and normal groups, respectively. The estimates for the normal group showed that an increase in the depression score significantly negatively impacted the MMSE score (B=-0.059, P <0.001). However, compared with those of the MCI group (B=-0.044, P >0.05), the estimates of the dementia group confirmed that depression significantly negatively affected cognitive function (B=-0.146, P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Each group showed different patterns of cognitive decline. An annual follow-up cognitive impairment screening to investigate changes in MMSE score in community-based older individuals can enable early detection of dementia.

Enhancing psychological resilience at the cusp of older ages: the role of social networks

Prior research has established a positive association between social support and psychological resilience. In this study, we seek to examine whether and to what extent aspects of individuals’ social network – specifically size (how many relatives and friends one has) and strength (how often did one communicate with close network members and at the time of important decisions) – are related to greater psychological resilience. We use data pertaining to 1,609 respondents from the Panel on Ageing and Transitions in Health Survey (PATHS), 2016–2017, a national study of 1,654 older midlife adults, aged 50–59, in Singapore. We estimate the relationship between social networks and psychological resilience, using inverse probability weighted regression adjustment to account for the possibility of a selection bias whereby individuals with larger or stronger social networks may be more resilient at the outset. We find that strong social networks are associated with greater psychological resilience among older midlife adults, regardless of the size of the network. Having a large social network is associated with greater resilience only if it is also a strong network. Maintaining stronger, even if small, social networks may enable individuals at the cusp of older ages to be better prepared to deal with stressful life events and challenges associated with older midlife.

Psychosocial Mechanisms of Self-rated Successful Aging with HIV: A Structural Equation Model

This study tested a conceptual psychosocial model of self-rated successful aging (SRSA) with HIV. Our sample (n = 356) included older women living with HIV (OWLH): average age 56.5 years, 73% Black. SRSA was assessed using a research-based 10-point scale (higher scores = better outcomes). We conducted adjusted structural equation modeling. The global model included two latent variables-protective attributes (composite of positive psychosocial factors: resilience, personal mastery, optimism, spirituality) and psychological distress (composite of negative psychosocial factors: anxiety, depression, loneliness, internalized HIV-related stigma). The model showed good fit (χ²(58) = 76, p = 0.06; RMSEA = 0.03; CFI = 0.99). Increased protective attributes were associated with improved SRSA both directly and mediated by improved coping with stress. While psychological distress did not have a direct effect on SRSA, it was indirectly associated with worsened SRSA via diminished protective attributes and via decreased coping with stress. Findings suggest the need for interventions enhancing positive and mitigating negative psychosocial factors in OWLH.

Learning as an Important Privilege: A Life Span Perspective with Implications for Successful Aging

Research has demonstrated the cognitive and mental health benefits of learning new skills and content across the life span, enhancing knowledge as well as cognitive performance. We argue that the importance of this learning – which is not available equally to all – goes beyond the cognitive and mental health benefits. Learning is important for not only the maintenance, but also enhancement of functional independence in a dynamic environment, such as changes induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and technological advances. Learning difficult skills and content is a privilege because the opportunities for learning are neither guaranteed nor universal, and it requires personal and social engagement, time, motivation, and societal support. This paper highlights the importance of considering learning new skills and content as an <i>important privilege</i> across the life span and argues that this privilege becomes increasingly exclusionary as individuals age, when social and infrastructural support for learning decreases. We highlight research on the potential positive and negative impacts of retirement, when accessibility to learning opportunities may vary, and research on learning barriers due to low expectations and limited resources from poverty. We conclude that addressing barriers to lifelong learning would advance theories on life span cognitive development and raise the bar for successful aging. In doing so, our society might imagine and achieve previously unrealized gains in life span cognitive development, through late adulthood.

Enhancing Older Adults' Well-Being and Quality of Life through Purposeful Activity: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Population aging represents a significant challenge for health and social care services. Older adults who engage in activities that offer a sense of purpose have significantly better physical and psychological health outcomes. However, age-related functional limitations and losses of social roles can present barriers to engaging in purposeful activity, especially for those older adults within the 'oldest old' age range (i.e. 80 years and over). This review aimed to determine the nature and effectiveness of purposeful activity interventions in older adults, aged ≥80 years, with respect to well-being and quality of life outcomes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Three databases were searched from their inception to April 2020. The search yielded 8,916 records, which resulted in eight eligible studies.

RESULTS

The interventions were divided into two groups: (1) interventions that gave participants a specific functional role, such as volunteer or mentor (n=5); (2) interventions that supported participants to develop a new skill (n=3). The quality of the evidence was variable. The strongest evidence was for interventions that assigned a functional role, which appeared to be somewhat effective in improving well-being outcomes.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

There is preliminary evidence that purposeful activity interventions, particularly those that involved taking on a functional role, can improve well-being and quality of life outcomes in older adults aged 80 years and over. These findings have implications for professionals and carers to support older adults to access more purposeful social roles and create opportunities for helping and reciprocation.

Reasons why older adults play sport: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Despite the known contribution of sport to health and well-being, sport participation declines in older age. However, for some people, sport continues to play an important role in older age and may contribute to improved health and well-being in older years. Although the health-related benefits of participating in sport are commonly reported, the reasons why some older adults continue to play sport are not well understood. This systematic review aimed to (1) identify studies from the literature that evaluated the reasons why older adults (aged 55 years and older) participate in sport and (2) synthesize and discuss the reasons for their participation reported in the literature.

METHODS

Searches of the electronic databases Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus were performed. Studies were included that evaluated reasons for sport participation in adults aged 55 years and older because this is the age at which sport participation has been reported to begin declining. The studies included in this review used qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods designs, were peer reviewed, and were published in the English language before the search date (20 January 2019).

RESULTS

A total of 1732 studies were identified. After exclusions, 30 studies were included in the review (16 qualitative, 10 quantitative, and 4 mixed methods). The review presents several features and findings from the studies, including a description and systematization of the reasons for participating in sport and the main reasons that participants gave for participating in sport (maintaining health, feeling and being part of a community, and taking advantage of opportunities to develop relationships). Other reasons included competing and attaining a feeling of achievement, taking advantage of opportunities for travel, and being part of a team. Sport was identified as contributing to the overall experience of successful ageing. There were few comparative differences for participating in sport, and there were only small differences between genders for the reasons given for participation. Generally, the quality of the studies was good; however, mixed methods studies lacked appropriate data analysis procedures.

CONCLUSION

Older adults play sport for a range of health-related and social reasons that can contribute to the experience of successful ageing. Strategies to increase sport participation by older adults should focus on promoting these aspects.

Social Inequalities and Loneliness as Predictors of Ageing Well: A Trend Analysis Using Mixed Models

Background: This study examines if education, income, and loneliness are associated with physical functioning and optimism in an ageing population in Germany. Furthermore, time trends of physical functioning and optimism as well as of associations with social inequality and loneliness are analyzed. Methods: The German Ageing Survey (DEAS), a longitudinal population-based survey of individuals aged 40 years and older, was used (four waves between 2008 and 2017, total sample size N = 23,572). Physical functioning and optimism were introduced as indicators of ageing well. Educational level, net equivalent income, and loneliness were used as predictors in linear mixed models for longitudinal data. Results: Time trends show that physical functioning decreases over time, while optimism slightly increases. Education and income are positively associated with physical functioning, while higher loneliness correlates with lower physical functioning. Higher optimism was associated with higher income and particularly with lower loneliness. Income and notable educational inequalities in physical functioning increase over time. Time trends of the associations with optimism show decreasing income inequalities and increasing disparities in loneliness. Conclusions: Increasing educational inequalities in physical functioning and a strong association of loneliness with optimism provide information for further interventions. Targeted health promotion among the aged and addressing maladaptive social cognition are options to tackle these issues. Key areas for action on healthy ageing include, for instance, the alignment of health systems to the needs of older populations or the creation of age-friendly environments.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Predicting the 6-Year Risk of Cognitive Impairment Among Chinese Older Adults

OBJECTIVE

Although some people with mild cognitive impairment may not suffer from dementia lifelong, about 5% of them will progress to dementia within 1 year in community settings. However, a general tool for predicting the risk of cognitive impairment was not adequately studied among older adults.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Community-living, older adults from 22 provinces in China.

PARTICIPANTS

We included 10,066 older adults aged 65 years and above (mean age, 83.2 ± 11.1 years), with normal cognition at baseline in the 2002-2008 cohort and 9354 older adults (mean age, 83.5 ± 10.8 years) in the 2008-2014 cohort of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.

METHODS

We measured cognitive function using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Demographic, medical, and lifestyle information was used to develop the nomogram via a Lasso selection procedure using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. We validated the nomogram internally with 2000 bootstrap resamples and externally in a later cohort. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were measured by area-under-the-curves and calibration curves, respectively.

RESULTS

Eight factors were identified with which to construct the nomogram: age, baseline of the Mini-Mental State Examination, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living score, chewing ability, visual function, history of stroke, watching TV or listening to the radio, and growing flowers or raising pets. The area-under-the-curves for internal and external validation were 0.891 and 0.867, respectively, for predicting incident cognitive impairment. The calibration curves showed good consistency between nomogram-based predictions and observations.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The nomogram-based prediction yielded consistent results in 2 separate large cohorts. This feasible prognostic nomogram constructed using readily ascertained information may assist public health practitioners or physicians to provide preventive interventions of cognitive impairment.

Body satisfaction and self-esteem among middle-aged and older women: the mediating roles of social and temporal comparisons and self-objectification

Objectives: The relationship between body satisfaction and self-esteem among older women is understudied, in particular the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate social and temporal comparisons and self-objectification, their relationship to body satisfaction and self-esteem, and the extent to which they mediated the relationship between body satisfaction and self-esteem.Method: Women (N = 180) between the ages of 55 and 91 (mean age = 66 years) completed questionnaires assessing body satisfaction, self-esteem, social and temporal comparisons, and self-objectification.Results: Most correlations between body satisfaction, social and temporal comparisons, self-objectification, and self-esteem were highly significant in the expected directions. Upward temporal comparison was used most frequently followed by downward social comparison. Upward temporal comparisons most often targeted the 30 s and 40 s, while social comparisons most often targeted same age peers. Women were more likely to endorse competence-based over appearance-based self-objectification items. Upward and downward social comparison mediated the relationship between body satisfaction and self-esteem, with the strongest indirect effects among younger women.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of temporal and social comparison in maintaining body satisfaction among middle-aged and older women and their tendency to emphasize competence versus appearance in evaluating their bodies. Results are discussed in the context of developmental and cohort effects that influence body satisfaction among older women.

Community-Partnered Evaluation of the Aging Mastery Program in Los Angeles Area Senior Centers

Background. The National Council on Aging's Aging Mastery Program (AMP) aims to help older adults implement health behavior and lifestyle changes to promote healthy aging and social engagement. The purpose of the present community-partnered evaluation was to test the effectiveness of AMP implementation in Los Angeles County to improve participants' quality of life, global physical and mental health, and patient activation. Method. A modified randomized wait-list controlled trial design was used to examine experimental, quasi-experimental, and dose-response evidence in five senior centers. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline and after the 10-week intervention, self-reporting their overall quality of life, physical health, mental health, and patient activation. Results. Experimental, intention-to-treat analyses found AMP assignment did not affect any measured outcomes (n = 71). Quasi-experimental, "as treated" analyses (n = 106) controlling for study site and sociodemographic characteristics indicated that participants who attended AMP reported more positive changes in global mental health than the control group. Attending AMP was not associated with changes in quality of life, physical health, or patient activation. Dose-response analyses among AMP participants who attended at least one class (n = 75) found that attending more classes was not significantly associated with greater improvements in mental health. Conclusions. Experimental, intention-to-treat analyses did not support effectiveness of AMP on quality of life, physical or mental health, or patient activation; quasi-experimental analyses found attending AMP was associated with improvements in mental health. Recruitment challenges and participants' nonadherence with condition assignment decreased our ability to detect effects. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03342729?term=Aging+Mastery+Program&rank=1 .

The Biology of Human Resilience: Opportunities for Enhancing Resilience Across the Life Span

Recent scientific and technological advances have brought us closer to being able to apply a true biopsychosocial approach to the study of resilience in humans. Decades of research have identified a range of psychosocial protective factors in the face of stress and trauma. Progress in resilience research is now advancing our understanding of the biology underlying these protective factors at multiple phenotypic levels, including stress response systems, neural circuitry function, and immune responses, in interaction with genetic factors. It is becoming clear that resilience involves active and unique biological processes that buffer the organism against the impact of stress, not simply involve a reversal of pathological mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of recent progress in the field, highlighting key psychosocial milestones and accompanying biological changes during development, and into adulthood and old age. Continued advances in our understanding of psychological, social, and biological determinants of resilience will contribute to the development of novel interventions and help optimize the type and timing of intervention for those most at risk, resulting in a possible new framework for enhancing resilience across the life span.

Are Self-perceptions of Aging Associated With Health Trajectories Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults?

Background and Objectives

Older adults’ health trajectory is often pictured as loss and decline. Recent literature has questioned this assumption. Conceptualizing health as a multidimensional construct, encompassing physical disabilities, functional limitations, chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, memory problems, and self-rated health, we investigated patterns of health trajectories among middle-aged and older adults in the United States. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between self-perceptions of aging (SPAs) and health trajectory patterns.

Research Design and Methods

We used latent class growth modeling to examine health trajectory patterns, based on longitudinal data with 4 measurement points over a 7-year period from a national sample of 10,212 middle-aged and older adults (aged 51 and older). Multinomial logit models were used to examine how health trajectory patterns were associated with baseline SPA.

Results

We identified 4 health trajectory patterns: accelerated aging, usual aging, depressed aging, and healthy aging. The full model shows that with each one-unit increase in negative SPA, the odds of belonging to an accelerated aging group, depressed aging group, and usual aging group (vs healthy aging group) increased by 26%, 17%, and 9%, respectively.

Discussion and Implications

The combination of health changes across different domains results in health trajectories that cannot be understood as simply a declining process. SPAs are associated with individuals’ trajectories of health.

The effect of social network on the physical activity-cognitive function nexus in late life

ABSTRACTBackground:To examine the contribution of vigorous physical activity to subsequent cognitive functioning, taking into account the effect of social network.

METHODS

The sample included respondents aged 65 years and older who participated in both the fourth and sixth waves of Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (n = 17,104). Cognitive functioning in Wave 6, measured as the average of standardized scores for recall, fluency, and numeracy, was regressed on the extent of vigorous physical activity, social network size, and several confounders in Wave 4 (including the corresponding cognition score at baseline). Interaction terms for physical activity and network size were also considered.

RESULTS

Moderate and high levels of vigorous physical activity, as well as social network size, were related to the cognition outcome after controlling for the confounders. Introduction of the interaction terms showed a direct and positive association of both moderate and high physical activity with the cognition outcome scores as social network size increased. However, among respondents in small- (0-1 members) and moderate-sized networks (2-3 members), greater physical activity was unrelated to the cognition score at follow-up. Only the interaction of high social connectedness (4-7 network members) and vigorous physical activity was significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Vigorous physical activity is, indeed, related to subsequent cognitive functioning. However, the relationship is tempered by social network size. Therefore, interventions that increase both social connectedness and physical activity, especially among older people who are isolated and sedentary, are warranted.

The curvilinear relationship of early-life adversity and successful aging: the mediating role of mental health

OBJECTIVES

The steeling effect suggests that early-life adversity can have a beneficial impact later in life. However, little is known about its underlying mechanisms and long-term outcomes . The study aimed to examine the role of early-life adversity (ELA) on successful aging, and whether this relationship can be explained by mental and physical health.

METHOD

Socio-demographics, early-life adversity (ELA), individual quality of life (iQoL), and mental and physical health of 270 individuals (M_age = 66.82 years, 71.5% female) were assessed. Polynomial regressions and mediation analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Significant inverse U-shaped associations were found between ELA and iQoL (β = -.59, p = .005) and between ELA and mental health (β = -.64, p = .002), but not between ELA and physical health. Furthermore, mental health significantly mediated the relationship between ELA and iQoL (b = -.84, BCa CI [-1.66, -.27]).

CONCLUSION

Highest level of individual quality of life (i.e. successful aging) was related to a moderate amount of ELA. Additionally, mental health significantly mediated this relationship. These findings suggest that some amount of ELA could be beneficial for successful aging. Resource-focused interventions are needed to improve health and promote successful aging for an underdetected, at-risk subgroup with low early-life adversity.

Life satisfaction in older adults in Spain: beyond subjective health

Many authors over the centuries have attempted to refute popular negative stereotypes about aging. In 2010, Depp, Vahia, and Jeste reviewed theories of success in aging (Depp et al., 2010), and some examples include Erikson's life stage theory in which he posited that successful resolution of earlier conflicts led to integrity in later life instead of despair; disengagement theory referred to the fact that in our culture, aging is associated with social isolation and reduced societal involvement - with this theory, successful adaptation to aging means coping with this normative disengagement in a healthy manner; activity theory referred to continued engagement in later life; continuity theory emphasized the role of adapting oneself to maintain consistency with earlier life roles. The common theme is that longevity is not enough, and a successful aging process means delaying the onset of disability, compressing morbidity, or shortening the proportion of the lifespan in which one is disabled.

Neurobiological findings associated with high cognitive performance in older adults: a systematic review

ABSTRACTObjectives:to perform a comprehensive literature review of studies on older adults with exceptional cognitive performance.

DESIGN

We performed a systematic review using two major databases (MEDLINE and Web of Science) from January 2002 to November 2017.

RESULTS

Quantitative analysis included nine of 4,457 studies and revealed that high-performing older adults have global preservation of the cortex, especially the anterior cingulate region, and hippocampal volumes larger than normal agers. Histological analysis of this group also exhibited decreased amyloid burden and neurofibrillary tangles compared to cognitively normal older controls. High performers that maintained memory ability after three years showed reduced amyloid positron emission tomography at baseline compared with high performers that declined. A single study on blood plasma found a set of 12 metabolites predicting memory maintenance of this group.

CONCLUSION

Structural and molecular brain preservation of older adults with high cognitive performance may be associated with brain maintenance. The operationalized definition of high-performing older adults must be carefully addressed using appropriate age cut-off and cognitive evaluation, including memory and non-memory tests. Further studies with a longitudinal approach that include a younger control group are essential.

The Aging Well through Interaction and Scientific Education (AgeWISE) Program

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a randomized controlled trial of the Aging Well through Interaction and Scientific Education (AgeWISE) program, a 12-week manualized cognitive rehabilitation program designed to provide psychoeducation to older adults about the aging brain, lifestyle factors associated with successful brain aging, and strategies to compensate for age related cognitive decline.

METHODS

Forty-nine cognitively intact participants ≥ 60 years old were randomly assigned to the AgeWISE program (n = 25) or a no-treatment control group (n = 24). Questionnaire data were collected prior to group assignment and post intervention. Two-factor repeated-measures analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were used to compare group outcomes.

RESULTS

Upon completion, participants in the AgeWISE program reported increases in memory contentment and their sense of control in improving memory; no significant changes were observed in the control group. Surprisingly, participation in the group was not associated with significant changes in knowledge of memory aging, perception of memory ability, or greater use of strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

The AgeWISE program was successfully implemented and increased participants' memory contentment and their sense of control in improving memory in advancing age.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This study supports the use of AgeWISE to improve perspectives on healthy cognitive aging.

Operationalized definition of older adults with high cognitive performance

Recently, there has been an increasing number of studies on exceptional cognitive aging. Herein, we aim to objectively provide the operationalized characterization of older adults with unusually high memory ability. Some authors have defined them as "SuperAgers", individuals aged 80 years or older with memory ability similar or superior to middle-aged subjects. On the other hand, the terminology "high-performing older adults" (HPOA) seems to appropriately conceptualize these individuals without exaggeration. A threshold for age is not a reliable criterion, but may be defined as 75 and 80 years of age for developing and developed countries, respectively. We propose that HPOA may exhibit episodic memory test scores equal to or greater than those of individuals aged 50-60 years, according to the validated tables for the respective country. This group must also have global cognition scores within expected average values for age and education. Executive functioning may play a central role in the exceptional memory performance of this group. Further studies are essential to confirm existing findings and may provide important evidence for cognitive aging theory and the neurobiology of dementia.

What are the contents of patient engagement interventions for older adults? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To describe the contents of interventions reported in RCTs focusing on patient engagement of older adults.

METHODS

A systematic literature review based on a search for "patient engagement/activation/empowerment/involvement/participation". Interventions were classified according to: (i) specific components (micro level), (ii) single/multiple dimensions (educational, behavioral, affective) (meso level), and (iii) the studies' main educational, behavioral or affective dimension (macro level).

RESULTS

After screening 2749 articles, 35 were included. 20 unique components were identified, mostly behavioral or educational (45.5% each) (e.g., goal setting or written informational materials). Most interventions with a single-focus were classified as educational (31%), one was solely affective (3%). Half of the interventions covered more than one dimension, with four (11%) combining all three dimensions. Studies mainly focusing on the affective dimension included older participants (72 vs. 67 years), had a higher proportion of females (71% vs. 44%), and included other dimensions more frequently (67% vs. 31%) than did studies with a main focus on the educational dimension.

CONCLUSION

The contents of the interventions that focused on patient engagement of older adults tend to focus more on behavioral and educational dimensions than the affective dimension.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The possibility of adding the affective dimension into behavioral and/or educational interventions should be explored.

Mental health interventions among older adults: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review to identify documented mental health promotion interventions developed and tested among population-based older adults.

METHODS

A systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines. The literature was searched in PsycINFO and PubMed between June and September 2016. The Effective Public Health Practice Project tool was used to assess the quality of the included study.

RESULTS

In total 53 randomized controlled trial studies qualified for the systematic review. Across studies, three types of common conceptual themes emerged for interventions, including: 1) individual characteristics; 2) content and structure of the interventions; and 3) implementation of the interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

No specific interventions could be recommended on the aforementioned basis. We conclude that a number of factors are of central importance for an intervention to have the desired effect. If these factors are considered, mental health can be successfully promoted among older adults.

Positive Psychological Factors are Linked to Successful Cognitive Aging Among Older Persons Living with HIV/AIDS

We aimed to characterize successful cognitive aging (SCA) among older HIV-infected (HIV+) and HIV-uninfected (HIV-) adults, and to determine associations with positive psychological factors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Ninety-nine HIV+ and 46 HIV- older adults (≥ 50 years) completed measures of neurocognition, positive psychological factors, and HRQoL. Using study-defined SCA criteria (i.e., no cognitive or everyday impairment or major depressive disorder), we compared positive psychological factors and HRQoL across four groups: HIV+/SCA+, HIV+/SCA-, HIV-/SCA+, HIV-/SCA-. SCA was identified in 29% of the HIV+ sample compared to 61% of the HIV- sample (p < 0.01). HIV+/SCA+ participants had higher scores on 8 of 10 measures of positive psychological factors as well as better HRQoL (ps < 0.05) as compared to the HIV+/SCA- group. Furthermore, the HIV+/SCA+ participants had comparable scores on these factors as HIV- adults. Fewer HIV+ than HIV- participants met SCA criteria; however, the level of positive psychological factors among the HIV+/SCA+ group was comparable to the HIV- sample. Our findings present opportunities for interventions to optimize positive psychological factors and potentially improve SCA among older HIV+ adults.

A grounded theory of successful aging among select incarcerated older Filipino women

BACKGROUND

Across the literature, impairment and disability among the older people have been associated with a decline in meeting their special needs. Failure in meeting such needs may cause deterioration of function and threaten successful aging. Accordingly, successful aging studies were carried out among males, in health care institutions, and in communities. In spite of these, the process by which successful aging is experienced by incarcerated older women remains to be a blank spot in research.

AIM

This study purports to describe the process by which incarcerated older Filipino women experience successful aging.

METHODS

Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory design was employed. Semistructured interviews were conducted among 15 purposively selected incarcerated older Filipino from a Philippine penal institution exclusive for women. Further, data gathered was reduced to field text and was analyzed through open, axial and selective coding. Finally, truthfulness and trustworthiness of the findings were established through member checking.

FINDINGS

The study generated "The Road to Success Model". Interestingly, five phases relative to successful aging emerged, namely: Struggling, Remotivating, Reforming, Reintegrating and Sustaining. These phases describe how select incarcerated older Filipino women undergo transformation towards successful aging. Similar to a road, each phase is considered a station where one must pass through in order to get to the destination.

CONCLUSION

Findings of the study serve as an impetus for structural and procedural changes in prison, with a view to providing an environment conducive to successful aging and appropriate recognition to the older prisoner's efforts to achieve successful aging.

Understanding mechanisms to promote successful aging in persons living with HIV

The mortality rate associated with HIV infection plummeted after the introduction of effective antiretroviral therapy pioneered two decades ago. As a result, HIV-infected people now have life expectancies comparable to that of HIV-uninfected individuals. Despite this, increased rates of osteoporosis, chronic liver disease, and in particular cardiovascular disease have been reported among people living with HIV infection. With the aging HIV-infected population, the burden of these comorbid illnesses may continue to accrue over time. In this paper, we present an overview of the aging HIV-infected population, its epidemiology and the many challenges faced. How to define and measure successful aging will also be reviewed. Finally, opportunities that may help mitigate the challenges identified and ensure successful aging among people living with HIV infection will be examined.

Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: The Mediating Effect of Depressive Symptoms

Depressive symptoms and social networks may influence the relationship between physical activity and cognition. Using structural equation modeling, depressive symptoms and social networks were examined as mediators between physical activity and cognition in community-dwelling older adults (N = 122), with a range of cognitive abilities (e.g., normal, mild cognitive impairment). The model included age, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleeping, social networks, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function. A path was observed between physical activity, depressive symptoms, and cognition; specifically, those who were more physically active experienced less depression and better cognitive functioning. No relationship between social networks and cognition was found. This model fits the data well (goodness-of-fit index = .93, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = .90, root mean square error of approximation = .06). Results suggest that physical activity may mitigate depressive symptoms, with beneficial effects on cognitive functioning in both those with and without mild cognitive impairment. Suggestions for managing depression and improving cognitive functioning are provided.

Non-Digital Game Playing by Older Adults

Research on video games' effect on cognition and behaviour has been extensive, yet little research has explored non-digital forms of game playing, especially among older adults. As part of a larger survey on game playing, 886 respondents (≥ age 55) filled out questionnaires about non-digital game play. The study aims were to determine perceived benefits of non-digital game play and to determine socio-demographic factors that might predict perceived benefits. Survey results indicate that non-digital game playing is social in nature and common (73% of respondents) among older adults. Older adults play for fun, but also to help maintain their cognition. Regression analyses indicated various socio-demographic factors - age, education, gender, and race - were independently associated with perceived benefits from game playing. The results thus emphasize the importance of non-digital game playing in this population and suggest that efforts to facilitate game playing may improve social interactions and quality of life.

Development and Pilot Randomized Control Trial of a Drama Program to Enhance Well-being Among Older Adults

OBJECTIVE

Develop a novel theatre-based program and test its feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy for improving empathy/compassion and well-being among older adults.

METHOD

Thirteen older adults were randomized to a 6-week Drama Workshop (DW) program or time-equivalent Backstage Pass (BP) control condition. Pre- and post-treatment measures included empathy, compassion, and mood scales. Additional post-treatment measures included self-rated change in empathy/compassion, confidence, and affect. Participants also rated their mood/affect after each session.

RESULTS

The program was successfully completed and well-liked. No pre-to-post-treatment changes in empathy/compassion or mood symptoms were found in either group. Compared to BP, DW weekly ratings indicated higher levels of anxiety and lower happiness; however, the DW program had higher self-ratings of positive change in self-esteem, confidence, and happiness post-treatment.

DISCUSSION

While the DW may not promote empathy/compassion and was personally challenging during the program, engagement in dramatic exercises and rehearsing and performing a dramatic piece was seen by participants as a positive growth experience, as indicated by the post-treatment ratings of enhanced self-esteem, confidence and happiness. Thus, such a program might be useful for counteracting some of the potential negative aspects of aging, including reduced self-efficacy due to physical limitations and negative affect due to losses.

Understanding views on everyday use of personal health information: Insights from community dwelling older adults

BACKGROUND

Older adults apply various strategies to pursue healthy aging, but we know little about their views and use of personal health information to accomplish those ends.

METHODS

As a first step in formulating the role of personal health information management (PHIM) in healthy aging, we explored the perspectives of older adults on health and health information used in their everyday lives through four focus groups with 25 community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over.

RESULTS

We found that the concept of wellness-the holistic and multidimensional nature of health and wellbeing-plays prominently in how older adults think about health and health information. Participants expressed wellness from a position of personal strength, rather than health-related deficits, by focusing on wellness activities for staying healthy through: (1) personal health practices, (2) social network support, and (3) residential community engagement.

CONCLUSION

Although these themes involve personal health information, existing PHIM systems that focus on disease management are generally not designed to support wellness activities. Substantial opportunity exists to fill this wellness support gap with innovative health information technology designed for older adults. Findings carry implications for the design of PHIM tools that support healthy aging and methods for engaging older adults as co-producers of this critical support.

Ageing with cerebral palsy; what are the health experiences of adults with cerebral palsy? A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To enhance understanding of the experiences of ageing with cerebral palsy (CP) in adulthood with a particular focus on experiences with health services.

DESIGN

A qualitative descriptive methodology was applied to capture adults' views of ageing with CP and related interactions with health services. Semistructured interviews were undertaken with data systematically coded and interpreted by grouping information into categories. Themes that encompassed the categories were identified through thematic analysis.

SETTING

All healthcare settings.

PARTICIPANTS

28 adults (14 women) with CP, aged 37-70 years.

RESULTS

5 themes covered the breadth of participants' experiences: (1) acceptance of change; (2) exploring identity: cerebral palsy as only one part of self; (3) taking charge of help; (4) rethinking the future and (5) interacting with health professionals. Being seen and being heard were the features described in positive healthcare interactions. Participants also valued health professionals who reflected on who holds the knowledge?; demonstrated a willingness to learn and respected participants' knowledge and experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings could, and arguably should, inform more responsive strategies for disabled people in health services and, indeed, all health consumers. Our study supports other findings that impairments related to CP change and, for many, severity of disabling impact increases with age. Increased interactions with health and rehabilitation professionals, as a consequence of these changes, have the potential to impact the person's healthcare experience either positively or negatively. A 'listening health professional' may bridge their knowledge gap and, in recognising the person's own expertise, may achieve three things: a more contextualised healthcare intervention; a better healthcare experience for the person with CP and positive impact on the person's sense of autonomy and identity by recognising their expertise. Future research should identify whether this approach improves the healthcare experience for adults living with CP.

Aging Well: Observations From the Women's Health Initiative Study

BACKGROUND

As the proportion of the population aged 80 and over accelerates, so does the value of understanding the processes of aging well. The purposes of this article are to: (a) review contemporary theoretical and conceptual perspectives on aging well, (b) describe indicators of aging well that reflect key concepts and perspectives as assessed in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and (c) characterize the status of aging among women aged 80 and older using data obtained from WHI participants at the WHI Extension 2 follow-up.

METHODS

Data from the Lifestyle Questionnaire, which was administered from 2011 to 2012 during the WHI Follow-up Study (Extension 2), were analyzed to provide a profile of the WHI cohort with respect to aging well.

RESULTS

Data revealed substantial diversity in the cohort with respect to the various measures of aging well. Although many reported physical functioning levels consistent with disability, most rated their health as good or better. Most reported moderately high levels of resilience, self-control, and self-mastery but lower levels of environmental mastery. Finally, the cohort reported high levels of optimal aging as reflected by their high levels of emotional well-being and moderately high levels of life satisfaction and social support, but more modest levels of personal growth and purpose in life.

CONCLUSIONS

The wide range of some dimensions of aging well suggest that further examination of predictors of positive coping and resilience in the face of aging-related disability could identify opportunities to support and facilitate aging well among U.S. women.

Is cognitive decline in the elderly associated with contextual income? Results of a population-based study in southern Brazil

The aim of this study was to estimate the association between contextual income and cognitive decline in the elderly in Florianópolis, a medium-sized city in southern Brazil. A nested cross-sectional study was performed in a cohort of elderly ≥ 60 years (n = 1,197), interviewed in the second wave (2013/2014) of the EpiFloripa cohort. Cognitive decline was assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and contextual income was measured as the mean monthly income of the heads of households. Individual adjustment variables were sex, age, skin color, per capita household income, years of schooling, and time living in the neighborhood. The data were analyzed using multilevel logistic regression. The odds of cognitive decline were twice as high (OR = 1.99; 95%CI: 1.03; 3.87) in elderly living in census tracts with the lowest income quintile compared to those in the highest quintile, independently of individual characteristics. In conclusion, the socioeconomic environment is related to cognitive decline and should be considered in public policies with a focus on health of the elderly.

Aging Well Among Women Veterans Compared With Non-Veterans in the Women's Health Initiative

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To examine whether Veteran status influences (a) women's survival to age 80 years without disease and disability and (b) indicators of successful, effective, and optimal aging at ages 80 years and older.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) enrolled 161,808 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years from 1993 to 1998. We compared successful aging indicators collected in 2011-2012 via mailed questionnaire among 33,565 women (921 Veterans) who reached the age of 80 years and older, according to Veteran status. A second analysis focused on women with intact mobility at baseline who could have reached age 80 years by December 2013. Multinominal logistic models examined Veteran status in relation to survival to age 80 years without major disease or mobility disability versus having prevalent or incident disease, having mobility disability, or dying prior to age 80 years.

RESULTS

Women Veterans aged 80 years and older reported significantly lower perceived health, physical function, life satisfaction, social support, quality of life, and purpose in life scale scores compared with non-Veterans. The largest difference was in physical function scores (53.0 for Veterans vs 59.5 for non-Veterans; p < .001). Women Veterans were significantly more likely to die prior to age 80 years than non-Veteran WHI participants (multivariate adjusted odds ratio = 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.38). In both Veteran and non-Veteran women, healthy survival was associated with not smoking, higher physical activity, healthy body weight, and fewer depressive symptoms.

IMPLICATIONS

Intervening upon smoking, low physical activity, obesity, and depressive symptoms has potential to improve chances for healthy survival in older women including Veterans.

Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults

The purpose of this review is to present findings on the effects of stereotypes of aging on health outcomes related to older adults, such as physical and mental functioning (specifically) and overall well-being and perceived quality of life (more broadly). This review shows that both positive and negative stereotypes of aging can have enabling and constraining effects on the actions, performance, decisions, attitudes, and, consequently, holistic health of an older adult. This review further highlights a variety of limitations in stereotype research in aging contexts, including a lack of qualitative studies focusing on older adult perspectives and the fluctuating definition of what constitutes “good health” during older age.

Healthy Aging 5 Years After a Period of Daily Supplementation With Antioxidant Nutrients: A Post Hoc Analysis of the French Randomized Trial SU.VI.MAX

This study's objective was to investigate healthy aging in older French adults 5 years after a period of daily nutritional-dose supplementation with antioxidant nutrients. The study was based on the double-blind, randomized trial, Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals (SU.VI.MAX) Study (1994-2002) and the SU.VI.MAX 2 Follow-up Study (2007-2009). During 1994-2002, participants received a daily combination of vitamin C (120 mg), β-carotene (6 mg), vitamin E (30 mg), selenium (100 µg), and zinc (20 mg) or placebo. Healthy aging was assessed in 2007-2009 by using multiple criteria, including the absence of major chronic disease and good physical and cognitive functioning. Data from a subsample of the SU.VI.MAX 2 cohort, initially free of major chronic disease, with a mean age of 65.3 years in 2007-2009 (n = 3,966), were used to calculate relative risks. Supplementation was associated with a greater healthy aging probability among men (relative risk = 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.29) but not among women (relative risk = 0.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.86, 1.11) or all participants (relative risk = 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 0.99, 1.16). Moreover, exploratory subgroup analyses indicated effect modification by initial serum concentrations of zinc and vitamin C. In conclusion, an adequate supply of antioxidant nutrients (equivalent to quantities provided by a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables) may have a beneficial role for healthy aging.

A Healthy Dietary Pattern at Midlife, Combined with a Regulated Energy Intake, Is Related to Increased Odds for Healthy Aging

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated the long-term impact of overall dietary patterns (DPs) on healthy aging (HA), and current findings are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

Our study's objective was to investigate the association between empirically derived DPs in midlife and HA after 13 y of follow-up.

METHODS

Baseline dietary data from repeated 24-h dietary records (on average, 10 records per participant) of a subsample of the SU.VI.MAX (SUpplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux AntioXydants) study allowed extraction of 2 DPs with the use of principal components analysis on 37 food groups. HA was assessed in 2007-2009 among 2796 participants of the SU.VI.MAX study aged 45-60 y at baseline (1994-1995), who were initially free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. HA was defined as not developing any major chronic disease, good physical and cognitive functioning, no limitations in instrumental activities of daily living, no depressive symptoms, no health-related limitations in social life, good overall self-perceived health, and no function-limiting pain. The association between DPs (in tertiles) and HA was evaluated by using multivariable logistic regression, and a potential interaction with energy intake was investigated.

RESULTS

A "Western" and a "healthy" DP were identified. After adjustment for a large number of potential confounders, there was no significant association between the Western DP and HA. Moreover, the healthy pattern was not associated with HA among subjects with high (i.e., greater than or equal to the median) energy intake. Among subjects with low (i.e., less than the median) energy intake, on the other hand, higher scores on the healthy DP were related to higher odds of HA (OR for tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.00; P-trend = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Adherence to a healthy diet in midlife that provides micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants while regulating energy intake may help to promote HA.

Psychological and social resources relate to biomarkers of allostasis in newly admitted nursing home residents

OBJECTIVES

This paper presents preliminary baseline data from a prospective study of nursing home adaptation that attempts to capture the complexity of residents' adaptive resources by examining psychological, social, and biological variables from a longitudinal conceptual framework. Our emphasis was on validating an index of allostasis.

METHOD

In a sample of 26 long-term care patients, we measured 6 hormone and protein biomarkers to capture the concept of allostasis as an index of physiological resilience, related to other baseline resources, including frailty, hope and optimism, social support, and mental health history, collected via interview with the resident and collaterals. We also examined the performance of self-report measures reflecting psychosocial and well-being constructs, given the prevalence of cognitive impairment in nursing homes.

RESULTS

Our results supported both the psychometric stability of our self-report measures, and the preliminary validity of our index of allostasis. Each biomarker was associated with at least one other resilience resource, suggesting that our choice of biomarkers was appropriate. As a group, the biomarkers showed good correspondence with the majority of other resource variables, and our standardized summation score was also associated with physical, social, and psychological resilience resources, including those reflecting physical and mental health vulnerability as well as positive resources of social support, optimism, and hope.

CONCLUSION

Although these results are based on a small sample, the effect sizes were large enough to confer some confidence in the value of pursuing further research relating biomarkers of allostasis to psychological and physical resources and well-being.

Failing to Focus on Healthy Aging: A Frailty of Our Discipline?

The academic geriatrics community has provided outstanding leadership in addressing frailty and complexity in older adults, but a minority of older adults are frail. Although resources to treat older adults are limited, and it is appropriate to focus clinical efforts on those with frailty and multimorbidity, there is also important expertise that can be brought to bear on the health of ALL older adults. A review of the literature suggests that attention to healthy or successful aging has failed to keep pace with the focus on frailty. By providing leadership to promote successful aging, the quality of life of older adults across the spectrum can be improved and transitions to frailty reduced. The template that leaders have established in understanding frailty-defining and operationalizing it, understanding outcomes, identifying pathophysiology-can be used as an approach to successful aging. Several community-based programs have been successful in promoting successful aging. These are potentially highly scalable and could have a substantial effect on the aging population, but their essential components need to be better understood. The geriatrics community is uniquely positioned to take on this role. This is a critical time to work together to make the lives of all older adults as healthy and fulfilling as possible.

Perceptions of Determinants of Successful Aging Among Older U.S. Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a qualitative study of older American veterans' subjective perceptions of factors that contribute to successful physical, emotional, and cognitive aging.

METHODS

A nationally representative sample of 2,025 veterans aged 60 or older (range: 60-96; 96.9% male, 39.4% combat veterans) participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Using qualitative analysis software, the authors coded responses to three open-ended questions, inductively developed categories, aggregated similar categories into factors, and grouped factors into broader themes.

RESULTS

A total of 53, 56, and 61 categories of responses was identified in response to questions about successful physical, cognitive, and emotional aging, respectively, with 10 aggregate factors linking these categories. The most prominent theme overall was "What you do," which received 2,295, 2,210, and 1,247 mentions for each of these domains of successful aging, with health behaviors the most common factor for both successful physical and cognitive aging and social engagement the most common for successful emotional aging. The theme "Who you are" was the second-most common factor (discerned from 376, 247, and 943 total mentions, respectively), with the factors that comprise this theme-personality and explanatory style, moral compass, and emotional dispositions-more commonly endorsed for successful emotional aging. External factors such as healthcare were least commonly endorsed across all domains.

CONCLUSION

Older U.S. Veterans emphasize health behaviors, social engagement, and dispositional characteristics as key determinants of successful aging. Prevention and treatment initiatives that target these potentially modifiable factors may help promote successful aging in this growing segment of the population.

Learning from Normal Aging: Preserved Emotional Functioning Facilitates Adaptation among Early Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been largely characterized by severe deterioration of cognitive functioning. Only recently has more attention been shifted to identifying the preserved capacity and functioning of AD patients. By reviewing the AD literature, we observe that despite the various cognitive impairment and deficits, early Alzheimer's patients perform certain types of automatic emotion regulation and display a positivity effect in emotion recognition and emotional memory. Moreover, we argue that, like their healthy aged peers, the optimization of such preserved emotion-based capacities helps early AD patients increase positive emotions, which may counteract the negative effects of the disease, thus maintaining their socio-emotional functioning. Finally, we discuss the emotion-based capacities strategies that AD patients may use to facilitate their adjustment to a life with Alzheimer's.