Difficulty and help with activities of daily living among older adults living alone with cognitive impairment

Submitted by daisy.feddoes@u... on Oct 19, 2023
TitleDifficulty and help with activities of daily living among older adults living alone with cognitive impairment
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsEdwards RD, Brenowitz WD, Portacolone E, Covinsky KE, Bindman A, M Glymour M, Torres JM
JournalAlzheimer's & Dementia
Volume16
Issue8
Pagination1125-1133
Date Published08/2020
ISSN1552-5279
KeywordsCIND; activities of daily living; aging in place; dementia; disability; limitations; living arrangement; population-based study; service gaps
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There is limited research on difficulties with activities of daily living (I/ADLs) among older adults living alone with cognitive impairment, including differences by race/ethnicity.

METHODS: For U.S. Health and Retirement Study (2000-2014) participants aged 55+ living alone with cognitive impairment (4,666 individuals; 9,091 observations), we evaluated I/ADL difficulty and help.

RESULTS: Among 4.3 million adults aged 55+ living alone with cognitive impairment, an estimated 46% reported an I/ADL difficulty; 72% reported not receiving help with an I/ADL. Women reported more difficulty than men. Compared to white women, black women were 22% more likely to report a difficulty without help, and Latina women were 36% more likely to report a difficulty with help. Among men, racial/ethnic differences in outcomes were not significant. Patterns of difficulty without help by race/ethnicity were similar among Medicaid beneficiaries.

DISCUSSION: Findings call for targeted efforts to support older adults living alone with cognitive impairment.
URLhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32588985/
DOI10.1002/alz.12102
Alternate JournalAlzheimers Dement
PubMed ID32588985
PubMed Central IDPMC7416441
Grant ListK01AG056602 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P01 AG066605 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
K01 AG049102 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R56 AG062165 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
T32AG049663 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30 AG044281 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R56AG062165 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
Country: 
USA
Method: 
Quantitative
Design: 
PLACI