Cognitive impairment as a barrier to utilizing preventive health services among older adults.

TitleCognitive impairment as a barrier to utilizing preventive health services among older adults.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsKang, S-wan, Xiang, X
JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume99
Pagination104613
ISSN Number1872-6976
Keywordscognitive impairment, Dementia, Preventive Health Services
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the influence of cognitive impairment on preventive health services utilization among older adults.

METHODS: The study sample came from 1995 to 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), consisting of 19,644 adults aged 51 years or older. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to analyze the influence of cognitive impairment, measured using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status, on the utilization of four types of preventive health care services, including flu shots, cholesterol tests, mammography for women, and prostate cancer screening for men.

RESULTS: Persons with cognitive impairment with no dementia were less likely to receive cholesterol tests (OR=0.68, 95% CI=0.64-0.73, p<.001), flu shots (OR=0.86, CI=0.80-0.92, p<.001), mammograms (OR=0.88, CI=0.78-0.99, p<.05), and prostate cancer screenings (OR=0.71, CI=0.71-0.98, p<.05) compared with those without cognitive impairment. Having dementia was associated with a lower odds of receiving cholesterol tests (OR=0.42, CI=0.38-0.47, p<.001), flu shots (OR=0.65, CI=0.57-0.74, p<.001), mammograms (OR=0.70, CI=0.55-0.89, p<.01), and prostate cancer screening (OR=0.68, CI=0.47-0.99, p<.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment with or without dementia is a significant barrier to utilizing preventive health services among older adults. Targeted health promotion prevention and intervention strategies and caregiver education are warranted to improve preventive services among older adults with cognitive impairment.

DOI10.1016/j.archger.2021.104613
Citation Key12143
PubMed ID34974235