Are Changes in Self-Rated Health Associated With Memory Decline in Older Adults?

TitleAre Changes in Self-Rated Health Associated With Memory Decline in Older Adults?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsBendayan, R, Piccinin, AM, Hofer, SM, Muniz, G
JournalJ Aging Health
Volume29
Issue8
Pagination1410-1423
Date Published2017 12
ISSN Number1552-6887
KeywordsAged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diagnostic Self Evaluation, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Memory Disorders, Self Report, United States
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The association between patterns of change in self-rated health (SRH) and memory trajectories in older adults was examined using a systematic approach.

METHOD: Data from the Health and Retirement Study ( n = 6,016) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing ( n = 734) were analyzed. Individuals were grouped into five categories according to their pattern of change in SRH over 8 years: stable excellent/very good/good, stable fair/poor, improvement, decline, and fluctuating pattern without a trend. Memory was measured using immediate and delayed recall tests. Kruskal-Wallis, chi-squares tests, and linear mixed models were used to examine the association.

RESULTS: Different rates of decline in memory can be identified in the different patterns of change in SRH. Those who had a stable excellent/very good/good pattern had the slowest rate of decline.

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that SRH status and patterns of change could be used as a marker of cognitive decline in prevention screening programs.

URLhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27481931
DOI10.1177/0898264316661830
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27481931?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalJ Aging Health
Citation Key8564
PubMed ID27481931
Grant ListMC_UU_12019/1 / / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
P01 AG043362 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States