@article {12098, title = {The Association Between Patterns of Social Engagement and Conversion From Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study.}, journal = {Alzheimer Disease \& Associated Disorders}, volume = {36}, year = {2022}, pages = {7-14}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between patterns of social engagement and conversion from cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND) to dementia. It also tested whether social engagement is associated with conversion independently from physical and cognitive engagements.

METHOD: Data from 2 waves (2010 and 2014) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used. The sample consisted of 1227 people who had CIND in 2010. To identify the heterogeneity of social engagement, latent class analysis was utilized. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the association between patterns of social engagement and probability of conversion to dementia and death or dropout.

RESULTS: The result showed that patterns of social engagement that represent higher level and more variety of social engagement were associated with lower probabilities of conversion to dementia in 4 years but not with probabilities of death or dropout. The relationship held after controlling for physical and cognitive engagements.

DISCUSSION: Findings implied that promoting social engagement may be protective against developing dementia even for the high-risk group of people with CIND. Future studies should investigate the mechanism behind the relationship between patterns of social engagement and lower probabilities of conversion to dementia.

}, keywords = {cognitive impairment, environmental enrichment model, Latent Class Analysis}, issn = {1546-4156}, doi = {10.1097/WAD.0000000000000486}, author = {Amano, Takashi and Sojung Park and Morrow-Howell, Nancy and Carpenter, Brian} } @article {10042, title = {Patterns of social engagement among older adults with mild cognitive impairment.}, journal = {The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences \& Social Sciences}, volume = {75}, year = {2020}, pages = {1361-1371}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: Promoting engagement in social activities may be an intervention that prevents or delays cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, little is known about social engagement among people with mild cognitive impairment. We aim to examine patterns of social engagement among people with mild cognitive impairment and to assess whether factors under four domains of the WHO{\textquoteright}s ICF model (personal factors, environmental factors, body functions and structure, and health condition) associate with different patterns of social engagement.

METHOD: Data were drawn from the 2010 Health and Retirement Study. The final sample comprised 1,227 people with Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (CIND). Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were utilized.

RESULTS: Three patterns of social engagement were identified: informal social engagement only, formal and informal social engagement, and low social engagement. Factors in each of the four ICF model domains were associated with the probability of class membership.

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that social engagement is heterogeneous among people with CIND and that some groups of people with CIND have possibilities of engaging in more social activities, especially in formal social activities. Results also indicate that providing informal social resources may be essential for social programs designed specifically for people with CIND to promote their formal social engagement. Future study is needed to examine possible differences in outcomes across groups with similar patterns of social engagement.

}, keywords = {CIND, Cognition \& Reasoning, Health Conditions and Status, Social Support}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbz051}, author = {Amano, Takashi and Morrow-Howell, Nancy and So Jung Park} } @article {10130, title = {Home and community-based services and life satisfaction among homebound and poor older adults.}, journal = {Journal of Gerontological Social Work}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Little evidence exists regarding the role of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) utilization on life satisfaction among older people who are both homebound and low-income. Guided by the personal-environment (-E) fit perspective, this study aims to: (1) describe characteristics of older people with homebound and low-income status; (2) investigate how the combination of homebound and low-income status is associated with life satisfaction; and (3) examine whether HCBS utilization moderates the association between homebound and low-income status and life satisfaction. Data were drawn from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study, and the sample included respondents who were 51+ years who completed a questionnaire for HCBS utilization (= 1,662). Results describe sociodemographic, health-related, and environmental characteristics of older adults. Combined homebound and low-income status was a significant predictor of lower life satisfaction ( = -0.15, < .05), but better life satisfaction when they used HCBS ( 0.33, .10). These findings suggest that promoting HCBS utilization is a promising strategy to enhance well-being among those homebound and poor. Further studies are needed to test the effectiveness of HCBS with longitudinal data and to investigate the details of effective HCBS utilization such as frequency of use and types of services.}, keywords = {Community-based services, Depressive symptoms, Well-being}, issn = {1540-4048}, doi = {10.1080/01634372.2019.1639094}, author = {Chen, Qingru and Amano, Takashi and So Jung Park and BoRin Kim} } @article {10389, title = {Home Environment, Living Alone, and Trajectories of Cognitive Function Among Older Adults With Functional Limitations}, journal = {Environment and Behavior}, year = {2019}, note = {doi: 10.1177/0013916519879772}, month = {2019/10/16}, pages = {0013916519879772}, abstract = {This study aimed to investigate the effects of Person-Environment Fit on trajectories of cognitive function. Data came from the Health Retirement Study (1998-2010), focusing on those aged 65 and above who had at least one limitation in activities of daily living. Using longitudinal mixed-effect modeling, we analyzed the effects of living in supportive home environments on trajectories of cognitive function over time. Disabled older individuals living alone were likely to experience a decline in cognitive function over time. However, the detrimental effects of living alone were moderated when the home was equipped with supportive features and accessibility. The findings reveal the importance of home modifications for socially and physically vulnerable elders.}, keywords = {Cognition, Functional limitations, home environment, Loneliness}, isbn = {0013-9165}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916519879772}, author = {So Jung Park and BoRin Kim and Amano, Takashi and Chen, Qingru} } @article {9295, title = {The Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Patterns of Activity Engagement Among Older Adults.}, journal = {Research on Aging}, volume = {40}, year = {2018}, pages = {645-667}, abstract = {This study aims to assess the association between cognitive impairment and activity engagement patterns. Data from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study were used. A total of 3,943 participants aged 65 or older were included in analyses. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used. Four activity engagement profiles were identified: high activity (31.2\%), active leisure (18.9\%), passive leisure (28.2\%), and low activity (21.7\%). People in the high activity group engaged in all activities more than people in any other group, whereas people in the low activity group did not actively engage in most activities. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that cognitive impairment had an independent effect on the probability of being assigned to the low activity group compared to other groups. Cognitive impairment was associated with inactivity in a variety of activities. Future studies should examine supportive factors, which facilitate active patterns among people with cognitive impairment.}, keywords = {Activity engagement, Cognitive Ability}, issn = {1552-7573}, doi = {10.1177/0164027517728553}, author = {Amano, Takashi and So Jung Park and Morrow-Howell, Nancy} }