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Difficulty and help with activities of daily living among older adults living alone with cognitive impairment
Author(s) -
Edwards Ryan D.,
Brenowitz Willa D.,
Portacolone Elena,
Covinsky Ken E.,
Bindman Andrew,
Glymour M. Maria,
Torres Jacqueline M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.12102
Subject(s) - activities of daily living , ethnic group , gerontology , cognitive impairment , cognition , medicine , race (biology) , psychology , physical therapy , psychiatry , botany , sociology , anthropology , biology
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.