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P3‐644: READABILITY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH LITERACY: A LOOK AT ONLINE PATIENT‐ORIENTED DISEASE INFORMATION BY ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTERS
Author(s) -
Zuchowski Kathryn A.,
Sanders Amy E.
Publication year - 2018
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 - 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.2011
Subject(s) - readability , health literacy , literacy , medicine , disease , reading (process) , index (typography) , gerontology , population , family medicine , psychology , world wide web , health care , pathology , computer science , pedagogy , environmental health , economics , economic growth , political science , law , programming language
stimulation through social contact may contribute to building cognitive reserve and hence protecting against poor cognitive function. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the association between living alone and cognitive function in later life and to consider the role of cognitive reserve in this relationship. Methods: Data was analysed for 1,975 healthy older people aged 65 from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study-Wales (CFAS-Wales). T-tests or chi squared tests were conducted to determine whether there were differences in social isolation, social contact, or loneliness for those living alone and with others. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between living alone and cognitive function at baseline and cognitive change at two-year follow up. Moderation analysis was used to assess the role of cognitive reserve in this relationship. Age, gender, and education were controlled for in analyses. Results: People living alone reported greater feelings of social isolation and loneliness than those living with others, but had more frequent contact with people in their social networks. Living alone was not associated with poor cognitive function at baseline or cognitive change at two-year follow-up. Cognitive reserve did not moderate this relationship. Conclusions: These findings reflect the ability of older people to adapt their social networks to suit their living situation and obtain greater social contact. Findings also replicate previous work that suggest those living alone are at greater risk of social isolation and loneliness. These findings have positive implications for those living alone in later life and suggest that this is not detrimental to cognitive health.