Health Disparities in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Role of Social Strain, Depression, and C-Reactive Protein.

We investigated the association of social strain from friends, depression, and systemic inflammation (C-Reactive Protein [CRP]) with cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND) and dementia among 9,262 participants (age ≥ 65). We analyzed data from the Health Retirement Study (HRS), performing Chi-squared and logistic regression analyses. Measures included the 27-point HRS cognition scale, social strain scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, and dried-blood CRP levels.

Social isolation and 9-year dementia risk in community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries in the United States.

Background: Social isolation can influence whether older adults develop dementia. We examine the association between social isolation and incident dementia among older adults in a nationally representative sample of community dwelling older adults in the United States (U.S.

Breast and prostate cancer screening rates by cognitive status in US older adults.

Introduction: For most older adults with dementia, the short-term harms and burdens of routine cancer screening likely outweigh the delayed benefits. We aimed to provide a more updated assessment of the extent that US older adults with dementia receive breast and prostate cancer screenings.

Methods: Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Wave 12 (2014-2015) linked to Medicare, we examine rates of breast and prostate cancer screenings in adults 65+ years by cognitive status.

Differential race effects of the tailored activity program (TAP) on dementia-related behaviors: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although nonpharmacological approaches are considered first-line treatments for dementia-related behaviors, it is unclear as to their effectiveness for different racial groups. We evaluated the effects of the Tailored Activity Program (TAP) on agitated and aggressive behaviors in Black and White families.

Methods: We conducted a single-blind, two-arm randomized controlled trial involving Black (N = 90) and White (N = 145) families.

Sleep Quality Reports From Family Caregivers and Matched Non-caregiving Controls in a Population-Based Study.

The stress of family caregiving may affect many health-related variables, including sleep. We evaluated differences in self-reported sleep quality between incident caregivers and matched non-caregiving controls from a national population-based study. Caregivers and controls were identified in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study and matched on seven different demographic and health history factors.