Background

Centenarians represent a phenomenon of successful aging. This systematic review aimed to understand lifestyles and health practices, focusing on diet and medication use for healthy longevity.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of observational studies in community-based adults 95+ years. Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and grey literature were searched from 1 January 2000 to 10 December 2022. Study quality was assessed using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (mNOS). Pooled prevalence [%;95% confidence interval] for categorical variables and pooled mean for continuous variables were estimated for demographics, weight status, lifestyle factors, medications, and health conditions.

Results

Of 3,392 records screened, 34 studies were included in the review, and 71% (24/34) met the 6/8 criteria in mNOS. Centenarians/near-centenarians’ age ranged from 95-118y, with 75% (71-78%) female and 78% (68-88%) living in rural areas. They had an overall healthy lifestyle: current smoking (7%;5-9%), drinking (23%;17-30%), normal weight (52%;42-61%), overweight (14%;8-20%), physical activity (23%;20-26%), and sleep satisfaction (68%;65-72%). Diet averaged 59.6% carbohydrate, 18.5% protein, and 29.3% fat; over 60% consumed a diverse diet, and < 20% preferred salty food, contributing to lower mortality risks and functional decline. About half used antihypertensive (49%;14-84%) or other cardiovascular drugs (48%;24-71%), with an average of 4.3 medications. Common health issues included impaired basic Activities of Daily Living (54%;33-74%), hypertension (43%;21-65%), and dementia (41%;23-59%).

Conclusion

This systemic review underscores the pivotal role of dietary practice and weight management in healthcare strategies to promote healthy aging. It also recognizes rural living styles and sleep hygiene as contributing factors to longevity.

Background: Despite the importance of vaccination in preventative health across the life span, vaccination rates are lowest among US older adults, with pronounced disparities for certain vaccine targets. Thus, it is critical to understand the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy and confidence including perceptions of vaccines, and how these factors may vary across vaccine target or age.

Methods: A nationally representative survey was conducted in 2023 in partnership with NORC. Questions explored uptake among Americans aged 50+ across several types of vaccinations typically indicated for older people, including shingles, pneumococcal, flu, Covid-19, and Tdap. A total of 2638 responses were collected.

Results: Large proportions of respondents reported high trust in vaccines, yet trust, as well as vaccination rates, varied significantly by vaccine target and by age. Uptake was highest for influenza, with the vast majority of respondents ages 75-79 and 80+ having received the injection. Across targets, unvaccinated respondents reported highest willingness to receive the pneumonia vaccine, and lowest willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Perceptions of each vaccine target and drivers of decisions to vaccinate or not by vaccine target and age will also be discussed.

Conclusions: Investigating which age groups and for which targets vaccination rates fall behind is critical to understanding vaccine confidence and hesitancy attitudes and to improving uptake and adherence. Further, understanding the drivers of those decisions allows for the development and implementation of targeted resources and education to ultimately improve health for older adults.

Background: Indoor and outdoor falls have different patterns and risk factors among older adults. The effects of psychosocial factors on different types of falls remain to be fully understood. This study estimated the associations of depressive symptoms with risk of indoor and outdoor falls.

Methods: A prospective cohort study enrolled 717 community-dwelling older adults aged 65-95 years old in central and northeastern Massachusetts (2018-2023). Depressive symptoms at baseline were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD). Falls were reported on monthly falls calendars, and when a fall was reported, the circumstances were collected via telephone interview. Mixed effect negative binomial models were used to estimate the associations of depressive symptoms with rates of indoor and outdoor falls, with and without adjusting for baseline sociodemographic variables, physical health, functional status, physical activity, lifestyle behaviors, and the fear of falling.

Results: About 55% of study participants were women, 68% were Non-Hispanic White, and 75% were followed at least one year. The rates of indoor and outdoor falls were 32 and 36 per 100 person-years, respectively. Higher level of CESD scale was positively associated with indoor fall rates (IRR (95% CI): 1.03 (1.01-1.06)). No significant associations were found between CESD scale and outdoor falls (IRR (95% CI): 0.99 (0.96 -1.02)).

Conclusions: Older adults with higher level of depressive symptoms were associated with higher rates of indoor falls, but not associated with outdoor falls. Future falls prevention should consider the differential impact of depressive symptoms on indoor and outdoor falls.

The health benefits of physical activity (PA) and a healthy diet among older adults are well known. Yet, fall-related injuries, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity continue to plague this population. Research demonstrates that interventions designed to educate and inform the public do not change behaviors that lead to improved health. Social marketing encompasses a formative research process that creates effective public health interventions that produce behavior change outcomes to improve the older adult population's physical, mental, and social well-being.

Collaborating with the NM state agency on aging, the University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center used the social marketing approach to increase healthy behaviors, with N=1883 adults ≥55 participating in congregate and home-delivered meal sites at senior centers in six counties. Focus groups, cooking demonstrations, and health and wellness surveys were administered to identify senior's motivations, barriers, PA level, and eating and cooking patterns. Key findings led to the development of a nutrition, PA, and recipe calendar designed to increase cooking at home. Outcome evaluation showed increases in cooking at home and the consumption of food away from home. ­

Continued formative research is needed to develop a comprehensive intervention to increase healthy behaviors for our aging population. Evaluation content is essential and significantly influences campaign design. Increased PA as the desired behavior change for seniors may have a more significant impact on the overall goal to reduce obesity and chronic related disease vs. cooking at home, as it offers a social component related to their motivations, barriers, and values.

Background: The field lacks a nuanced understanding of what it means to age successfully, particularly for Black Americans. Successful aging often is a combination of lack of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical function, and engagement with life. However, this approach lacks subjective measures and does not consider that multiple profiles of ‘success’ exist.

Methods: This study utilizes data from the Woodlawn Study, a community cohort of 1,242 Black Americans first assessed in 1966 (age 6) and most recently followed up in 2022 (age 62 n=531). Latent profile analyses were used to expand current definitions of successful aging by considering subjective aging, attitudes towards aging, experiences of pain, and mental health, in addition to more traditional measures of chronic conditions, cognitive performance, and functional limitations. Two through six class models were evaluated.

Results: A five-class model was selected based on fit statistics and theoretical interpretation. Class prevalence ranged from 10.6% for a profile with few physical or mental health problems, high cognitive performance, and strong subjective aging to 39.9% for a profile with few physical or mental health problems, lower cognitive performance, and poor subjective aging measures. The other three classes were characterized by greater chronic conditions, high levels of pain, and more mental health problems.

Conclusions: Identifying the different aging profiles of Black Americans is critical in order to reduce significant racial disparities that exist in morbidity and mortality. By understanding how subjective and objective measures combine, we can implement targeted interventions to reduce poor aging outcomes.

Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is a short-term, evidence-based, group activity for individuals with mild to moderate forms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence suggests that CST is effective at improving patients’ memory, language processing, and visuospatial abilities. CareLink recognized that typical CST groups did not meet the needs of some diverse groups with specific needs. By customizing our CST groups to meet the needs of a) intellectual/developmental disabilities and b) primary progressive aphasia we promote health strategies through continued learning, encourage social support and engagement as well as mental stimulation in an environment that is accepting and non-threatening.

Simultaneous to our specialized CST groups, CareLink recognized the impacts of caregiver role strain with increased responsibility, change in family role, knowledge deficit and the additional burden of increased financial burdens. By pairing the specialized CST groups with caregiver support groups led by an LICSW or LMHC, we also provide health education strategies, social support, wellness activities and information on community-based resources to caregivers.

By addressing the needs of the patient as well as the caregiver, CareLink has created a model that accommodates diversity and culture while addressing the health and wellness needs of both. Although this model requires careful planning to ensure that the topics and activities are both cultural and age appropriate, we have introduced a professional practice that can be replicated for other specialized groups as identified.

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. However, available literature on the relationship between PA and cognitive functions among older individuals is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to determine the association between PA and cognitive function among adults aged 60 years and above in the US.

Methods: We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2011-12 and 2013 – 2014. PA was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire considering intensity, duration, and frequency. Cognitive function was categorized into Alzheimer's, mild cognitive impairment(MCI), and normal cognitive function based on the Animal Fluency Test Score. Multinomial logistic regression modeling was used to examine the association while adjusting for potential confounders.

Results: A total of 2947 participants were included. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s, MCI was 21% and 9% respectively. About 32% of the participants were physically active. Physically active participants had lower odds of Alzheimer's disease (AOR 0.62, CI: 0.44-0.88) and higher odds of normal cognitive function (AOR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.25-2.17). Participants aged 60-65 years had lower odds of Alzheimer's (AOR 0.40; 95% CI: 0.27- 0.60), MCI (AOR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30- 0.89) compared to those aged 65 years and above. Non-Hispanic Blacks had higher odds of Alzheimer's (AOR 3.04; 95% CI: 2.23-4.15), MCI (AOR 2.17; 95% CI: 1.32 – 3.57) compared to non-Hispanic White.

Conclusion:

PA impacts cognitive decline, with age and race disparities. Further research is needed to explore the dose-response relationship.

Keywords: NHANES; physical activity; cognitive function

Introduction:

In the heart of the Texas-Mexico border, the Mexican American population faces significant health challenges, including high rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. These disparities underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve health outcomes in this community. The HLVM program, grounded in evidence-based practices, addresses these challenges through education, physical activity, and health monitoring through access to free blood chemistry analysis. This abstract presents the outcomes of our study evaluating the program's effectiveness in reducing A1c levels and improving lipid profiles among participants.

Methods:

Participants enrolled in the HLVM program underwent pre and post blood chemistry evaluations to assess changes in HgA1C and lipid profiles. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine significant differences in biomarker levels before and after the intervention.Results:

Significant reductions in HgA1C levels and improvements in lipid profiles were observed among participants. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the HLVM program in addressing key risk factors for chronic diseases among Texas-Mexico border Mexican Americans.

Conclusion:

The HLVM program demonstrates promising outcomes in improving health outcomes through access to no cost blood chemistry analysis and empowering participants to make informed decisions about their health. Tailored community-based interventions are essential for addressing health disparities and promoting wellness in underserved populations.

Arkansas has the highest rate of food insecurity in the United States (16.6%). SNAP is one of the largest national assistance programs for nutritional supplementation. Roughly 13.1% of Arkansas’s adult population have diabetes, making it a leading cause of death. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) provide health services to low-income individuals, including outpatient diabetes management programs. The purpose of this study was to identify if a relationship exists between SNAP enrollment and A1c management at a local FQHC. Chi-square analyses explored relationships between SNAP enrollment, dichotomized A1c levels, and demographic factors; a multivariate logistic regression examined associations between these variables controlling for covariates. Chi-square analysis showed that both race, language, and zip code variables had significant association in A1c management, along with SNAP enrollment. Only race and zip code had a statistically significant association with SNAP enrollment. Logistic regression revealed those with unmanaged diabetes had increased odds of being enrolled in SNAP (aOR=2.2, p=.01). Being NHPI and speaking a language other than English increased odds of unmanaged diabetes (aOR=3.97, 1.3, and 1.4, p<.05). Those who are Black were 3.35 times as likely as someone who is white to apply for SNAP. Those who lived outside of proximity to the FQHC were 1.64 times as likely as those who lived inside proximity to apply for SNAP (p<.05). Findings suggest further work is needed to expand SNAP enrollment for those with chronic diseases and research to identify other factors serving as barriers or facilitators to health outcomes through behavioral or nutritional intervention.