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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Older adults' concerns about cognitive health
— commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups | | Author(s) | James N Laditka, Sarah B Laditka, Rui Liu |
| Journal title | Ageing and Society, vol 31, part 7, October 2011 |
| Pages | pp 1202-1228 |
| Source | http://www.journals.cambridge.org/aso |
| Keywords | Mental ageing ; Dementia ; Memory disorders ; Ethnic groups [elderly] ; Attitude ; Cross cultural surveys ; Qualitative Studies ; United States of America. |
| Annotation | The study explored different concerns about cognitive health among ethnically diverse groups of older adults. The research was grounded in theories of health behaviour and the representation of health and illness. Focus groups discussions were conducted with older adults aged over 50 in four languages. Participants were African Americans, American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos, white people and Vietnamese Americans, in nine United States locations. Participants discussed concerns about keeping their memory or ability to think as they age. In findings, all ethnic groups expressed concern and fear about memory loss, losing independence, and becoming a `burden'. Knowing someone with Alzheimer's disease increased concern. American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos and Vietnamese Americans expected memory loss. American Indians, Chinese Americans and Vietnamese Americans were concerned about stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease. Only African Americans, Chinese and whites expressed concern about genetic risks. Only African Americans and whites expressed concern about behaviour changes. When asked for their thoughts about their ability to think as they age, participants focused almost exclusively on memory. This suggests that health education promoting cognitive health should focus on memory. However it should also educate the public about the importance of maintaining all aspects of cognitive health. (JL). |
| Accession Number | CPA-111031008 A |
| Classmark | D6: EA: EH: F:TK: DP: 3KA: 3DP: 7T |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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