Showing papers by "Lisa L. Barnes published in 2004"
TL;DR: Greater social resources, as defined by social networks and social engagement, are associated with reduced cognitive decline in old age.
Abstract: Objective: To examine the relation of social resources and cognitive decline in older adults. Methods: Data are from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, an epidemiologic study of risk factors for Alzheimer disease (AD) and other common conditions in a geographically defined population of older persons. The sample consisted of 6,102 non-Hispanic African Americans (61.2%) and whites, aged ≥ 65, who underwent up to three interviews during an average of 5.3 years of follow-up. Each interview included administration of four cognitive function tests from which a composite measure of cognition was formed. Social networks were based on the number of children, relatives, and friends seen at least once a month. Social engagement was measured with four items related to social and productive activity. Results: Higher number of social networks and level of social engagement were positively correlated with initial level of cognitive function (networks estimate = 0.003, engagement estimate = 0.060, both p Conclusions: Greater social resources, as defined by social networks and social engagement, are associated with reduced cognitive decline in old age.
490 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that older Blacks perceive more discrimination than do older Whites, and this may have important implications for health differences between older Blacks and Whites.
Abstract: Objectives: To examine the prevalence of perceived discrimination in an older biracial population and to examine its correlation with depressive symptoms. Methods: The sample consisted of 2,652 Bla...
186 citations
TL;DR: Higher educational attainment is associated with a slightly accelerated rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease, as hypothesized.
Abstract: Objective: To test the hypothesis that higher level of education is related to more rapid cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: Participants are older persons with clinically diagnosed AD recruited from health care facilities in the Chicago area. At 6-month intervals for up to 4 years, they underwent uniform structured clinical evaluations that included administration of nine cognitive performance tests from which a composite measure of global cognition was derived. Analyses are based on 494 persons with follow-up data (89.3% of those eligible). In mixed models that allowed for linear and nonlinear decline, the authors first accounted for the effects of age on cognition and then tested the relation of education to rate of cognitive decline. Results: Global cognitive decline had linear and nonlinear components, resulting in a gradually accelerating course of decline. Age was related to linear but not nonlinear decline, with more rapid decline observed in younger compared with older persons. Higher educational level was related to more rapid global cognitive decline, as hypothesized, with education related to the nonlinear but not the linear component of decline. Conclusion: Higher educational attainment is associated with a slightly accelerated rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease.
138 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the differences in levels of social networks and social engagement between older Blacks and Whites and racial differences in rates of change in social resources over time, and found that older Blacks had smaller social networks than Whites.
Abstract: Objectives This study examined the differences in levels of social networks and social engagement between older Blacks and Whites and racial differences in rates of change in social resources over time. Methods The sample consisted of 5,102 Blacks and Whites, aged 65 and older, from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, who underwent up to three interviews during an average of 5.3 years of follow-up. Repeated measures of social networks were based on the number of children, relatives, and friends seen at least once a month. Social engagement was measured at each interview with four items related to social and productive activity. Random effects models were fitted to test the effect of race on social resources and change in resources over time. Results Blacks had smaller social networks and lower levels of social engagement than Whites. Racial differences in these resources were stable during follow-up. Socioeconomic status reduced racial differences in social engagement but not social networks. Discussion The findings provide evidence for lower levels of social resources among older Blacks. There was little evidence that racial differences were the result of greater decline during old age itself.
92 citations
1 citations