Comparative study between depression in Korean elderly with mild cognitive impairment and normal cognitive function

Effects of cognitive impairment and functional limitation on depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Korean immigrants in the U.S

The present study examined the effects of cognitive impairment and functional limitation on depressive symptoms among older Korean American immigrants. The sample was drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 210 older Korean immigrants (aged 65 years or older) in Los Angeles County. Based on robust hierarchical regression, the study found that cognitive ability and functional status were significant explanatory factors related to depressive symptoms among older Korean immigrants. In addition, the interaction of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and cognitive function (MMSE) had a significant effect on depressive symptoms. This finding suggests that older Korean immigrants in the U.S. who experience deficits in cognitive function and/or IADL performance are vulnerable to psychological distress as indicated by depressive symptoms. Recommendations include implementing culturally-responsive health interventions aimed at enabling accessibility to dementia care services and supporting improvement of IADL performance among older Korean American immigrants.

Quality of Life and Its Factors in Korean Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Based on the secondary data analysis, this study aimed to identify quality of life and factors that affect quality of life among Korean elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Demographic characteristics, physical factors, and psychosocial factors as well as quality of life of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment were comprehensively measured. The research subjects consisted of 348 home-resident elderly and their quality of life scores were relatively high at 29.86. Their quality of life varied according to education and gender, and instrumental activities of daily living (actual, latent), somatic symptoms, sleep quality, depression, and social support affected their quality of life. Depression and social support were predictors of quality of life. The most powerful predictor was depression (β = −.583, p < .001). To improve the quality of life among elderly with mild cognitive impairment, nursing interventions to alleviate depression and to enhance social support from family, friends, and relevant neighbors are needed.

Sex Differences in Fear of Falling among Older Adults with Low Grip Strength

BACKGROUND

Fear of falling is not only a risk factor for falls, but it is also an important clinical predictor of functional decline in older adults. This study identified sex differences in fear of falling and related factors in older adults with low grip strength.

METHODS

The data of 902 older adults from the 2012 Korean National Survey, conducted as a research project by the Korea Employment Information Service, were analyzed. Grip strength, activities of daily living, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and fear of falling were assessed. Multiple regression analysis was performed by a simultaneous data entry method.

RESULTS

Fear of falling was greater in older women with low grip strength than in their male equivalents (P<0.001). Regression analysis showed that age, fall experience within the previous 2 yr, activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms collectively accounted for 15.3% (P<0.001) of the variance among men. Meanwhile, age, fall experience within the previous 2 yr, grip strength, activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms collectively accounted for 13.4% (P<0.001) of the variance among women.

CONCLUSION

Thus, the predictors of fear of falling differ between older men and women with low grip strength. Therefore, sex differences must be considered when developing intervention strategies for reducing fear of falling in this demographic.

Risk Factors Related to Cognitive Functioning: A Cross-National Comparison of U.S. and Korean Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to conduct a cross-national comparison of factors related to cognitive functioning in later life in a U.S. and Korean sample. The study sample was comprised of subjects from the HRS ( N = 10,175) and the KLoSA ( N = 3,550). Separate multivariate regression models were employed to examine the impact of socio-demographic, health, and health behaviors on cognitive functioning among older adults. Regression results showed that age, gender, education, wealth, self-rated health, ADL, IADL, stroke, and poor eyesight were significantly associated with cognitive functioning in both countries. However, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and drinking were significantly associated with cognition only among Americans, while marital status and poor hearing were significantly associated with cognition only among Koreans. In addition, gender-specific models suggested several socio-economic and health factors had significantly different effects by gender in both countries. Cross-national comparative research identified similar risk factors, suggesting robust associations. Unique factors related to cognitive functioning in U.S. and Korean older adults highlight the important role of societal influences on cognitive outcomes.

Factors associated with cognition recovery among elders with mild cognitive impairment in Korea

BACKGROUND

Of elders with mild cognitive impairment, around half recover their cognitive function at some point in time. However, very little is known about the factors that influence their cognitive change towards recovery.

AIM

This study evaluated the role of depression, instrumental activity of daily living and sleep quality as they affect cognition recovery among community-dwelling elders.

METHODS

The study follows a longitudinal comparative research design using secondary data analysis. Community-dwelling elders with mild cognitive impairment were assessed twice with a 1-year interval to assess their levels of cognition. Adult participants were drawn from those who visited a community health centre, were aged 65 or over and who were assessed as having MCI.

RESULTS

Those with mild cognitive impairment when compared with the normal cognition group were more likely to be younger, have more education, living with their spouses and had better cognitive function at baseline assessment than other participants. Predictors for cognitive recovery among elders with mild cognitive impairment were age, depression and cognitive function at baseline assessment.

LIMITATIONS

Participants included only those who visit a community health centre in an urban area of Korea, so the findings may not be applicable to other elders with less mobility or who live in rural areas.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

With the understanding that cognitive function and depression predict the recovery of mild cognitive function, nurses might be able to identify and target those older adults who are likely to achieve recovery of cognitive function. Additionally, health policy options, as suggested by the study as having the potential to improve mild cognitive impairment recovery, could include public education strategies.