Environmental Factors Affecting Cognitive Function Among Community-dwelling Older Adults

Autor: A Motohiro, T Abe, K Okuyama, S Kumakura
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: European Journal of Public Health. 31
ISSN: 1464-360X
1101-1262
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.213
Popis: Background Although neighborhood environmental factors have been found to be associated with cognitive decline, few longitudinal studies have focused on their effect among older adults living in rural areas. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the effect of neighborhood environmental factors on cognitive decline among rural older adults. Methods The data of 503 older adults aged > 60 years who were living in Unnan City in Japan and had participated in two surveys conducted between 2014 and 2018 were analyzed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cognitive Assessment for Dementia, iPad version 2. Elevation, hilliness, residential density, and proximity to a community center were measured using geographic information system. Logistic regression examined the effect of each neighborhood environmental factor (in quartiles: Q1-Q4) on cognitive decline. Results A total of 57 (11.3%) participants demonstrated a decrease in cognitive function at follow up. Elevation (Odds ratio (OR): 3.37, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.11-10.20 for Q3 vs. Q1; OR: 5.43, 95% CI: 1.89-15.56 for Q4 vs. Q1) and hilliness (OR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.46-8.11 for Q4 vs. Q1) were associated with a higher likelihood of cognitive decline. Residential density and distance to a community center were not associated with cognitive decline. Conclusions Elevated and hilly environments may increase risk of cognitive decline among rural older adults. Key messages Residents in mountainous regions tend to have limited accessibility to various living centers. Those who live in elevated and hilly areas within the mountainous regions may have further limited accessibility and availability of locations where they can interact with others.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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