Predictors of Variation in the Cognitive Function Trajectories among Older Adults Living Alone: A Growth Mixture Modeling Approach

Background: Considering the global aging population, this study investigates changes in cognitive function and predictive factors among older adults living alone. Methods: Using data collected from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), the study examines 1217 participants to identify disti...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Soyoung Park, Seoyoon Lee, Kyu-Hyoung Jeong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Healthcare
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/20/2750
_version_ 1797573704225390592
author Soyoung Park
Seoyoon Lee
Kyu-Hyoung Jeong
author_facet Soyoung Park
Seoyoon Lee
Kyu-Hyoung Jeong
author_sort Soyoung Park
collection DOAJ
description Background: Considering the global aging population, this study investigates changes in cognitive function and predictive factors among older adults living alone. Methods: Using data collected from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), the study examines 1217 participants to identify distinct cognitive change patterns and the variables affecting them. Results: Two primary cognitive function change types emerged: “High-Level Declining Type” and “Low-Level Stable Type.” Although the former initially displayed normal cognitive function, it gradually declined over a period of 14 years until it reached mild cognitive impairment (MCI) levels by the year 2020. While the latter group had lower cognitive function from the beginning and remained stable throughout the study. Older age, female gender, rural residence, lower education, lower income, unemployment, and higher levels of depression were linked to a higher likelihood of belonging to the “Low-Level Stable Type”. Conclusions: The findings of these studies emphasize the need for proactive interventions and regular cognitive assessments for older individuals living alone, as cognitive impairment can develop even in individuals whose cognitive abilities are initially good. Also, tailored interventions should target specific demographic and socioeconomic groups to mitigate cognitive decline effectively.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T21:13:48Z
format Article
id doaj.art-77e90c14f69b4fa2a45177ec52439aa0
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2227-9032
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T21:13:48Z
publishDate 2023-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Healthcare
spelling doaj.art-77e90c14f69b4fa2a45177ec52439aa02023-11-19T16:37:36ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322023-10-011120275010.3390/healthcare11202750Predictors of Variation in the Cognitive Function Trajectories among Older Adults Living Alone: A Growth Mixture Modeling ApproachSoyoung Park0Seoyoon Lee1Kyu-Hyoung Jeong2Department of Social Welfare, Semyung University, 65 Semyung-ro, Jecheon 27136, Republic of KoreaInterdisciplinary Graduate Program in Social Welfare Policy, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul 03722, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Social Welfare, Semyung University, 65 Semyung-ro, Jecheon 27136, Republic of KoreaBackground: Considering the global aging population, this study investigates changes in cognitive function and predictive factors among older adults living alone. Methods: Using data collected from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), the study examines 1217 participants to identify distinct cognitive change patterns and the variables affecting them. Results: Two primary cognitive function change types emerged: “High-Level Declining Type” and “Low-Level Stable Type.” Although the former initially displayed normal cognitive function, it gradually declined over a period of 14 years until it reached mild cognitive impairment (MCI) levels by the year 2020. While the latter group had lower cognitive function from the beginning and remained stable throughout the study. Older age, female gender, rural residence, lower education, lower income, unemployment, and higher levels of depression were linked to a higher likelihood of belonging to the “Low-Level Stable Type”. Conclusions: The findings of these studies emphasize the need for proactive interventions and regular cognitive assessments for older individuals living alone, as cognitive impairment can develop even in individuals whose cognitive abilities are initially good. Also, tailored interventions should target specific demographic and socioeconomic groups to mitigate cognitive decline effectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/20/2750cognitive functiondepressionolder adultsKorea
spellingShingle Soyoung Park
Seoyoon Lee
Kyu-Hyoung Jeong
Predictors of Variation in the Cognitive Function Trajectories among Older Adults Living Alone: A Growth Mixture Modeling Approach
Healthcare
cognitive function
depression
older adults
Korea
title Predictors of Variation in the Cognitive Function Trajectories among Older Adults Living Alone: A Growth Mixture Modeling Approach
title_full Predictors of Variation in the Cognitive Function Trajectories among Older Adults Living Alone: A Growth Mixture Modeling Approach
title_fullStr Predictors of Variation in the Cognitive Function Trajectories among Older Adults Living Alone: A Growth Mixture Modeling Approach
title_full_unstemmed Predictors of Variation in the Cognitive Function Trajectories among Older Adults Living Alone: A Growth Mixture Modeling Approach
title_short Predictors of Variation in the Cognitive Function Trajectories among Older Adults Living Alone: A Growth Mixture Modeling Approach
title_sort predictors of variation in the cognitive function trajectories among older adults living alone a growth mixture modeling approach
topic cognitive function
depression
older adults
Korea
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/20/2750
work_keys_str_mv AT soyoungpark predictorsofvariationinthecognitivefunctiontrajectoriesamongolderadultslivingaloneagrowthmixturemodelingapproach
AT seoyoonlee predictorsofvariationinthecognitivefunctiontrajectoriesamongolderadultslivingaloneagrowthmixturemodelingapproach
AT kyuhyoungjeong predictorsofvariationinthecognitivefunctiontrajectoriesamongolderadultslivingaloneagrowthmixturemodelingapproach