Ethan Siu Leung Cheung

Globally, the rapid growth of older adult populations in recent decades has been unprecedented. In the United States, the number of individuals aged 65 or older is forecast to increase 42% from 58 ...

This study explores the relationships between ICT uses for various purposes and mental health and the moderating effect of technology learning among Chinese and Korean older Americans. The survey data were collected from 513 Chinese and Korean older Americans in New York City. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the relationships between ICT uses for social, instrumental, and health purposes, and depressive symptoms. Interaction terms between ICT use variables and technology learning styles were created for the moderation test. We found that ICT uses for social contact and health purposes were significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms among the Chinese and Korean older Americans, and the benefits were more pronounced for those who learned ICT independently. This study highlighted the importance of supporting ICT uses for social contact and health purposes and technology learning process to improve mental health of older Asian Americans.

To enhance caregivers’ wellbeing during the post-caregiving transition, we developed a culturally tailored peer mentoring program (PMP) that trains former family caregivers of individuals with dementia to serve as volunteer mentors for current dementia caregivers in the Chinese American community. Using a mixed-method design, we evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effects of the PMP, which included 8 former caregivers and 38 current caregivers in New York City. The program demonstrated strong feasibility, reflected in high retention, fidelity, and positive feedback from former caregivers. Although quantitative data did not show significant improvements in former caregivers’ mental health, qualitative data indicated an enhanced sense of purpose, personal growth, and social connections. These results underscore the need to refine the intervention manual and examine its effectiveness in a larger-scale study.

This study examines the spatial polarization of income and racial-ethnic groups as predictors of prevalent and incident cardiometabolic disease and tests the extent to which local environmental features act as mediators. Spatial income and racial polarization are defined using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes. Using two waves of data from the Midlife in the United States study, generalized Poisson regression model results indicate that county- and tract-level income polarization are independently associated with prevalence and incidence of cardiometabolic disease. Results from path models showed that more income-privileged counties and tracts generally had greater parkland availability, lower social risks, less air pollution, fewer extreme heat days, and more tree canopy cover—but lower walkability. However, associations between income polarization and cardiometabolic disease are not substantively attenuated when accounting for these tract-level features. The findings show how income polarization locally and regionally patterns both environmental inequities and cardiometabolic disease.

Background: PM2.5 pollution is expected to worsen in many places due to climate change, as a result of hotter temperatures, less precipitation, and increases in wind speed. PM2.5 exposure has adverse effects on humans that may accelerate the aging process. Less is known about whether physical and mental health conditions mediate the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and aging-related cognitive and functional limitations. Methods: Longitudinal data from the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS 2: 2004–05; MIDUS 3: 2013–14) were used, with a sample of approximately 5 000 individuals aged 32–84. Based on individuals’ residential addresses at each wave, we identified census tract-level PM2.5 exposure as defined by 5-year annual averages. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation by chained equations. We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between PM2.5 exposure and aging-related limitations (ie, executive functioning and functional limitations), and tested cardiometabolic disease and depressive symptoms as mediators. Results: Higher PM2.5 exposure was associated with lower executive functioning cross-sectionally and longitudinally, but not with functional limitations. The cross-sectional association between PM2.5 and executive functioning was partially mediated by cardiometabolic disease, accounting for 8.1% of the estimate. Depressive symptoms were not a significant mediator. Conclusions: Findings suggest the importance of considering the indirect ways in which climate change may affect health of middle-aged and older adults.

Approximately six million Americans aged 65 and older experience various stages of dementia. Supporting family caregivers of these individuals has become a crucial mission for social workers specializing in aging. Despite the growing need, few studies document the implementation of multidimensional assessments to identify caregivers’ unique needs and challenges. This paper, guided by a case-based approach, offers comprehensive guidelines, standardized assessment tools, and a real-life case study for biopsychosocial assessments with dementia family caregivers. Social workers in gerontology require specialized training in these comprehensive assessments and intervention strategies. The National Association of Social Work emphasizes the importance of these skills in social work education, highlighting the need for students to acquire them for effective interventions. Multidimensional assessments are essential due to the increasingly demanding caregiving needs as dementia progresses. Both persons with dementia and their caregivers require ongoing emotional, educational, and service support. This review introduces tools to evaluate the biopsychosocial status of a spousal caregiver and her partner with dementia, including intervention recommendations for the caregiver. The importance and limitations of standardized measurements are discussed, emphasizing their value for novice social workers in guiding interviews, tracking progress, and assessing changing needs to develop timely interventions.

This study examined the associations between residential environment and self-rated mental health (SRMH) among Canadians aged 65 or older (n = 16,304) and whether education and gender moderated the associations. Data came from the 2018 Canadian Housing Survey. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to test the associations. Analyses revealed that increased dwelling size was associated with better SRMH among older women with high school education. Older adults with higher satisfaction with their dwelling design were more likely to report better SRMH, except for women with some college education. Feeling safer in the community was uniquely associated with better SRMH for men with high school education and women with a university degree. Results confirmed significant associations between specific home and residential environment features and SRMH for each gender-by-education group. Environmental programs designed to improve SRMH for older adult populations should consider within- and between-group diversity.

Gentrification is a prevalent neighborhood development process in urban areas across the United States. Prior studies have identified the influence of gentrification on late-life health and quality of life, yet little is known about its relationship with food insecurity, an important public health issue for older adult populations. Using New York City as a case study, this study investigated associations between living in a gentrifying neighborhood and food insecurity, as well as the mediating roles of neighborhood environment factors—social cohesion, public transportation, and food environment. This study adopted two waves of annual data from the Poverty Tracker Study (2015–16; N = 703) merged with American Community Survey and spatial datasets to measure gentrification and neighborhood factors. Adjusted logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between gentrification and food insecurity. Further mediation analyses were conducted to test the mechanisms of such associations. Older adults in gentrifying neighborhoods were more likely to have food insecurity than those in moderate- to high-income neighborhoods. Compared to low-income neighborhoods, older adults in gentrifying neighborhoods had a lower likelihood of reporting food insecurity. Two significant mediators were found when comparing gentrification with moderate- to high-income neighborhoods: social cohesion and healthy food outlets. This study highlights the importance of gentrification in determining late-life food insecurity and identified possible mechanisms with policy and social service implications to reduce the risk of food insecurity in urban areas.