Journal Of Gerontology[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Influence of task-specific processing speed on age differences in memory.
Salthouse TA, Coon VE
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366270 · Publisher ↗
Two studies were conducted to investigate the aspect(s) of processing involved in the hypothesized speed mediation of adult age differences in memory. Both studies involved a serial memory task in which information was t...
Two studies were conducted to investigate the aspect(s) of processing involved in the hypothesized speed mediation of adult age differences in memory. Both studies involved a serial memory task in which information was to be recalled either in the original order of presentation, or in a reordered sequence. Results from both studies indicated that task-specific processing durations were slower among older adults than among young adults, but that the attenuation of the age-related variance in memory was nearly as great after statistical control of a task-independent speed measure as after control of task-specific speed measures. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a substantial proportion of the adult age-related differences in memory is associated with a decrease with increased age in the speed of executing many cognitive processes, and not simply the speed of one or two specific processes.
Young and old adults' ability to use different standards to evaluate understanding.
Zabrucky K, Moore D, Schultz NR
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366269 · Publisher ↗
In Experiment 1 we examined young (mean age = 22.88 years) and old (mean age = 70.79 years) adults' ability to evaluate their understanding of texts. We examined ability to detect nonsense words (a lexical standard), vio...
In Experiment 1 we examined young (mean age = 22.88 years) and old (mean age = 70.79 years) adults' ability to evaluate their understanding of texts. We examined ability to detect nonsense words (a lexical standard), violations of prior knowledge (an external consistency standard), and inconsistent sentences (an internal consistency standard) that were nonadjacent in texts. Adults with more education detected more problems than less educated adults, and older adults were less able than young to use an internal consistency standard. No age differences were found for lexical and external consistency standards. In Experiment 2, older adults' (mean age = 71.02 years) ability to use an internal consistency standard of evaluation was affected by the amount of material intervening between inconsistent sentences, with hindered performance for nonadjacent inconsistencies. This was not true for younger adults (mean age = 22.59 years). Results are discussed in terms of older adults' possible retrieval difficulty and failure to regulate comprehension.
Long-term maintenance of gains from memory training in older adults: two 3 1/2-year follow-up studies.
Neely AS, Bäckman L
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366268 · Publisher ↗
This study investigated long-term effects from memory training in healthy older adults, using samples from two previous studies showing maintenance of gains 6 months after training. In both studies, a multifactorial memo...
This study investigated long-term effects from memory training in healthy older adults, using samples from two previous studies showing maintenance of gains 6 months after training. In both studies, a multifactorial memory training program (encoding operations, attentional functions, and relaxation) was compared with other training programs. The results from both studies showed that all groups performed at the same level in the 3 1/2-year follow-up as in the 6-month follow-up. Most important, the groups receiving training in encoding operations performed at higher levels at the 3 1/2-year assessment compared with pretest. These data indicate that memory training may result in long-term effects for older adults in tasks that are congruent with the training activity.
Aging, inhibition, and verbosity.
Arbuckle TY, Gold DP
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366267 · Publisher ↗
The hypothesis that off-target verbosity, defined as extended speech that is lacking in focus or coherence, is mediated by an age-related decline in the ability to inhibit task-irrelevant thoughts, was evaluated in a sam...
The hypothesis that off-target verbosity, defined as extended speech that is lacking in focus or coherence, is mediated by an age-related decline in the ability to inhibit task-irrelevant thoughts, was evaluated in a sample of 205 community-dwelling elderly volunteers aged 61-90. Results showed that performance on four tasks that measured the ability to suppress or remove irrelevant information stored in working memory accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in verbosity, whereas performance on other cognitive measures was unrelated to it. Shared effects between the measures of the ability to inhibit task-irrelevant information and age suggested that age declines in this particular ability may underlie previously observed age-related increases in verbosity. In contrast, the contribution of psychosocial factors to explained variance in verbosity scores was relatively independent of that of inhibition-related measures and age. The results were discussed as suggesting a possible frontal lobe involvement in off-target speech.
Claudication pain and hemodynamic responses to exercise in younger and older peripheral arterial disease patients.
Gardner AW
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366266 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Claudication patients who are candidates for exercise can frequently walk to maximal pain without experiencing exaggerated blood pressure and heart rate, as well as other clinical symptoms. However, these con...
BACKGROUND: Claudication patients who are candidates for exercise can frequently walk to maximal pain without experiencing exaggerated blood pressure and heart rate, as well as other clinical symptoms. However, these concomitant problems are more likely to become apparent as patients age. Consequently, this study compared the claudication and hemodynamic responses to exercise in younger and older peripheral arterial disease patients. METHODS: Forty younger (mean age 60.4 yr, range 55-62) and 51 older (mean age 75.5 yr, range 73-81) patients with stable claudication symptoms performed a progressive treadmill walking test to maximal leg pain. The times to onset and to maximal claudication pain, peripheral hemodynamic measurements (oximetry, ankle systolic pressure, and ankle-to-brachial systolic pressure index), and central hemodynamic measurements (heart rate and brachial blood pressures) were obtained. RESULTS: Onset and maximal claudication pain occurred 71 sec and 126 sec sooner (p < .05) in the older group, respectively. Greater reductions (p < .05) in foot transcutaneous oxygen tension, ankle systolic pressure, and ankle-to-brachial systolic pressure index were obtained during and following exercise in the older group. Furthermore, smaller increases (p < .05) in heart rate, brachial blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, and rate-pressure product were noted during exercise in the older group. CONCLUSIONS: Greater impairment in the peripheral hemodynamic measurements occurs without exaggerated heart rate and blood pressure responses in older claudication patients who walk to maximal leg pain compared with younger patients.
Dynamic stability in the elderly: identifying a possible measure.
Yack HJ, Berger RC
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366265 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research was to assess the ability of trunk acceleration measures to discriminate between the walking patterns of elderly individuals with and without stability problems. METHODS: Twenty v...
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research was to assess the ability of trunk acceleration measures to discriminate between the walking patterns of elderly individuals with and without stability problems. METHODS: Twenty volunteers, aged 65 and over, and 19 younger volunteers, all of whom were free of abnormalities or problems that could affect their gait, were recruited for this study. A triaxial accelerometry system was mounted directly over the spine of the upper trunk. Forty seconds of walking data were collected. Using a heel contact switch to define the beginning of the gait cycle, harmonic analyses of each of the 3 acceleration measures were performed on 10 strides. The ratio of summed amplitudes of the even and odd harmonics (index of smoothness) was calculated for each stride and averaged across 10 strides. One-way analyses of variance were used to compare harmonic ratios between groups. Relationships between variables were tested using a correlation analysis. RESULTS: The scores of individuals with stability problems were shown to be significantly different from the younger controls and the older individuals without stability problems for the anterior/posterior and vertical harmonic ratio and peak acceleration measures. CONCLUSION: The results from this research demonstrate that trunk acceleration measures offer the possibility of being able to identify unstable elderly individuals.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of stimulated parotid salivary constituents in healthy, different-aged subjects.
Wu AJ, Atkinson JC, Fox PC … +2 more , Baum BJ, Ship JA
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366264 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Salivary gland dysfunction has traditionally been associated with old age, and complaints of xerostomia are common in an elderly population. Measurement of certain salivary constituents can provide informatio...
BACKGROUND: Salivary gland dysfunction has traditionally been associated with old age, and complaints of xerostomia are common in an elderly population. Measurement of certain salivary constituents can provide information about the functional ability of discrete areas of the salivary gland. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study to examine levels of salivary constituents in stimulated parotid saliva in a population of different-aged persons. METHODS: The levels of five salivary constituents (total protein, lactoferrin, proline-rich proteins, sodium, and potassium) were measured in stimulated parotid saliva of 47 healthy, unmedicated men and women over a 10.5 year period. RESULTS: There were no significant age-related decreases in the presence of total protein, lactoferrin, proline-rich proteins, sodium, and potassium in this exocrine secretion. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm and extend previous cross-sectional studies of salivary constituents, indicating that parotid gland function is maintained in healthy aging individuals.
Cortisol production rate and the urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, free cortisol, and 6 beta-hydroxycortisol in healthy elderly men and women.
Barton RN, Horan MA, Weijers JW … +3 more , Sakkee AN, Roberts NA, van Bezooijen CF
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366263 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Although many workers have tested adrenal function in the elderly, few have studied the effect of aging on cortisol production rate or urinary free cortisol or 6 beta-hydroxycortisol excretion, and none have...
BACKGROUND: Although many workers have tested adrenal function in the elderly, few have studied the effect of aging on cortisol production rate or urinary free cortisol or 6 beta-hydroxycortisol excretion, and none have published comparisons of these variables between old people of defined health status and young people. METHODS: We have measured cortisol production rate and the urinary excretion of free cortisol, 6 beta-hydroxycortisol, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (Porter-Silber chromogens) and creatinine in elderly men and women screened by the SENIEUR protocol and in young men; 17-hydroxycorticosteroid and 6 beta-hydroxycortisol excretion were also measured in young women. The period of measurement was 24 h or, usually, 48 h. RESULTS: Only 6 beta-hydroxycortisol excretion was affected by aging; it was lower in the elderly men and women than in their younger counterparts. Urinary free cortisol excretion was lower in the elderly women than in the elderly men. There were no significant differences between groups in cortisol production rate or 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion. Excretion and (over the first 24 h) clearance of creatinine were lower in the old women than in the old men. The cortisol-related variables tended to be positively correlated with each other and with the relevant creatinine-related variables in the elderly subjects; over the first but not the second 24 h, most of the correlations were significant in the men and women combined. CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of 6 beta-hydroxycortisol, the data agree with measurements of plasma cortisol and the results of adrenal function tests in showing little change in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function with aging in healthy people.
Functional performance measures: are they superior to self-assessments?
Myers AM, Holliday PJ, Harvey KA … +1 more , Hutchinson KS
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366262 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that performance measures of functional status have several advantages over self-report measures for both clinical and research purposes, including: greater patient acceptability, interp...
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that performance measures of functional status have several advantages over self-report measures for both clinical and research purposes, including: greater patient acceptability, interpretability, reproducibility, sensitivity to change, and the focus on actual ability rather than presumed capability. This article challenges this assumed superiority of "objective," "behavioral" measures by directly comparing self-assessments and blindly rated performance assessments on a specific item by task basis, using an identical rating format. METHODS: A set of 14 performance tasks, consisting of a range of functional abilities (including simulations of cooking and sweeping), was administered to 99 community-dwelling older adults (aged 60-92) who had previously completed a 50-item instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) questionnaire. A subsample was retested 2 weeks later, and reassessed at 1 year. RESULTS: Of 182 subjects willing and able to complete the IADL questionnaire, only 99 attempted at least one of the performance tasks. Tasks that took longer to complete were not necessarily associated with a greater number of errors, nor did accuracy ratings correspond well with difficulty ratings. Good correspondence (greater than 80% agreement) between observed and perceived difficulty was found for only one-third of the item/task matchings. Generally, the rater tended to underestimate difficulty relative to subjective assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Relative to questionnaires, performance measures were not found to be psychometrically superior, more acceptable to respondents, easier to administer, or easier to interpret. Neither type of measure by itself distinguishes between motivation and capability, reflects adaptations made in everyday living, or accounts for personal preferences or reasons for difficulty.
Identifying elderly patients for early discharge after hospitalization for hip fracture.
Ensberg MD, Paletta MJ, Galecki AT … +2 more , Dacko CL, Fries BE
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366261 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Some elderly patients can be successfully treated in hospitals with lengths of stay (LOS) shorter than the norms developed by the diagnosis-related groups. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that...
BACKGROUND: Some elderly patients can be successfully treated in hospitals with lengths of stay (LOS) shorter than the norms developed by the diagnosis-related groups. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that elderly patients with short LOS after hip fracture have characteristics that can be identified shortly after hospital admission. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 216 patients over age 55 discharged alive from a university hospital after hip fracture. Demographic, medical, and functional data available within 48 hours of admission were used to develop an algorithm to identify patients eligible for early discharge. A prospective study of an additional 33 patients was undertaken to test this algorithm and to examine the predictive value of additional functional and psychosocial information not routinely recorded in the chart. RESULTS: Retrospective chart review identified 4 predictors of short LOS in multivariate analysis: age less than 75, admission from a nursing home, normality of admission laboratory results, and "no surgery or surgery by day three." These variables explain 25% of the total variation of LOS. In our prospective study the variable "day of surgery" had the greatest variance explanation (30.5%) in multivariate analysis. A model including day of surgery and the presence of dementia explained 42.5% of the variance of LOS. CONCLUSION: Short LOS can be predicted within 48 hours of admission utilizing data that measure severity of illness, functional status, and available support. The development of algorithms to identify patients eligible for early discharge would be beneficial to care managers.
Acute delirium and functional decline in the hospitalized elderly patient.
Murray AM, Levkoff SE, Wetle TT … +6 more , Beckett L, Cleary PD, Schor JD, Lipsitz LA, Rowe JW, Evans DA
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366260 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Delirium is often considered a transient cognitive syndrome. Its effect on long-term physical function, however, has not been well defined. METHODS: In a prospective study of 325 hospitalized community and nu...
BACKGROUND: Delirium is often considered a transient cognitive syndrome. Its effect on long-term physical function, however, has not been well defined. METHODS: In a prospective study of 325 hospitalized community and nursing home elderly, we analyzed the effect of in-hospital delirium on subsequent physical function. ADL performance was assessed prior to admission, and at 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: There was a strong univariate (unadjusted) association between incident delirium and functional decline (p < .02). Delirious subjects lost a mean of almost one ADL, as measured 3 months after hospital discharge. Using multivariate linear regression analysis, with adjusted change in function as the dependent variable, delirium persisted as the sole predictor of loss of function (p = .009) at 3 months after discharge. The functional decline persisted at 6 months after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: This finding of a nontransient, perhaps permanent consequence of delirium invites reexamination of the definition of delirium from that of an acute, reversible syndrome to one of acute onset with long-term sequelae.
Senescent decline in serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in a population of wild baboons.
Sapolsky RM, Vogelman JH, Orentreich N … +1 more , Altmann J
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366259 · Publisher ↗
The physiologic functions of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS), a precursor of androgens and estrogen and the most abundant steroid in the circulation, are unknown. Nevertheless, numerous studies have shown that low co...
The physiologic functions of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS), a precursor of androgens and estrogen and the most abundant steroid in the circulation, are unknown. Nevertheless, numerous studies have shown that low concentrations of DS are correlated with a variety of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in human beings, and administration of DS to experimental animals is associated with protection from similar diseases. Thus, the marked decline in DS concentrations with age in human beings may be of considerable functional significance. However, because of the difficulties in studying any heterogeneous human population, it has been difficult to assess the extent to which the DS decline with age is confounded by any of a number of factors (e.g., smoking, level of activity, genetics, diet, medication and disease). We studied the effects of age on DS concentrations in a well-characterized population of wild yellow baboons living freely in a national park in East Africa. Study of these animals circumvents many of the confounds just noted. In examining animals ranging in age from juvenile status to old age, we observed a robust decline in DS concentrations with age. The magnitude of the decline is approximately equal in both sexes. In addition, the decline is similar in comparing two baboon groups which have fully natural diets with one group which forages heavily on garbage from people.
Beneficial effects of the oral administration of vanadyl sulphate on glucose metabolism in senescent rats.
De Tata V, Novelli M, Cavallini G … +3 more , Masiello P, Gori Z, Bergamini E
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366258 · Publisher ↗
We investigated the effects of the oral administration of vanadyl sulphate (0.5 mg/ml in the drinking water) on glucose homeostasis of 3-month- and 24-month-old rats. Results show that aging is associated with alteration...
We investigated the effects of the oral administration of vanadyl sulphate (0.5 mg/ml in the drinking water) on glucose homeostasis of 3-month- and 24-month-old rats. Results show that aging is associated with alteration of the oral glucose tolerance test and impairment of the postprandial accumulation of glycogen in skeletal muscles and that the oral administration of vanadyl sulphate rapidly normalizes the inbalance of glucose metabolism in senescent rats. It is suggested that vanadate administration may restore the ability of skeletal muscles of senescent rats to respond to circulating insulin efficiently.
Effects of aging, diet, and sex on plasma glucose, fructosamine, and lipid concentrations in barrier-raised Fischer 344 rats.
Van Liew JB, Davis PJ, Davis FB … +4 more , Bernardis LL, Deziel MR, Marinucci LN, Kumar D
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366257 · Publisher ↗
We studied the relationships of plasma glucose, fructosamine, triglycerides, and cholesterol as a function of age, gender, and diet in barrier-raised Fischer 344 rats aged 5 to 26 months, fed a diet either ad libitum or...
We studied the relationships of plasma glucose, fructosamine, triglycerides, and cholesterol as a function of age, gender, and diet in barrier-raised Fischer 344 rats aged 5 to 26 months, fed a diet either ad libitum or restricted to 60% of the ad libitum caloric intake. The complex relationships of these plasma levels to age, gender, and diet led to the development of a model with age, diet, and sex as covariates. Overall, fasting plasma glucose concentrations were reduced by approximately 25% in rats on the restricted diet, compared to ad libitum-fed animals. There was a significant age-dependent decline in glucose levels in male animals, whereas in females there was an increase in plasma glucose with aging. Plasma fructosamine levels in calorie-restricted animals, overall, were reduced by 7% compared to levels in animals fed ad libitum. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma glucose and fructosamine levels. Mean plasma triglyceride content was decreased by 50% in calorie-restricted rats compared to ad libitum-fed animals. A significant decrease in triglyceride levels with increasing age was seen in male animals, and an increase with aging in females. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma glucose and triglyceride levels. Plasma cholesterol levels in calorie-restricted animals were reduced by 7% compared to levels in ad libitum-fed animals. An increase of cholesterol concentration with aging was significant in both males and females. Analysis of the data showed that there were significant differences between male and female Fischer 344 rats in the response of plasma glucose and fructosamine to aging and calorie restriction. Changes of plasma triglyceride and cholesterol with aging and dietary calorie restriction were also different in males and females. Studies of the effect of aging on glycemia and blood lipid content should take into account the contributions of animal sex.
Aged C57BL/6J mice respond to cold with increased sympathetic nervous activity in interscapular brown adipose tissue.
Kawate R, Talan MI, Engel BT
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366256 · Publisher ↗
Aged, male C57BL/6J mice produce less heat than adults during cold, which may lead to a reduced ability to maintain core temperature, but the underlying mechanisms of the decreased heat production in aged mice are still...
Aged, male C57BL/6J mice produce less heat than adults during cold, which may lead to a reduced ability to maintain core temperature, but the underlying mechanisms of the decreased heat production in aged mice are still unclear. We measured sympathetic nervous activity (SNA) to interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) in aged mice and compared this activity with that of adults. Mice were anesthetized by urethane and isoflurane, and SNA was recorded from one of the fine nerves to IBAT. The animal's body caudal to the pelvic area was covered with a plastic bag containing iced-water to decrease colonic temperature 7 degrees C below control over 20 minutes. SNA to IBAT (IBAT-SNA) increased during cold in both groups, but aged mice had higher IBAT-SNA before and during cold. These findings indicate that neither the ability of aged mice to detect cold nor their ability to generate sympathetic outflow to BAT is deficient.
Clonal attenuation: causes and consequences.
Martin GM
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8366255 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Physical Frailty. Proceedings of a symposium. Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 18, 1989.
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8104971
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
High affinity platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density is decreased in older humans.
Supiano MA, Hogikyan RV
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 8103534 · Publisher ↗
We have previously found that elderly humans have increased plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels and reduced alpha 2-adrenergic receptor-mediated inhibition of platelet membrane adenylyl cyclase activity. One possible mecha...
We have previously found that elderly humans have increased plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels and reduced alpha 2-adrenergic receptor-mediated inhibition of platelet membrane adenylyl cyclase activity. One possible mechanism for the latter finding is a decrease of high affinity platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density in the elderly. To test this possibility, we used the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist radioligand [3H]bromoxidine to define platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor high affinity binding sites in 31 young (age 19-31 yr) and 25 older (age 61-75 yr) normal human subjects. Plasma NE levels were higher (1.65 +/- 0.44 vs 1.12 +/- 0.37 nM; p = .0001) and epinephrine (EPI)-mediated adenylyl cyclase inhibition was lower in the older group (40 +/- 2 vs 50 +/- 2% inhibition at 10(-4) M EPI; p = .04). Although total platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density was similar ([3H]yohimbine Bmax: Young: 140 +/- 10 vs Old: 135 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein; p = .71), receptor density for [3H]bromoxidine was significantly lower in the older group (30 +/- 3 vs 42 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein; p = .02). We conclude that there is an age-associated decrease in high affinity platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density in humans which may contribute to the age-associated reduction in receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.
Hematopoietic progenitors and aging: alterations in granulocytic precursors and responsiveness to recombinant human G-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL-3.
Chatta GS, Andrews RG, Rodger E … +3 more , Schrag M, Hammond WP, Dale DC
J Gerontol · 1993 Sep · PMID 7690056 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Changes either in the number or in the responsiveness of hematopoietic progenitors may be a major factor accounting for age-related changes in stimulus driven hematopoiesis. METHODS: To test these hypotheses,...
BACKGROUND: Changes either in the number or in the responsiveness of hematopoietic progenitors may be a major factor accounting for age-related changes in stimulus driven hematopoiesis. METHODS: To test these hypotheses, we compared the relative proportions and the responsiveness of CD34+ bone marrow cells from healthy young (20-30 yrs) and healthy elderly (70-80 yrs) volunteers to G-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL-3 in an in vitro marrow culture system. RESULTS: There was no age-related difference either in the proportion of CD34+ marrow cells or in the proportion of a more mature CD34+ subset, defined as CD34+, CD33+ cells. Maximal colony formation by CD34+ cells stimulated with a combination of G-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL-3 was similar in the two groups, but the dose-response studies with individual growth factors revealed a 2-fold decrease in sensitivity of the elderly subjects' cells to G-CSF (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Aging has little impact on the marrow content of early precursors of the neutrophil lineage. There is, however, a significant difference in the in vitro proliferative response of these cells to the lineage specific growth factor G-CSF. This alteration may account for the greater propensity in elderly populations for the development of neutropenia with severe infections and chemotherapy.
Medical conditions associated with driving cessation in community-dwelling, ambulatory elders.
Campbell MK, Bush TL, Hale WE
J Gerontol · 1993 Jul · PMID 8315247 · Publisher ↗
The decision to stop driving leads to severe contraction of independence, and most localities do not curtail driving privileges in impaired elders. In a population of community-based, ambulatory individuals 70-96 years o...
The decision to stop driving leads to severe contraction of independence, and most localities do not curtail driving privileges in impaired elders. In a population of community-based, ambulatory individuals 70-96 years old, annual medical screening showed that 276 of 1,656 (16.7 +/- 1.8%) who reported driving regularly in the past do not currently drive. The cessation of driving behavior was examined in terms of specific medical conditions occurring within the past 5 years. Retired drivers were disproportionately female, and driving cessation risk rose with age. Age-sex-adjusted logistic regression found that six conditions explained about 50 percent of the decisions to stop driving: macular degeneration; retinal hemorrhage; any deficit in Activities of Daily Living; Parkinson's disease; stroke-related residual paralysis or weakness; and syncope. Strikingly, only 1.8 percent of those who stopped driving had ever had a license revoked; 58.7 percent reported voluntarily stopping; 31.9 percent gave health or medical reasons. Clearly, the decision to cede driving privileges is complex and not dependent solely on medical problems.
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