Difficulty and help with activities of daily living among older adults living alone with cognitive impairment
Ryan Edwards, Willa D. Brenowitz, Elena Portacolone, Ken Covinsky, Andrew B. Bindman, M. Maria Glymour, Jacqueline M. Torres
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There is limited research on difficulties with activities of daily living (I/ADLs) among older adults living alone with cognitive impairment, including differences by race/ethnicity. METHODS: For U.S. Health and Retirement Study (2000-2014) participants aged 55+ living alone with cognitive impairment (4,666 individuals; 9,091 observations), we evaluated I/ADL difficulty and help. RESULTS: Among 4.3 million adults aged 55+ living alone with cognitive impairment, an estimated 46% reported an I/ADL difficulty; 72% reported not receiving help with an I/ADL. Women reported more difficulty than men. Compared to white women, black women were 22% more likely to report a difficulty without help, and Latina women were 36% more likely to report a difficulty with help. Among men, racial/ethnic differences in outcomes were not significant. Patterns of difficulty without help by race/ethnicity were similar among Medicaid beneficiaries. DISCUSSION: Findings call for targeted efforts to support older adults living alone with cognitive impairment.