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Memory deficit associated with worse functional trajectories in older adults in low-vision rehabilitation for macular disease.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Whitson, HE; Whitaker, D; Sanders, LL; Potter, GG; Cousins, SW; Ansah, D; McConnell, E; Pieper, CF; Landerman, L; Steffens, DC; Cohen, HJ
Published in: J Am Geriatr Soc
November 2012

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether performance on a brief memory test is related to functional outcomes in older individuals undergoing low-vision rehabilitation (LVR) for macular disease. DESIGN: Observational cohort study of individuals receiving outpatient LVR. SETTING: Academic center. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-one individuals (average age 80.1) with macular disease. MEASUREMENTS: Memory was assessed at baseline using a 10-word list; memory deficit was defined as immediate recall of two or fewer words. Vision-related function was measured using the 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) administered at baseline and during subsequent interviews (mean follow-up, 115 days). Linear mixed models were constructed to compare average trajectories of four VFQ-25 subscales: near activities, distance activities, dependency, and role difficulty. RESULTS: The 29.7% of participants with memory deficits tended to decline in ability to accomplish activities that involved near vision. Controlling for age, sex, and education, the functional trajectory of participants with memory deficit differed significantly from that of those with better memory (P = .002), who tended to report improvements in ability to accomplish near activities. CONCLUSION: Of older adults receiving LVR for macular disease, those with memory deficits experienced worse functional trajectories in their ability to perform specific visually mediated tasks. A brief memory screen may help explain variability in rehabilitation outcomes and identify individuals who might require special accommodations.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Am Geriatr Soc

DOI

EISSN

1532-5415

Publication Date

November 2012

Volume

60

Issue

11

Start / End Page

2087 / 2092

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vision, Low
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Memory Disorders
  • Male
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Humans
  • Geriatrics
  • Female
  • Cohort Studies
  • Aged, 80 and over
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Whitson, H. E., Whitaker, D., Sanders, L. L., Potter, G. G., Cousins, S. W., Ansah, D., … Cohen, H. J. (2012). Memory deficit associated with worse functional trajectories in older adults in low-vision rehabilitation for macular disease. J Am Geriatr Soc, 60(11), 2087–2092. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04194.x
Whitson, Heather E., Diane Whitaker, Linda L. Sanders, Guy G. Potter, Scott W. Cousins, Deidra Ansah, Eleanor McConnell, et al. “Memory deficit associated with worse functional trajectories in older adults in low-vision rehabilitation for macular disease.J Am Geriatr Soc 60, no. 11 (November 2012): 2087–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04194.x.
Whitson HE, Whitaker D, Sanders LL, Potter GG, Cousins SW, Ansah D, et al. Memory deficit associated with worse functional trajectories in older adults in low-vision rehabilitation for macular disease. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 Nov;60(11):2087–92.
Whitson, Heather E., et al. “Memory deficit associated with worse functional trajectories in older adults in low-vision rehabilitation for macular disease.J Am Geriatr Soc, vol. 60, no. 11, Nov. 2012, pp. 2087–92. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04194.x.
Whitson HE, Whitaker D, Sanders LL, Potter GG, Cousins SW, Ansah D, McConnell E, Pieper CF, Landerman L, Steffens DC, Cohen HJ. Memory deficit associated with worse functional trajectories in older adults in low-vision rehabilitation for macular disease. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 Nov;60(11):2087–2092.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Am Geriatr Soc

DOI

EISSN

1532-5415

Publication Date

November 2012

Volume

60

Issue

11

Start / End Page

2087 / 2092

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vision, Low
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Memory Disorders
  • Male
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Humans
  • Geriatrics
  • Female
  • Cohort Studies
  • Aged, 80 and over