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Attitudes about aging well among a diverse group of older Americans: implications for promoting cognitive health.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Laditka, SB; Corwin, SJ; Laditka, JN; Liu, R; Tseng, W; Wu, B; Beard, RL; Sharkey, JR; Ivey, SL
Published in: The Gerontologist
June 2009

To examine perceptions about aging well in the context of cognitive health among a large and diverse group of older adults.Forty-two focus groups were conducted with older adults living in the community (N = 396; White, African American, American Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hispanic). Participant descriptions of "someone who you think is aging well" were analyzed. Constant comparison methods examined themes by race/ethnicity.There were notable race/ethnicity differences in perceptions of aging well. Compared with other racial/ethnic groups Chinese participants were more likely to emphasize relationships between mental outlook and physical abilities, Vietnamese participants were less likely to emphasize independent living. American Indians did not relate aging well to diet or physical activity. Important themes that emerged about aging well for all racial/ethnic groups were as follows: living to advanced age, having good physical health, having a positive mental outlook, being cognitively alert, having a good memory, and being socially involved.To promote cognitive health among diverse populations, communication strategies should focus on shared perceptions of aging well, such as living to an advanced age with intact cognitive function, having a positive attitude, and being mobile. Health promotions may also create a range of culturally sensitive messages, targeted to views that are more salient among some racial/ethnic groups.

Duke Scholars

Published In

The Gerontologist

DOI

EISSN

1758-5341

ISSN

0016-9013

Publication Date

June 2009

Volume

49 Suppl 1

Start / End Page

S30 / S39

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Qualitative Research
  • Perception
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Life Style
  • Humans
  • Health Promotion
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Laditka, S. B., Corwin, S. J., Laditka, J. N., Liu, R., Tseng, W., Wu, B., … Ivey, S. L. (2009). Attitudes about aging well among a diverse group of older Americans: implications for promoting cognitive health. The Gerontologist, 49 Suppl 1, S30–S39. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp084
Laditka, Sarah B., Sara J. Corwin, James N. Laditka, Rui Liu, Winston Tseng, Bei Wu, Renée L. Beard, Joseph R. Sharkey, and Susan L. Ivey. “Attitudes about aging well among a diverse group of older Americans: implications for promoting cognitive health.The Gerontologist 49 Suppl 1 (June 2009): S30–39. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp084.
Laditka SB, Corwin SJ, Laditka JN, Liu R, Tseng W, Wu B, et al. Attitudes about aging well among a diverse group of older Americans: implications for promoting cognitive health. The Gerontologist. 2009 Jun;49 Suppl 1:S30–9.
Laditka, Sarah B., et al. “Attitudes about aging well among a diverse group of older Americans: implications for promoting cognitive health.The Gerontologist, vol. 49 Suppl 1, June 2009, pp. S30–39. Epmc, doi:10.1093/geront/gnp084.
Laditka SB, Corwin SJ, Laditka JN, Liu R, Tseng W, Wu B, Beard RL, Sharkey JR, Ivey SL. Attitudes about aging well among a diverse group of older Americans: implications for promoting cognitive health. The Gerontologist. 2009 Jun;49 Suppl 1:S30–S39.
Journal cover image

Published In

The Gerontologist

DOI

EISSN

1758-5341

ISSN

0016-9013

Publication Date

June 2009

Volume

49 Suppl 1

Start / End Page

S30 / S39

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Qualitative Research
  • Perception
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Life Style
  • Humans
  • Health Promotion