Research Underway
The correlates of poor memory, mental health and wellbeing in ageing: are they different in the old-old (aged > 80 years)?
Investigators:
Dr Tracy Anderson, Professor Gavin Andrews (PI), Professor Henry Brodaty and Professor Perminder Sachdev
Project aim(s):
The purpose of the project is to delineate relevant age-dependent differences in correlates of memory, mental health and quality of life/wellbeing between those who are young-old (65-79 years) and old-old (80+ years). The investigations will be hypothesis driven and will reflect what is known about risk factors for healthy ageing but that have not yet been fully or systematically considered in detail across the older age bands. Key findings will be used to inform a focused sub-study using the 45 and Up dataset at a later date.
Project status:
Application approved May 2007
Project commenced
Progress to date:
A literature review on the factors that are likely to impact on memory, psychological distress and perceptions of quality of life in older adults has been completed and drafted into a research report. Using this information relevant variables have been selected from the 45 and Up Study baseline questionnaire data that are likely risk factors for poor memory, heightened psychological distress and lower perceptions of quality of life. Early analyses suggest many complex factors influence the key areas of interest to the project, with some more influential than others. Amongst participants in the Study psychological distress worsens with age, however, this pattern appears to be largely accounted for by increased levels of ongoing physical burden/disease experienced by the old-old group. Further analyses are continuing with plans to finalise the full research report by June 2008 and soon after targeted articles for peer review publication. The project team also plans to seek additional funding to support further research in this area.
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