Demographic and Lifestyle Factors and Memory in European Older People

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate associations between demographic and lifestyle factors and memory performance in European people aged ≥60 years. Methods: Data from 23,641 people with a mean age of 70.2 (95 % CI 70.1–70.3) were analyzed and drawn from the fourth wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Generalized linear models were carried out to estimate the associations for both men and women. Memory performance was tested using two word-list learning tests with immediate and delayed recall in SHARE. Results: age, severe limitations in physical activities, and any past alcohol problem were all negatively associated with memory performance. Contrarily, education level, higher nonalcoholic fluid intake, and engagement in sports activities more than once a week and in activities requiring a moderate level of energy were all positively associated with memory performance. Smoking showed a significant negative association only in the immediate recall test for both men and women together, whilst long-term illness showed association only in the delayed recall. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with memory performance in women, but in men, it depended on the drinking frequency. Conclusions: Demographic and lifestyle factors are associated with memory performance in the older population.

Human Resources Readiness for Industry 4.0

“…Regarding lifelong learning, the Czech Republic has almost reached the EU average. In general, participation in lifelong learning is much more popular among people with tertiary education [57], as their willingness to learn and at the same time the increasing demands for their jobs are expected [58]. The importance of employer support in this area mentions Gudanowska et al [52] employees should be constantly retrained.…”

Factors Affecting Attitudes towards Older People in Undergraduate Nursing Students

“…The proportion of older people has been increasing worldwide for decades [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Europe in particular is facing major demographic changes characterized by a decrease in birth rates and an aging population [ 4 ].…”

Associations between Hypertension, Treatment, and Cognitive Function in the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing

“…It is noteworthy that age and education are by far the most prominent factors associated with memory decline and impairment during the aging process [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Furthermore, reduced memory performance has been associated with diseases such as diabetes and cancer.…”

“…In addition, studies have shown that lifestyle factors, for example, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity, play important roles. In a recent study of 23,641 European adults aged ≥60 years, severe limitations in physical activities and past alcohol problems were negatively associated with memory performance [ 19 ]. These results were in line with previous research reporting that higher levels of alcohol consumption and increased frequency of smoking are related with loss in cortical grey matter, poorer cognition, and memory impairments [ 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

“…In the current study, we utilized data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) to explore the associations between (a) hypertensive status and cognitive function, (b) categories of antihypertensive medication and cognitive function, and (c) the interactions between hypertensive status and categories of hypertensive medication with cognitive reserve and their effects on cognitive function. Taking into account that previous literature has consistently shown that impacts of aging and lower levels of education on cognitive function, in order to ascertain the effects of different hypertensive status and medications on cognition [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], all initial models were controlled for age and education. Further, multivariate models were carried out with different lifestyle factors as covariates.…”