Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Older Adults: Differences between Baby Boomers and Pre-Boomers

Abstract

Objectives Compares use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) across age cohorts. Design Secondary analysis of data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys. Participants Adults born in 1964 or earlier (n=11,371). Over half (61.3%) are baby boomers and fifty-three percent are female. Seventy-five percent of the sample is white, 10.2% African American, .6% black Caribbean, 9.35 Latino, and 4.1% Asian. Measurements The dependent variable is a dichotomous variable indicating use of any CAM, The main predictor of interest is age cohort categorized as pre-boomers (those born in 1945 or earlier) and baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964). Covariates include the use of traditional service providers in the past 12 months and 12-month mood, anxiety, and substance disorder. Disorders were assessed with the Diagnostic and Statistical manual World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI). Logistic regression was used to test the association between use of CAM and age cohort. Results Baby boomers were more likely than pre-boomers to report using CAM for a mental disorder. Among identified CAM users, a higher proportion of baby boomers reported using most individual CAM modalities. Prayer and spiritual practices was the only CAM used by more pre-boomers. Conclusions Age cohort plays a significant role in shaping individual health care behaviors and service use and may influence future trends in the use of CAM for behavioral health. Health care providers need to be aware of patient use of CAM and communicate with them about the pros and cons of alternative therapies.

Emerging Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Geriatric Mental Health

“…However, a recent study comparing the Baby Boomers cohort (1946)(1947)(1948)(1949)(1950)(1951)(1952)(1953)(1954)(1955)(1956)(1957)(1958)(1959)(1960)(1961)(1962)(1963)(1964) to the pre-boomer cohort (those born prior to 1946) demonstrated that a higher proportion of Baby Boomers used CIM (27.7%) than pre-boomers (16.4%). [6] Aging is associated with chronic mental, cognitive, and physical conditions. The use of CIM offers less invasive, more cost-effective, culturally acceptable, and scalable therapies [7].…”

“…In a joint survey conducted by the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and the NCCIH, the use of CIM was reported to be have increased rapidly, exceeding a prevalence of 53% among those aged 50 years and above [ 5 ]. Previously, studies had shown that older adults were more likely to use prayer for health and spiritual practices than younger adults, and were less likely to use other forms of CIM [ 6 ]. However, a recent study comparing the Baby Boomers cohort (1946–1964) to the pre-boomer cohort (those born prior to 1946) demonstrated that a higher proportion of Baby Boomers used CIM (27.7%) than pre-boomers (16.4%).…”

“…However, a recent study comparing the Baby Boomers cohort (1946–1964) to the pre-boomer cohort (those born prior to 1946) demonstrated that a higher proportion of Baby Boomers used CIM (27.7%) than pre-boomers (16.4%). [ 6 ]…”

Gundelia Tournefortii Extracts Inhibit Progressions of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice Model Through Decrease in p53/Akt/PI3K Signaling Pathway

“…Herbal supplements and functional food products have gained increased interest recently due to their nutritional and health bene ts. [1][2][3]. Gundelia (G.) tournefortii is commonly known as Tumble thistle or tumbleweed, and a'kub in Arabic.…”

“I Could Feel It!”: A Qualitative Study on How Users of Complementary Medicine Experience and Form Knowledge About Treatments

“…For example, there are numerous studies confirming that women, middle-aged people, and those with higher education are the most frequent CAM users (Kemppainen et al, 2018; Kristoffersen, Stub, Salamonsen, Musial, & Hamberg, 2014; Reid, Steel, Wardle, Trubody, & Adams, 2016; Steel, Adams, & Sibbritt, 2017). Other studies have focused on specific patient groups, such as children (e.g., Groenewald, Beals-Erickson, Ralston-Wilson, Rabbitts, & Palermo, 2017; Italia, Wolfenstetter, & Teuner, 2014), men (Cant & Watts, 2019), and the elderly (e.g., Groden, Woodward, Chatters, & Taylor, 2017; Rayner & Bauer, 2017); or on particular disorders/health issues (e.g., Berretta et al, 2017; Family, Jordan, Blaxall, & Sengupta, 2018; Kristoffersen, Sirois, Stub, & Hansen, 2017; Loquai et al, 2017), indicating extensive use of CAM, especially to deal with pain, nausea, and chronic illness. Some of the most recurrent reasons are disappointment or frustration with conventional medicine, dissatisfaction with physician/patient communication, and concerns about adverse side-effects.…”