Factors Associated With Healthcare and Financial Decision Making Among Older Black Adults Without Dementia.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to identify factors associated with health care and financial decision-making among older Black adults without dementia. METHODS: Participants (N = 326) underwent assessments of decision-making and completed measurements of factors from four categories: cognitive, contextual, psychosocial, and personality. We performed separate linear regression models to examine the association between each factor and decision-making and created a fully adjusted model. RESULTS: Higher global cognition (estimate = 1.92, SE = 0.21, p < .0001) was associated with better decision-making. Contextual factors including higher current annual income (estimate = 0.23, SE = 0.05, p < .0001), higher childhood socioeconomic status (estimate = 0.48, SE = 0.18, p = .006), higher health and financial literacy (estimate = 0.08, SE = 0.01, p < .0001), and lower financial stress (estimate = -0.19, SE = 0.07, p = .01) were associated with better decision-making. More psychological well-being (estimate = 0.07, SE = 0.22, p = .001), a psychosocial factor, and less neuroticism (estimate = -0.06, SE = 0.02, p = .002), a personality factor, were associated with better decision-making. In the fully adjusted model, two factors, higher global cognition and higher literacy (health and financial), remained associated with better decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive and contextual factors serve as drivers of decision-making among older Black adults. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians may implement strategies to bolster cognition and improve health and financial literacy to facilitate optimal decision-making among older Black adults.

A randomised controlled trial of the Learning Skills Together (LST) intervention to improve dementia family caregivers' self-efficacy with complex care.

BACKGROUND: Nearly two-thirds of family caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (AD/ADRD) provide complex care, including medical care. Family caregivers typically receive little to no training on how to provide this care. Furthermore, family caregivers simultaneously grapple with the presence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), diminished communication abilities, and comorbidities such as diabetes. We developed Learning Skills Together (LST), a 6-week digitally delivered psychoeducational program, to facilitate family caregiver abilities to administer complex care tasks. The goal of the present study is to test the efficacy of LST and to reduce adverse outcomes associated with caregiving, such as depressive symptomology and negative appraisal of BPSD. METHODS: To test the efficacy of LST, we will conduct a two-arm single-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) with N = 200 family caregivers of persons living with AD/ADRD. Eligible family caregivers will be randomly assigned to participate in either the LST intervention or a structurally equivalent control condition focused on healthy living. All family caregivers will complete four surveys, including a baseline survey administered prior to randomization, a post-intervention survey, and a 3- and 6-month follow-up survey to assess change in study outcomes. Between-group comparisons of each outcome will be evaluated using generalized estimating equation models. Mediation analyses will assess family caregiver self-efficacy as the intervention's mechanism of change in depressive symptomology and BPSD. We will also examine caregiver race, ethnicity, and gender as effect modifiers of the intervention. DISCUSSION: LST findings will inform the field of AD/ADRD and caregiving regarding optimally supporting family caregivers in managing complex care tasks. If efficacious, the LST intervention will support family caregivers in preserving their own mental health while providing complex care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov NCT05846984 . This study was registered on May 6, 2023.

A randomised controlled trial of the Learning Skills Together (LST) intervention to improve dementia family caregivers' self-efficacy with complex care.

Background: Nearly two-thirds of family caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (AD/ADRD) provide complex care, including medical care. Family caregivers typically receive little to no training on how to provide this care. Furthermore, family caregivers simultaneously grapple with the presence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), diminished communication abilities, and comorbidities such as diabetes. We developed Learning Skills Together (LST), a six-week digitally delivered psychoeducational program, to facilitate family caregiver abilities to administer complex care tasks. The goal of the present study is to test the efficacy of LST and to reduce adverse outcomes associated with caregiving, such as depressive symptomology and negative appraisal of BPSD. Methods: To test the efficacy of LST, we will conduct a two-arm single-site randomised controlled trial (RCT) with N = 200 family caregivers of persons living with AD/ADRD. Eligible family caregivers will be randomly assigned to participate in either the LST intervention or a structurally equivalent control condition focused on healthy living. All family caregivers will complete four surveys, including a baseline survey administered prior to randomisation, a post-intervention survey, and a three- and six-month follow-up survey to assess change in study outcomes. Between-group comparisons of each outcome will be evaluated using generalized estimating equation models. Mediation analyses will assess family caregiver self-efficacy as the intervention's mechanism of change in depressive symptomology and BPSD. We will also examine caregiver race, ethnicity, and gender as effect modifiers of the intervention. Discussion: LST findings will inform the field of AD/ADRD and caregiving regarding optimally supporting family caregivers in managing complex care tasks. If efficacious, the LST intervention will support family caregivers in preserving their own mental health while providing complex care.

Health and Financial Literacy and the Acquisition of COVID-19 Knowledge in Older Adults.

Knowledge about COVID-19 enters into many aspects of decision making, especially for older people who are at increased risk of severe disease or death. Yet little is known about the resources that supported older people's uptake of COVID-19 knowledge. Here, we hypothesized that higher pre-pandemic health and financial literacy was associated with higher COVID-19 knowledge. Participants were 434 community-based older people without dementia. COVID-19 knowledge was assessed via a 5-item measure, and health and financial literacy was assessed via a 32-item measure. In an ordinal regression model adjusted for age, gender, and education, higher literacy was associated with higher COVID-19 knowledge (p < .0001), and this association persisted after further adjusting for robust measures of global cognition or one of five specific cognitive domains (all p's ≤ .0001). These findings suggest that literacy plays a key role in supporting older people's acquisition of impactful knowledge in the real world.

Written communication and the ICU team experience (WRITE): A pre-post intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: Families of critically ill patients may benefit from receiving a written update of patient care each day. Our objective was to develop a system to facilitate care provider creation of written updates and to determine the effect of implementing this process on the care provider experience. DESIGN: The experiences of ICU care providers (nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians) were measured monthly during a 3-month pre-intervention and a 3-month intervention period. During the intervention period, written updates were sent to families each day and posted in the electronic medical record. Study investigators assisted by editing and distributing the written communication to families. SETTING: An urban academic medical center in the United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nurse-Physician Collaboration Scale (NPCS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). RESULTS: Over the 3-month intervention period, care providers created written communication for families of 152 patients (average 5 ICU days per family). NPCS scores among the 65 participating care providers were significantly lower, indicating greater collaboration during the intervention vs. pre-intervention period: 49.9 (95 % CI 46.4-53.6) vs. 55.4 (95 % CI 51.5-59.3), p = 0.002. MBI scores were similar during the intervention vs. pre-intervention periods. A subset of care providers participated in individual interviews. Care providers reported that the process of creating written communication was acceptable and had clear benefits for both families and the medical team. CONCLUSIONS: Use of written communication as a supplement to verbal communication improves collaboration among ICU care providers without affecting symptoms of burnout. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: We created a system to facilitate written communication with ICU families that was acceptable to care providers and improved aspects of their experience. In the future, use of written communication can be enhanced with refinements to the process that reduce the time spent creating written updates while highlighting the benefits to families and care providers.

Racial and ethnic differences in plasma biomarker eligibility for a preclinical Alzheimer's disease trial.

INTRODUCTION: In trials of amyloid-lowering drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD), differential eligibility may contribute to under-inclusion of racial and ethnic underrepresented groups. We examined plasma amyloid beta 42/40 and positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid eligibility for the ongoing AHEAD Study preclinical AD program (NCT04468659). METHODS: Univariate logistic regression models were used to examine group differences in plasma and PET amyloid screening eligibility. RESULTS: Of 4905 participants screened at time of analysis, 1724 were plasma eligible to continue in screening: 13.3% Hispanic Black, 24.7% Hispanic White, 20.8% non-Hispanic (NH) Asian, 24.7% NH Black, and 38.9% NH White. Plasma eligibility differed across groups in models controlling for covariates (odds ratio from 1.9 to 4.0 compared to the NH White reference group, P < 0.001). Among plasma eligible participants, PET eligibility did not differ by group. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that prevalence of brain amyloid pathology differed, but that eligibility based on plasma was equally effective across racial and ethnic group members. HIGHLIGHTS: Plasma amyloid eligibility is lower in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. In plasma eligible adults, positron emission tomography eligibility rates are similar across race and ethnicity. Plasma biomarker tests may be similarly effective across racial and ethnic groups.

Promoting diverse perspectives: Addressing health disparities related to Alzheimer's and all dementias.

Dementia research lacks appropriate representation of diverse groups who often face substantial adversity and greater risk of dementia. Current research participants are primarily well-resourced, non-Hispanic White, cisgender adults who live close to academic medical centers where much of the research is based. Consequently, the field faces a knowledge gap about Alzheimer's-related risk factors in those other groups. The Alzheimer's Association hosted a virtual conference on June 14-16, 2021, supported in part by the National Institute on Aging (R13 AG072859-01), focused on health disparities. The conference was held entirely online and consisted of 2 days of core programming and a day of focused meetings centered on American Indian and Alaska Natives and on LGBTQIA+ populations. Over 1300 registrants attended discussions focused on the structural and systemic inequities experienced across diverse groups, as well as ways to investigate and address these inequities.

Financial Risk Aversion Among Older Black and White Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Risk aversion has a substantial impact on decision making and is associated with key demographic characteristics. However, few studies have investigated whether risk aversion varies by race. METHODS: We investigated racial differences in financial risk aversion in 684 older Black and White adults without dementia in the Minority Aging Research Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project matched for age, education, sex, and cognition using Mahalanobis distance. We also investigated whether select contextual factors (self-reported discrimination, socioeconomic status, and literacy) mediated or affective factors (trust, loneliness, and neuroticism) moderated any observed racial differences. RESULTS: In regression models adjusted for age, education, sex, and cognitive function, older Black adults were more risk averse than older White adults (Beta = 0.1264, standard error = 0.0227, p value ≤ .00001). None of the contextual or affective factors mediated or moderated this association. DISCUSSION: Older Black adults are more financially risk averse than older White adults. Because risk aversion may be associated with important financial and health outcomes in older age, more research is needed to investigate the reasons for this difference.

Development of a Culturally Adapted Dietary Intervention to Reduce Alzheimer's Disease Risk among Older Black Adults.

The objective of this study is to identify and understand knowledge and attitudes that influence dietary practices among older Black adults using a community-engaged approach. This is a non-interventional mixed methods study designed to inform the development of an adapted brain-healthy soul food diet intervention. A purposive sampling approach was used to conduct seven semi-structured focus group discussions and an online quantitative survey. In total, 39 participants who self-identified as Black, aged 55 years and older, English speaking, and who were cognitively normal with an AD8 < 2; (25.6% men; 74.4% women) participated in the online survey and one of the seven 60 min virtual focus group discussions (5-7 per focus group). Quantitative frequency data from the online surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative focus group data were analyzed using a 6-step thematic analysis process. Five themes emerged: dementia awareness; practices shaping food choices and consumption; barriers to eating healthy; instrumental support; and elements of a culturally adapted brain-healthy dietary intervention. Older Black adults perceived an adapted MIND dietary model as the most acceptable with the incorporation of salient cultural characteristics and strategies within both the design and delivery phases.

Stability and change in acculturation-related characteristics in older Latinos: Implications for culturally compatible ADRD research.

Introduction: Acculturation-related characteristics, that is, factors directly connected to culture and familial relationships, are associated with engaged research participation within Latino communities. Despite this, little empirical data exists on whether acculturation changes over time in older Latinos, which has potential implications for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research study design including longer duration clinical trial implementation. Methods: Self-identified Latinos (n = 222; mean age = 71, 76% female) participating in one of three ongoing longitudinal community-based cohort studies of aging who reported their nativity outside of the United States/District of Columbia (US/DC) contributed, on average, 4.0 ± 1.2 years of annually collected data. This included acculturation-related characteristics of total, language-, and social-based scores from the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH) and total and domain-specific scores from an abbreviated Sabogal Familism questionnaire. We used ordinal mixed effects models and linear mixed effects models (as appropriate) to assess change in acculturation metrics after adjusting for age, sex, education, income, and duration of time in the US/DC. Results: Although none of the SASH metrics changed over time (P-values ≥ 0.25), all Familism metrics declined over time (P-values ≤ 0.044). Additionally, select participant-based characteristics including years of education were significantly (and differentially) associated with level of, but not change in, acculturation-related outcomes. Discussion: Results suggest that specific acculturation-related factors (i.e., familism) change over time in older Latinos, and participant-based characteristics associated with baseline levels of (but not change in) acculturation more generally. Thus, acculturation-related characteristics are not all static, trait-like qualities but rather a multi-faceted, and at times evolving, construct. Considering this dynamic phenotyping is important when contextualizing older Latinos' lived experience, and when designing, adapting, and conducting ADRD clinical trials and other health-related interventions.

Well-Being and Aging-Related Decline in Financial and Health Literacy in Advanced Age.

OBJECTIVES: Emerging evidence suggests that financial and health literacy deteriorates in advanced age. By contrast, well-being promotes health in aging. This study tested the hypothesis that well-being is associated with slower aging-related literacy decline. METHODS: Participants were 1,099 community-based older adults without dementia at baseline. Financial and health literacy was assessed at baseline and annually thereafter via a 32-item measure. Well-being was assessed at baseline via the 18-item version of Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being. RESULTS: During up to 12 years of annual follow-up, literacy declined about 1 percentage point per year on average (ß = -0.91, standard error [SE] = 0.08, p < .001); however, there was considerable variation in change in literacy between participants (random slopes variance = 1.24, SE = 0.15, p < .001). In a linear mixed-effects model adjusted for age, sex, and education, higher well-being was associated with higher starting level of literacy (ß = 2.31, SE = 0.67, p = .001) and, critically, slower literacy decline (ß = 0.29, SE = 0.11, p = .01). The association of higher well-being with slower literacy decline persisted in models that additionally adjusted for income, medical conditions, depressive symptoms, and a robust measure of global cognition. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that well-being helps stave off aging-related literacy decline.

Psychological Well-being Relates to Healthcare and Financial Decision Making in a Study of Predominantly White Older Adults.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that psychological well-being is associated with healthcare and financial decision making in older adults and that this association varies by the level of cognitive function. Participants were 1082 older adults (97% non-Latino White; 76% women; mean age = 81.04 years; SD = 7.53) without dementia (median MMSE score = 29.00, IQR = 27.86-30.00). In a regression model adjusted for age, gender, and years of education, higher levels of psychological well-being were associated with better decision making (estimate = 0.39, standard error [SE] = 0.11, p < .001), as was better cognitive function (estimate = 2.37, SE = 0.14, p < .0001). In an additional model, an interaction of psychological well-being and cognitive function was significant (estimate = -0.68, SE = 0.20, p < .001), such that higher levels of psychological well-being were most beneficial for decision making among participants with lower levels of cognitive function. Higher levels of psychological well-being may help sustain decision making among older persons, particularly those with lower levels of cognitive function.

Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress among Families of Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Longitudinal Clinical Trial.

Rationale: Families of critically ill patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may be at particularly high risk for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder after hospital discharge. Objectives: To assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress among families of patients with COVID-19 during and after intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and to use qualitative methods to determine the sources of emotional distress. Methods: Families of patients with COVID-19 who participated in an ICU study were approached for participation in this post-hospital discharge study. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) at up to three points during the ICU stay and once after the ICU stay. Mixed-effects models were used to compare trajectories of HADS and IES-R scores over the ICU and post-ICU periods. Telephone interviews with participants were evaluated using thematic content analysis. Results: Among the 90 families that participated from September 2020 to April 2021, 47 respective patients were alive and 43 were deceased. Average HADS anxiety, HADS depression, and IES-R scores after hospital discharge were significantly higher (greater symptom burden) among families of deceased versus surviving patients: 9.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.8-10.6) versus 6.3 (95% CI, 4.9-7.6) (P < 0.01), 7.1 (95% CI, 5.7-8.6) versus 3.2 (95% CI, 2.3-4.1) (P < 0.001), and 36.1 (95% CI, 31.0-41.2) versus 20.4 (95% CI, 16.1-24.8) (P < 0.001), respectively. HADS anxiety and HADS depression scores began to diverge during the ICU stay, whereas IES-R scores diverged after the stay for families of surviving versus deceased patients. Qualitative analysis confirmed a higher burden of psychological symptoms among families of deceased patients. Memories from the ICU stay became a focal point for participants who lost their loved ones, whereas families of surviving patients were able to look positively toward the future. In addition, families of deceased patients often viewed friends and family as sources of stress, whereas families of surviving patients typically viewed their community as a source of support. Conclusions: Patient death was associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among families of ICU patients with COVID-19. Psychological support interventions may be most beneficial for families of patients who died of COVID-19. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04501445).

Childhood socioeconomic status interacts with cognitive function to impact scam susceptibility among community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVES: We examined whether childhood socioeconomic status (SES) is related to scam susceptibility in old age and tested the hypothesis that childhood SES interacts with cognitive function to impact scam susceptibility. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional design. All data were collected in participants' community-based residences. Participants were 1071 older adults (mean age = 81.05 years, SD = 7.53) without dementia (median MMSE score = 28.29, IQR = 27.86-30.00). Participants completed assessments of childhood SES, cognitive function, and scam susceptibility. We used linear regression models to examine the associations of childhood SES and cognitive function with scam susceptibility. RESULTS: In a regression model adjusted for age, gender, and education, poorer cognitive function was associated with higher scam susceptibility, but childhood SES was not. However, in an additional model that included the interaction of childhood SES and cognitive function, the interaction was significant, such that lower childhood SES was associated with higher scam susceptibility among participants with lower cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Lower childhood SES is associated with higher scam susceptibility among older adults with lower levels of cognitive function. Thus, older adults who experienced limited resources in childhood and have lower cognitive function may represent a specific group for interventions to increase scam awareness and prevent financial exploitation.

A Qualitative Examination of Knowledge, Experiences, and Considerations of PET Brain Scan Participation Among Older Black and Latino Adults.

BACKGROUND: Biological biomarkers yielded from positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans serve as a pathway to understanding Alzheimer's disease pathology. PET brain scan data remain limited for populations traditionally under-included in aging research. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine participant-identified barriers to PET brain scan consent and characterize participant-informed elements of educational materials needed to facilitate PET brain scan participation among older Black and Latino adults. METHODS: Participants (N = 31) were older adults (mean age = 71 years) who self-identified as either non-Latino Black (n = 15) or Latino (n = 16). Each participant took part in a one-time, in-depth individual interview. Researchers analyzed data guided by a Grounded Theory Approach with both Open Coding and Constant Comparative Coding. RESULTS: Four overarching themes emerged across all participants: 1) knowledge limitations; 2) requirements for consent; 3) motivators for participation; and 4) social networks. Within the four themes, there were differences based on participant ethnoracial group. For example, for Theme Three, older Black adults indicated that they would expect compensation for PET brain scan participation. Conversely, older Latinos stated that they would appreciate, but not anticipate, a financial incentive. All participants stressed the importance of written educational materials with subsequent verbal discussions with studystaff. CONCLUSION: Findings inform the development and implementation of scientifically-relevant and culturally-cognizant engagement approaches, educational materials, and recruitment strategies to increase PET brain scan participation by diverse older adults.

Clinician-initiated written communication for families of patients at a long-term acute care hospital.

Objective: To assess the experience of families and clinicians at a long term acute care hospital (LTACH) after implementing a written communication intervention. Methods: Written communication templates were developed for six clinical disciplines. LTACH clinicians used templates to describe the condition of 30 mechanically ventilated patients at up to three time points. Completed templates were the basis for written summaries that were sent to families. Impressions of the intervention among families (n = 21) and clinicians (n = 17) were assessed using a descriptive correlational design. Interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: We identified four themes during interviews with families: Written summaries 1) facilitated communication with LTACH staff, 2) reduced stress related to COVID-19 visitor restrictions, 3) facilitated understanding of the patient condition, prognosis, and goals and 4) facilitated communication among family members. Although clinicians understood why families would appreciate written material, they did not feel that the intervention addressed their main challenge - overly optimistic expectations for patient recovery among families. Conclusion: Written communication positively affected the experience of families of LTACH patients, but was less useful for clinicians. Innovation: Use of written patient care updates helps LTACH clinicians initiate communication with families.

Social Engagement and All-Cause Mortality: A Focus on Participants of the Minority Aging Research Study.

INTRODUCTION: Social engagement is known to improve health; less is known about whether social activities at the core of African American life decrease mortality risk in this minoritized population. This study investigated whether and which aspects of social engagement predict mortality risk in older African Americans. METHODS: Data from 768 African Americans (aged ∼73 years; nondemented at baseline) participating in the Minority Aging Research Study, a longitudinal community-based, cohort study of aging, was collected between 2004 and 2020 and analyzed in 2020. Participants self-reported late-life social activity, social network size, life space, and purpose in life at baseline and completed approximately 6.5 years of annual follow-up (range=15.70). Cox models included time from baseline to death or censoring and an indicator for death versus censored with age, sex, education, cardiovascular disease risk factor burden, depressive symptomatology, and motor gait performance as covariates. RESULTS: As of March 2020, 25% of participants died (n=192; age at death ∼83 years). In fully adjusted Cox models, mortality risk decreased by 34% (hazard ratio=0.66; 95% CI=0.48, 0.91; p=0.012) for those with higher compared with that for those with lower social activity generally, with community/volunteer-, group-, and socially-related activities specifically driving these results. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in late-life social activity, especially group- and socially-based activities, was most consistently and robustly associated with reduced mortality risk in African Americans regardless of health. These results lay the foundation for considering community-based approaches to increase and/or maintain social participation in older African Americans as a potential means by which to increase longevity in this population.

Daily Written Care Summaries for Families of Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of daily written updates on the satisfaction and psychologic symptoms of families of ICU patients. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Single, urban academic medical center. SUBJECTS: Surrogates of nondecisional, critically ill adults with high risk of mortality ( n = 252) enrolled from June 2019 to January 2021. INTERVENTIONS: Usual communication with the medical team with or without written communication detailing the suspected cause and management approach of each ICU problem, updated each day. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Participants completed surveys at three time points during the ICU stay: enrollment ( n = 252), 1 week ( n = 229), and 2 weeks ( n = 109) after enrollment. Satisfaction with care was measured using the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI). The presence of anxiety, depression, and acute stress were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R). CCFNI, HADS, and IES-R scores were similar among participants assigned to the intervention group and control group upon enrollment and during the first week after enrollment ( p > 0.05). From enrollment to the second week after enrollment, there was an improvement in CCFNI and HADS scores among participants assigned to the intervention group versus the control group. At week 2, CCFNI scores were significantly lower among participants in the intervention group versus the control group, indicating greater satisfaction with care: 15.1 (95% CI, 14.2-16.0) versus 16.4, (95% CI, 15.5-17.3); p = 0.04. In addition, 2 weeks after enrollment, the odds of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and acute stress among participants assigned to the intervention versus control group were 0.16 (95% CI, 0.03-0.82; p = 0.03); 0.15 (95% CI, 0.01-1.87; p = 0.14); and 0.27 (95% CI, 0.06-1.27; p = 0.10), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Written communication improved satisfaction and the emotional well-being of families of critically ill patients, supporting its use as a supplement to traditional communication approaches.

Purpose in Life and Cognition Interact to Impact Healthcare and Financial Decision Making in Old Age.

Objectives: Little is known about the contribution of positive psychological factors, such as purpose in life, to healthcare and financial decision making in aging. Here, we examined the relationship between purpose and decision making and tested the hypothesis that purpose benefits decision making, particularly when cognition is limited. Methods: Participants were 1081 community-based older adults without dementia. Healthcare and financial decision making was measured via a 12-item performance-based instrument. Purpose was measured via a 10-item scale. Results: In a linear regression model adjusted for age, sex, and education, higher global cognition was associated with better performance on the decision making measure, as expected. Purpose was not directly related to decision making. However, the interaction of purpose with cognition was significant, such that greater purpose was associated with better decision making among persons with lower cognition. Discussion: Purpose in life may promote better decision making among older adults with lower cognition.