title: Successful aging and longevity in older old women: the role of depression and cognition.
abstract: Based in successful aging theory and terminal cognitive drop research, this paper investigates cerebrovascular burden (CVB), depressive symptoms, and cognitive decline as threats to longevity. A subsample of stroke-free women over the age of 80 was identified in the Health and Retirement Survey (years 2000-2008). Mortality at 2, 6, and 8 year intervals was predicted using CVB (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale), and cognitive decline (decline of 1 standard deviation or more on the 35-point Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status over 2 years). At most waves (2002, 2004, and 2006) mortality was predicted by CVB, depressive symptoms, and cognitive drop measured 2 years prior. CVB and depressive symptoms at the 2000 wave predicted mortality at 6 and 8 years. Older women with the greatest longevity had low CVB, robust cognitive functioning, and few depression symptoms, supporting successful aging theory and terminal cognitive drop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202-3801, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: Mary Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lichtenberg