title: Ethnically diverse older adults' beliefs about staying mentally sharp.
abstract: This study examined diverse older adults' (n = 396, ages 50+) views about how to stay mentally sharp. We conducted 42 focus groups in four languages at nine United States locations using a standardized discussion guide and methods. The groups represented African Americans, American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos, Whites other than Latinos, and Vietnamese Americans. All groups mentioned benefits of social interaction. All groups, especially Chinese and African Americans, mentioned benefits of community engagement. Participants in all groups expressed their belief that mental stimulation, particularly reading, promoted cognitive health; African Americans and Whites were especially likely to say that mental exercises (e.g.; puzzles) were useful. Results suggest opportunities for education about potential cognitive health benefits of being socially connected through senior center activities and volunteer programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. dfriedma@mailbox.sc.edu
authors.forename: Daniela B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Laditka
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Laditka
authors.forename: Bei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Anna E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Winston
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ivey
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sharkey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires