Risk and Resiliency for Dementia: Comparison of Male and Female Veterans
Abstract
Dementia is one of the leading causes for loss of independence and lower quality of life in older adults, but few studies have investigated health or military-related risk factors for dementia in older Veterans. Previous studies of dementia risk in Veterans have mostly focused on male Veterans and overlooked risk of dementia in female Veterans. Because the population of female Veterans is increasing, there is a critical need to understand the risk factors associated with dementia in this population. Our study will use data from the Veterans Health Administration National Patient Care Database to examine risk of dementia in male and female Veterans age 55 years and older. We plan to compare the differences in risk and protective factors for dementia among older male and female Veterans, and we will examine the gender differences between mortality and nursing home placement among Veterans with dementia. We expect that male and female Veterans will each have a unique set of risk factors and that factors related to military service such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury will also add to an increased risk of dementia. The results of this study will help guide care and treatment recommendations for older Veteran patients. Comparisons by gender will identify at-risk Veterans and may improve the design of future dementia prevention strategies. The number of older Veterans is growing quickly, and our findings could delay the development of dementia and improve quality of life in older male and female Veterans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1610507
Entities
People
- Kristine Yaffe
Organizations
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education
- United States Army