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Home > Mild Cognitive Impairment and Susceptibility to Scams in Old Age.

TitleMild Cognitive Impairment and Susceptibility to Scams in Old Age.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsS Han, D, Boyle, PA, James, BD, Yu, L, Bennett, DA
JournalJ Alzheimers Dis
Volume49
Issue3
Pagination845-51
Date Published2016
ISSN1875-8908
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cognitive Dysfunction, Crime Victims, Disease Susceptibility, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Episodic, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Residence Characteristics, Self Report
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Falling victim to financial scams can have a significant impact upon social and financial wellbeing and independence. A large proportion of scam victims are older adults, but whether older victims with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at higher risk remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that older persons with MCI exhibit greater susceptibility to scams compared to those without cognitive impairment.

METHODS: Seven hundred and thirty older adults without dementia were recruited from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a community-based epidemiologic study of aging. Participants completed a five-item self-report measure of susceptibility to scams, a battery of cognitive measures, and clinical diagnostic evaluations.

RESULTS: In models adjusted for age, education, and gender, the presence of MCI was associated with greater susceptibility to scams (B = 0.125, SE = 0.063, p-value = 0.047). Further, in analyses of the role of specific cognitive systems in susceptibility to scams among persons with MCI (n = 144), the level of performance in two systems, episodic memory and perceptual speed abilities, were associated with susceptibility.

CONCLUSIONS: Adults with MCI may be more susceptible to scams in old age than older persons with normal cognition. Lower abilities in specific cognitive systems, particularly perceptual speed and episodic memory, may contribute to greater susceptibility to scams in those with MCI.

DOI10.3233/JAD-150442
Alternate JournalJ. Alzheimers Dis.
PubMed ID26519434
PubMed Central IDPMC4708889
Grant ListR01AG034374 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG017917 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG033678 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01AG033678 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01AG017917 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
K23 AG040625 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG034374 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
K23AG040625 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
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Source URL: https://www.j-alz.com/content/mild-cognitive-impairment-and-susceptibility-scams-old-age