CEPAR and the Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing hosted a public lecture by Amber Watts, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Kansas.
Abstract:
Neighborhood characteristics such as walkability may be important to health promotion efforts in older adults. My colleagues and I evaluated the role of neighborhood characteristics on metabolic function, cognitive function, and cognitive decline over a 2-year period in older adults with and without mild Alzheimer’s disease.
In particular, we evaluated neighborhood integration and connectivity using geographical information systems data and space syntax analysis. We found that these neighborhood characteristics were associated with metabolic function, cognitive function and decline in different ways for individuals with and without Alzheimer’s.
Clearer definitions of specific neighborhood characteristics associated with walkability are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which neighborhoods may impact metabolic and cognitive outcomes. Our results have implications for measuring neighborhood characteristics, design and maintenance of living spaces, and interventions to increase walking among older adults.