Validation of cognitive functioning categories in the Canadian Community Health Survey - Healthy Aging

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by Leanne Findlay, Julie Bernier, Holly Tuokko, Susan Kirkland and Heather Gilmour

Abstract
Keywords
Findings
Authors

Abstract

Background

The objective of this study was to validate categories of cognitive functioning using data from the 2009 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)—Healthy Aging Cognition Module.

Data and methods

Four measures of cognitive functioning—immediate and delayed recall (memory), and animal-naming and the Mental Alternation Test (executive functioning)—were coded into five categories for the Canadian household population aged 45 or older. The scores for each measure were standardized to t-scores that controlled for age, sex and education. Respondents were classified into five cognitive functioning categories. Cross-tabulations, stratum-specific likelihood ratios and multinomial logit regression were used to assess associations between levels of cognitive functioning and various health outcomes: self-reported general and mental health status, memory and problem-solving ability, activities of daily living, life satisfaction, loneliness, depression, and chronic conditions.

Results

Results supported the use of five levels of cognitive functioning for all four outcomes on the CCHS—Healthy Aging sample overall and by age group (45 to 64, 65 or older) and language group (English, French).

Interpretation

These categories can be used in future work on cognitive functioning based on the CCHS— Healthy Aging.

Keywords

activities of daily living, cognitive disorders, data collection, memory disorders, mental recall, survey methods

Findings

While cognitive decline is not an inevitable consequence of aging, it is more prevalent at older ages. In 2006, one in seven Canadians (13.7% of the total population) was aged 65 or older. Among these seniors, the percentage aged 80 or older continues to grow, as does the number of centenarians. These trends suggest that a rise in the prevalence of cognitive impairment can be anticipated.[Full text]

Authors

Leanne Findlay (1-613-951-4648; Leanne.Findlay@statcan.gc.ca), Julie Bernier (1-613-951-4556; Julie.Bernier @statcan.gc.ca) and Heather Gilmour (1-613-951-2114; Heather.Gilmour@statcan.gc.ca) are with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6. Holly Tuokko is with the University of Victoria. Susan Kirkland is with Dalhousie University.

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