Understanding the Context of Cognitive Aging

This book provides a bi-national portrait of dementia in the rapidly aging Mexican-origin population in Mexico and the United States. It provides a comprehensive overview of critical conceptual and methodological issues in the study of cognitive aging and related mental and physical conditions. The book examines the sources of vulnerability and their consequences for Mexican-origin and for "aging in place". By providing a combination of new knowledge, empirical evidence, and fresh approaches of dementia support in later life, this book will contribute to moving the field of Mexican-origin aging and health forward. By focusing on the serious challenges in old-age support for older people with dementia and neurocognitive disorders in two different contexts, this book will deepen academics, researchers, students and young investigators understanding of what is necessary to achieve optional care.

Jacqueline L. Angel investigates informal and formal supports of older people with dementia and related disorders in Mexico and the United States. The work builds on research funded by the National Institute on Aging in 1992 and involves dyadic analyses of dementia caregiving in a large twenty-year cohort study of Mexican Americans in the Southwestern United States with a special focus on immigrant families. Mariana López Ortega is a part of the academic working groups of two national surveys in Mexico, the latest waves of the Mexican Health and Aging Study, and in the development of the module for adults 60 years and older of the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey. This work provides a representative sample of this age group for the first time, with specific questions aimed at investigating specific epidemiologic issues specific to this stage of life. She has also participated in the generation of research and reports with international organizations that are highly relevant in ageing, social support and dementia research. Luis Miguel Gutierrez Robledo is the founding Director of the National Institute of Geriatrics and Coordinator of the Mexican network for research on aging. He has been involved in research on public health and aging since the early 90's and is an stablished scholar in the field.