Spouses of individuals living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia in the United States: A descriptive, population-based study

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the population of individuals who live with a spouse with cognitive impairment (CI) or dementia.

Methods: Using the US Health and Retirement Study, 2000 to 2018, we estimated the population of adults ≥ 50 years old co-residing with a spouse with probable CI/dementia. We described their socio-demographic and health characteristics and quantified socio-demographic inequities.

Results: Among community-dwelling adults ≥ 50 years old, 6% of women and 4% of men co-resided with a spouse with probable CI/dementia. Among those who were married/partnered, the prevalence of spousal dementia was greater for Black and Hispanic adults compared to their White counterparts, and for those with lower versus higher educational attainment. Among spouses, activities of daily living disability, depression, and past 2-year hospitalization was common.

Discussion: Millions of older adults, disproportionately Black and Hispanic people and people with lower levels of educational attainment, live with a spouse with CI while also facing their own major health challenges.

Keywords: dementia; epidemiology; family; health equity; mild cognitive impairment; spouses.