The Impact of Social Interaction on Communities of Color Experiencing Cognitive Decline

ABC Lab
Thuytien Nguyen, B.A., Richard Esqueda B.A., Selena Achi, B.A., Serena Ross, Sara Jew, Yeritizi Victoria, Sam Ulloa, and Renee Penalver, Ph.D.

Our society’s demographics have changed drastically over the last 50 years; our aging population (e.g., 65+) continues to grow at rates that have never occurred before. Indeed, there is a projected increase in our aging population by 2050 (Census, 2020). That is an exponential increase totaling 98 million older adults, double the current estimate. As a result, as our aging population continues to grow, so do rates of Dementia-related diseases (e.g., diseases related to significantly negatively impacting our cognition). For the first time in modern history, we have more older adults than children. People of color are 1.5- 2 times more likely to develop a Dementia related illness (Alzheimer's Association, 2020). Unfortunately, those who do not have a close social circle of support are 1.5 times more likely to develop dementia than those with immediate social support (Fratiglioni et al., 2000). We investigate how varying socialization (e.g., no socialization, virtual socialization, and in-person socialization) impact cognition in communities of color. We hypothesize that this research program will have cognitive benefits for those assigned to the treatment condition (e.g., the group that socializes in person). In the present study, we investigate the impact of social and physical interaction on people of color experiencing significant cognitive decline. We will measure the cognition scores of participants’ pre and post-socialization.