Predictive model of memory for the elderly Taiwanese immigrants

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the independent variables, sleep, physical activity, depression, and memory self-efficacy, and the dependent variable, memory function, in Taiwanese immigrant older adults. The control variables include age, gender, education, years lived in the U.S., the optimal time of the memory test, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, illnesses, medications for treatment, and medications for drug promotions. A descriptive correlational design was employed for this study.;A convenience sample of 47 female and 53 male Taiwanese immigrants aged 60 to 88 was recruited from the Taiwan Center in New York City and the New York Taiwanese Association. Memory function was measured by the Extended Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (ERBMT). The independent variables were measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (MSEQ).;The Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that subjects who have higher memory self-efficacy also have better memory performance ( r = .329, p < .01). Sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and physical activity failed to show significant correlation with memory function. Simultaneous multiple regression showed that the four independent variables accounted for 12.8% of the variance in memory function. Among the control variables, years of education, years living in the U.S., and the number of health promotion drugs used correlated positively with memory function while age and the number of illnesses correlated negatively with memory function. Regarding gender, males had better memory function than females; however, males were also younger and had more years of education than females. The simultaneous multiple regression showed that all control variables together accounted for 42.6% of the variance in memory function.;The four independent variables and ten control variables accounted for 44.6% of the variance in memory function. After controlling for the control variables, the four independent variables did not contribute significantly to memory function. Among the four independent variables and ten control variables, age was the strongest predictor of memory function. The research findings suggest that old old patients may need more reminders when they are given instructions for medication or other health care procedures.