PERCEPTIONS OF BRAIN HEALTH AND INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING IN BRAIN HEALTH RESEARCH AMONG ADULTS AGE 50 TO 64

Abstract Evidence suggests it may be possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia during midlife. The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA), a nationally representative online survey, sought to determine to what extent adults age 50 to 64 anticipate and worry about developing dementia, are taking steps to prevent dementia, and are likely to participate in dementia-related research. Nearly 50% of poll respondents (n=1,025) perceived themselves as being somewhat or very likely to develop dementia. Worry about developing dementia was higher among respondents who had a family member with dementia (66.3% vs. 31.8%; Pearson’s Chi squared, p<0.001) and those who had been a caregiver of a person with dementia (65.2% v. 38.9%; Pearson’s Chi squared p<0.001). Only 5% of respondents had discussed preventing dementia with their doctor. In contrast, many respondents endorsed pursuing a variety of strategies to help maintain their memory. For example, 55% did crossword puzzles or other brain games; more than 30% reported taking fish oil or omega-3 supplements. Finally, 44% of respondents said they were likely to participate in studies to test a new medicine to prevent dementia and to test a new treatment for dementia. According to this NPHA, while many adults age 50 to 64 in the U.S. are worried about developing dementia, fewer are willing to participate in research to prevent or treat dementia. The low percentage who discussed dementia prevention with their doctor is concerning, particularly because many report using non-evidence-based prevention strategies such as dietary supplements.

aging-in-community (AIC) programs. Older adults from three programs were recruited (n=290): a university-based lifelong learning program (LLP; n=110), a county neighborhood lunch program (NLP; n=84), and a village program (n=96). Mean age was 72.4 (SD=8.68) years and 78% female. Findings showed NLP participants were more likely to obtain health information from TV (p=.030), friends and neighbors (p=.016), family members (p<.001), or mailed advertisement (p<.001); while less likely to obtain health information online (p<.001). Village members preferred afternoon while NLP participants preferred morning programs (p=.025). Most desired frequency was weekly (45%) and delivered in small group modes (68%). NLP participants were more likely to report self as risk takers (29% vs. 17%) or old tradition (23% vs. 3-8%) towards new technology adoption (p<.001). Results have implications on tailored program planning for older adults in different AIC programs.

THE DO IT MYSELF VILLAGE: BUILDING A VILLAGE-LIKE SUPPORT SYSTEM WITHOUT A VILLAGE
Allen Glicksman, 1 Lauren Ring, 1 and Carrie Graham 2 , 1. Philadelphia Corporation for Aging,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,United States,2. University of California Berkeley,Berkeley,California,United States Villages provide members with a wide range of support including socialization, vetted vendors and other services that assist the elder to age in place. While not every Village offers the same types of support many older adults join Villages to gain benefits they may have lost (such as an informal support network) or ones they cannot find (such as identifying reliable providers of home repair). However, Villages are not available everywhere and there are barriers to Village membership, especially cost. Do older adults without access to a Village simply "do without" or do some of them create the same type of support system on their own? This presentation, using data collected in focus groups and individual interviews for a study of aging in community will describe the ways in which older adults have fashioned their own set of services and socialization opportunities to achieve the same goals as Village membership.

THE VILLAGE MODEL, WHAT'S NEXT?
Carrie Graham, 1 and Andrew Scharlach 1 , 1. University of California, Berkeley, California, United States Researchers at UC Berkeley will present some key findings of their research on Villages spanning the last decade. First, results of a longitudinal study of operational Village organizations in the US (conducted in 2009, 2012, and 2016) reveals that the Village model has expanded and developed over time, with some changes in organizational structure. A national survey of Village members (N=2000) shows that Village remain homogeneous, and impact different types of members in different ways, with older, more frail members perceiving more quality of life benefit, while younger, healthier members perceive more benefits in the areas of social engagement. Finally, two studies looking at Village retention/participation show that issues such as lack of diversity, focus on social engagement can be barriers to inclusion, retention and ultimately, scalability of the model. Brain donation is a critical part of advancing research addressing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Latinos are at a higher risk of developing ADRD compared to non-Latino Whites. However, there is limited knowledge regarding causes and mechanisms related to ADRD health disparities among Latinos partially due to lower research participation and brain donation rates. Family members play a pivotal role in increasing brain donation rates, particularly, among underrepresented groups. In this study, we examine the perceptions of brain donation among adult children of older Latinos. We invited Latino men and women (N=15) with a parental-figure who was 65 years and over to participate in one of three focus groups. During the focus groups, participants discussed the meaning of brain donation for research, reasons to donate or not, and their reactions to the possibility of their parental-figure being a brain donor. All focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed with transcripts used for data analysis. We used a Grounded Theory Approach to analyze focus group data. Results yielded three themes: (1) social and cultural factors influencing a family's willingness to support organ donation; (2) lack of knowledge about the brain donation process; and (3) recommendations for engaging more Latinos in ADRD research and brain donation. Findings provide insight into how family participation may facilitate increased brain donation rates in ADRD studies among older Latinos. A main recommendation for researchers is to adopt a family-centered approach throughout the research process with a focus on addressing information gaps -from recruitment to dissemination.

MY PARENT'S BODY IS SACRED: LATINO PERSPECTIVES ON BRAIN DONATION FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH
Nearly 50% of poll respondents (n=1,025) perceived themselves as being somewhat or very likely to develop dementia. Worry about developing dementia was higher among respondents who had a family member with dementia (66.3% vs. 31.8%; Pearson's Chi squared, p<0.001) and those who had been a caregiver of a person with dementia (65.2% v. 38.9%; Pearson's Chi squared p<0.001). Only 5% of respondents had discussed preventing dementia with their doctor. In contrast, many respondents endorsed pursuing a variety of strategies to help maintain their memory. For example, 55% did crossword puzzles or other brain games; more than 30% reported taking fish oil or omega-3 supplements. Finally, 44% of respondents said they were likely to participate in studies to test a new medicine to prevent dementia and to test a new treatment for dementia. According to this NPHA, while many adults age 50 to 64 in the U.S. are worried about developing dementia, fewer are willing to participate in research to prevent or treat dementia. The low percentage who discussed dementia prevention with their doctor is concerning, particularly because many report using non-evidence-based prevention strategies such as dietary supplements. Objective. To determine predictors associated with the permanent transition to nursing homes among home care recipients with dementia. Methods. Retrospective cohort study (01/2007-12/2012). Study participants (n=48,338) include older adults age 65+ with dementia who received home health services in NYS for at least 2 months prior to permanent transition to nursing homes. Permanent transition is defined as discharge from a home care agency to a nursing home where participants must reside for 3+ months continuously. Two data sets were used-the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS). Multivariate logistic regression was used to quantify the association between predictors and permanent transition to nursing homes. Results: 29% of home care recipients with dementia made permanent transitions to nursing homes. The mean age was 83 years old ranging from 65-111. Among the permanent transition group, 47% were age 85+, 68% female, 75% white, 13% black, 9% Hispanic, 29% with both urinary & bowel incontinence, and 15% with depression. Risk factors associated with permanent transition included increasing age (OR=1.1; 95% CI 1.03-1.18); being white (OR =1.25; 95%CI 0.83-0.94) compared to black, urinary and bowel incontinence vs. continence (OR=1.46; 95% CI 1.37-1.56); depression vs. no depression (OR=1.2; 95% CI 1.11-1.25); hip fracture vs. no hip fracture (OR=2.63; 95% CI 2.27-3.05), and 3+ hospitalizations vs. no hospitalization (OR=3.02; 95% CI 2.77-3.29). Conclusion: Two potential modifiable risk factors related to permanent transition to nursing homes are depression and incontinence. Early diagnosis and treatment may delay or avert nursing home entry.

RACIAL-ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN NURSING HOME QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA RESIDENTS
Tetyana P. Shippee, 1 Stephanie Jarosek, 1 Xuanzi Qin, 2 and Mark Woodhouse 3 , 1. University of Minnesota,Minneapolis,Minnesota,United States,2. U of MN,Minneapolis,Minnesota,United States,3. School of Public Health,University of Minnesota,Minneapolis,Minnesota,United States Nursing homes (NHs) are often racially segregated, and minority residents admitted to NHs usually have more advanced stages of dementia at the time of admission than their white counterparts, with different care needs. Previous work has shown that racial disparities in NH quality of life (QoL) were partially due to different case mix of white and minority residents; it is unclear if disparities persist when comparing residents with similar ADRD diagnoses. The 2011-2015 Minnesota Resident Quality of Life and Satisfaction with Care Survey data contain in-person resident responses from a random sample of residents of all Medicare/Medicaid certified NHs in the state, about 40% of whom have AD/ ADRD. These data were linked to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and facility characteristics data. The population consists of 25,039 White, 580 Black, 94 Hispanic, 229 Native Americans, and 99 Asian/Pacific Islander NH residents with ADRD residing in 376 NHs. Racial/ethnic minority residents reported significantly lower QoL scores compared to their white counterparts, with the largest disparities in the food and relationships domains. We adjusted for resident (age, marital status, education, sex, length of stay, anxiety/mood disorder, activities of daily living scores) and facility characteristics (proportion of minority residents, ownership, urban vs rural, size, and occupancy ratio) using a multivariate random intercept model. After adjustment, significant differences remained in total QoL score and several QoL domains for Black, Asian and Hispanic residents (no significant differences for Native American residents). Practice guidelines should consider different care needs of racial/ethnic minority NH residents with ADRD.

THE BUDDY PROGRAM: IMPACT ON PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Darby Morhardt, 1 Mary Mittelman, 2 Ann Burgunder, 2 and Thea Micoli 2 , 1. Northwestern University,Chicago,Illinois,United States,2. New York University,New York,New York,United States Psychosocial interventions have the potential to offer substantial benefit to people with dementia and their family caregivers. The Buddy Program is an experiential learning program that pairs students with persons with dementia for activities and relationship-building. Previous studies have demonstrated the program's positive impact on student knowledge and attitudes. New York University's (NYU) Alzheimer's Family Support Program began replicating the Buddy Program in 2017 and has enrolled 80 students. Northwestern University's (NU) Buddy Program, in its 22nd year, has enrolled 260. This presentation describes the impact of the program on the mentors (NU) and the caregivers (NYU). Post program focus groups with mentors and student journals describing interactions with the caregiver were thematically analyzed. Mentors describe feelings of pride