Cerebrovascular burden (CVB) is a significant factor among the aging population. Age-related cognitive decline is an important social and economic issue, and understanding the mechanisms has clinical implications, both in selecting potential therapies and in choosing specific modifiers for their evaluation. In summary, past work suggests that high CVB is one source of variance in neurovascular functioning among older adults. High CVB and associated brain-changes have been identified as causes of age-related changes and it may be that high CVB is a correlate of age-related changes in sleep quality. The primary hypothesis to be tested is that cerebrovascular burden measured using an index variable reflecting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation, will predict subjective sleep quality in a sample of adults over age 70. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A sample of 8 dementia-free, community dwelling participants over the age of 70 completed the study. Though individual cerebrovascular risk factors (blood pressure, resting heart rate) had moderate but non-significant correlations with sleep quality, only the CVB index variable significantly related (1-tailed) to sleep quality. Findings support the hypothesized relationship. Future research should seek to replicate these findings with a larger sample, and to identify mechanisms by which this relationship may function.

In comparison with the national U.S. population, African American aged adults are less likely to reside in assisted living facilities (ALFs). At present, little qualitative data exist concerning how African American aged adults perceive living at home as opposed to living in an ALF. Using a phenomenological approach, this study explored how African American aged adults who live at home feel about residing in ALFs. The research questions focused on aged adults' perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about ALFs and the conditions that may prevent African American aged adults from living in ALFs. A conceptual framework based on the Purnell Model of Cultural Competence was used to interpret study results regarding the cultural beliefs of African American aged adults. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of nine African American adults aged 70 years and older who live at home and have not resided in an ALF. The data was managed through the NVivo 12 Plus program software, which assisted in providing inductive content analysis. The findings in the study revealed that the majority of the participants did not have knowledge about ALFs services however, the participant's attitudes to consider residing in ALFs were positive. There were some trust issues with the participants, indicative of a cultural heritage of beliefs and perceptions, as the participants stipulated they would reside in an ALF with support of family to monitor their care. The research study may contribute to a positive social change for African American aged adults by supporting an increased in knowledge and understanding of ALFs and increase the likelihood of African American aged adults residing in an ALF.