Older immigrants represent a rapidly growing segment of the U.S. aging population, yet the long-term cognitive implications of immigration timing remain insufficiently understood. This study examines whether age at migration shapes cognitive function and cognitive decline among foreign-born older adults using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 1998–2020). A total of 10,816 observations from 1,735 individuals aged 55 and older were included. Linear mixed-effects models were estimated with random intercepts and slopes to assess the association between age at migration, age, and cognitive trajectories, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health factors. Results show that a later age at migration is significantly associated with slightly lower baseline cognitive scores (β = –0.0022, p = 0.008). Moreover, age at migration modestly modifies cognitive trajectories over time, with a small but significant interaction with age (β = 0.000125, p = 0.027), suggesting that individuals who migrated later exhibit a slightly steeper increase or slower decline in cognition. Gender-stratified models showed that these associations were more pronounced among women, whereas estimates among men were smaller and not statistically significant. However, in the full interaction model, gender interaction terms were not significant, suggesting that observed gender differences reflect descriptive patterns rather than statistically robust effect modification. Overall, findings indicate that the timing of migration carries lasting implications for later-life cognitive health. These results contribute to a nuanced understanding of immigrant aging and may inform targeted interventions to support cognitive health in diverse aging populations.

Authors:
Dongfang Hong, University of Massachusetts Boston, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dongfang Hong is currently a PhD candidate in Gerontology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, specializing in the social determinants of cognitive and mental health among immigrant older adults.

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