Foreclosure, memory decline, and dementia probability: A longitudinal cohort study.

Housing instability is a key determinant of cognitive aging. We examined foreclosure and levels and changes in memory and dementia probability scores in the US older adult population. Foreclosure was associated with faster memory decline among middle-aged (50 to 64) older adults, equivalent to 3.7 additional years of cognitive aging over 10 years. Foreclosure yielded sharp memory declines and increases in dementia probability among older adults 65 and above. Foreclosure imposes a greater risk for older adults' cognitive decline.