Aspects Of Old Age Research Articles

Writing Life, Writing Time, Writing the Mother

This article focuses on Ernaux’s later life memories of a twentieth century daughter-mother relationship, rendered in the light of this era’s historical transformations and its tensions between individual freedom and collective "fate," and between pre- and post 1968 conceptions of a fulfilled life. It refers to Ernaux’s most monumental work of self-writing, Les Années (2008) and this book’s links to what she has previously written in remembrance of her mother. The purpose is to investigate how these works seek to come to terms with, not only the loss of a mother, but also the narrator’s own aging. Ernaux exemplifies the adult daughter-senescent mother relationship in ways that are characteristic for her generation of women and suggestive of general historical changes in human relationships in Western societies since 1968. Can Ernaux’s writing provide, in the terms of Kathleen Woodward, “cultural models of older women as a way of generating alternative futures for ourselves”? Or does it fail to reconciliate the stereotypical binary of female aging as either graceful or awful, conveying tabooed aspects of old age that need to be brought to light, and even more urgently so in a socio-cultural context privileging youthfulness, individualism and uncertain human bonds? Keywords: Annie Ernaux, The Years; aging daughter-mother relationship; filiation narratives; auto-socio-biography; memory and time; autonomy and dependency; social exclusion; abjection and purification.

Frailty assessment tools and their predictive value in preoperative evaluation for general surgery: a narrative review

The world’s population is ageing rapidly, with projections suggesting a significant increase in the elderly demographic over the next few decades. This shift is likely to result in long periods of infirmity and frailty, thus escalating healthcare demands. Frailty has been investigated almost exclusively in the elderly because of its association with the senior population. It is considered to be an unavoidable aspect of old age, rather than a variable aspect of ageing. It has been linked to a greater risk of falls and decreased mobility, increased hospitalizations, institutionalization, and mortality. Due to elevated complication risk, the frail group required expert surgical treatment and specialised care. Various models have been described in recent years, including the Frailty Phenotype model, the Edmonton Frailty scale, and the Clinical Frailty scale, among many others. Each model employs several components to assess an individual’s frailty. There is, however, no gold standard for measuring fragility. The use of such assessment methods in pre-operative frailty screening as a risk-stratification instrument has been shown to be effective in older persons undergoing general surgery. The use of frailty assessment tools to determine the level of frailty together with evidence-based treatment and management should be supported by collaborative decision making. In this narrative review, we discussed the four commonly used frailty assessment tools with a particular emphasis on the need for additional research to refine these models and enhance their predictive accuracy in surgical settings.

Fertility in Iraq Measuring determinants

In this modest research, we try to clarify the concept of fertility and the detection of the most important determinants and standards in Iraq.
 In Iraq, the total fertility rate in Iraq clearly decrease in the last two decade, reach (4.3) births per woman in 2006, but is still high in comparison with the world, more than about (65%) of the global rate of (2.7) births. The overall fertility rate of developing States and medium human development has been reduced to (2.9) births and (2.5) births, respectively. There are many standards of fertility, crude birth rate ,the total fertility rate, age-specific fertility rate, Gross Reproduction rate and the Net Reproduction rate and others.
 there are many demographic factors , social and economic impact on the levels of fertility, there for many of researchers try to clarify the relationship between the fertility and these factors and the impact of each on it. the most important of those factors for those relating to the advancement of women in the first place and then the husband and the family and the surroundings of the family. One of the characteristics of women from the demographic aspect of old age at first marriage and the use of family planning methods and other .either social factors include the marital status of the educational level of both husband and wife and health situation. The economic factors related to work of women outside the home, the level of family income and consumer aspirations of the family.

PHYSICAL THERAPY IN DISABILITY PREVENTION IN LONG-LIVED PERSONS.

The aim: To evaluate physical therapy in the prevention of disability in long-lived persons. Materials and methods: The study was conducted over a period of 4 months in a group of 27 patients treated at the Residential Care Facility in Szydłowiec. Most patients were over the age of 90 years (68%), with a mean age of 88 years. They underwent physical therapy cycles and their functional status was doc¬umented. Physical therapy included selected physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy methods adjusted to the physical fitness of each patient. Treatment efficacy was monitored using the standardised ADL and Barthel Index scales, which allowed for functional status assessments. Results: The study found that physical therapy improved physical fitness in study patients after 4 months. Appropriate physical therapy and rehabilitation conducted in this group of patients helped considerably improve their objective and subjective condition, including their functional status and degree of independence. Conclusions:1. Chronic musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, nervous system and other disorders are an important aspect of old age. 2. Appropriate physical therapy and rehabilitation in this group of patients helps considerably improve their objective and subjective condition, including their functional status. 3. Providing appropriate care for the elderly is a challenge for healthcare systems.

Гибридные глагольно-прилагательные формы как психологический маркер «уходящей натуры» в рассказе И. А. Бунина «Благосклонное участие»

The aim of the study is to prove that hybrid verb-adjective forms (V. V. Vinogradov’s definition is used as a key terminological combination) are a significant psychological marker of a “departing character” that conveys explicit and implicit aspects of old age in I. A. Bunin’s short story “Benevolent Participation”. Scientific novelty of the study lies in initially addressing the projection of the “linguistics/gerontopsychology” contamination on a local literary text, taking an integrative approach to the issue of interaction between a “completed person” and society presented in a lesser-known work of the classic. As a result, the researcher has identified the regularity regarding the correlation of the categorical meaning of the participle as a hybrid form and the psychological characteristics of old age as a synthetic phenomenon realised in the literary image.

Geriatric Health in Saudi Arabia, A Review

Geriatric health is not separate from general population health, but maintaining a good health is difficult and different in old age. In order to achieve healthy geriatric community, it is necessary to know few aspects of old age. The design and implementation of comprehensive preventive health protocols for elders presents the medical profession with many challenges. Although a specific protocol must be modified to meet the unique needs of the individual patient, there are certain factors common to elderly segment of the population that may influence these protocols.

An ageist perspective on age and older adults in information behaviour research

This study aims to answer the question what kind of research exists on aging and older adults in information behaviour and information seeking. A systematic literature review was conducted in two databases, LISA and Scopus. The results were refined and tagged thematically and clustered into main research topics. (Online) health information behaviour is the largest research topic in relation to aging and older adults. Underrepresented topics are information needs and behaviour outside of the health care sector. An ageist perspective is strongly present in information behaviour studies. Existing research on (online) health information behaviour primarily addresses a negative aspect of old age, frailty and illness, which may amplify the stereotypical image of older people and aging. This paper suggests that the research field should turn to topics that are more diverse and use the demographic variable of age more carefully in order to mitigate ageism.

Active life style in senior age - How to live healthily and wisely – longevity in a good european style

The aim of the presented study is to analyse and evaluate the significance of the lifelong contribution of prof. Jan Ślężyński for the support of active lifestyle in senior age, especially how he copes with the difficult aspects of old age - how to live healthily and wisely in a context of health support and wellness in European style. The partial goal is to capture autobiographical attributes in the context of the chosen topic. Methods as: Case study method; Content analysis; Hysteresis; Descriptive analysis were applied. Regular physical activity in senior age prevents atrophy of muscle as well as muscle strength and cardiorespiratory function. The risk of premature death with a change from a sedentary lifestyle to a physically active life is a prerequisite for a long and healthy life. During the active life style promoting human health through properly applied movement, prof. Jan Ślężyński represents the importance of an active lifestyle in senior age as a prerequisite for a long and healthy life.

Envelhecimento de homens gays brasileiros

O presente artigo objetivou analisar as representações sociais de homens gays brasileiros sobre a velhice LGBT, com base na Teoria das Representações Sociais. Foi utilizada uma entrevista semiestruturada realizada com homens gays residentes de todo o Brasil. Utilizou-se a Classificação Hierárquica Descendente (CHD) e a Análise Prototípica para a análise das representações apreendidas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram o enraizamento das representações em aspectos negativos da velhice e a negação da sexualidade nessa fase da vida, onde estes reforçam o preconceito e corroboram com a dupla discriminação vivenciada por idosos LGBTs.

The Art of Living Well and the Gaining of Practical Wisdom in Later Life: Perspectives for Undertaking Future Work in the Intergenerational Field

ABSTRACT This paper offers a range of perspectives on living well in later life while acknowledging that that there is no predefined formula, single pathway or personal style for doing so. The concept ‘practical wisdom’ is introduced to improve understandings surrounding its nature, characteristics and contribution to positive intergenerational relationships. Older people who display aspects of practical wisdom are more likely to have acquired value orientations that affirm concern for life beyond oneself. A fluid approach is taken that places wisdom within the context of everyday transactions between the older individual, family, friends and community. In essence, the primary aim of this essay is to stimulate debate, reflection and ongoing conversations among scholars and students of gerontology in the interest of opening new ways of thinking including the possibility of identifying a viable framework for research opportunities arising from a focus on positive aspects of old age that relate to 1) living well in later life 2) the acquisition and application of practical everyday wisdom and 3) establishing partnership arrangements with older adults that can facilitate the transmission of understandings on wisdom and the art of growing old as part of their commitment to the development of future generations.

Adult Immunization in Diabetes - Current Recommendations

Oral health is not separate from general health but maintaining oral health is definitely difficult and different in old age. Even though few elderly people have physical andor mental situation that call for particular interest in the dental workplace one should not presume that all elderly community shares these circumstances. In order to achieve health it is necessary to know few aspects of old age. In due course of old age body tissues get harder collection of waste products in body cells and loss of lubrication leads to impaired functions of various organs. There is wide evidence that periodontitis is a risk factor for certain systemic diseases and impaired oral health has been associated with mastication and nutritional problems especially among the elderly with highly negative effects on their quality of life. Although a specific protocol must be tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual patient there are certain factors common to elderly segment of the population that may influence these protocols.

The relationship between health self-perception, food consumption and nutritional status among Portuguese older adults.

In Portugal people aged 65 and above will be the populational group with the highest growth rate of the next decades. Healthy ageing constitutes a challenge as not only the number of years lived are essential, but also the quality of life becomes a priority. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between health self-perception (HSP), food consumption and nutritional status among Portuguese older adults. Four hundred fifty-nine older adults (aged ≥ 65) were interviewed, almost half had a positive HSP. The most significant predictor of HSP was nutritional status, p = 0.005, but independence in shopping had the largest impact on how they compared to others, p < 0.001. Interventions need to focus on factors like nutritional status, independency on Activities of Daily Living, Satisfaction with Food-Related Life and utilize them to modify the negative HSP and attitudes towards ageing and health and maximize the positive aspects of old age.

Starsi ludzie jako segment rynku reklamy w Polsce

Older people as a segment of the advertising market in PolandFor the purpose of this publication, current advertisements, in which there are protagonists symbolizing the older generation, were analyzed. In the publication the author presents the results of analyses of TV commercials broadcast from January 1 to May 15, 2018. The purpose of the observation was first of all to show the image of older people present in commercials and the visual and verbal means used for this purpose. The task of the analysis was also to present social roles assigned to the characters from commercials and the products categories and sub-categories, which are positioned in these spots. The aim of the article is to show the marketing aspect of old age, which is the buyer model created in current commercials.

Oral health concerns in elderly: A review

Oral health is not separate from general health but maintaining oral health is definitely difficult and different in old age. Even though few elderly people have physical andor mental situation that call for particular interest in the dental workplace one should not presume that all elderly community shares these circumstances. In order to achieve health it is necessary to know few aspects of old age. In due course of old age body tissues get harder collection of waste products in body cells and loss of lubrication leads to impaired functions of various organs. There is wide evidence that periodontitis is a risk factor for certain systemic diseases and impaired oral health has been associated with mastication and nutritional problems especially among the elderly with highly negative effects on their quality of life. Although a specific protocol must be tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual patient there are certain factors common to elderly segment of the population that may influence these protocols.

Roz Chast’s Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant (2014) and Kawthar Younis’s “A Present from the Past” (2016) as Multimodal Narratives of Old Age

This paper investigates Roz Chast’s graphic novel Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant (2014) and Kawthar Younis’s feature- length documentary “A Present from the Past” (2016). Both works provide narratives of old age based on actual events. Chast’s work chronicles the experience of the famous cartoonist as she takes care of her ageing parents while Younis’ documentary discusses the journey of a daughter with her elderly father in search of his first love who lives in Italy. Created by female artists who confuse the role of creator and character, both works reveal the complexities and ambiguities of ageing through the lenses of gendered story telling. The paper posits the following questions: How can the modes of sequential arts and visual narrative give utterance to new poetics of ageing, particularly through exploring the interaction between the generic features of these modes (such as temporality, comedy, and journeying) and aspects of the ageing experience such as resilience, infantilisation, defiance of ageing, and perception of the ageing body. The paper further contends that, through their intergenerational dimension, these stories reevaluate the underlying, fixed patterns of the perception of old age. Finally, the paper investigates the insights offered through a cross cultural examination of works about ageing that belong to different cultures, in this case Middle East and American. Surveying earlier literary works by female writers in which ageing people take precedence such as Simone de Beauvoir’s La Vieillesse and Latifa El Zayat’s Ageing, the first part of the paper attempts a theoretical framework that synthesizes this survey with the givens of critical gerontology (which encompasses literary gerontology and narrative gerontology) as suggested by Holstein (2007), Hepworth (2000), Woodward (2006), and Wyatt- Brown as well as theories of visual narrative and documentary genres structures proposed by Eisner (1996) and Cohn (2013) . The second part of the paper explores the techniques of storying adopted by Chast and Younis as they relate to their respective modes/genres. The final part of the paper examines the gender, intergenerational and cross cultural aspects in both works thus evaluating the interplay of the subjective with the global aspects of old age. Taking these issues into consideration the paper attempts to prove that a consideration of ageing narratives across modes and genres enhances Simone de Beauvoir’s remark that “it is this old age that makes it clear that everything has to be reconsidered, recast from the very beginning. That is why the whole problem is so carefully passed over in silence: and that is why this silence has to be shattered”.

A cross-sectional study of health and psychosocial problems among elderly people living in old-age homes of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts, Gujarat, India

Background: Old age is a big challenge to human life with respect to health needs as well as psychosocial needs. This study has explored the very important aspects of old age. Very few studies have been conducted in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts on the same aspects. The present study was an attempt to fill the gap in knowledge about the existing health-related and psychosocial problems faced by elderly population. Objectives: To study the health profile, socio-demographic factors, and psychosocial aspects of the elderly in old-age homes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on the public health aspects and psychosocial problems of old-age persons (60 years and above) was carried out in old-age homes in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts, Gujarat, India. Results: A total of 500 elderly people, living in nine old-age homes in Ahmedabad district, were interviewed and examined. In the study population, 42.20% were male and 57.80% were female. Majority of the elderly were residing in old-age home for 3–10 years (59.60%). Moreover, the most frequent reason of shifting to old-age home among them was family conflicts (45.60%). Majority of the elderly were having body mass index in normal and overweight ranges. And, more number of females had shown overweight pattern as compared to males. This study revealed the five common presenting symptoms of the elderly to be joint pain (47.40%), impaired vision (39.20%), insomnia (28.00%), weakness (23.20%), and impaired memory (23.20%). Health problems of elderly population are of much concern as per this study. The major health problems found in the elderly were cancer, anemia, diabetes, cataract, hypertension, coronary heart disease, asthma, and osteoarthritis. Conclusion: Majority of the elderly people felt neglected by their family members. Two-thirds of old-age homes were having facility for regular health checkup. Majority of the elderly were having hypertension and joint pain as the most common presenting complaints among all.

Between Wisdom and Sluggishness: Thomas Aquinas on the Elderly

Between Wisdom and Sluggishness:Thomas Aquinas on the Elderly Piotr Roszak THOMAS AQUINAS DID NOT live long enough to experience old age himself. He died when he was approximately forty-nine years old, "on his way," literally, as he was traveling to Lyon to participate in a council, busily penning his works (he averaged twelve standard A4 pages at the last stage of his life, according to the calculations of Jean-Pierre Torrell, O.P.),1 his Summa theologiae still incomplete. Whenever he speaks of old age he reads it, as if by default, through the works of St. Paul, who approached the Old and New Covenant dialectically and reminded that a Christian puts on a new man even if his or her calendar age is advanced. This reference to the spiritual aspect of old age defines Thomas's thought, with particular emphasis on the concept of new creation. At the same time, he asks himself the serious question of whether church offices should be held by elders or juniors.2 Thomas's theological method with respect to this point is characteristic of him: he does not speculate in a vacuum but instead engages in a dialogue with the broad intellectual tradition—and not only the Christian tradition. He was [End Page 91] familiar with the classic treatises on old age, including those of Cicero, whom Thomas frequently cites in his reflections on morality. He was also greatly influenced by Aristotle and his fundamentally naturalistic description of old age. Thomas associated the term senex with the notion of maiores, a legacy still present in many modern languages. For instance, Spanish refers to an elderly person as mayor de edad, even though mayor is ambiguous, as it describes someone who is either "older" or "greater." In what sense, therefore, is an elderly person maior? The respect due to old age, regarded as the fruitio of life experience, opens up a theological reflection on the meaning of the passage of time in our life. What is the meaning of each passing moment? Did not the Creator determine everything? Are we not determined by our genes to become whatever they make us to be? For what purpose did God need this delay in creation? He could have created the world and saved it immediately afterwards. He chose not to. Following the creation of the world, a whole history opened up and became deeply meaningful to all Christians. Therefore, it would seem reasonable to place old age on the axis of the passing time and emphasize the importance of experience, decisive in attaining the heights of moral life. A theologian identifies this dynamic as a "grace of time" given to each human being so that he or she can experience becoming a cause of good in the world. For Thomas, "being good" is but one form of perfection, while a far greater form of perfection is "being a cause," even if instrumental, of good in another person.3 This article will present the spiritual ethos of the elderly person in the light of Thomas's thought. I will explore, in addition to Thomas's more familiar works such as the Summa theologiae, a few lesser-known works, such as his biblical commentaries, in which Thomas, the medieval professor, expresses himself most eloquently. The Bible speaks [End Page 92] at length about old age and its significance; Thomas's biblical commentaries provide direct access to his understanding of these passages. Furthermore, the Summa theologiae was intended to develop a better understanding of the Bible, as we read in the Summa's prologue.4 We will see that Thomas praises the doctrine of the elders while warning against certain tendencies of old age that could lead elderly persons astray and cripple them spiritually. Of course this does not mean that God's idea of old age is a failure, that the elderly are not to cooperate as higher causes in God's plan for creation. Thomas simply recognizes that there are dangers that accompany the potentialities. In my analysis, I shall focus on questions of wisdom, prudence, and hope. I. The Parable of the Vineyard Workers: "Old Age Is...

Ageing in the contemporary world

Abstract All societies of our civilization are growing old, people live longer and longer and there are more and more old people. It results in the fact that problems of old people, either individual or of social aspects, are getting one of the crucial tasks for the society nowadays. In fact, there are no grounds to envy or to feel compassion for old people. The old man is a fully normal man, only the old one. We are all growing old…whether we want it or not – and we can only wonder, how it will be, when we get old… Without any doubt, it is important to live as long as possible, but not less important is the quality of life, physical and mental condition, good mood and the most of all – the good health. The old age, may not be a flow of happiness, but it of course has its good prospects and can remain positive. The aim of that study is the attempt to show the status of a man in the process of ageing and all aspects connected with this process. The study should allow us not only to perceive the positive aspects of old age, but also to acquaint ourselves with the mechanism of growing old and show us how to reduce the instinctive fear of growing old and what to do to make this period of our lives bearable and stately. What does it mean to grow old? How does it feel like to be old? How have people tried to prevent the process of ageing in different cultures in the past centuries? How it is being done nowadays? What are the advantages of growing old? The attempt to find the answers for the above mentioned questions is the aim of that study. Its keynote is paradoxically quite optimistic and helps us to stay calm in the face of this inevitable fate we all are going to meet with.

Aksjologiczne oblicze trzeciego wieku

Aksjologiczne oblicze trzeciego wieku. Celem artykułu jest pokazanie niektórych aksjologicznych aspektów starości. Myślenie aksjologiczne, czyli myślenie według wartości, przenosi nas w obszary ludzkiej odpowiedzialności za wartość życia oraz odpowiedzialności za bogactwo doświadczeń życiowych, które stanowią o życiowej mądrości ludzi starszych. Drugim polem odpowiedzialności jest troska o ludzi starszych jako świadków przeszłości, która jest nauczycielką mądrości dla przyszłości. Trzecim polem odpowiedzialności jest troska o wierność tradycji. Ludzie w podeszłym wieku są niezastąpieni w podtrzymywaniu więzi między tradycją a przyszłością. Autor artykułu pokazuje także potrzebę troski o ludzi starszych w ich wielorakich potrzebach życiowych i zagrożeniach cywilizacyjnych. Jakość życia ludzi starszych oraz ich miejsce i rola w rodzinie i społeczeństwie są nie tylko wyznacznikiem jakości życia społecznego i poziomu społecznego dobrobytu, ale przede wszystkim są wymownym znakiem jakości społecznego szacunku dla wartości i godności ludzi starszych. Autor artykułu podkreśla też ważną rolę edukacji i zdobywania wiedzy, którą oferują ludziom starszym uniwersytety trzeciego wieku.

Book Reviews

Inas Kelly of Queens College, City University of New York reviews “The End Game: How Inequality Shapes Our Final Years,” by Corey M. Abramson. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “Paperback edition of 2015 text illustrates how key mechanisms of social stratification structure everyday life in old age and how the unique practical and symbolic aspects of old age make it an important axis of American inequality.”