Elderly Couples Research Articles

Anticholinergic Toxidrome due to Thorn Apple Seed Ingestion in an Elderly Couple.

Sudden onset of reduced consciousness, psychomotor agitation and mydriasis are all indicative of an anticholinergic toxidrome. It is important to note that numerous drugs, as well as certain herbs and plants, possess anticholinergic properties. An 84-year-old female patient had sudden nocturnal onset of uncoordinated hand movements and altered mental status. Shortly after, the patient's 83-year-old husband developed symptoms of dysarthria, gait ataxia, vertigo, and delirium. Anticholinergic syndrome consists of a combination of central and peripheral anticholinergic symptoms. Physostigmine given intravenously resulted in rapid reversal of symptoms. Thorn apple seeds had been accidentally ingested and were identified as the cause. The clinical presentation of an anticholinergic toxidrome includes both central and peripheral symptoms such as altered consciousness, mydriasis, dry mucous membranes and skin, and tachycardia.Prompt recognition of anticholinergic toxidrome and the administration of physostigmine can lead to rapid reversal of symptoms and improved patient outcomes.Treatment with physostigmine is indicated when a patient with an agitated delirium does not respond adequately to titrated benzodiazepines.

Interpersonal Competition in Elderly Couples: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study

Elderly people tend not to compete with others, and if they do, the mechanism behind the competition is not clear. In this study, groups of elderly couples and matched cross-sex controls were recruited to perform a competitive button-pressing task, while their brain signals were simultaneously collected using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning. Several fundamental observations were made. First, controls showed attenuated interpersonal competition across task processes, but couples held the competition with each other. Second, couples demonstrated increased inter-brain synchronization (IBS) between the middle temporal cortex and the temporoparietal junction across task processes. Third, Granger causality analysis in couples revealed significant differences between the directions (i.e., from men to women, and from women to men) in the first half of the competitive task, whereas there was no significant difference in the second half. Finally, the groups of couples and controls could be successfully discriminated against based on IBS by using a machine-learning approach. In sum, these findings indicate that elderly couples can maintain interpersonal competition, and such maintenance might be associated with changes in the IBS of the mentalizing system. It suggests the possible positive impact of long-term spouse relationships on interpersonal interactions, both behaviorally and neurally, in terms of competition.

Experience of Elderly Korean Women with Diabetes and Multimorbidity in Elderly Couple Households: A Qualitative Study.

Elderly women with multimorbidity in elderly couple households face the double burden of managing their diseases while fulfilling their gender roles. This study aimed to investigate the daily life experiences of elderly women with diabetes and multimorbidity living as part of couple households in Korea. Ten women aged 65 or more with diabetes and multimorbidity and living as part of elderly couple households participated in this phenomenological qualitative study. The data were analyzed with van Manen’s method of study of analytical phenomena. Four essential themes were identified. Participants regarded diabetes and multimorbidity as a part of the aging process and continued to function as caregivers for their husbands and themselves, avoiding becoming a burden to their adult children. The findings of this study could help healthcare providers better understand elderly women with diabetes and multimorbidity and assist in improving the health of such women.

Impact of Hearing Impairment on Marital Adjustment In Elderly Couples

This present study was conducted to determine the relationship of marital adjustment with loss of hearing in elderly couples. To carry out the study, the subjects were audiologically tested and the marital adjustment questionnaire (MAQ) was administered along with hearing handicap inventory (HHI). The audiological assessment consisted of pure tonal audiometry (PTA), which was carried out in a sound treated room by air conduction (from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz) and the bone conduction (500 Hz to 4000 Hz). Hearing threshold was calculated by using the MAICO brand Audiometer (MA-42). The sample was 30 elderly couples without hearing aids. Among them, 15 couples having B/L severe hearing loss in male partner and female partner with normal hearing were placed in experimental group, while other 15 couples having no hearing loss placed in control group. Data analysis was carried out with the help of IBM-SPSS software. For statistical analysis, the Pearson correlation was used among pure tone average, marital adjustment and hearing handicap inventory. To see the difference in mean adjustment score of experimental and control group, t-test was applied. Pearson correlation showed negative significant correlation between HHI and Marital adjustment, between PTA and Marital adjustment. HHI and PTA revealed high positive correlation. The results show a strong connection between hearing loss in elderly couples and poor adjustment.

A Post-Occupancy Evaluation on the Modified Ailing Home by Customization for Older Elderly Couple with Chronic Disease

The need of customized home modification for the elderly is increasing and becomes more important. This study attempted to explore the effect of age-friendly customized home modification through the response of elderly residents. The target households were two very old elderly couples with chronic diseases. Three types of information were collected such as, first the characteristics of the modified features and the residents respectively, second the fit between them for each modified feature, and third the effectiveness of the entire modification through measures of life quality including perceived self-reliance and expectation of continuous residence and dwelling happiness. Interview and observation techniques along with a graphic scale to measure the residents’ responses were used. As results, highly positive responses to diverse dimensions of user benefits were identified for each changed feature of the houses, along with considerable improvement of the three aspects of life quality. It is significant in showing the rationality and importance of the customized modification to reach the ultimate aim of Aging In Place.

노년기 부부의 우울 전이 : 종단적 행위자-상대방 상호의존모형의 적용

노년기 부부의 우울 전이 : 종단적 행위자-상대방 상호의존모형의 적용

Factors Associated with Sexual Intimacy among Malaysian Elderly Couples: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sexual intimacy is an essential aspect of life regardless of age and proven to increase the quality of life of older persons. This study aimed to identify the determinants that predict sexual intimacy among elderly couples in Malaysia. A total of 1934 elderly were selected throughout Peninsular Malaysia and also Sabah and Sarawak. A validated questionnaire was used consisted of socio-demographic information, presence of chronic diseases, perceived present health status, satisfaction with current life, Body Mass Index, disability, social support and sexual intimacy sections. Despite still sleeping with their spouses (60.8%), majority of the respondents claimed incapable of having sexual intercourse (71.0%). Good sexual intimacy in later life was determined by being married and received good social support from family members and friends. On the other hand, those who aged 70 and above, female, non-Malay, had informal education, had gastritis, perceived their current health status as satisfactory, unsatisfied with current lifestyle and disabled were having a significant likelihood of having poor sexual intimacy at old age. The findings indicated the importance of being healthy and having good social support, which includes still having a spouse to maintain sexual intimacy in old age.

The Elderly Couple.

The Elderly Couple.

Experiences of Spousal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia in Elderly Couple Households

Experiences of Spousal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia in Elderly Couple Households

노년기 부부의 관계 만족도와 우울의 종단적 변화 사이의 관련성: 이자성장 행위자-상대방 상호의존 모형의 적용

노년기 부부의 관계 만족도와 우울의 종단적 변화 사이의 관련성: 이자성장 행위자-상대방 상호의존 모형의 적용

The Elderly Family Solidarity: The Case Study of the Urbanized Elderly Couple in Bangkok

The Elderly Family Solidarity: The Case Study of the Urbanized Elderly Couple in Bangkok

Images of Elderly Couples Observed in Chinese Poems - Focused on Elderly Wives -

Images of Elderly Couples Observed in Chinese Poems - Focused on Elderly Wives -

노년기 부부의 성역할태도가 결혼만족도에 미치는 영향

노년기 부부의 성역할태도가 결혼만족도에 미치는 영향

Family Spirituality and Family Health Among Korean-American Elderly Couples.

Spirituality has been regarded as an individual and private matter; consequently, research on spirituality as a family phenomenon has been largely neglected. In addition, most published research has been focused on Western cultures. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of family spirituality and how it influences health among Korean-American elderly couples who are the first generation to reside in the Southeastern USA. A thematic and interpretive data analysis method was used. Thirteen elderly couples (N=26) participated in in-depth individual interviews in Korean with the primary author. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and then translated by two bilingual researchers with a background in Korean and American culture. Three main themes of family spirituality were identified: (1) family togetherness, (2) family interdependence, and (3) family coping. Also, participants reported that family spirituality strengthened family health by fostering family commitment, improving emotional well-being, developing new healthy behaviors, and providing healing experiences. This finding implies that healthcare providers need to assess family spiritual issues of elderly couples to maximize their strengths for coping with health problems. As our society becomes more culturally diverse, healthcare providers should seek to understand family spirituality from different cultural perspectives to develop a more holistic approach to care.

A Qualitative Study on the Adaptation Process of Middle-Aged and Elderly Couples with Retired Husbands

This study examined the retirement adaptation process for middle-aged and elderly couples. Twelve couples who had experienced retirement were recruited by theoretical sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed through the grounded theory approach of Strauss and Corbin (1998). This study showed the results of 124 concepts, 41 sub-categories and 17 categories indicated through an open coding process. As a paradigm in axial coding, the causal conditions in the adjustment procedures of elderly couples whose spouses are retired were ``retirement preparation,`` ``retirement acceptance,`` and ``marital satisfaction.`` A central phenomenon was ``crisis and conflicts of twilight couples.`` The contextual conditions that correspond to this phenomenon were ``psychological separation from adult children,`` ``division of household labor,`` and ``economic status.`` The action/interaction strategies to control the phenomenon were ``recognition of marital relationships,`` ``conflicts coping,`` ``resolution methods,`` and ``self-reflection.`` The intervening conditions that facilitate action/interaction strategies were ``attitudes of husbands,`` ``mutual awareness of couple,`` ``health status,`` and ``support systems.`` The consequences were ``readaptation of marital relationships,`` and ``unresolved conflicts,`` and ``trying alone.`` This research classified middle-aged and elderly couples`` adaptation into three types such as mutual effort, separation & resignation, and conflicts vestige. The findings provide basic information to develop a retirement adaptation program for the middle-aged and elderly.

The Actor and Partner Effects of Marital Satisfaction on Successful Aging among Korean Elderly Couples under different Economic Context

The Actor and Partner Effects of Marital Satisfaction on Successful Aging among Korean Elderly Couples under different Economic Context

Living Their Age in the Involvement among Elderly Couples in Home Care

Living Their Age in the Involvement among Elderly Couples in Home Care

Sexual Challenges With Aging: Integrating the GES Approach in an Elderly Couple

An advantage of sexuality after 60 years of age is the increased need for couple involvement to promote desire, pleasure, eroticism, and satisfaction inherent to the healthy aging process. This case study clinically explores the complex psychobiosocial interactions for understanding, assessing, and treating sexual problems for couples age 60 years and older, emphasizing the Good Enough Sex approach of variable, flexible, and shared sexual pleasure. Aging couples are discouraged from appraising their sexual experiences within the parameters of the pass/fail binary of the traditional individual performance model and are instead encouraged to embrace the evolving elasticity of their sexual experiences. The Good Enough Sex model espouses an approachable and satisfying alternative for the promotion of sexual function and satisfaction throughout the life span, with particular interest in late adulthood sexual health.

Study on the Changes of Elderly Couple's Living Style and Sustainable Residential Designing

Targeted at elderly couple's families, this paper analyzes the residence relationship among the elderly couples and focuses on the link between changes in living style and health state of the elderly through the change of the place in which elderly couples sleep, have meals, do daily living and so on. On the basis of the living style characteristics and living demand of the elderly couples, this paper comes up with suggestions for sustainable residential designing for them.

Effects of Dementia Knowledge, Self-Efficacy and Depression on Dementia Preventive Behavior in Elderly Couples: Dyadic Data Analysis

This study was done to examine actor and partner effect of dementia knowledge, self-efficacy and depression on dementia preventive behavior in elderly couples. Participants were 115 couples aged 60 years or over who met eligibility criteria. All measures were self-administered. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 program. Dementia knowledge in elderly couples showed actor and partner effect on dementia preventive behavior. Self-efficacy in the wife did not have direct effects on dementia preventive behavior, but showed indirect effects through dementia knowledge. Self-efficacy in the husband showed direct effects on dementia preventive behavior and indirect effects through dementia knowledge. Wife's depression had direct actor effect on dementia preventive behavior and indirect effect through self-efficacy and dementia knowledge. Husband's depression did not have direct actor effect on dementia preventive behavior, but indirect effect through self-efficacy and dementia knowledge. Effect size of wives' dementia knowledge, self-efficacy and depression on dementia preventive behavior was larger than that of husbands'. Dementia preventive behavior, dementia knowledge and depression had a mutual effect. Results indicate that to promote dementia preventive activity in elderly couples, programs should be conducted for both of the couple, but focused differently for wife and husband.