Age Health Research Articles

Relationship Between Neck Circumference and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in a Bushehr Elderly Health Study.

Metabolic syndrome includes a set of metabolic disorders such as obesity, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, lipid disorders, and glucose intolerance. In this cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study, 2,426 people were selected from the 60 years old and above population of Bushehr for a second-phase investigation of the relationship between neck circumference (NC) and cardiometabolic risk factors in the elderly people. The data (mean and standard deviation) were analyzed using STATA MP Version 15 software. The results of the study showed that the average age of all elderly participants in the study was 69.34 ± 6.39 years. The mean and standard deviation of the NC index in men, women, and all participants were 39.31 ± 2.89, 34.86 ± 2.84, and 37.00 ± 3.62, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of most laboratory indicators (triglyceride [TG], total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL]) were significantly higher in women, and there was no significant difference in fasting blood glucose (FBG) between men and women. NC index in the total population was significantly associated with all risk factors of metabolic syndrome (body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure) and laboratory indicators (FBG, TG, TC, LDLC, and HDL). The present study shows that the NC index can be a good predictor for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and visceral adipose tissue in the elderly.

Fall Recognition Based on an IMU Wearable Device and Fall Verification through a Smart Speaker and the IoT

A fall is one of the most devastating events that aging people can experience. Fall-related physical injuries, hospital admission, or even mortality among the elderly are all critical health issues. As the population continues to age worldwide, there is an imperative need to develop fall detection systems. We propose a system for the recognition and verification of falls based on a chest-worn wearable device, which can be used for elderly health institutions or home care. The wearable device utilizes a built-in three-axis accelerometer and gyroscope in the nine-axis inertial sensor to determine the user’s postures, such as standing, sitting, and lying down. The resultant force was obtained by calculation with three-axis acceleration. Integration of three-axis acceleration and a three-axis gyroscope can obtain a pitch angle through the gradient descent algorithm. The height value was converted from a barometer. Integration of the pitch angle with the height value can determine the behavior state including sitting down, standing up, walking, lying down, and falling. In our study, we can clearly determine the direction of the fall. Acceleration changes during the fall can determine the force of the impact. Furthermore, with the IoT (Internet of Things) and smart speakers, we can verify whether the user has fallen by asking from smart speakers. In this study, posture determination is operated directly on the wearable device through the state machine. The ability to recognize and report a fall event in real-time can help to lessen the response time of a caregiver. The family members or care provider monitor, in real-time, the user’s current posture via a mobile device app or internet webpage. All collected data supports subsequent medical evaluation and further intervention.

Penyuluhan Hipertensi serta Pelayanan Kesehatan pada Lansia di Cengkareng Barat

Hypertension is a condition that is often found in primary health care, because the prevalence of hypertension in Indonesia is relatively high. According to RISKESDAS 2018, the prevalence of hypertension in Indonesia was 34.11%. Hypertension is a major public health problem, responsible for at least 45% of deaths from heart disease and 51% of deaths from stroke. The increasing prevalence of hypertension is caused by population growth, old age and risk factors for unhealthy dietary behavior. In addition to hypertension, through general health checks, other diseases can be found, especially degenerative diseases. In elderly it is important to carry out periodic checks because the higher the risk of degenerative diseases due to decreased the function of various organs of the body. The activities of Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat are carried out by counseling and health care on 4th January 2023 to 42 participants aged ≥46 years (early elderly) at Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Budi Mulia 4. The results of the counseling get a 43% increase in knowledge about hypertension. The results of the health care get diagnosis of 23% hypertension, 17% stroke, 17% neuralgia, 9% osteoarthritis, 9% diabetes mellitus, 9% cephalalgia, 6% gastritis, 6% dermatitis, and 4% anemia. It is hoped that this activity can run continuously to achieve better elderly health.

Associated factors of health-promoting lifestyle of the elderly based on the theory of social ecosystem

ObjectTo explore the factors related to health-promoting lifestyles of the elderly based on social-ecosystem theory. DesignA cross-sectional survey study was carried out to include 627 elderly people in communities in three cities of Hebei Province (Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, and Zhangjiakou) from October 2021 to January 2022 for questionnaire survey (601 validly returned cases). VenueThree cities of Hebei Province (Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, and Zhangjiakou). Participants627 elderly people. InterventionsA cross-sectional survey study. Main measurementsThe questionnaire survey was conducted by using the general demographic data, health promotion life scale, frailty scale, general self-efficacy scale, health engagement scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, The family Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale. ResultsThe total health promotion lifestyle score for the elderly was 100.20±16.21, which was at the lower limit of the good level, with the highest mean score for nutrition (2.71±0.51) and the lowest mean score for physical activity (2.25±0.56). Stepwise linear regression showed that exercise frequency (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.304–3.885), smoking status (95% CI −4.190 to −1.556), self-efficacy (95% CI 0.071–0.185), health management (95% CI 0.306–0.590), frailty (95% CI −3.327 to −1.162) in the microsystem, marital status (95% CI 0.677–3.660), children's attention to the elderly health (95% CI 4.866–11.305), family care in the mesosystem (95% CI 1.365–4.968), and pre-retirement occupation (95% CI 2.065–3.894), living area (95% CI 0.813–3.912), whether receive community-based chronic disease prevention and management services (95% CI 2.035–8.149), social support (95% CI 1.667–6.493) in the macrosystem were the main factors affecting health promotion of life in the elderly (P<0.05). Hierarchical regression analysis showed the microsystem accounted for 17.2%, the mesosystem accounted for 7.1%, and the macrosystem accounted for 11.4%. ConclusionThe health promotion lifestyle of the elderly in Hebei Province was at the lower limit of good level. Among them, exercise frequency, children's attention to the elderly health, and pre-retirement occupation played a major role in relation to the health-promoting lifestyle of the elderly. Hence, it needs the joint action of individuals, families, and society to promote the elderly to adopt the health promotion lifestyle and realize healthy aging.

Effects of horticultural therapy on health in the elderly: A review and meta-analysis.

Given the current aging population, the demand on medical facilities, facilities for elderly care, and even their high prevalence, it is crucial to investigate the advantages of older people. The purpose of our study was to systematically review the existing literature on the health effects of horticultural therapy as a treatment option for the elderly. Article searches were conducted through five databases: Web of science, Science Direct, PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar, according to the standard method of systematic evaluation and meta-analysis. Thirty-two published articles were included, and 27 relevant variables were meta-analyzed to assess the benefits of horticultural therapy in terms of physical and psychological functioning in the elderly. Results show that horticultural therapy may be helpful in helping seniors lose weight -0.195 (95% CI -0.507,0.117), reduce their waist circumference -0.327 (95% CI -0.637, -0.017), lower their stress -0.339 (95% CI -0.610, -0.069) and cortisol -0.902 (95% CI -0.728, -0.002) levels, improve their physical flexibility 0.302 (95% CI 0.036, 0.569), social interaction 0.370, (95% CI 0.115, 0.624), and daily vegetables and fruit consumption 0.688 (95% CI: 0.287, 1.089). Horticultural therapy may be a useful tool for enhancing the physical, mental and social aspects of the elderly. However, there is substantial heterogeneity and wide variation in the quality of the included studies. Further high-quality studies, rigorous controls and adjustments for significant confounding variables, and larger populations are needed in the future to further our understanding of the link between horticultural therapy and elder health. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-023-01938-w.

Quality of Life and Health Needs among Elderly aged 60-79 years in Paro, Bhutan

Introduction: The global population is undergoing a significant demographic shift, with a rapidly increasing number of elderly population. As people age, their health and quality of life become increasingly important considerations. The elderly population has unique health needs that must be addressed to ensure their well-being and maximize their quality of life. In Bhutan, elderly health needs are lacking despite information on health policy and planning. This study was proposed to assess quality of life and health needs among elderly aged between 60 – 79 years old under Naja, Dogar, Shaba, and Lyungni gewogs (blocks) under Paro district, Bhutan. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed method design with a quantitative and descriptive qualitative was conducted in the four blocks. For quantitative component, a survey was conducted and for qualitative, focus group discussion was used. This study was carried out in four selected rural areas known as gewogs (blocks) in local language under Paro district. A representative sample of 403 respondents was selected by simple random sampling in quantitative work and 12 elderly people in focus group discussion. The demographic data were analyzed by ANOVA and data from focus group discussion were done in content analysis. Results: The quantitative data for the overall QoL score among elderly showed a mean score of 39.01, which was considered a low level of QoL. Among the eight components of QoL, role of pain and general health showed same result level as the overall QoL. While others (physical function, body pain, vitality, social function, role of emotion, and mental health) were at average level (score 46.19-58.68). Conclusions: Overall QoL of elderly people in Paro district is lower than the average at 47.84 (CI 45.87 – 49.81). Mental health was in average level compared to physical health, which is at a lower level.

Design of Elderly Health Environment based on Plant Five-Sense Design

Designing a suitable environment for the elderly has always been a focus of attention, and the concept of using plant sensory design in the elderly care environment has gained increasing attention in recent years. This article proposes a new design concept for the elderly care environment based on plant sensory design, starting from the needs of the elderly for their care. Firstly, an overview of the theory and basic principles of plant sensory design is presented, and its application in environmental design is discussed. Secondly, the needs of the elderly for their care environment are analyzed, and a detailed analysis of their needs for a plant sensory design environment is provided. Finally, a specific implementation plan for the design and the future development direction of the plant sensory design for elderly care environment are presented. The aim of this article is to provide new ideas and concepts for the design of the elderly care environment and contribute to the development and maturity of the care industry.

Determinants of Active Aging Affect Healthy Life Expectation

Life expectancy is an indicator of successful health development. It is estimated the elderly population will increase along with the increase in life expectancy, in 2050 there will be an increase 3 times in the number of elderly from 2013. The increase in the number of elderly raises a health sector complicated problem. The elderly group will experience a decrease in health status either naturally or due to illness. Goals of the health program focus on life expectancy. West Java is the largest proportion with Indramayu a city in West Java that has a target life expectancy that reaches the target. The government's efforts to improve the elderly welfare are realized in various programs so that an increase in the elderly population does not increase health problems. Indicators of elderly health can be measured by active aging (AA).. The determinants of the AA component, which include health and well-being, are indicators for assessing healthy life expectancy in the elderly. Assessment of healthy life expectancy is assessed from several determinants. Assessment of healthy life expectancy can determine health development targets, especially in the elderly. This study associated dietary patterns and smoking habits with increased healthy life expectancy.

Remote Health Screening for the Elderly at the Posyandu during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Anxiety, cognitive impairment function, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and stroke in elderly is increasing in Covid-19 pandemic. This can lower their quality of life. Meanwhile, Integrated elderly health service (posyandu) have been temporary suspended to prevent infection on elderly who are high risk for severe illness Covid-19. The aim of this activity is to facilitate elderly to access health service and connected the role of some institutions for providing appropriate intervention. The method of this activity was a discussion with related institutions in online health screening of elderly integrated health service. Then, we conduct health screening using online questionnaire. Based on data, we analyze elderly with health problems to get home visit for further examination and give therapy and education. Result of these activity, we found 58 persons (16,02%) with health problem, 42 (11,6%) persons are having mental emotional disorder, 205 (69,05%) with risk of fall, and 53 (14,6%) are having cognitive impairment, 37 and 133 are low nutrition and obesity. Only health institutions give intervention for those elderly with health problem and have to gain awareness and advocation for planning action for elderly based on their roles.

Health Accessibility In Rural Areas For The Elderly In Indonesia

The health services between urban and rural areas are quite interesting because they have many differences that can be seen, especially the gap between the two areas. One of the characteristics of urban and rural areas is accessibility development, urban areas tend to develop faster than rural areas. This article was created with the aim of knowing the condition of health service facilities in rural areas in Indonesia and their access, especially for the elderly. The search strategy used in this research is a systematic literature review. The disparity in the elderly's use of health facilities are impacted by their education level, socioeconomic status, ownership of insurance, distance traveled, and cost of transportation. In conclusion, access to healthcare is crucial in Indonesia, particularly for elderly people living in rural areas. The Indonesian government must evenly distribute medical facilities in rural areas and guarantee universal coverage with National Health Insurance. To improve elderly health care, the government needs to develop sufficient expertise with health and social care workers with the necessary training in integrated care services.

Behavior patterns and influencing factors: Health information acquisition behavior of Chinese senior adults on WeChat

Due to the gradual adoption of WeChat by older adults in China and their interest in health information, Chinese older people started to acquire health information through WeChat. We explored the specific patterns and influencing factors of the elderly's health information acquisition behavior senior adults. The cross-sectional study collected self-reported data with survey (N = 336) in the southeast of China, Zhejiang province. The findings of this study extend the previous research by suggesting that elderly adults' health information acquisition behavior has three patterns (actively seeking, passively browsing, and long-term collecting). These findings contribute to a better understanding of digital literacy, three dimensions of health literacy and their relationship with three specific patterns of health acquisition behavior. This study also provides practical insights related to narrow the technological gap of the older adults, improve their e-Health literacy of the elderly, and purify the health information environment in the network.

A scoping review and a taxonomy of the use of motion-based technology centered on the end user. A special focus on elderly health

Motion-based technology (MBT) has been applied in the last decades with enormous success in a high number of applications. Its use continues growing and is specially interesting in the health area. Nowadays, its employment is being more and more specialised with respect to the profile of the end user (i.e., child, adolescent/teenager, adult or elderly). This paper first reviews the use of MBT centered in the end user from a global perspective. It also proposes a taxonomy that allows cataloguing the MBT employment directed to the end user. Then, from these results, the paper centers the review on the MBT application aiming to improve the health of elderly. The results highlighted in this paper can help to a better understanding of MBT, especially when it is applied thinking in elderly as the end users.

Physico-chemical and Textural Properties of 3D Printed Plant-based and Hybrid Soft Meat Analogs

This study investigated the physico-chemical and textural properties of 3D-printed pea protein-only and pea protein-chicken-based hybrid meat analogs. Both pea protein isolate (PPI)-only and hybrid cooked meat analogs had a similar moisture content of approximately 70%, which was similar to that of chicken mince. However, the protein content increased significantly with the amount of chicken in the hybrid paste undergoing 3D printing and cooking. Significant differences were observed in the hardness values of the non-printed cooked pastes and the 3D printed cooked counterparts, suggesting that the 3D printing process reduces the hardness of the samples and is a suitable method to produce a soft meal, and has significant potential in elderly health care. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that adding chicken to the plant protein matrix led to better fiber formation. PPI itself was not able to form any fibers merely by 3D printing and cooking in boiling water. Protein-protein interactions were also studied through the protein solubility test, which indicated that hydrogen bonding was the major bonding that contributed to the structure formation in cooked printed meat analogs. In addition, disulfide bonding was correlated with improved fibrous structures, as observed through SEM.

Socioeconomic Status and Health Level of Middle-aged and Old People -- Based on CHARLS Survey

The aging of the population in China is becoming increasingly serious, and the health status of the elderly has been widely concerned by scholars from all walks of life. The study of intermediate mechanisms can provide a better basis for formulating relevant policy interventions. Therefore, this paper combines domestic and foreign literature research, using the method of the logit model, to analyze the intermediate mechanism of socio-economic status affecting the health level of the elderly. This paper uses CHARLS data in 2018 to study the impact of socioeconomic status on the health status of middle-aged and elderly people. First of all, it combs the relevant literature at home and abroad, and makes descriptive statistics on the socio-economic status and health level of the elderly in China to understand their current situation. Secondly, we use the logit regression model to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic status and the health level of the elderly. The research found that: First, there is a significant positive correlation between socioeconomic status and the health level of the elderly. Second, from the perspective of gender differences, socio-economic status significantly affects the health level of men, while it has less impact on the elderly of women. Based on the results of the study, this paper puts forward targeted countermeasures and suggestions, which can reduce the degree of health inequality by improving the elderly's health behavior, material living conditions, family relations, good neighborliness, community health environment, etc.

IoT and health monitoring wearable devices as enabling technologies for sustainable enhancement of life quality in smart environments

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology with wearable devices provides a promising solution that enables con-tinuous monitoring of health parameters. Non-invasive sensors enable remote health monitoring and improve many aspects of life quality. The study explores advances in IoT and Wearable Devices through a conceptualization of health monitoring observer networks. The paper proposes an architecture inspired by a formal description of human perception, which has been successfully employed in environmental monitoring and can be adapted to healthcare for better integration and comprehension of patient health data. The proposed architecture involves a three-layer ap-proach Sensors, Integration and Association and Application and Diagnostic, similar to the architecture used in forest fire monitoring. The Sensors layer describes state-of-the-art cutting-edge equipment and related sensors for gathering information. The second layer, Integration and Association propose an ontology and a potential solution for integrat-ing sensor information from the device to the cloud. Furthermore, the third layer, Application and Diagnostic gives a review of used machine learning algorithms for detecting and diagnosing various diseases. Finally, a case study of elderly health monitoring using wearable devices is presented, discussing the methodology for economic value calcu-lation to decrease the cost of efficient health management and improve quality of life. The use of a health monitoring observer network not only improves quality of life, but also reduces the cost of health monitoring, making it more sustainable for the general community.

Association of Body Mass Index and Cardiometabolic Factors With Elderly Suicide: A Cohort Study of 101,518 Older Taiwanese

Older people have the highest suicide rate across age groups in most countries. The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors also increases with age. We investigated the association between body mass index (BMI), cardiometabolic risk factors, and suicide in a large cohort of older people in Taiwan. We conducted a cohort study using data from an elderly health examination program in Taipei City, Taiwan (2005-2010), linked to the national cause-of-death data files. We used competing risk Cox regression models to investigate the associations of BMI (kg/m2) and cardiometabolic factors with suicide after adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic variables, chronic diseases, psychological distress, and cognitive function. Among 101,518 individuals aged ≥ 65 years, 92 died by suicide during an average follow-up of 3.9 years. Underweight (BMI<18.5) was associated with increased suicide risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-4.52) (reference: normal weight). Low diastolic blood pressure was associated with increased suicide risk - aHR was 0.51 (95% CI 0.29-0.91) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.31-0.99) for the third and fourth quartiles of diastolic blood pressure (reference: the lowest quartile), respectively. Older people with a higher waist circumference (aHR per 1-standard-deviation increase=0.60 [95% CI 0.37-0.98]) and a higher number of metabolic syndrome criteria (aHR per 1-criterion increase=0.65 [95% 0.46-0.92]) had lower suicide risk. Systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles were not associated with suicide risk. Underweight, low diastolic blood pressure, and low waist circumference may be markers of increased suicide risk in older people.

Association between serum lysophosphatidylcholine level and elderly health index in older people from longevity areas of Guangxi Province

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) level and the health index of the elderly. Methods: A total of 251 subjects were selected from the 2016 baseline survey of the Yongfu Longevity Cohort in Guangxi Province among whom 66, 63 and 122 were in the young and middle-aged group (≤59 years old), the young group (60-89 years old) and the longevity group (≥90 years old), respectively. Demographic data were collected and related indicators of height, weight, blood pressure and lipid metabolism were measured. The cognitive and physical functions of the elderly were assessed by the results of the simple mental state scale and the daily living activity scale to construct the health index of the elderly. The serum levels of LPC16∶0, LPC18∶0, LPC18∶1 and LPC18∶2 were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the differences among different ages and health status groups were compared. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the serum LPC level and the health index of the elderly. Results: With the increase in age, the proportion of female subjects increased, and the rate of smoking and drinking decreased. BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C, diastolic blood pressure, and the four LPCs levels decreased with the increase of age, and systolic blood pressure levels increased with the increase of age (all P values<0.05). There was no significant difference in HDL-C levels among age groups (P>0.05). With the decline of health status in the elderly, serum levels of LPC16∶0, LPC18∶0, LPC18∶1 and LPC18∶2 showed a downward trend (all P values<0.001). After adjusting for age and gender, only LPC18∶0 was associated with the health status in old age [OR (95%CI): 0.48 (0.25-0.92)]. For every 1 standard deviation (16.87 nmol/L) increase in serum LPC18∶0 concentration, the risk of poor health status in old age decreased by 52%. Conclusion: Serum LPC18∶0 was associated with the health status in old age independent of age and sex.

Association of sleep duration and risk of frailty among the elderly over 80 years old in China: a prospective cohort study

Objective: To explore the association between sleep duration and the risk of frailty among the elderly over 80 years old in China. Methods: Using the data from five surveys of the China Elderly Health Influencing Factors Follow-up Survey (CLHLS) (2005, 2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2014, and 2017-2018), 7 024 elderly people aged 80 years and above were selected as the study subjects. Questionnaires and physical examinations were used to collect information on sleep time, general demographic characteristics, functional status, physical signs, and illness. The frailty state was evaluated based on a frailty index that included 39 variables. The Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the correlation between sleep time and the risk of frailty occurrence. A restricted cubic spline function was used to analyze the dose-response relationship between sleep time and the risk of frailty occurrence. The likelihood ratio test was used to analyze the interaction between age, gender, sleep quality, cognitive impairment, and sleep duration. Results: The age M (Q1, Q3) of 7 024 subjects was 87 (82, 92) years old, with a total of 3 435 (48.9%) patients experiencing frailty. The results of restricted cubic spline function analysis showed that there was an approximate U-shaped relationship between sleep time and the risk of frailty. When sleep time was 6.5-8.5 hours, the elderly had the lowest risk of frailty; Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model analysis showed that compared to 6.5-8.5 hours of sleep, long sleep duration (>8.5 hours) increased the risk of frailty by 13% (HR: 1.13; 95%CI: 1.04-1.22). Conclusion: There is a nonlinear association between sleep time and the risk of frailty in the elderly.

Preserving elderly mental health amid climate change

Key points The elderly population is prone to the mental health impacts of climate change. Addressing the root cause and systemic problems associated with climate change is urgent and necessary. The creation of mental health systems that pay attention to the needs of the elderly amid climate change must be prioritized.

Developing a Real-time Luminous Facilities Management System in Residential Care Homes

An integrated Real-time Luminous Facilities Management (Rt-LFM) system website has been developed, including hardware for data collection and software for data storage and download instantly. Two lighting sensors (illuminance, and color temperature) have been combined into a single device for measuring the continuous luminous data in the residential care homes. A wireless sensor network has been established through the combination and connection of lighting sensors to monitor the luminous conditions. The dynamic luminous environment data can then be saved and downloaded in the cloud-based system. By using the Rt-LFM system, the caregivers and managers in the residential care homes can promptly realize the luminous environment based on the instant data, while the construction professionals can then well design the building services for new homes or renovation. It is expected that the long-term health of our elderly will be improved finally. Furthermore, the subsequently improved elderly health conditioning will also relieve the medical burden of the government in central.