Life In Old Age Research Articles

Active sex life for older people in Chile: biological, psychological and social variables influencing engagement

Introduction: Sexual activity in later life is increasingly being researched, but there is a gap in knowledge about the Global South, mainly Latin America. Objective: The objective of this article is to evaluate how biological, psychological and social factors influence active sex life in older Chilean people, using a gender-stratified analysis. Methodology: The study is based on secondary data analysis of the fifth National Survey of Quality of Life in Old Age, carried out in Chile in 2019 with a sample of 2,132 people aged 60 and over. Bivariate analysis was conducted to test the influence of biological, psychological and social variables on having an active sex life. Additionally, multiple hierarchal logistic regressions were carried out using a gender-stratified analysis to explore whether the independent variables predict active sex life. Results: Self-perceived health and chronic illness did not have predictive value regarding active sex life in older Chilean adults. However, partner health was a significant factor in predicting active sex life, particularly for women. People who reported being dissatisfied with life had 55 percent lower chance of having an active sex life than those who reported being very satisfied with life. Attitude towards sexuality, relationship status and education level were other variables that predicted an active sex life for older adults in Chile. Still, there were significant gender differences in the results. Conclusion: Interpersonal, psychological and social factors are more relevant than biological factors (except for age) when predicting sexual activity for older Chileans, and gender differences are central when analysing sexual activity.

Dopa Responsive Dystonia with Marked Diurnal Fluctuation (Sagawa Disease) Forty-Five Years of Follow–Up

Objective: To describe the clinical course and very long personal follow-up of a patient with Segawa Disease Methods: The medical records of the patient since the diagnosis at the age of 9 years until her last follow-up at the age of 55 years were obtained and summarized Results: The long-term follow-up showed an excellent long-lasting response to L-DOPA therapy and also revealed that non-motor psychiatric features are an integral part of the disease rather than an emotional side effect of chronic motor disability. Conclusion: Long term follow-up of Segawa syndrome can provide additional information on prognosis and quality of life in old age, which are not known yet.

Contextual corporeality: Life in the ninth decade and beyond

AbstractIncreased longevity is occurring worldwide with the greatest increase in the numbers of the very old. Many gerontological scholars have noted that these changes pose a risk of exclusion of the very old whose ability to participate in society may be compromised by bodily challenges. While the growing number of people aged 80 years and over raises many issues concerning health and social care needs, demands for a skilled workforce, and scope for technical innovations designed to compensate for the infirmities of advanced old age, these topics tend to exclude consideration of the everyday experiences, interests and wishes of those in deep old age. The qualitative research reported here focuses on people in advanced old age and the associated corporeal challenges they may face, set in the context of living on the San Juan islands off the coast of Washington in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The participants of this study were islanders ranging in age from 80 to 102 years with a median age of 83 (M = 85.9, SD = 5.95). A mixture of semistructured interview and a photo elicitation methodology was employed. The results of the study demonstrated that, while integral to daily life in deep old age, corporeal challenges per se did not necessarily lead to a sense of exclusion, at least in the context of island life. Thematic analysis of the findings suggested the importance of context in framing corporeality, and the need to look beyond objective indicators of disability and function to acknowledge the role of social belonging in ensuring the continuing citizenship and social engagement of people in their ninth decade and beyond.

조선 선비들의 노후 인생관

조선 선비들의 노후 인생관

MiR-743b-3p promotes hepatic lipogenesis via branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) metabolism by targeting PPM1K in aged mice

BackgroundLipid metabolism disorders appear to play an important role in the ageing process, thus understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the association of ageing with elevated vulnerability to lipid metabolism related diseases is crucial towards promoting quality of life in old age. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators of lipid metabolism, and some miRNAs have key roles in ageing. MethodsIn this study, we investigated changes in liver lipid metabolism of ageing mice and the mechanisms of the altered expression of miRNAs in the ageing liver which contributes to the age-dependent increase in lipid synthesis. Here we found that miR-743b-3p was higher expressed in the liver tissues of ageing mice through the small RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, and its target PPM1K was predicted and confirmed the target relationship of miR-743b-3p with PPM1K in the aged mouse liver tissues and the cultured senescent hepatocytes in vitro. Moreover, using the transfected miR-743b-3p mimics/inhibitors into the senescent hepatocyte AML12. ResultsWe found that miR-743b-3p inhibition reversed the hepatocyte senescence, and finally decreased the expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis(Chrebp, Fabp4, Acly and Pparγ) through increasing the target gene expression of PPM1K which regulated the expression of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) metabolism-related genes (Bckdhα, Bckdk, Bcat2, Dbt). ConclusionsThese results identify that age-induced expression of miR-743b-3p inhibits its target PPM1K which induces BCAA metabolic disorder and regulates hepatocyte lipid accumulation during ageing.

Relationships Between Spinal Curvature Parameters and Somatic Variables, Bone Mineral Density, Sedentary Habits and Physical Activity Levels in Young Adults: a Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Postural disorders in young adults result in poorer physical performance and quality of life in old age. It is important to know the determinants of posture parameters among the young adult population.

Особенности представления о старении у мужчин и женщин в периоды средней и поздней взрослости

The relevance of the study is determined by the necessity for scientific substantiation and development of methods aimed at improving the quality of life in the old age. The research purpose is to study the peculiarities of the perception of aging by men and women during middle and late adulthood. The study hypothesizes that peculiarities of the age perception by men and women are manifested in the idea of the causal role of aging in the context of changes in health, as well as in the emotional attitude towards aging. The gender and age specificity manifests itself in terms of positive and negative effects of aging, as well as in the changes caused by aging and the determination of its causes. Participants: 217 respondents aged 30-68 (nmale= 57; nfemale= 123) living in different regions of the Russian Federation. The sample is represented by 4 age groups: from 30 to 45 years old (n = 37); from 46 to 55 years old (n = 51); from 56 to 59 years old (n = 52); from 60 to 68 years old (n = 77). Methods (tools): to assess the perception of aging, the “Aging perception questionnaire” was used (E. Sexton, B. L. King-Kallimanis, K. Morgan, H. McGee as adapted by K. M. Krupina, M. D. Petrash, D. I. Golubitskaya, O. Y. Strizhitskaya). Results: the research has revealed significant differences in the manifestation degree of the parameter ‘determination of the causes of aging’ with its greater representation in the sample of men. The study has found the influence of the gender and age factor on the parameter ‘determination of the causes of aging’. Main conclusions: the causal role of aging for one’s own life is manifested to a greater extent in men rather than in women. The peculiarities of perceiving aging for male and female subsamples are manifested in different emotional attitudes towards aging, in the possibility of controlling one’s own life and the consequences of aging, as well as in determining the causes of aging. Practical significance: the data obtained can be implemented in psychological counseling in order to form a positive perception of aging. Taking into account the gender and age specifics of the perceiving aging can contribute to the construction of the productive old age stage and the subsequent improvement of the quality of life in old age.

Planning for retirement during active service in Ghana: Insights from pensioners in the Greater Accra Region

ABSTRACT Workers often participate in pre-retirement planning activities to gain awareness of the likely changes they may experience when they retire to enable them to prepare accordingly. Although pre-retirement planning is essential for successful retirement and healthy aging, studies on pre-retirement planning activities among older adults in Ghana are limited. This study explored pre-retirement planning actions that were taken by Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) pensioners in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was adopted to gather data from 437 pensioners aged 60 years and above through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions. The results indicate that while in active service, many (309) pensioners were not motivated to plan for retirement due to issues, such as low income, and distrust of financial institutions. When planning did take place, the pensioners favored financial planning over social, mental, and physical planning. The respondents also revealed that they did not prepare adequately for retirement due to low salaries, as well as low knowledge on pre-retirement planning. Policies are needed to encourage pre-retirement planning among workers in Ghana to enable them to have an appreciable quality of life in old age.

Strategies for living in old age

The presented article is devoted to the problem of identifying and describing life strategies in old age. The theoretical part of the article shows the importance of "separating" similar terms often used in the study of the elderly as synonyms: "strategy", "paradigm", "model", etc. It is proposed to understand a life strategy in the spirit of activity and victimological approaches as general plans subordinated to a common goal that is fundamentally important for the functioning and development of personality, which requires the mobilization of resources both in previous ages and in the current one to ensure a safe, comfortable life at a young age. The fundamental importance of the victimological approach in the formulation of life strategies in old age is proved, since this age is the most sensitive to victimization. Biographical, autobiographical and meaningful content analysis were used as research methods. The materials of the analysis were the content of websites on the Internet, where the problems of the elderly are actively discussed. The scientific novelty of the study consists in identifying and describing the main life strategies in old age and their victimological assessment. Thus, such strategies were identified and described as: labor, family, home/country, sports strategy; hobby strategy; religious strategy and victim strategy. In addition, variants of these strategies were meaningfully highlighted. It is concluded that any strategy of life in old age should have the security of one's personality as the main meaning of leading activities, since it is by this age that victimization trends are increasing. Victimization, in principle, begins to be age-related. Each of the described strategies has its limitations depending on the level of health, success in the profession, family status and other factors. Therefore, for successful functioning in old age, it must be borne in mind that the most preferred strategy may not be implemented due to objective circumstances. Hence, it is necessary to have backup options for life strategies in old age and provide preparation for them in other age periods. A consciously chosen "victim" strategy is the most ineffective, since the conditions of its implementation victimize an elderly person, etc.

Learning interactions with socio-technical systems : Ageragogical perspective on the importance of interactions and relationships in learning processes with older people

The approach of socio-technical systems (STS) for asuccessful life in old age focuses on the combination of technical and sociocultural factors in one. Technological systems have long since ceased to be limited to simple functions; instead, they enable customizable applications, interactive use combined with complex communication and action strands. The associated interactions with the technical system suggest aperspective on interactions and relationships. Research results show that individualizable functions of STSs are rated positively in terms of acceptance and use by older people. From ageragogical perspective, questions arise regarding the appropriation of older people and the design of learning processes (socio-technical learning arrangements). Arelational view of learning and educational processes relating to the appropriation and acquisition of competences for designing and using STS in real-world situations is developed based on aformative qualitative research design of the "RUBYDemenz" project. In particular, data/results from interviews with voluntary learning facilitators, professional practice facilitators, focus groups and research workshops are utilized. Empirical findings can be used to develop starting points for educational and learning processes to expand competences in the context of technology use. Approaches to education, training and further training follow on from this as does the question of whether the research/development process itself must be designed as alearning process in which all participants are involved as learners, with the aim of achieving the best possible fit between the technical solutions and the intended areas of application in real-world situations.

Analysis of the activity of inpatient social service institution and assessment of indicators affecting the quality of life of residents

Actuality: sooner or later every person sooner or later thinks about whether he or she can count on someone's help and support, improving the quality of life in old age or in connection with changes in health. In the modern world, great attention is paid to the elderly, people with disabilities and their social services.
 Purpose: characterization and analysis of the activity of the institution "Dragunsky boarding school", recommendations for improving the performance indicators.
 Materials and methods: A descriptive epidemiologic research, the study of the main activity indicators on financing and dynamics of residents was carried out. The regulatory framework was analyzed.
 Conclusion: Social service is carried out on the principles of equal, free access of citizens to social services. Great importance of the work of increasing the efficiency of the institution has a micro-level - direct activities focused on each recipient of social services, with an individual approach.

Research on the relationship between sleep and aging

With the in-depth development of population aging, the level of health reduction of the elderly groups sharply increased, the rapid aging of the population brought health problems became a major challenge of 21st-century Chinese society, how to healthy aging, continuously improve the health level of older people, improve the quality of life in old age, there is no doubt more holistic, targeted and innovative thinking. Several studies have proved that a healthy lifestyle can effectively improve the health of the elderly. However, a series of factors, such as poor sleep quality, continue to harm the health of the elderly, resulting in reduced quality of life. With the large scale and rapid aging, the proportion of the elderly in the population is also increasing. In an aging society, the biggest problems plaguing the elderly are the loss of sleep quality and the loss of memory and concentration. People may have sleep disorders as they get older, and sleep problems will affect memory. This study used literature research to summarize the relationship between population aging and sleep. Compared with previous studies, this paper is more targeted and comprehensive in explaining the relationship between the three from micro and macro perspectives: aging leads to changes in sleep structure and duration, which further affects memory ability.

Study of Homecare Acceptance by The Elderly in The COVID-19 Era

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the care of elderly patients underwent significant changes. Society tends to avoid interaction outside the family, encouraging increased care of elderly patients at home. In this situation, the role of medical personnel becomes essential. This study examines how knowledge, culture, and interest influence homecare services during a pandemic. Respondents regarding homecare were collected from 71 families through a questionnaire. Data analysis includes univariate, bivariate and multivariate aspects to provide an overview of the relationship between variables. All data were analyzed using SPSS software. The result of this study shows p-value of each construct is less than 0.10, which indicates a strong relationship between variables. The findings show that knowledge influences family decisions about home care (p-value=0.024<0.10), while culture (pvalue=0.999>0.10) and interests (p-value=0.999>0.10) do not support acceptance of this service for the elderly. Therefore, it is hoped that respondents will increase their knowledge of improving elderly care and utilization of health services, which will positively impact the quality of life in old age. An in-depth discussion of these findings is carried out in a research paper.

Successful Aging: Theoretical Concepts, Determinants, and Interventions

Over the past few decades, the concept of successful aging has become an increasingly relevant topic in various scientific disciplines, including medicine, biology, psychology, sociology, gerontology, and andragogy. On of the main reasons for this is the continuous extension of the average lifespan, resulting in a higher proportion of older individuals in the general population. Consequently, there is a growing need for understand the challenges faced by this age group and to identify factors contributing to successful aging and the preservation of quality of life in old age. While there is still no unanimously adopted definition of successful aging, what is certain is that successful aging is much more than the absence if disease. It represents a holistic concept encopmpassing the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of older individuals, resulting from the complex interplay of personal and environmental factors. Therefore, the study of successful aging requires a multdisciplinary approach to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of this phenomenon, and to develop strategies that support older individuals in living fulfilling and healthy lives. The aim of this paper is to provide theoretically grounded and empirically supported information about successful aging, its determinants, and interventions aimed at improving the quality of life in old age. Furthermore, this work aims to raise awareness of the importance of this topic and stimulate further interest in it, both among proffesionals and the general public.

Applicability of the Neuman Systems Model to the Gerontology Nursing practice: a scoping review.

to map scientific productions on the application of the Neuman Systems Model to the Nursing practice focused on health care for aged people. a scoping review based on the methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Seven electronic databases were consulted. Regarding the eligibility criteria, the following were considered: Population - Aged people; Concept - Application of the Neuman Systems Model in the Nursing practice; and Research Context - Health services. a total of 14 studies made up the sample. The data were analyzed and summarized into two categories: implementation of the Neuman Systems Model in hospital, institutional and outpatient settings; and use of the Neuman Systems Model in community and home environments. the application of Neuman Systems approach to the Gerontology Nursing practice, in different care scenarios, proved to be promising, considering aged people as comprehensive individuals with multiple dimensions. This perspective has shown adaptability and effectiveness in meeting the diverse needs of older adults, resulting in an improvement in their quality of life in old age.

Adaptation of the Russian version of the Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (APQ)

The work is devoted to the adaptation of the “Perception of Aging” questionnaire based on the English-language Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (APQ). Modern scientific knowledge has a significant amount of data in the field of psychology of aging, interest in which does not fade, and the aging process is studied from various angles. Researchers more often turn to the problem of constructing a productive old age, the planning of which is recommended to begin at earlier stages of life. The results of modern research indicate that a positive perception of aging is a predictor of quality of life in old age and contributes to various aspects of health in old age. In this regard, the question arises about psychodiagnostic tools that allow us to identify the specifics of the perception of aging. Even though that there are currently studies on this problem, there is no version of the questionnaire that will allow assessing the perception of aging in a Russian sample. This study examined the reliability and construct validity of the English version of the APQ Perceptions of Aging Questionnaire. The study involved 229 people aged 29 to 68 years. Reliability was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s α and showed internal consistency both for the entire questionnaire and across gender groups. To test the convergent validity, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaire, the K. Riff Psychological Well- Being Scale, the Australian Healthy Aging Questionnaire, and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scales were used. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, six scales were identified: “Consequences negative”, “Control positive”, “Emotional representation” and “Unstable image of old age” (Timeline (cyclical)), “Consequences positive”, “Control negative”. Analysis of convergent validity showed the connection of the selected scales with indicators of psychological and physical health. The Perceptions of Aging Questionnaire is a simple and flexible method for assessing the image of aging.

근사록(近思錄)의 존양(存養) 편에서 바라본 노년기의 지혜

“Chin-ssu Iu (近思錄)” is a book written by Chinese Song Dynasty scholars Zhū Xǐ (朱憙) and Lǚ Zǔ-qiān (呂祖謙), and it contains the life principles of asking earnestly about one’s nature and of practicing what is closest in daily life. Focusing on the Chonyang (存養) section of the “Chin-ssu Iu” in this article, the meaning of a wise life in old age was explored through the self-cultivation of old age, that is, managing the mind or reflecting on one’s inner self. As a result of the exploration, the principles of wise old age living were largely summarized in three categories. These were the principles of ① a neutral posture (中) suitable for managing physical and mental health, ② self-cultivation with a lifelong learning attitude, and ③ cultivating oneself with an attitude of respect and consideration to maintain good relations with others. The significance of this article is that, based on the wisdom of saints contained in Chin-ssu Iu, it enables the younger generation, including those who have just reached old age, to look into the future and find an image of a human being who can lead a wise life.

Dietary practices for older adults in institutional and non-institutional gerontological care

The aging process dictates the daily energy needs of the elderly (aged 65 years and older) and their food intake, which depends on basic physiological needs, physical activity, individual needs of the elderly and many other factors, where monitoring of gerontological public health indicators is extremely important for health protection. This is precisely why this work is focused on reviewing the role and compliance of positive health behavior related to healthy diet of the elderly, geronto-tropometric characteristics of nutritional assessment, assessment of nutritional status via the NRS 2002 web service, assessment of energy needs of the elderly in relation to age, physical activity, morbidity, ratio of intake of macronutrients and micronutrients and the importance of the eight dietary rules for the elderly population. The main causes of mortality in the population aged 65 and over were singled out, and the main dietary norms from the manual “Nutritional-gerontological norms/menus in homes for the elderly and gerontological centers of institutional and non-institutional gerontological care” were singled out. The results state the adequacy of the quality of the menus (according the health status), as well as the importance of compliance with the energy and nutritional needs of the elderly, which will result in a healthy body mass (normal body mass index). Such achievements require an interdisciplinary approach that mainly contributes to the preservation of functional ability, disease prevention and improvement of health and quality of life in old age.

INTRINSIC CAPACITY OF OLDER ADULTS IN SINGAPORE USING WHO INTEGRATED CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE (ICOPE) FRAMEWORK

Abstract The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach to guide health systems in better supporting the intrinsic capacity and functional ability of older adults to enable healthy aging (Briggs et al., 2018; de Carvalho et al., 2019). This approach is aligned with Singapore’s Healthier SG initiative, which aims to build a good healthcare system that promotes better health and quality of life for everyone. Recent studies have shown that older adults experience intrinsic capacity decline in various countries, including Singapore, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to maintain functionality and quality of life in old age (Beard et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2021; Tay et al., 2022). In this cross-sectional study, 367 participants were assessed by 43 ICOPE assessors, of whom 77.4% (n=284) had impairments in intrinsic capacity. The three most prevalent intrinsic capacity impairments were visual impairment (42%), hearing loss (33.5%), and cognitive decline (31.3%), followed by limited mobility (24.3%), malnutrition (16.1%), and depressive symptoms (16.1%). Furthermore, 22.6% of participants were unaware of any elderly care services available in the community, and 8.2% did not know where to seek help in case of problems. These findings emphasize the need for ICOPE assessments at the community level to promote early detection of intrinsic capacity impairments and interventions. More discussion of the care pathway, together with health professionals, older adults, and caregivers, should be the next step to offer diagnostic assessment and guide self-management of intrinsic capacity impairment for among older adults.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN COGNITIVE RESOURCES AND EMOTION REGULATION TACTICS IN AN ADULT LIFESPAN SAMPLE

Abstract The current study investigated how trait-level cognitive capacity relates to emotion regulation tactic preferences in everyday life in adulthood and old age. 51 younger adults (ages 18-39), 53 middle-aged adults (ages 40-59), and 55 older adults (ages 60+) completed measures of working memory and verbal fluency, as well as 21 days of experience sampling. On each survey, participants indicated if they had regulated since the last survey and if so, what emotion regulation strategies they used and how they implemented that strategy through specific emotion regulation tactics. Each strategy laid out by the process model (situation selection, situation modification, attentional deployment, reappraisal, response modulation) could be implemented in three specific ways (called “tactics”): positivity-upregulating, negativity-downregulating, or negativity-upregulating. For example, a person may indicate they used situation selection and then would be asked whether they chose to (a) seek out a positive situation, (b) leave a negative situation, and/or (c) enter a negative situation. Acceptance was also included as a fourth tactic type but was not categorized under any strategy. Proportions of tactics used in each instance was calculated. Acceptance use was significantly negatively correlated with working memory performance; however, this association appeared to be driven primarily by middle-aged adults. Negativity-downregulation was positively correlated with numerous cognitive capacity measures in middle-aged adults. In sum, individual differences in cognitive resources appear to play the strongest role in tactic preferences in midlife rather than old age.