Physical Mobility Limitations Research Articles

Promoting Older Adults’ Engagement in Disaster Recovery Through Supportive Relationships, Partnerships, and Collaboration: Perspectives of Social Work Practitioners and Human Service Professionals

Shifting demographics—that is, the growing number of older adults in Canada and internationally—and intersecting climatic risks create a complex landscape of aging in place in disaster contexts. Some older adults are vulnerable due to their underlying health conditions and limited physical mobility. Yet they also exhibit resilience in a distinct manner, owing to their wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and ability to navigate adversities. This article elucidates potential avenues for promoting the involvement of older adults in disaster recovery efforts. Our intention is to recognize and foster older adult resilience and mitigate vulnerability by drawing upon insights from the study titled “In the Aftermath of the 2016 Alberta Wildfires: The Role of Social Work Practitioners and Human Service Professionals in Long-Term Disaster Recovery.” Employing a qualitative research approach, that study recruited 51 participants for semistructured interviews and focus groups. A thematic analysis of the collected data unveiled the pivotal roles played by social workers and human service practitioners in facilitating recovery from the 2016 wildfires in the research. Notably, three overarching themes emerged concerning the promotion of older adults’ involvement in disaster recovery: fostering supportive relationships, building partnerships and enhancing collaboration, and addressing ongoing challenges. These findings offer valuable insights into how social work practitioners and human service professionals can effectively facilitate the engagement of older adults in disaster recovery initiatives. This article emphasizes the significance of actively promoting the participation of older adults in disaster mitigation efforts, thereby fostering greater resilience within communities.

Respiration-based human-machine interface for aphasic patients with limited physical mobility

Communication between aphasic patients and health care professionals (HCPs) is often difficult, which is even more complex for aphasic patients with limited physical mobility. In this study, we have proposed a C60-OH/PDDA/SiO2-based humidity sensor with an extremely short response/recovery time (13 ms/30 ms). This is closely related to the electrostatic adsorption of PDDA which effectively alleviates the aggregation of C60-OH and the introduction of SiO2 microspheres which increases the diffusion space of water molecules. The fast response and recovery rates gave the sensor good respiratory monitoring capability, which can be used to develop a human–machine interface (HMI) to assist aphasic patients for semantic expression. In this HMI, aphasia patients can generate different respiratory signals through the ultrafast humidity sensors to express specific semantics (such as thirst, hunger, etc.). In contrast to traditional semantic expression devices, this interface does not require the user to have vocal or physical movement, and therefore is extremely friendly to aphasic patients with limited mobility.

SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS RESOURCING OF OLDER PEOPLE IN ASSISTED LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract Abstract This PRISMA scoping review identifies the emerging evidence on social connectedness resources preferences and priorities of older adults in assisted living facilities. The searches in this scoping review were conducted in EBSCOhost. Eight studies were included from 134 articles published in English from January 2000 – September 2022. There are 2482 older adults from 233 assisted living facilities in the USA. Results organized by themes framed in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (WHO-ICF) 1 provided evidence that older adults with or aging with or into chronic health conditions preferred facility based on community-based resources. Those from the larger enrollment assisted living facilities and limited physical mobility preferred facility-based resources more than community resources. Residents’ preferences and priorities for social connectedness in facility and community-based activities appear to serve different needs, suggesting that resident facilities should deliberately provide for social needs resources by the context of participation. Further research is needed to profile what residents preferred/prioritized in socially inclusive activities, either facility provided or community-based.

Prevalence of Impaired Physical Mobility in Dialysis Patients: A Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Study.

Impaired physical mobility in hemodialysis (HD) patients is considered an important modifiable risk factor of increased all-cause morbidity and mortality. To our knowledge, no study to date has determined the overall burden of limited physical mobility in prevalent HD patients. The aim of this research is to investigate impaired physical mobility and its clinical correlates. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in all patients of the Centre for Acute and Complicated Dialysis at the University Medical Centre of Ljubljana, where the most complex patients receive HD on average three times per week. The data were collected through interviews based on a prepared questionnaire and medical history review. A total of 205 patients were included in this study (63.9 ± 15.4 years). Sixty percent (122/205) of the patients had little or no physical mobility impairment, and others were categorized with a minor or severe mobility limitation. A minor mobility impairment was found in 21% (43/205) of patients: 10 patients (5%) used a mobility aid in the form of a crutch, 9 patients (4%) were dependent on two crutches or a walker, and 24 patients (12%) were temporarily dependent on the assistance of a third person. Severe mobility limitations were observed in 22% (40/205) of patients, ranging from being confined to bed (19/205, 9%), confined to bed but able to perform some movements (19/205, 9%), and ambulatory but dependent on the assistance of a third person for locomotion (2/205, 1%). The most common causes of the limitation of mobility were neurological (19/40, 47.5%), cardiovascular (9/40, 22.5%), musculoskeletal (8/40, 20%), and other causes (4/40, 10%). A significant, moderate positive correlation was observed between mobility problems and the age of the participants (r = 0.36, p < 0.001), while a significant, small positive correlation was obtained between the mobility problems and C-reactive protein (r = 0.15, p = 0.044). Moreover, mobility problems had a small but significant negative correlation with albumin levels (r = -0.15, p = 0.042). When controlling for age, results yield no significant correlations, and, in regression analysis, only the age (p < 0.001) and male gender (p = 0.007) of the participants were independent predictors of mobility impairment. We conclude that impaired mobility has a high overall prevalence among chronic HD patients. Strategies to prevent and improve mobility limitations are strongly needed.

Attempts to Replicate the Skills, Attributes and Capabilities Associated with International Mobility in an Online World: A Case Study

In recent years, obstacles to physical mobility, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, have hastened the turn towards online platforms for educational and social activities. Many study abroad programs have had to adapt to such circumstances and embrace virtual environments in the face of limited physical mobility. In this case study, we look at how one multi-university program, the UGPN Academy, was able to expand international student learning efforts despite travel limitations due, in part, to adapting to online communication technologies and environments. Through comparison of surveys administered to participants pre- and post-participation, students reported that having an online community as a source of social support, as well as learning about different experiences during a global pandemic, were two strengths of the program. In addition, students reported becoming more familiar with different online technologies as well as feeling more open to people from diverse backgrounds and international careers. These findings contribute to a further understanding of Internationalisation at Home (IaH) as a useful model that can be extremely valuable in its own right. Although IaH is not a replacement for physical mobility, it may provide its own benefits, such as providing a collaborative, diverse online community as a source of social and professional support, networking and opportunities for international learning experiences for students who are unable to participate in traditional study abroad programs. Diversifying and further integrating such virtual platforms can then be seen as a part of best practices rather than a replacement for traditional modes of international cultural exchange.

Physical Mobility, Social Isolation and Cognitive Function: Are There Really Gender Differences?

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the mediating role of social isolation between physical mobility and cognitive function, and whether there are gender differences in the above mediating effects among Chinese older adults. MethodsThis is a prospective and cohort study. We obtained data from the 2011 (Time 1, T1), 2015 (Time 2, T2) and 2018 (Time 3, T3) waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, including 3,395 participants aged 60 years or above. Cognition was evaluated by Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status, words recall, and figure drawing, which was widely used in previous research. We used a cross-lagged model to test the hypothesis that social isolation mediated the association between physical mobility and cognitive function among Chinese older adults. ResultsThe total effects of T1 physical mobility limitations on T3 cognitive function (β = -0.055, bootstrap p < 0.001) were significantly negative. Social isolation played a mediating role among both males and females (male: β = -0.008, bootstrap p = 0.012; female: β = -0.006, bootstrap p = 0.023), demonstrating that the mediating effect of social isolation between physical mobility and cognitive function was not gender specific. ConclusionThis study confirmed that social isolation mediated the association between physical mobility and cognitive function among both Chinese male and female older adults. These findings indicate that reversing social isolation can be a priority intervention target for cognitive decline prevention and promote successful ageing, particularly among older adults with impaired physical mobility.

Clinical Determinants of Frailty in End-stage Renal Disease.

This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out to determine the frequency of frailty in patients on haemodialysis and to identify predictive clinical parameters. Patients were selected using convenience sampling. Exclusion criteria included acute kidney injury, non-compliance to hemodialysis, limited physical mobility due to cerebrovascular or rheumatological diseases, acute infections and unwillingness. Frailty was assessed using a short physical performance battery (SPPB). Handgrip strength and triceps skin fold thickness were also measured. There were 79 patients enrolled in the study with mean age of 51.86± 14.85 years, including 44 (55.70%) males. The median SPPB score was 8 (4-11). Frailty was observed in 51 (64.56%) patients. SPPB score had significant correlation with handgrip strength (R2= 0.309; p<0.001) and triceps skin fold thickness (R2= 0.060; p=0.030). On univariate analysis, increasing age, female gender, triceps skin fold thickness and hand grip strength were predictive of frailty. However, only increasing age (p<0.001) was predictive of frailty in multivariate analysis. Key Words: Haemodialysis, Physical performance, Renal replacement therapy.

Participant Perspectives on Intercultural Communication and Telecollaboration

Thanks to advancements in technology and the sudden onset of limited physical mobility, computer-mediated communicative (CMC) projects have become easier and more prevalent in the last few years, particularly in the foreign language classroom. Many of these projects have intercultural communication and intercultural communicative competence (ICC) as a key goal, and many studies have investigated the links between CMC and ICC. As yet, however, very little has been done to understand the experience of the participants themselves. This study attempts to utilise reflexive thematic analysis on participants’ open-ended responses to questions about their experiences following a ten-week semi-synchronous telecollaboration project called CONNECT. Responses were gathered from forty-three participants from fourteen institutions across different countries. They were read, coded, and themes were developed to produce the ‘story’ of the data. In this instance, four common themes across the responses were identified: The importance of English proficiency, self-discovery through sharing, good attitudes/skills/behaviours, and variability of cultural identities. Considering the participants’ perspectives on ICC in general and in relation to telecollaborative exchanges in particular is important when designing tasks such as these, and may help influence curriculum and classroom content planning.

Mindset Changes in Governance High School Post Covid-19 Pandemic

This study aims to describe the change in mindset in higher education governance after the Covid-19 pandemic. This research uses content analysis method. The results of the study show that: first, developing an educational strategy that is oriented towards long-term progress by making creative and innovative breakthroughs from the quality of teachers, completeness of infrastructure, availability of internet network facilities, secondly, recommended learning in higher education after the Covid-19 pandemic is blended learning, third, higher education must place the academic process as a humanist and inclusive framework, so that it is sustainable and interconnected and works through global collaboration, fourth, with a spirit of change, targeting a significant breakthrough both in mindset, attitude/behaviour patterns in leading and working also on overall higher education organizational governance that is adapted to current global needs and conditions, and fifth, online learning platforms in higher education are becoming more fluid, plural, open and accessible to anyone, and everywhere. ja, without having to be constrained by problems of access to certain economics, geography or social strata. Based on the conclusions, the following suggestions are put forward: first, universities, especially private universities, must quickly adapt to changes in the educational paradigm with an innovative learning culture; second, strengthening the IT ecosystem is a must; third, blended learning is the most rational choice, and fourth, innovation in redesigning a variety of academic activities and their support must be carried out, to deal with the limited physical mobility of higher education academics, including students and lecturers. Keywords: Change in mindset, Higher Education Governance, Post Covid-19 Pandemic DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-24-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2022

226P Elderly breast cancer treated with standard curative intent treatment: An analysis of predictors of disease-free survival (DFS)

The management of breast cancer in the elderly presents a dilemma to oncologists as several factors such as age, significant comorbidities, limited physical mobility, functional dependence, emotional and cognitive functions, and socioeconomic factors impede treatment in this group. In addition, treatment-related guidelines specific to this age group are lacking. The lack of data on elderly patients makes most oncologists reluctant to treat this group of patients with the standard treatment protocols as advised for the younger patients.

Access Anglesey 2018: Lessons from an inclusive field course

Abstract. Traditional methods of fieldwork delivery can present learners with a range of physical, cognitive and social challenges which may subsequently hinder their ability to engage effectively with learning. We developed a residential geoscience field course designed to be physically accessible to, and socially inclusive of, a diverse range of learners including those with limited physical mobility and neurodiverse conditions. This paper presents the logistical and pedagogical challenges involved in delivering such a field course. In terms of pedagogic design scheduling, pace and timing, and the ability to access content in multiple ways were critical to ensuring that all students were included in the learning. The most effective mitigations were the simplest and benefitted the whole group. Practical interventions found to support access and inclusion for the benefit of all participants included using an audio tour-guide system to communicate with students at field locations, using a four-wheel drive vehicle to improve access to specific locations, providing alternative exercises such as prepared photomicrographs and rock specimens, providing electronic tablets with suitable apps, and selecting accommodation with accessible common-room spaces, and a dedicated quiet room.

A Narrative Review of Theories of Wayfinding Within the Interior Environment.

The aim of this article is to provide a narrative overview of theories that are available in the published literature on wayfinding in interior environments. Wayfinding is an issue in healthcare facilities, and it has been documented that wayfinding problems have negative impacts on patients, visitors, caregivers' time, and the organization's bottom line. This issue can be more challenging for people with illness, low vision, cognitive disorders, and limited physical mobility. Wayfinding is a complex phenomenon depending on a variety of cognitive processes and behaviors. This article is a part of a broader literature review that searched for empirical studies on interior wayfinding. Four databases were systematically searched-PsychINFO, JSTOR, ProQuest, and EBSCO. A total of 81 articles satisfied all inclusion criteria for the broader study. Each article included in the broader study was reviewed to identify theory or theories, if any, that a study was founded on. After an in-depth review of the theories, the authors proposed four categories of theories relating to human wayfinding. The four classes and the specific theories in those are articulated in this article, including major changes during their evolution. The four classes of theories explain four facets of wayfinding: (1) theories of perception, (2) theories of spatial knowledge development, (3) theories of mental representation of spatial knowledge, and (4) theories of spatial cognition. Since wayfinding is essentially a cognitive/problem-solving phenomenon, understanding the theoretical underpinnings of wayfinding may result in more meaningful and impactful design decisions.

A potent peptide-steroid conjugate accumulates in cartilage and reverses arthritis without evidence of systemic corticosteroid exposure.

On-target, off-tissue toxicity limits the systemic use of drugs that would otherwise reduce symptoms or reverse the damage of arthritic diseases, leaving millions of patients in pain and with limited physical mobility. We identified cystine-dense peptides (CDPs) that rapidly accumulate in cartilage of the knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and intervertebral discs after systemic administration. These CDPs could be used to concentrate arthritis drugs in joints. A cartilage-accumulating peptide, CDP-11R, reached peak concentration in cartilage within 30 min after administration and remained detectable for more than 4 days. Structural analysis of the peptides by crystallography revealed that the distribution of positive charge may be a distinguishing feature of joint-accumulating CDPs. In addition, quantitative whole-body autoradiography showed that the disulfide-bonded tertiary structure is critical for cartilage accumulation and retention. CDP-11R distributed to joints while carrying a fluorophore imaging agent or one of two different steroid payloads, dexamethasone (dex) and triamcinolone acetonide (TAA). Of the two payloads, the dex conjugate did not advance because the free drug released into circulation was sufficient to cause on-target toxicity. In contrast, the CDP-11R-TAA conjugate alleviated joint inflammation in the rat collagen-induced model of rheumatoid arthritis while avoiding toxicities that occurred with nontargeted steroid treatment at the same molar dose. This conjugate shows promise for clinical development and establishes proof of concept for multijoint targeting of disease-modifying therapeutic payloads.

Motivate AAC Switch Practice With Smart-Home Tech

Motivate AAC Switch Practice With Smart-Home Tech

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LIFE-SPACE CONSTRICTION IN LATER LIFE: EVIDENCE FROM THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY

This study aimed to examine factors associated with life-space constriction, using the data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample. We limited our analysis to those who were 65 years and older and answered to the 2012 experimental module on life-space (N=895; mean age=75.3; 59.4% women). Life-space was assessed with the modified version of the UAB Study of Aging Life-Space Assessment, ranging nine zones: room, home, own property, immediate neighborhood, town, community, county, state, and region. A series of logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios for life-space constriction by sociodemographic and health characteristics. The results showed that 3.0% and 6.7% of older adults reported that they had never been to places beyond their home and own property/apartment building for the past four weeks, i.e. the critical boundaries in terms of social isolation. The significant factor associated with the life-space constriction within home, immediate neighborhood, and town was physical mobility limitation (OR: 1.18, 1.09, 1.11, respectively), while the constriction within county was associated with education level (OR: 0.91). Driving a car was negatively associated with the life-space constriction within own property/apartment building and home (OR: 0.48 and 0.22, respectively). Policy makers need to pay more attention to social and environmental factors influencing social isolation among older adults such as transportation options and social class disparity.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEGMENTAL ROLLING ABILITY AND LUMBAR MULTIFIDUS ACTIVATION TIME

Segmental rolling has been utilized as an assessment and intervention tool to identify and affect dysfunction of the upper quarter, core, and lower quarter. One theory to explain dysfunctional segmental rolling is a lack of segmental spinal control / stabilization. Faulty muscle firing sequencing has been related to poor spinal stability, however to date, no assessment tool exists to evaluate a patient's motor coordination of local and global musculature. The purpose of this study was to assess the temporal sequence of lumbar multifidus activation associated with anterior deltoid activation, and to determine if faulty sequencing was associated with the inability to segmentally roll in subjects without mobility restrictions. The authors hypothesized that in individuals who could not roll, a multifidus muscle onset latency relative to a prime mover activation would be present. In addition, a subset of the individuals with an inability to roll were utilized for a pilot study examining the ability to address the firing pattern with corrective exercise. Twenty healthy subjects (13 females, 7 males), ages 19-25, participated in the study. Each subject underwent an upper and lower quarter screen and assessment of thoracic spine mobility. Subjects were excluded from the study if they had previous spine surgery, or were currently experiencing back pain. In addition, subjects who had any disease, disorders, or pathology that would hinder participation in segmental rolling or who had spinal movement contraindications were excluded. Since shoulder flexion is performed during the study, participants who had shoulder pathology or contraindications to upper extremity movement were excluded as well. Subjects with less than 50 degrees of trunk rotation were excluded from the study due to a possible physical mobility limitation that would prevent proficient segmental rolling. Included subjects were assessed on their ability to segmentally roll. Subjects who could complete the rolling task were placed in cohort A ("can roll"), and subjects who could not roll were placed in cohort B ("can't roll").Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the multifidus was recorded adjacent to the lamina of the L4 vertebrae using intramuscular fine-wire electrodes. EMG activity of the anterior deltoid was also recorded with a surface electrode during a single arm movement into shoulder flexion. While in a standing position, subjects were instructed to move their right upper arm into flexion as quickly as possible. Subjects flexed their shoulder to 90 degrees for three trials while muscle activity was recorded. Data were high-pass filtered at 30 Hz to remove baseline artifact, and the onset EMG times was selected as the point at which EMG increased two SD above baseline levels. Onset of the multifidus muscle was reported relative to that of the prime mover (anterior deltoid). Muscle onset latency was defined as the time difference between the onset of contraction of the multifidus and the anterior deltoid. Nine subjects were placed in cohort A, 11 subjects were placed in cohort B. The mean firing time of the lumbar multifidus for the cohort A was 16.67msec before the anterior deltoid, and the mean firing time of the lumbar multifidus for cohort B was 57.36msec after the anterior deltoid. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.00) in the firing time between cohorts A and B. In subjects who could segmentally roll, the multifidus muscle activation always preceded that of the prime mover muscle activation. In subjects who could not segmentally roll, the results of this study confirm that there is a multifidus muscle onset latency relative to the activation of the anterior deltoid. The inability to segmentally roll may be related to faulty sequencing of lumbar multifidus firing.

Latent Profiles of Macronutrient Density and their Association with Mobility Limitations in an Observational Longitudinal Study of Older U.S. Adults.

Our first objective was to estimate empirically-derived subgroups (latent profiles) of observed carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake density in a nationally representative sample of older U.S. adults. Our second objective was to determine whether membership in these groups was associated with levels of, and short term change in, physical mobility limitations. Measures of macronutrient density were taken from the 2013 Health Care and Nutrition Study, an off-year supplement to the Health and Retirement Study, which provided indicators of physical mobility limitations and sociodemographic and health-related covariates. 3,914 community-dwelling adults age 65 years and older. Percent of daily calories from carbohydrate, protein, and fat were calculated based on responses to a modified Harvard food frequency questionnaire. Latent profile analysis was used to describe unobserved heterogeneity in measures of carbohydrate, protein, and fat density. Mobility limitation counts were based on responses to 11 items indicating physical limitations. Poisson regression models with autoregressive controls were used to identify associations between macronutrient density profile membership and mobility limitations. Sociodemographic and health-related covariates were included in all Poisson regression models. Four latent subgroups of macronutrient density were identified: "High Carbohydrate", "Moderate with Fat", "Moderate", and "Low Carbohydrate/High Fat". Older adults with the lowest percentage of daily calories coming from carbohydrate and the greatest percentage coming from fat ("Low Carbohydrate/High Fat") were found to have greater reported mobility limitations in 2014 than those identified as having moderate macronutrient density, and more rapid two-year increases in mobility limitations than those identified as "Moderate with Fat" or "Moderate". Older adults identified as having the lowest carbohydrate and highest fat energy density were more likely to report a greater number of mobility limitations and experience greater increases in these limitations than those identified as having moderate macronutrient density. These results suggest that the interrelation of macronutrients must be considered by those seeking to reduce functional limitations among older adults through dietary interventions.

Estimating the Co-Development of Cognitive Decline and Physical Mobility Limitations in Older U.S. Adults.

This study examines the co-development of cognitive and physical function in older Americans using an age-heterogeneous sample drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2008). We used multiple-group parallel process latent growth models to estimate the association between trajectories of cognitive function as measured by immediate word recall scores, and limitations in physical function as measured as an index of functional mobility limitations. Nested model fit testing was used to assess model fit for the separate trajectories followed by estimation of an unconditional parallel process model. Controls for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and chronic health conditions were added to the best-fitting parallel process model. Pattern mixture models were used to assess the sensitivity of the parameter estimates to the effect of selective attrition. Results indicated that favorable cognitive health and mobility at initial measurement were associated with faster decline in the alternate functional domain. The cross-process associations remained significant when we adjusted estimates for the influence of covariates and selective attrition. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were consistently associated with initial cognitive and physical health but had few relations with change in these measures.

Body weight status and onset of functional limitations in U.S. middle-aged and older adults

BackgroundThe sweeping obesity epidemic could further increase the incidence of functional limitations in the U.S. rapidly aging population. ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between body weight status and onset of functional limitations in U.S. middle-aged and older adults. MethodsStudy sample came from 1992 to 2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal survey of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height/weight. Functional limitations were classified into physical mobility limitation (PM), large muscle function limitation (LMF), activities of daily living limitation (ADL), gross motor function limitation (GMF), and fine motor function limitation (FMF). Mixed-effect logistic regressions were performed to estimate the relationship between prior-wave body weight status and current-wave onset of functional limitations, adjusted for individual characteristics and survey design. ResultsPrior-wave body weight status prospectively predicted onset of functional limitation, and the relationship showed a U-shaped pattern. Compared with their normal weight counterparts, the odds ratios (ORs) in underweight (BMI < 18.5) and obese (BMI ≥ 30) adults were 1.30 (95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.62) and 2.31 (2.11–2.52) for PM, 1.20 (0.96–1.50) and 1.63 (1.49–1.79) for LMF, 2.02 (1.66–2.46) and 1.40 (1.28–1.54) for ADL, 1.96 (1.60–2.39) and 1.77 (1.62–1.93) for GMF, and 1.66 (1.37–2.02) and 1.34 (1.22–1.46) for FMF, respectively. For PM, LMF and GMF, the impact of obesity appeared more pronounced in women, whereas that of underweight more pronounced in men. ConclusionsProper weight management during aging is crucial in preventing functional limitations in middle-aged and older adults.

Older adults’ experiences and perceptions of digital technology: (Dis)empowerment, wellbeing, and inclusion

As more and more of the business of society is transferred and conducted online, older adults frequently find themselves without the skills to participate effectively. This is frequently confounded by limited physical mobility and a decrease in their social network and contact. This paper examines the lived reality of that process and how digital technology could be used to enhance the life activity of older adults and their wellbeing by increasing their social network. Seventeen older adults (10 female, 7 male Mage=71.67, SDage=10.05) participated in two focus groups that each lasted approximately 90min. Interpretative phenomenological analysis yielded two main themes: digital technology serving as a tool to disempower and empower. Findings support evidence of a digital divide and how that divide is evolving from the ideographic perspective of digitally-engaged older adults and for society. Discussions also surround barriers to digital technology use for older adults, the codification of digital technology use within society, and how older adults use digital technology in a facilitative and inclusive way to empower themselves and protect them from the negative effects of the digital divide.