Mental Health Of Older Adults Research Articles

What do we really know about age-related stereotypes and well-being of older adults? A commentary on the state of the art

What do we really know about age-related stereotypes and well-being of older adults? A commentary on the state of the art

Age-related shifts in mental health determinants from a deprived area in the European Union: informing the national healthy aging program of Hungary.

Mental disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, disproportionately affecting older people. This study aims to assess the mental health of elderly individuals living in a deprived region of Hungary, and to identify and estimate the weight of different determinants of mental health across different age groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted with randomly selected samples of individuals (n = 860) aged 18years and older in Northeast Hungary. The World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), the single-item Life Satisfaction Scale, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used to measure mental health of the participants. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to measure the association between sociodemographic and health-related variables and mental health. Overall, the mean WHO-5 score was 69.2 ± 18.1 and it showed a significant decrease by age (p < 0.001), with the lowest score observed in aged 75years and above (p < 0.001). The mean life satisfaction score was 7.5 ± 1.9 and it showed a significant decreasing trend over the life course (p < 0.001). The highest level of psychological distress as assessed by GHQ-12 was observed in the group aged 75years or older (11.5 ± 6.0, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression indicated that self-reported financial status, social support, sense of control over their health, activity limitation and pain intensity were the most important determinants of mental health among older adults. Interventions to improve the mental health of older adults should focus on the positive impact of social support, the reduction of financial insecurity and the use of effective pain relief medications.

Evaluating the sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle parameters, depression, quality of life, cognitive status, physical activity, and Mediterranean diet adherence of older adults in pre- and post-Covid-19 periods: a comparative cross-sectional study

Ojective: Covid-19 pandemic has exerted deleterious effects on several aspect of mental health worldwide. The detrimental medical complications, the increased prevalence of morbidity and the rapid international spread of Covid-19 have resulted in urgent public health concerns and political measures across the world. This comparative, cross-sectional study aims to assess the changes that were established in sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle parameters and several aspects of mental health of older adults due to Covid-19 pandemic by comparing the pre-Covid period with the post-Covid period. Methods: Qualified questionnaires were applied for assessing the prevalence of depression, quality of life, cognitive status, and Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence, as well as sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle parameters in 3388 older adults in the pre- and post-Covid period. Results: Covid-19 pandemic independently affected type of residence, smoking habits, BMI and WHR status, risk of depression, quality of life, cognitive status, physical activity levels, and MD adherence. Conclusions: Covid −19 pandemic has exerted persistent detrimental effects on daily quality of life and mental health of older adults in the post-Covid period. Future strategies and public policies should develop healthcare programs to provide psychological and nutritional counseling and support to older adults to minimize the detrimental effects of Covid pandemic.

Association of the Type of Public Pension With Mental Health Among South Korean Older Adults: Longitudinal Observational Study.

As income and health are closely related, retirement is considered undesirable for health. Many studies have shown the association between pension and health, but no research has considered the association between contribution-based public pensions or their types and health. This study investigates the association between the type of contributory public pension and depressive symptoms among older adults. We analyzed the data of 4541 older adults who participated in the South Korea Welfare Panel Study (2014-2020). Depressive symptoms were measured using the 11-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Public pensions in South Korea are classified into specific corporate pensions and national pensions. For subgroup analyses, pensioners were categorized according to the amount of pension received and the proportion of public pension over gross income. Analyses using generalized estimating equations were conducted for longitudinal data. Individuals receiving public pension, regardless of the pension type, demonstrated significantly decreased depressive symptoms (national pension: β=-.734; P<.001; specific corporate pension: β=-.775; P=.02). For both pension types, the higher the amount of benefits, the lower were the depression scores. However, this association was absent for those who received the smaller amount among the specific corporate pensioners. In low-income households, the decrease in the depressive symptoms based on the amount of public pension benefits was greater (fourth quartile of national pension: β=-1.472; P<.001; second and third quartiles of specific corporate pension: β=-3.646; P<.001). Our study shows that contributory public pension is significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms, and this association is prominent in low-income households. Thus, contributory public pensions may be good income sources for improving the mental health of older adults after retirement.

Changes in depressive symptoms and antibody production following influenza vaccination in adolescents and adults

ObjectivePsychological distress has been associated with dampened antibody production following vaccination. Questions remain, however, about whether psychological distress influences vaccine response uniformly across the lifespan, and whether changes in distress result in changes in antibody production across the same period. MethodsParticipants (N = 148; Mage = 32.2 years, SD = 19.7, range = 12–80 years) took part in consecutive vaccine studies during the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 influenza seasons. Each influenza season, they reported on their depressive symptoms, provided blood samples, and received the standard influenza vaccine. Participants then provided a second blood sample one month later. Antibody titers were examined pre- and post-vaccination. ResultsAnalyses examined both within-season and across-season effects of depressive symptoms, age, and their interaction on vaccine response. Within-season analyses revealed that age predicted antibody response during both seasons (2017–2018 and 2018–2019). Neither depressive symptoms nor the interaction with age were associated with antibody response to vaccination within either season. Across the two seasons, age significantly moderated the association between change in depressive symptoms and change in antibody production. For people who were 48 or older, increases in depressive symptoms across the two seasons were associated with a less robust response to the vaccine in the second season relative to the first season. For people younger than 48, changes in depressive symptoms were not significantly related to changes in antibody production. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the important role of mental health for older adults’ vaccine response, which could have clinical relevance for protection against disease.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START: A CASE FOR PREVENTATIVE OUTPATIENT GERIATRIC SERVICES

INTRODUCTION &amp; AIMS The population is ageing and the chronic disease burden growing, seeing more older adults present to hospital with preventable non-communicable diseases. Multidisciplinary outpatient teams are well placed to manage modifiable risk factors to prevent disease progression and hospitalisations. A preventative service was launched at Concord Hospital integrating geriatrician, exercise physiologist and dietitian care to optimise the physical and mental health of older adults with chronic disease and frailty. This evaluation aims to determine the success of service implementation and feasibility of the model. METHODS Between November 2022 and June 2023, 59 patients (mean age 80.2 years (SD 6.2), 47.5% female) completed 12-weeks of concurrent exercise and diet interventions with medical oversight. Patients were assessed pre- and post-interventions. Exercise was individualised and multimodal, performed twice weekly in a supervised group. Diet was individualised with a protein supplement prescribed as appropriate. The outcomes measured were Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP), leg strength (one repetition maximum leg press), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS), and Mini Nutritional Assessment Long Form (MNA). Service activity was measured monthly via rate of referral and occasions of service (OOS). Data were analysed using JASP (v.0.18.1). RESULTS Monthly rate of referral and OOS increased from 18 to 51 patients and 49 to 479 occasions respectively, indicating service demand. After 12-weeks there were significant improvements in FFP (mean difference [95%CI] -0.4 [-0.7, -0.2] points), leg strength (34.0 [27.1, 40.8] kilograms), SPPB (1.1 [0.8, 1.5] points), GDS (-1.4 [-2.2, -0.6] points) and MNA (2.6 [1.6, 3.5] points), with no effect of sex observed. CONCLUSION Initial implementation of a preventative outpatient geriatric service was successful with increasing service demand and significant physical and mental health improvements. The service model is feasible; however, further evaluation is required to determine outcomes after continued service provision.

The impact of widowhood on the mental health of older adults and the buffering effect of social capital.

Widowhood is one of the most serious issues affecting the mental health of older persons. China currently has tens of millions of widowed older adult, which is a huge group. It is of great significance to study the impacts of widowhood on their mental health and put forward some measures for improvement. We used China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data in 2020, which included 4,184 older adults. Linear regression is used to examine the relationship among widowhood, mental health, and social capital. Both short-term and medium- and long-term widowhood lead to a significant increase in depression, which seriously affects the mental health of older people. At the same time, community-level and family-level social capital have significant buffering effects on the loss of mental health caused by widowhood, but this effect is heterogeneous, with different types of social capital playing different roles among different gender groups. The provision of care support by children and good neighborhood relationships can help mitigate the psychological impact of widowhood, and these are areas where social policy can make a difference.

Current Situation of Mental Health of Older Adults: A Case from Henan Province, China

Background: The population ageing process has changed the world’s population composition. China's population is ageing rapidly, and many researchers have focused on the psychological problems of older adults. Objective: To investigate the current state of mental health of older adults in China, understand the current level of mental health of older adults in China and its influencing factors, provide a reference for the formulation of mental health intervention measures, and scientifically protect the mental health of older adults. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to select 196 older people aged 60 and above in the Central Plains of China as the research objects. The questionnaire survey method was used to investigate the mental health status of older adults. Results: Among the 196 older people, 145 had no psychological symptoms, accounting for 74.0%; 45 had mild psychological symptoms, accounting for 23.0%; 4 had moderate psychological symptoms, accounting for 2.0%; 2 had severe psychological symptoms, accounting for 1.0%. There were statistically significant differences in the mental health scores among older adults with different ages, marital statuses, number of chronic diseases, and economic income (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The mental health status of older adults in China is average. Age, marital status, number of chronic diseases, and income level impact the mental health of older adults. The whole society should pay attention to the mental health ofolder adults.

Association between disability and cognitive function in older Chinese people: a moderated mediation of social relationships and depressive symptoms.

Many previous studies have found that disability leads to cognitive impairment, and in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms between disability and cognitive impairment, the present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of social relationships, including their role as mediators between disability and cognitive impairment in depressive symptoms. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 5,699 Chinese older adults from the 2018 China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were included in this study, and PROCESS macro was used to perform simple mediator and moderator mediator analyses, which were used to analyze the relationship between depressive symptoms and social relationships between disability and cognitive impairment. The results of this study showed significant correlations between disability, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and social relationships, and that depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between disability and cognitive functioning [B = -0.232; 95% CI: (-0.304, -0.164)], and that social relationships mediated disability and cognitive functioning through pathway a (Disability-Depressive Symptoms) [B = 0.190; 95% CI: (0.020, 0.036)], path b (depressive symptoms-cognitive impairment) [B = 0.029; 95% CI: (0.015, 0.042)], and path c' (incapacitation-cognitive impairment) [B = 0.492; 95% CI: (0.298, 0.685)] to modulate the effect of incapacitation on cognitive impairment. In addition, social activities and social networks moderated the mediation model directly or indirectly, whereas social support moderated only the direct effect. This study explains the intrinsic link between incapacitation and cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults, and that social relationships and depressive symptoms can directly or indirectly modulate the effects between them. This provides a basis for healthcare professionals to be able to better develop interventions that can be used to improve the level of cognitive functioning and mental health of older adults.

Analysis of the chain mediation effect between intergenerational support and mental health of older adults in urban China: a structural equation model.

This study aimed investigate the impact of intergenerational support on the mental health of older adults in urban China. It also sought to evaluate the chain mediation effect of attitudes toward younger people and willingness to interact with younger people within a non-familial context between intergenerational support and mental health. Data were derived from a community survey that adopted quota sampling in mainland China in 2022 (N = 780). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data, and the bootstrap technique was used to test the mediation effect. A significant positive association was found between intergenerational support and the mental health of older adults in urban China (B = 0.852, 95% confidence interval CI [0.157,1.617]). Intergenerational support had a specific indirect effect on mental health through older adults' attitudes toward younger people within a non-familial context (B = 0.665, 95% CI [0.443,1.046]). There was a chain mediation effect (B = 0.126, 95% CI [0.069,0.224]) in relation to attitudes toward younger people and the willingness to interact with younger people between intergenerational support and mental health. Mediation accounted for 44.44% of the total effects in the model. These findings help identify modifiable factors that can improve the mental health of older adults. In line with the proposed serial multiple mediation model, this study provides theoretical and practical insights concerning the synergistic effect of intergenerational support at the family level and intergenerational interaction at the community level. Policy and social service implications are also discussed.

The effect of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults-the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance.

Loneliness is a key social and public health issue, mainly affecting the mental health of older adults. The article aimed to explore the influence of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Meanwhile, the article also analyzed the moderating effects of internet usage and intergenerational distance in this process. Based on the data received from 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), the ordinary least square (OLS) regression model was used to analyze the influence of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Furthermore, the Bootstrap method was used to test the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance on the relationship between intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Baseline regression showed that economic support (β = -0.059, p < 0.001), caregiving support (β = -0.070, p < 0.001), and emotional support (β = -0.108, p < 0.001) from children can positively influence loneliness among older adults. Meanwhile, the results of the moderated effects analysis showed that internet usage and intergenerational distance moderates the relationship between caregiving support, emotional support from children and loneliness among older adults. The article demonstrates that family support, particularly intergenerational support from children plays a pivotal role in alleviating loneliness among older adults, so the government should further regulate the behavior of children's alimony support, improve the digital infrastructure, these measures help to reduce loneliness among older adults and expand the depth and breadth of family care of older adults.

Promoting healthy aging through exergames among older adults: single-player vs. multi-player modes

ABSTRACT Exergames offer a new way to exercise at home and improve mental health for older adults. Playing exergames alone, with same-sex partner or spouse is not well studied among older adults. This study aims to examine the effects of play modes of a Nintendo-Switch exergame on physiological (mean heart rate and game scores) and psychosocial (flow experience, sociability, and game experience) health of older adults. 105 older adults (mean age = 65.34 years, SD = 4.98 years, 80% women) were divided into three groups (single group vs. same-sex partner group vs. couple group) based on their intimate relationships. They played the Nintendo-Switch exergame ‘Rabbids: Adventure Party,’ which includes three mini games. Older adults’ mean heart rate, game scores, flow experience, sociability and game experience were measured after playing the exergame. The results indicate that the Nintendo-Switch exergames achieve low to moderate intensity exercise effects among participants. The single group had a significantly higher game score compared with the other two groups (F(2, 102) = 17.77, p < .001, η p 2 = 0.26). The same-sex partner group had a significantly higher flow experience (F(2, 102) = 6.13, p = .003, η p 2 = 0.11) and positive affect (F(2, 102) = 4.89, p = .009, η p 2 = 0.09) in the gaming experience than did the single group. Participants’ sociability increased significantly after playing the exergame (F(1, 102) = 39.44, p < .001, η p 2 = 0.28). This study provides insight into how to promote healthy aging at home while considering single-player and multi-play modes.

Comparison of lifestyle, cognitive function, mental health, and quality of life between hospitalized older adults with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 in South Korea: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly impacted older adults, resulting in many deaths. The impact of lifestyle and mental health on vulnerable groups, such as older adults, can be large and long lasting. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 confirmation on cognition, lifestyle, mental health, and quality of life in adults aged 55 years.MethodsThe sample consisted of 111 people in the COVID group and 189 people in the non-COVID group aged over 55 years in South Korea. An online survey was conducted between January and May 2022. Participants responded to the following assessment tools: Yonsei Lifestyle Profile, Prospective and Retrospective Memory (PRMQ), Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ), Visual Analogue Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19 S), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF). Differences in lifestyle, cognition, depression, anxiety, and quality of life were compared between the two groups.ResultsThere were significant differences in physical activity, diet, the total score of the PRMQ, PM (a sub-score of the PRMQ), PHQ-9, Korean version of the ISI (ISI-K), and WHOQOL-BREF scores between the COVID and non-COVID groups. However, there were no significant differences in activity participation, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), or FCV-19 S between groups.ConclusionsThe study confirms that COVID-19 negatively affects memory, physical activity, diet, quality of life, depression, and insomnia in the older adults. Therefore, this study implicated that prevention and intervention strategies required improving the memory, lifestyle, and mental health of older adults with COVID-19.Trial registrationThe study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Yonsei university in Korea (Registration number: 1041849-202112-SB-226-03, Date of registration: 01042022).

Network analysis of anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults in the United Kingdom

The health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the United Kingdom and the confinement measures that were subsequently implemented had unprecedented effects on the mental health of older adults, leading to the emergence and exacerbation of different comorbid symptoms including depression and anxiety. This study examined and compared depression and anxiety symptom networks in two specific quarantine periods (June–July and November–December) in the older adult population in the United Kingdom. We used the database of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging COVID-19 Substudy, consisting of 5797 participants in the first stage (54% women) and 6512 participants in the second stage (56% women), all over 50 years of age. The symptoms with the highest centrality in both times were: “Nervousness (A1)” and “Inability to relax (A4)” in expected influence and predictability, and “depressed mood (D1”; bridging expected influence). The latter measure along with "Irritability (A6)" overlapped in both depression and anxiety clusters in both networks. In addition, a the cross-lagged panel network model was examined in which a more significant influence on the direction of the symptom "Nervousness (A1)" by the depressive symptoms of "Anhedonia (D6)", "Hopelessness (D7)", and "Sleep problems (D3)" was observed; the latter measure has the highest predictive capability of the network. The results report which symptoms had a higher degree of centrality and transdiagnostic overlap in the cross-sectional networks (invariants) and the cross-lagged panel network model of anxious and depressive symptomatology.

The association between cataract surgery and mental health in older adults: a review

Background: Although cataract surgery has been proposed as a potentially modifiable protective factor for enhancing emotional well-being in cataract patients, studies examining the relationship between anxiety or depression and cataract surgery have yielded inconsistent findings. This review summarizes existing evidence to establish whether cataract surgery is associated with depression and anxiety in older adults. Methods: A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases. An initial screening by abstracts and titles was performed, followed by a review and assessment of the methodological quality of the relevant full papers, and final inclusion of 44 studies were deemed eligible for inclusion in this review. Results: Among 44 included studies, 36 studies (81.8%) were observational studies concerning the association of cataract surgery or cataracts with anxiety or depression, four studies (9.1%) were interventional studies, and four studies (9.1%) were reviews. Cataract surgery notably enhances the mental health of individuals with impaired vision. However, the multifaceted nature of psychological well-being, influenced by various factors, suggests that cataract surgery may not address all aspects comprehensively. Additionally, preoperative anxiety and depression significantly impact cataract surgery outcomes. Conclusion: Vision impairment in older adults is closely associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. While surgical intervention for cataracts improves these symptoms, it might be less effective for mental disorders with multifactorial causes. Notably, anxiety or depression poses challenges to successful preoperative and intraoperative cataract surgeries.

The Effects of the Built Environment on the Mental Health of Older Adults: A Case Study in Hangzhou, China.

This study examines the association between the built environment and mental health among older adults by exploring the potential pathways through the perceived built environment, social interaction, and environmental pollution. Research data were collected from 1405 older adults aged 60 years and older in 30 residential neighborhoods of Hangzhou, China, in 2022. The participants' evaluation of the perceived built environment, social interaction, and environmental pollution were assessed. Mental health was measured by the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey. The built environment was measured through an evaluation of density, diversity, design, destination accessibility, distance to transit, and the age-friendly environment. Structural equation models were established based on 300-m, 500-m, and 800-m buffers from the entrance of residential neighborhoods. The propensity score method was employed for sensitivity analysis. With regard to older adult's mental health, there were significant direct effects of the accessibility of health services, shopping services, and bus stops. A robust mediating effect of perceived built environment was displayed on the relationship between land use mix and mental health of older adults. Social interaction exhibited robust mediating effects between the age-friendly environment, the number of bus stops, and mental health of older adults. This study provides empirical experience for related research on the built environment and mental health as well as policy implications for urban planners focusing on community planning.

Investigating the prevalence and correlates of depression and stress in older adults: A nation-wide survey in Libya

This cross-sectional study aims to examine the depressive symptoms and stress among older adults. A convenience sample (n = 547) of older adults aged 60+ years was recruited from various regions in Libya. The WHO-5 and PSS-10 were used to assess depression and stress levels. The level of depressive symptoms and stress were 68 % and 71.5 %, respectively, with males reported more depression and stress than females (p ˂ 0.05). A combination of stress and family status significantly associated with levels of depression among the participants. This study provides important insights into the psychological health status of older adults in Libya. The high levels of depression and stress, as well as the identified correlates, shed light on the factors influencing mental well-being in this vulnerable population. These findings can serve as a foundation for the development of targeted interventions aimed at promoting the mental health of older adults in Libya.

The role of supervision and motivation during exercise on physical and mental health in older adults: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (PRO-Training project)

BackgroundAlthough supervised exercise is frequently recommended for older adults, its superiority over unsupervised exercise remains uncertain. Furthermore, whether motivational techniques could help to enhance the effectiveness of the latter remains to be elucidated. The present randomized controlled trial aims to determine the role of supervision and motivational strategies on the safety, adherence, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of different exercise programs for improving physical and mental health in older adults.MethodsParticipants (n = 120, aged 60–75 years) will be randomly allocated into five groups: 1-Control (CON), 2-Supervised exercise without motivational intervention (SUP), 3- Supervised exercise with motivational intervention (SUP +), 4- Unsupervised exercise without motivational intervention (UNSUP) and 5- Unsupervised exercise with motivational intervention (UNSUP +). Over 24 weeks, all exercise groups will participate in a multicomponent exercise program three times/week (performed in group classes at a center for SUP and SUP + , or home without supervision but with the help of a mobile app for UNSUP and UNSUP +), while the CON group will maintain their usual lifestyle. The motivational intervention (for SUP + and UNSUP + groups) will be based on the self-determination theory, including strategies such as phone calls, interactive workshops, motivational messages, informative infographics and videos. Primary outcomes will include safety, adherence, costs, and lower-body muscular function using a leg press machine. Secondary outcomes will include upper-body muscular function, physical and cardiorespiratory function, blood pressure and heart rate, body composition, health-related quality of life, cognitive performance, anxiety, depression, physical activity levels, sleep and sedentarism, biochemical markers, motivators and barriers to exercise. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-intervention (i.e., week 13), at the end of the intervention (i.e., week 25), and 24 weeks later (i.e., week 49).DiscussionThe findings of this trial might provide valuable insights into the role of supervision and motivational strategies on the effectiveness of exercise programs for older adults. Additionally, the study could contribute to developing cost-effective interventions, supporting the design of future public policies for healthy aging.Trial registrationNCT05619250. Registered 16 November 2022.

Older individuals and preventative behavioural interventions for COVID-19: a scoping review and perspective on wellbeing

Background In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, nations around the world introduced a range of behavioural interventions and restrictions in order to manage the spread of the virus. These included social distancing, lockdowns, and use of personal protective equipment, amongst others. The aim of the present paper is to examine some of the effects of these interventions on the psychological wellbeing and mental health of older adults, especially those with hearing loss. Methods The present review focused on published peer reviewed studies focusing on older adults. Search engines included Google Scholar, SpringerLink Journals, ProQuest Central, and PubMed employing different combinations of search terms such as “COVID-19”, “older adults”, and “isolation”. Results Older adults were at risk of experiencing increased anxiety and depression and poorer wellbeing during lockdowns across nations, with those self-reporting loneliness reporting more severe symptomatology. Reductions in wellbeing were observed both amongst community-dwelling older adults and those living in residential care facilities. Use of personal protective equipment, especially masks, and social distancing requirements impacted communication amongst older adults with hearing loss, with this subgroup reporting increased depression, anxiety, and stress, with symptoms increasing with the severity of the hearing loss. Conclusions While technology can help to mitigate the impacts of lockdowns and restrictions, limited access to devices and a range of challenges in upskilling older adults has impacted the utility of these technologies for promoting wellbeing. Education and training in the use of technologies and digital devices for both older adults and families might assist in promoting wellbeing, with increased accessibility needed in aged care facilities to further support the wellbeing of residents.

Moderating effect of age on the relationship between physical health loss and emotional distress post-acute care in Japanese older hospitalized patients

BackgroundAt present, there are no consistent findings regarding the association between physical health loss and mental health in older adults. Some studies have shown that physical health loss is a risk factor for worsening of mental health. Other studies revealed that declining physical health does not worsen mental health. This study aimed to clarify whether the relationship between physical health loss and emotional distress varies with age in older inpatients post receiving acute care.MethodsData for this study were collected from 590 hospitalized patients aged ≥ 65 years immediately after their transfer from an acute care ward to a community-based integrated care ward. Emotional distress, post-acute care physical function, and cognitive function were assessed using established questionnaires and observations, whereas preadmission physical function was assessed by the family members of the patients. After conducting a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis by age group for the main variables, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted with emotional distress as the dependent variable, physical function as the independent variable, age as the moderator variable, and cognitive and preadmission physical function as control variables.ResultsThe mean GDS-15 score was found to be 6.7 ± 3.8. Emotional distress showed a significant negative correlation with physical function in younger age groups (65-79 and 80-84 years); however, no such association was found in older age groups (85-89, and ≥ 90 years). Age moderated the association between physical function and emotional distress. Poor physical function was associated with higher emotional distress in the younger patients; however, no such association was observed in the older patients.ConclusionsAge has a moderating effect on the relationship between physical health loss and increased emotional distress in older inpatients after acute care. It was suggested that even with the same degree of physical health loss, mental damage differed depending on age, with older patients experiencing less damage.