Experiences Of Older Adults Research Articles

Is Protecting Older Adults from COVID-19 Ageism? A Comparative Cross-cultural Constructive Grounded Theory from the United Kingdom and Colombia.

The COVID‐19 pandemic impacted people's lives all over the world, requiring health and safety measures intended to stop the virus from spreading. This study explores whether an unintended consequence of these measures is a new form of ageism. We explore, using qualitative methods, the experiences of older adults living through the pandemic in the United Kingdom and Colombia. Although there were some small differences between countries, for the most part, the experiences were similar. We found that older adults reported that they were seen as a homogenous group and experienced both benevolent and hostile ageism and a loss of autonomy as a consequence of COVID‐19 protection measures. Participants from both countries expressed anger and frustration, and increased anxiety, and felt that their individuality was ignored. We recommend that policy‐makers, the media, and wider society consider the impact of such health and safety measures on older adults in preparing for future pandemics and health challenges.

The Best Place to Be? Experiences of Older Adults Living in Canadian Cohousing Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our objective in this study was to learn about the experiences of older adults living in a cohousing community during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this qualitative exploratory study, we interviewed 13 participants living in Canadian cohousing communities between October 2021 and January 2022. One key challenge identified focused on some community members not choosing to be vaccinated for COVID-19. We identified many positive impacts including the social infrastructure, opportunities for ongoing social engagement, and the physical design of shared indoor and outdoor spaces were beneficial to the physical and mental well-being for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Older adults recall memories of life challenges: the role of sense of purpose in the life story.

Late life is still often characterized as a time of loss and decline. The current study moved beyond this view, using both the resilience framework and the life story approach to highlight the rich life experiences of older adults. Doing so created an opportunity to explore perspectives on sense of purpose in life, from the vantage point of old age. The study had two central questions. That is, how have older adults drawn on their sense of purpose across their lives, and what factors led to the development of a sense of purpose? Following guidelines for the consensual qualitative research method (CQR; Hill et al., The Counseling Psychologist, 25(4), 517–572, 1997; Hill & Knox, 2021), in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 older women and men (aged 60 – 100 years) and transcribed for analysis. The CQR method revealed seven domains in the interviews. Three domains were relevant to the first research question, including: overcoming life challenges to pursue purpose, perspective-taking to maintain purpose, and purpose as part of one’s religion. Four domains provided insights on the second research question: life background influencing purpose, shifts in purpose across life, fulfilling purpose across life, and obstacles to pursuing purpose in life. Findings highlighted how older people use sense of purpose as a guide in the face of life’s inevitable challenges. They also revealed the unique life story paths that lead to the development of purpose across individuals’ lifetimes. The implications of maintaining a sense of purpose in life, across the later years, are discussed.

Re-braiding the Strands of Life through Community Rehabilitation, Home Care, and Informal Support: A Longitudinal Collective Case Study.

Limited research exists on the experiences of older adults participating in community rehabilitation. Our longitudinal, collective case study explored older adults' experiences while they engaged in community rehabilitation and home care services, as well as family caregivers' concurrent experiences. Drawing on interpretive description, we inductively analysed interview data gathered at three points over 3-6months from six family dyads. Questions focused on activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living and other meaningful activities affected by changes in the older adult's health. From our thematic analysis, three themes emerged: (a) Centring community rehabilitation and home care services around the older adult and family; (b) Understanding the intricate interface of formal and informal supports; and (c) Supporting the meaningful aspects of life. Our findings suggest a metaphor of re-braiding, a reconfiguration of activities that requires increased integration of formal and informal supports within home care and community rehabilitation.

Emergency department-to-community care transition barriers: A qualitative study of older adults.

Over one-half of older adults are discharged to the community after emergency department (ED) visits, and studies have shown there is increased risk of adverse health outcomes in the immediate post-discharge period. Understanding the experiences of older adults during ED-to-community care transitions has the potential to improve geriatric emergency clinical care and inform intervention development. We therefore sought to assess barriers experienced by older adults during ED-to-community care transitions. We conducted a qualitative analysis of community-dwelling cognitively intact patients aged 65 years and older receiving care in four diverse EDs from a single U.S. healthcare system. We constructed a conceptual framework a priori to guide the development and iterative revision of a codebook, used purposive sampling, and conducted recorded, semi-structured interviews using a standardized guide. Two researchers coded the professionally transcribed data using a combined deductive and inductive approach and analyzed transcripts to identify dominant themes and representative quotations. Among 25 participants, 20 (80%) were women and 17 (68%) were white. We identified four barriers during the ED-to-community care transition: (1) ED discharge process was abrupt with missing information regarding symptom explanation and performed testing, (2) navigating follow-up outpatient clinical care was challenging, (3) new physical limitations and fears hinder performance of baseline activities, and (4) major and minor ramifications for caregivers impact an older adult's willingness to request or accept assistance. Older adults identified barriers to successful ED-to-community care transitions that can inform the development of novel and effective interventions.

COVID-19’s Effect on Social Isolation and Loneliness as Experienced by Older Adults

Abstract Date Presented 04/02/2022 OT helps people establish and maintain meaningful participation in everyday life. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on older adults already at risk for social isolation and loneliness. This qualitative study informs the profession about the lived experience of older adults during COVID-19 and how the pandemic altered their routines and satisfaction levels. This study guides OT to tailor interventions to meet this population’s needs during a crisis. Primary Author and Speaker: Alyssa Burgoyne Additional Authors and Speakers: Madisan Ercanbrack, Courtney Wiley, Barbara Kornblau

Musical experience partially counteracts temporal speech processing deficits in putative mild cognitive impairment.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) commonly results in more rapid cognitive and behavioral declines than typical aging. Individuals with MCI can exhibit impaired receptive speech abilities that may reflect neurophysiological changes in auditory-sensory processing prior to usual cognitive deficits. Benefits from current interventions targeting communication difficulties in MCI are limited. Yet, neuroplasticity associated with musical experience has been implicated in improving neural representations of speech and offsetting age-related declines in perception. Here, we asked whether these experience-dependent effects of musical experience might extend to aberrant aging and offer some degree of cognitive protection against MCI. During a vowel categorization task, we recorded single-channel electroencephalograms (EEGs) in older adults with putative MCI to evaluate speech encoding across subcortical and cortical levels of the auditory system. Critically, listeners varied in their duration of formal musical experience (0-21 years). Musical experience sharpened temporal precision in auditory cortical responses, suggesting that musical experience produces more efficient processing of acoustic features by counteracting age-related neural delays. Additionally, robustness of brainstem responses predicted the severity of cognitive decline, suggesting that early speech representations are sensitive to preclinical stages of cognitive impairment. Our results extend prior studies by demonstrating positive benefits of musical experience in older adults with emergent cognitive impairments.

Lived experiences of older adults while working in the academe amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: The Philippine context.

Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines and the world, our aging population, especially older adults working in the academe, has not ceased with their desire to provide quality education among our student nurses continuously. Aside from the fact that most of these nursing mentors in the field of education have been closer to the age of retirement, they still opt to continue their passion for teaching. Hence, knowing their lived experiences can be a great anchor on how to support them effectively. This study aimed to explore the older adults' lived experiences while working in the academe amidst the pandemic. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select twelve informants based on the set inclusion criteria, such as older adults aged at least 60 years old and above residing within Cebu City, Philippines, who were currently employed as nursing mentors in any private or public academic nursing institution. Colaizzi's method of data analysis was used. Four themes emerged: (1) Diversifying Teaching and Learning Strategies, (2) Labyrinthing Through the Challenges, with three subthemes (Coursing through struggles and adversities, Thriving with the teaching and learning during the pandemic, and Coping with the changes), (3) Strengthening Health, Adhering to Protocols, and (4) Moving Forward with the New Normal, with two subthemes (Adapting to be technologically resilient and Having a positive outlook). The older adults learned to teach, adapt, adjust, and move forward in the academe amidst the pandemic. They keep up with the changes and the challenges despite being an older adult having limited experience and knowledge of the use of technology. They continue to strive, live and be more productive amidst the pandemic.

Compassionate presence sessions: A qualitative exploration of experiences of older adults and college students

BackgroundOffering compassionate presence has been associated with enhanced psychological and physiological well-being for both the giver and the recipient, especially in times of crisis, but there are limited studies examining the role of an intergenerational compassionate presence program on the well-being of older and younger adults. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the impact of compassionate presence sessions for older adults and college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsData were gathered from older adult participants through semi-structured interviews (n = 18) and student participants through weekly debriefing and structured guided reflection (n = 7). ResultsThe study identified the intergenerational compassionate presence program as a possible tool for use in strengthening intergenerational bonds, promoting mutual learning, boosting the emotional well-being of older and younger adults, reducing ageist views, enhancing social virtues, and improving college students’ attitudes toward aging and older adults. ConclusionFindings support the need to implement programs that provide a space for older adults to share their life stories and experiences without being judged. Such an opportunity can help them dig deeper into their inner resources to discover and find meaning in their life experiences.

Understanding the Ephemeral Moment of COVID Avoidance Hotels: Lessons Learned from Acknowledging Housing as Central to Dignified Later Life

ABSTRACT Place and health are intricately bound. COVID has amplified system burdens and health risks within the housing care continuum, in which older adults with chronic illnesses are disproportionately represented. The paper identifies the health experiences of older adults with severe conditions living in and moving through temporary avoidance hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic. An interpretive descriptive approach was taken with qualitative chart data and provider observation to represent the experiences of 14 older avoidance hotel residents living with serious illnesses. Through provider documentation, we illustrate trends pre-pandemic, in the first nine months of the pandemic, and the second nine months. Such trends include strengths and opportunities such as the health-affirming nature of avoidance hotels, their potential in generating continuity of care and permanent housing, and synergy between harm reduction approaches and palliative care. Challenges were also identified in catering to the diverse medical, behavioral, and psychosocial-spiritual needs of older and seriously ill residents and the consequences of geographic dispersion on health care, health behaviors, and informal care networks. Through these strengths and challenges, avoidance hotels present essential lessons in considering future housing and healthcare intervention and implementation that addresses the needs of older seriously ill people facing homelessness and housing precarity.

Reasons people refrain from sex in later life

There has been an increase in research on sexual activity in later life, yet far less is known about the actual perceptions and experiences of older adults who refrain from sexual activity. In the current study, a thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns in semi-structured interviews with 47 older adults, aged 60-91. The analysis yielded seven themes that describe why older adults refrain from sex: 1) avoiding confronting sexual dysfunctions, 2) avoiding confronting the aging body, 3) avoiding performance anxiety, 4) being uninterested in sexual activity, 5) taking time to grieve the loss of a partner, 6) avoiding judgment, and 7) seeing sexuality as evolving and changing. Themes were organized according to the bio-psycho-social perspective and based on the axis of personal (self-focused) and interpersonal (partner-focused) motives. It is perfectly acceptable for people to refrain from sexual activity for their own reasons. However, if older adults want to remain sexually active, they should receive complete information about the many possibilities of treating different sexual problems in later life and about the many ways, beyond sexual penetration, one can enjoy sexual activity even in old age.

왜 여전히 나는 소외되고 있는가?

The purpose of this study is to examine the diverse experience of the use of digital technologies for older adults, while also paying attention to the digital gap within the older adult group. In particular, based on the grounded theory, the long-term phenomenon and experience of older adults were analyzed. During the analysis, we developed a discussion on intra-group heterogeneity that could be overlooked in treating older adults as a group. For this purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 older adults aged 65 years or older who had experience using digital devices. As a result of the study, 54 concepts, 26 sub-categories, and 14 categories were found. The core phenomenon of ‘standing in the maze of the digital world’ was discovered, and the surrounding causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervention conditions, behavior/interaction strategies, and outcomes were presented as a paradigm model. This study provides guidelines for digital inclusion policies and interventions, including building a senior digital plaza that takes into account the heterogeneity of the older population and reflects the needs, desires, and limitations of each group.

Self-care behaviours in older adults treated with oral anticancer agents: A qualitative descriptive study.

Older adults treated with oral anticancer agents may have several needs related to managing their treatment at home. Moreover, the experiences of older adults engaging in self-care have been poorly investigated. This study aimed to explore and describe self-care behaviours in older adults treated with oral anticancer agents. This is a qualitative study using content analysis with both a deductive and an inductive approach. Guided by the Middle-Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness, we explored the three theoretical dimensions of self-care maintenance (i.e., behaviours to maintain illness stability), self-care monitoring (i.e., behaviours to monitor signs and symptoms) and self-care management (i.e., responses to signs and symptoms). Patients over 70 years of age who were treated with oral anticancer agents for at least 3 months were interviewed. We enrolled 22 participants (13 males), age range: 70-87 years. Nine categories emerged within the three identified dimensions-self-care maintenance: medication adherence, dietary adaptations and physical activity; self-care monitoring: general health status, cancer monitoring, sign and symptom recognition and attending visits; and self-care management: oral anticancer agent side effects management and illness management. Self-care is a growing area in cancer research. However, it is poorly understood among older patients taking oral anticancer agents. Oncology nurses can play a pivotal role in evaluating and supporting self-care behaviours, educating patients to effectively implement correct self-care behaviours and ensuring positive outcomes for these patients. Further research is needed to establish appropriate interventions to improve self-care in older patients taking oral anticancer agents.

A Study on the Social Physical Env ironment and Cognitive Disorder Experience of Older Adults

목적: 본 연구의 목적은 파킨슨병 환자의 보호자를 대상으로 마음챙김기법 중재 적용의 효과에 대해서 알아보는 것이다. 연구방법: 2020년 12월부터 2021년 4월까지 파킨슨병의 환자 보호자 15명을 대상으로 실시하였다. 중재 전부양부담감과 건강관련 삶의 질에 대하여 평가를 실시했고 마음챙김기반 중재는 마음챙김에 대한이해와 마음챙김을 위한 훈련 등이 포함되어있다. 중재는 1대1로 실시하였으며 1일 50분씩 주 2회, 총 8주 동안 실시하였고, 중재 8주 후 재평가를 실시하였다. 분석은 대응표본 분석과 빈도분석을사용하여 분석하였으며, 통계 프로그램은 SPSS Version 25.0을 사용하였다. 연구결과: 총 15명의 참가자를 대상으로 마음챙김기반 중재 전⋅후 참가자의 부양부담감 감소와 건강관련 삶의질 중 정신건강지수에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었다. 그러나 건강관련 삶의 질 중 신체건강지수는 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다. 결론: 본 연구를 통하여 파킨슨병 환자의 보호자에게 마음챙김기반 중재의 효과를 확인하였고 추후 연구에서는 대조군이 포함된 연구가 필요할 것으로 보인다.

Social Norms About Handling Financial Challenges in Relation to Health-Protective Capacity Among Low-Income Older Adults.

Despite evidence linking financial challenges to poor health among older adults, effective interventions are lacking. This study examined the experience of living with financial challenges, useful strategies to handle them, and social norms that may constrain options and decision-making. This two-staged qualitative study recruited low-income older adults from the United States Baltimore City area. First, semistructured individual interviews examined older adults' experiences and strategies used to handle financial challenges. Then, vignette-based focus groups examined relevant social norms. Transcripts were coded, and hierarchical themes were described using thematic analysis. Two themes were generated. First, the social norms relevant to financial challenges share a common underlying assumption of personal responsibility. Second, social norms about personal responsibility are inconsistent with the experiences of older adults facing financial challenges, who typically lack control over their situation and face structural barriers to preventing and handling financial challenges. Differences between statements related to norms and personal responsibility were found across six subthemes, including how finances should be handled to prevent financial challenges, the causes of financial challenges, asking for help from community resources, navigating community resources, getting help from family, and cutting back to handle financial challenges. The disconnect between social norms and the reality of financial challenges among older adults may explain why so many older adults cut back to the point of foregoing necessities. There is an urgent need to strengthen the social safety net and remove normative barriers to services.

Factors of Functional Disability in the Social Participation of Older Adults Living Alone With Fall Experience.

The fall experiences of older adults living alone lead to restrictions in their social participation. This study aimed to examine the factors that influence functional disability in social participation (FSP) among older adults who live alone and have experienced falls. This study used secondary data of 493 older adults living alone who experienced a fall, which were collected from the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Factors, such as old age, sex, economic status, frequency of drinking, and number of acquaintances, significantly related to functional disability in terms of social participation. In addition, poor muscle strength, depression, and cognitive decline comprised predictors of FSP. The findings of this study revealed that it is important to comprehensively evaluate the social participation of older adults who live alone and have experienced falls.

Exploring the experiences of older adults living with asthma in the United Kingdom: A co-produced qualitative study

BackgroundOlder adults are the fastest growing population in the UK, but asthma is often underdiagnosed, undertreated and poorly self-managed in this population. It is necessary to explore the experiences of older adults with asthma to identify areas of research that could improve quality of life. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of older adults in the UK living with asthma and how it impacts their lives. MethodsTelephone interviews were conducted with 15 adults with General Practitioner diagnosed asthma, aged 60 years and over, from across the UK. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. This study was co-produced with an Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research (AUKCAR) Patient and Public Involvement Lead and guided by the National Institute for Health Research UK standards for Public Involvement in Research to ensure meaningful public involvement. ResultsThemes clustered around impact of asthma, managing asthma, interaction with healthcare and understanding of asthma. Participants experienced increased physical, psychological and social impacts of asthma management as they aged which led to feelings of isolation. Competing multimorbidities and polypharmacy complicate treatment and self-management of asthma. Ageism and a lack of empathy from health care providers were mentioned by the majority participants. Quality of care varied widely across the UK, however all participants had seen a healthcare professional for an asthma review in the previous 12 months. ConclusionsOlder adults experience increased challenges in managing their asthma due to increased multimorbidities, polypharmacy and ageism from healthcare providers.

Do Sexual Expectations Matter for Older Men and Women? Anticipated Sexual Futures and Late-Life Sexuality Over Two Decades.

Expectations across a variety of life domains appear to shape the aging process, giving weight to the role of self-fulfilling prophecies in later life. Sexuality is one area where the power of expectations is not well-understood. We investigated whether 10-year sexual expectations were associated with sexual satisfaction and sexual frequency a decade on among older heterosexual coupled adults. We further examined whether sexual expectations could offset the sex-constraining impact of functional limitation onset. We used 3 waves of the Midlife Development in the United States study (1995, 2005, 2014), a nationally representative panel survey. Analyses consider adults aged 45+ in 1995 who had a spouse or romantic partner at 2 consecutive waves. Associations between sexual expectations and eventual sexual satisfaction and frequency were estimated with multivariable generalized estimating equations. Moderation analyses examined whether between-wave onset of functional limitations had less influence on sexuality outcomes when combined with a high initial level of sexual expectations. Sexually optimistic participants reported more sexual satisfaction and higher sexual frequency a decade later. Though the onset of functional limitations tended to suppress sexual frequency for women, the probability of having weekly sex was significantly higher among such women if they had high rather than low sexual expectations. Results suggest that, similar to other life domains, expectations shape the sexual experience of older adults. Clinicians and care providers may consider ways to help foster realistic optimism about sexuality among older men and women.

Loneliness and boredom in residential care

OBJECTIVES: Older adults are more likely to experience loneliness and boredom in residential care. The purpose of this study is to extend the understanding of experiences of older adults in residential care and identify factors that residents believe contribute to loneliness and boredom. In addition, I aim to identify strategies used to cope with these experiences and provide recommendations to enhance the quality of life in residential care. METHODS: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted through participant observation, in-depth interviews with 24 residents, and key informant interviews with 10 staff members. RESULTS: The findings emphasise the pervasiveness of loneliness and boredom despite facilities’ efforts to provide activities and support. Staff and family support helped to alleviate loneliness and boredom and participants employed individual coping strategies. DISCUSSION: Health professionals should recognise loneliness and boredom as issues in residential care and prioritise individual needs and preferences when designing activities.

Impact of COVID-19 on life experiences reported by a diverse cohort of older adults with diabetes and obesity.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to measure the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on self‐reported life experiences in older adults with diabetes and obesity.MethodsParticipants were surveyed in 2020 regarding negative and positive impacts of the pandemic across domains of personal, social, and physical experiences. A cumulative negative risk index (a count of all reported negative impacts of 46 items) and a positive risk index (5 items) were characterized in relation to age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, and multimorbidity.ResultsResponse rate was high (2950/3193, 92%), average age was 76 years, 63% were women, and 39% were from underrepresented populations. Women reported more negative impacts than men (6.8 vs. 5.6; p < 0.001 [of 46 items]) as did persons with a greater multimorbidity index (p < 0.001). Participants reporting African American/Black race reported fewer negative impacts than White participants. Women also reported more positive impacts than men (1.9 vs. 1.6; p < 0.001 [of 5 items]).ConclusionsOlder adults with diabetes and obesity reported more positive impacts of the pandemic than negative impacts, relative to the number of positive (or negative) items presented. Some subgroups experienced greater negative impacts (e.g., for women, a greater multimorbidity index). Efforts to reestablish personal, social, and physical health after the pandemic could target certain groups.