Life Of Older People Research Articles

Older People Living Alone: A Predictive Model of Fall Risk.

Falls in older people are a result of a combination of multiple risk factors. There are few studies involving predictive models in a community context. The aim of this study was to determine the validation of a new model for predicting fall risk in older adults (65+) living alone in community dwellings (n = 186; n = 117) with a test-retest reliability study. We consider in the predictive model the significant factors emerged from the bivariate analysis: age, zone, social community resources, physical exercise, self-perception of health, difficulty to keep standing, difficulty to sit and get up from a chair, strain to see, use of technical devices, hypertension and number of medications. The final model explained 28.5% of the risk of falling in older adults living alone in community dwellings. The AUC = 0.660 (se = 0.065, IC 95% 0.533-0.787, p = 0.017). The predictive model developed revealed a satisfactory discriminatory performance of the model and can contribute to clinical practice, with respect to the evaluation of risk of falling in this frailty group and preventing falls.

B2C E-Commerce Adoption among Elders in Greece

The use of e-commerce has a lot of potential to make the lives of older people better. It could give them power, the ability to manage and control their finances, lower care costs, and make them less reliant on others, so they could live on their own. Using a questionnaire survey, this study looks at whether individual characteristics of older Greek people could affect their adoption of e-commerce. Eight variables that could be linked to adoption: gender, age, marital status, residential status, level of education, experience with information technology, employment status, and income were examined. The results show that age, gender, residential status, education level, employment status, and income all play a big role in how older people shop online. The results of this study help service providers and the government understand how older people's individual characteristics affect online shopping. As a result, this knowledge would help them find and use the right strategies to improve online shopping.

Evaluation of the quality of life of older people with diabetes.

Diabetes is commonly classified as a chronic disease of affluence due to the frequency of its incidence and the rate of its spreading. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of life of geriatric patients with type 2 diabetes. 294 seniors diagnosed with type 2 diabetes living in the Lower Silesian Province in south-western Poland took part in the study. The study used a self-developed questionnaire collecting clinical and socio-demographic data, the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire, Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory (SCODI) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Significant relationships of QoL with BMI, level of education and place of residence, were observed. BMI was significantly negatively correlated with the psychological domain of functioning and the environmental functioning, the level of education was correlated with physical health, psychological and environmental functioning, while the place of residence was correlated with the perception of the QoL and environmental functioning. Acceptance of illness was positively correlated with the perception of QoL and one's physical health. The results of regression analyses in predicting QoL in all domains showed that all models were a good fit for the data (p < 0.001), and the single predictor was maintenance of self-care. The level of depression was negatively correlated to a statistically significant degree with the perception of QoL and one's health condition. BMI, level of education and place of residence had the highest impact on the quality of life of the participants. The quality of life of the participants improved with the increase in the acceptance of their illness. The higher the level of depression exhibited by the participants, the poorer they evaluated their quality of life.

Interventions to reduce discrimination against the elderly for healthy ageing in Kenya

This article intended to capture interventions to reduce discrimination against the elderly for healthy ageing in Kenya. Ageism is a form of discrimination that is based on age. It can manifest in many ways, including negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Ageism can have a significant impact on the lives of older people, leading to social isolation, decreased self-esteem, and poorer health outcomes. There are a number of interventions that have been shown to be effective in reducing ageism. These interventions include: Educational interventions: These interventions aim to teach people about ageism and its negative effects. They can be delivered in a variety of settings, such as schools, workplaces, and community organizations. Intergenerational contact: This type of intervention brings together people of different ages to interact with each other. This can help to break down stereotypes and promote positive attitudes towards older people. Policy changes: These interventions can help to reduce ageism by changing the way that older people are treated in society. For example, laws that protect older people from discrimination can help to create a more age-friendly environment. The findings of this study suggest that interventions to reduce ageism can be effective in improving the lives of older people. These interventions can help to reduce negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, and they can promote positive attitudes towards older people. The study recommends that researchers must focus on capturing how ageism manifests in society and propose the best ways of curbing the problem so that older people in the society can experience healthy ageing.

Depression symptoms and health-related quality of life in older people: a review

El objetivo de este estudio fue sintetizar la evidencia de la literatura científica sobre la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en las personas mayores con síntomas de depresión. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica publicada entre 2015 y 2020 en las bases de datos Pubmed, Scielo y Scopus. Se incluyeron 35 artículos en los cuales se reportó una estrecha relación entre la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y los síntomas de depresión, mediada por condiciones físicas y psicosociales entre las cuales se encuentran el tener enfermedades crónicas, dolor persistente, comorbilidades, disminución de la independencia, bajos ingresos, alto porcentaje de grasa corporal, sedentarismo, vivir solo, pertenecer al género femenino y carecer de cuidadores empáticos.

Music for life: a case of good practice

This research is based on the hypothesis that music education, based on active participation, can improve the quality of life of older people and positively influence the prevention of dementias, such as Alzheimer's. Choir singing has always brought benefits, but active choral singing, including movement and body expression, as well as instrumental practice, can increase a healthy physical and mental life. Music for life is a project that takes place in an association of pensioners and retirees in a small town, in Spain. Participants go once a week to sing, actively learn music, but what they really do is work the laterality of the cerebral hemispheres, boost memory, improve self-esteem, and connect with people of similar characteristics and situations. One of the most important parts of the project is public auditions in homes for the elderly or similar, as part of musical learning, self-esteem and social responsibility. The idea of ​​being able to show other people their musical work, and offer a few hours of joy to older people, makes them feel important and necessary. The research part consists of checking whether these connected activities (singing, corporal expression and memorization), favor the prevention of dementias such as Alzheimer’s; improve psychomotor skills and the quality of life of people. At the moment, we have only been able to verify the increase in self-esteem, and the implication involved in participating in a research project.

Predictors of COVID-19 Related Health Literacy among Older People Living in Rural Areas of Indonesia.

. This study aims to identify predictive factors of COVID-19-related health literacy (HL) among older adults living in rural areas. This study used a cross-sectional design. A total of 106 respondents participated in this study. HL was measured by using a questionnaire modified from the HLS-COVID-Q22, in addition, the scales 'Health Information Seeking','Family's Social Support Scale', 'Health Service Utilization'; and information on some socio-demographic variables was also obtained. A multiple linear regression model was used to identify the predictors of HL. About two-thirds of the respondents had a moderate level of HL (63.2%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that education level, family support, information source, and gender were significant predictors for HL (p<0.01). HL literacy was better among males, highly educated older people, media users, and those with adequate family support. This study provided insight for nurses and healthcare professionals to pay greater attention to vulnerable groups of older people (ie. female gender and those with less formal education) as well as involve family members in education or health promotion activities and use easily accessed media, such as television and radio.

The work status of nurses in long-term care institutions in elderly care: A qualitative descriptive study.

To understand the work status of nurses in long-term care institutions in China for elderly care to provide a reference for further formulating management strategies and promoting the development of long-term care teams. Using qualitative descriptive research methods, 31 nurses from three long-term care institutions were selected through purposive sampling for in-depth interviews, and a three-week participatory observation was conducted on the daily work of nurses in the above three long-term care institutions. Content analysis was used to analyse data. In our sample, nurses in long-term care institutions had insufficient manpower, generally had low academic qualifications, and lacked professional ability. Their work enthusiasm and initiative need to be further improved. Long-term care nurses were moderately paid, and their salary satisfaction was lower than in other trades. At the same time, the social understanding of the long-term care industry was insufficient, and the social identity of nurses in long-term care institutions was low. The development of long-term care requires the joint efforts of nurses, medical institutions, and society. By improving the system, cultivating talents and building a harmonious atmosphere, we aim to enhance the work enthusiasm of long-term care nurses and promote the stable and orderly development of the long-term care team. Nurses in long-term care institutions are at the core of the ageing age and play a vital role in coping with the ageing problem, meeting long-term care needs, improving the quality of life of old people and reducing the cost of long-term care. The training and management of nurses in long-term care institutions and the construction of the entire long-term care system should be based on China's national conditions and actual needs.

Biomedical bargains: Negotiating “safe sex” on antiretroviral treatment in rural South Africa

Wide-scale availability of antiretroviral treatment (ART) has transformed the global landscape for HIV prevention, shifting emphasis away from a strictly behavioral focus on changing sexual practices towards a biomedical approach. Successful ART management is measured by an undetectable viral load, which helps maintain overall health and prevent onward viral transmission. The latter utility of ART, however, must be understood in the context of its implementation. In South Africa, ART has become easily accessible – yet ART knowledge spreads unevenly, while counseling advice and normative expectations and experiences of gender and aging interact to inform sexual practices. As ART enters the sexual lives of middle-aged and older people living with HIV (MOPLH), a population growing rapidly, how has it informed sexual decisions and negotiations? Drawing on in-depth interviews with MOPLH on ART, corroborated with focus group discussions and national ART-related policies and guidelines, we find that for MOPLH, sexual decisions increasingly feature compliance with biomedical directives and concern for ART efficacy. Seeking consensus regarding the biological risks of sex on ART becomes an important feature of sexual negotiations, and anticipated disagreements can pre-empt sexual relationships altogether. We introduce the concept of biomedical bargains to explain what happens when disagreements arise, and the terms of sex are negotiated using competing interpretations of biomedical information. For both men and women, ostensibly gender-neutral biomedical discourses provide new discursive resources and strategies for sexual decisions and negotiations, yet biomedical bargains are still embedded in gender dynamics—women invoke the dangers of jeopardizing treatment efficacy and longevity to insist on condoms or justify abstinence, while men utilize biomedical arguments in an effort to render condomless sex safe. While the full therapeutic benefits of ART are critical for the efficacy and equity of HIV programs, they will nonetheless always affect, and be affected by, social life.

Views of older people on environmental sustainability: The development of the SustainABLE-16 Questionnaire

There are over 1400 age-friendly cities and communities worldwide, and the efforts to create a better quality of life for older people progressively intersect with sustainability goals. The intentions and behaviours concerning sustainability among older are, however, not yet well understood. Therefore, there is a need for assessing these intentions and behaviours through the use of a transparently constructed and validated instrument which can be used to measures the construct of environmental sustainability among older people. The aim of this study is to develop a questionnaire measuring how older people view the theme of environmental sustainability in their daily lives, with a focus on the built environment, providing full transparency and reproducibility. The process of development and validation of the SustainABLE-16 Questionnaire followed the COSMIN protocol, and has been conducted in five phases. This rigorous process has resulted in a valid, psychometrically sound, comprehensive 16-item questionnaire. This instrument can be applied to assess older people's beliefs, behaviours and financial aspects regarding environmental sustainability in their lives. The SustainABLE-16 Questionnaire was created in Dutch and in British English.

Determinants of socioeconomic factors for quality of life and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older people: A cross-sectional study in Brazil and Portugal.

Our aim was to analyze the association between socioeconomic status and quality of life (QoL) among older people with depressive symptoms treated through the Primary Health Care (PHC) system in Brazil and Portugal. This was a comparative cross-sectional study with a nonprobability sample of older people in the PHC in Brazil and Portugal conducted between 2017 and 2018. To evaluate the variables of interest, the socioeconomic data questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey were used. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed to test the study hypothesis. The sample consisted of n = 150 participants (Brazil n = 100 and Portugal n = 50). There was a predominance of woman (76.0%, p = 0.224) and individuals between 65 and 80 years (88.0%, p = 0.594). The multivariate association analysis showed that in the presence of depressive symptoms, the QoL mental health domain was most associated with the socioeconomic variables. Among the prominent variables, woman group (p = 0.027), age group 65-80 years (p = 0.042), marital status "without a partner" (p = 0.029), education up to 5 years (p = 0.011) and earning up to 1 minimum wage (p = 0.037) exhibited higher scores among brazilian participants. The portuguese participants showed an association between the general health status domain and woman group (p = 0.042) and education up to 5 years (p = 0.045). The physical functioning domain was associated with income of up to 1 minimum wage (p = 0.037). In these domains, the portuguese participants exhibited higher scores than the brazilian participants. We verified the association between socioeconomic profile and QoL in the presence of depressive symptoms, which occurred mainly among woman, participants with low levels of education and low income, with QoL aspects related to mental, physical and social health and self-perceived health. The group from Brazil had higher QoL scores than the group from Portugal.

Historical and cross-country differences in life satisfaction across retirement in Germany and Switzerland from 2000-2019.

Recent trends, such as changes in pension systems or cohort differences in individual resources, have altered the face of retirement transitions. Little is known about how these trends have affected older people's life satisfaction around retirement age in the past decades. In this study, we investigated how levels and changes in life satisfaction before and after retirement changed over historical time in Germany and Switzerland. We used longitudinal data from the German Socioeconomic Panel Study (SOEP) and the Swiss Household Panel (SHP) from 2000 to 2019. Level, pre-retirement change and short- and long-term change in life satisfaction (0-10) after retirement were predicted by year of retirement (2001-2019) in a multigroup piecewise growth curve model. We found improvements in levels of life satisfaction and pre-retirement changes in life satisfaction with historical time in both countries. Furthermore, we found that in unlike in Switzerland, short-time changes in life satisfaction across retirement improved over historical time in Germany. Our findings imply that life satisfaction trajectories around retirement age have improved over the last 20 years. These findings may be explained by general improvements in the health and psychosocial functioning of older people. More research is needed to show for whom these improvements are stronger or weaker and if they will be maintained in a changing retirement landscape.

Experiences of participants of a volunteer-supported walking intervention to improve physical function of nursing home residents – a mixed methods sub-study of the POWER-project

BackgroundRegular physical activity improves physical health and mental well-being and reduces the risk of falling in older adults. The randomized controlled “Prevention by lay-assisted Outdoor-Walking in the Elderly at Risk” POWER-study investigates whether volunteer-supported outdoor-walking improves physical function and quality of life in older people living independently or in nursing homes. This sub-study explores the experiences of older participants and volunteers in relation to their physical and psychosocial well-being as well as the challenges faced by both groups. A further aim was to explore volunteers’ experience with people living in nursing homes during the first pandemic lockdown (spring 2020).MethodsThe sub-study was designed as mixed-methods approach consisting of 11 individual semi-structured guide-based interviews (nursing home residents), two focus group interviews (volunteers), and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey (volunteers). The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by content analysis as described by Kuckartz. Topics addressed in the interviews were triangulated by means of a questionnaire. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsParticipants’ evaluation of the intervention was generally positive. Nursing home residents appreciated the social interaction associated with the assisted walking, which motivated them to take part regularly, provided a sense of safety, and caused pleasure on both sides. The impact on physical health status of the nursing home residents of this sub-study varied to a large degree as reported in interviews: in some cases, an improvement in physical performance, a decrease in physical complaints, and an improvement in gait or independence was reported. If not, reference was made to previous or sudden illnesses and the advanced age of the participants. Despite the COVID-19-lockdown and the associated restrictions, about 60% of contacts were still possible and participants planned to continue the assisted walks after the lockdown.ConclusionVolunteers have a positive effect on the quality of life, mobility, and general health of nursing home residents. Even more than the improvement of physical performance, social interaction was seen as helpful. Despite their advanced age, the nursing home residents were curious and open to new contacts. When removing the identified barriers, it might be possible to integrate this program into the long-term everyday life of nursing homes.Trial registrationDRKS-ID: DRKS00015188, date of registration: 31.08.2018.

Comparison of Mental Health between the Older People Living Alone and Older People Not Living Alone before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Using the 2019-2020 Korea Community Health Survey

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify comparison of mental health before and after outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in older people living alone and those who do not live alone, using the 2019-2020 Community Health Survey data.Methods: 146,063 older people aged 65 years or older were selected as participants using the Community Health Survey. The data were analyzed with frequency test, χ&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-test and multiple logistic regression analysis using SPSS 27.0.Results: In mental health, compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic, the subjective health of the older people living alone and the older people who did not live alone increased, and stress and depression decreased. However, the overall mental health of the older people living alone was worse than that of the older people who did not live alone.Conclusions: After the pandemic, it is necessary to continuously monitor the mental health of the older people, and in particular, to develop and apply programs to promote the mental health of the older people living alone.

Study protocol for The GOAL Trial: comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people with chronic kidney disease to increase attainment of patient-identified goals—a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundAn increasing number of older people are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Many have complex healthcare needs and are at risk of deteriorating health and functional status, which can adversely affect their quality of life. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is an effective intervention to improve survival and independence of older people, but its clinical utility and cost-effectiveness in frail older people living with CKD is unknown.MethodsThe GOAL Trial is a pragmatic, multi-centre, open-label, superiority, cluster randomised controlled trial developed by consumers, clinicians, and researchers. It has a two-arm design, CGA compared with standard care, with 1:1 allocation of a total of 16 clusters. Within each cluster, study participants ≥ 65 years of age (or ≥ 55 years if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (First Nations Australians)) with CKD stage 3–5/5D who are frail, measured by a Frailty Index (FI) of > 0.25, are recruited. Participants in intervention clusters receive a CGA by a geriatrician to identify medical, social, and functional needs, optimise medication prescribing, and arrange multidisciplinary referral if required. Those in standard care clusters receive usual care. The primary outcome is attainment of self-identified goals assessed by standardised Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include GAS at 6 and 12 months, quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), frailty (Frailty Index – Short Form), transfer to residential aged care facilities, cost-effectiveness, and safety (cause-specific hospitalisations, mortality). A process evaluation will be conducted in parallel with the trial including whether the intervention was delivered as intended, any issue or local barriers to intervention delivery, and perceptions of the intervention by participants. The trial has 90% power to detect a clinically meaningful mean difference in GAS of 10 units.DiscussionThis trial addresses patient-prioritised outcomes. It will be conducted, disseminated and implemented by clinicians and researchers in partnership with consumers. If CGA is found to have clinical and cost-effectiveness for frail older people with CKD, the intervention framework could be embedded into routine clinical practice. The implementation of the trial’s findings will be supported by presentations at conferences and forums with clinicians and consumers at specifically convened workshops, to enable rapid adoption into practice and policy for both nephrology and geriatric disciplines. It has potential to materially advance patient-centred care and improve clinical and patient-reported outcomes (including quality of life) for frail older people living with CKD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04538157. Registered on 3 September 2020.

SUPPORT FOR THE SENIORS IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a descent in the situation and quality of life for older people. Social isolation, exclusion, lack of social contacts those are only few negative consequences. Therefore it was necessary to take actions to support this social group during their return to an active social life. The aim of this article is to present the complex support provided to seniors in the area of social activity. Presented solutions are the result of the activities of the social intervention model, which was tested from May to November 2022 in three municipalities of the Mazovian Voivodeship: the urban municipality of Przasnysz, the urban-rural municipality of Wyszogrd and the rural municipality of Boguty-Pianki.

ECONOMIC SITUATION OF OLDER PEOPLE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The aim of the article is to describe the economic situation of seniors aged 60+ during the Covid-19 pandemic, debt forms of some of them and noticeable changes in the structure of expenses. The text also attempts to indicate possible actions to be taken to improve the quality of life of older people, especially those with a disability or dependency certificate. The article is based on the results of two-stage field research conducted in the Mazowieckie Voivodship among seniors aged 60+.

Scientific production on Gerodontology as a dental specialty – Bibliometric literature review

Introduction: Gerodontology or ‘geriatric dentistry’ exists as a field since the 1970s. However, its presence in the undergraduate dental curriculum is limited and distorted even today. Aim: Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the scientific production on gerodontology. Methodology: Studies focusing on gerodontology were searched in PubMed NCBI in November 2022 and constituted a database that was analyzed in Bibliometrix 4.0 for R. Descriptive and network analysis were applied to data. The conceptual structure analysis involved keywords co-occurrence network and thematic map. Results: The scientific production in the field of Gerodontology has a 7.2% annual growth rate. Japan is the most productive country in the field, followed by Switzerland. Most of the ten more productive journals are related to conventional dental specialties, such as clinical dentistry, prosthetics and dental implant. The analysis of the conceptual structure presented the current tendency of observational studies addressing the oral health and the quality of life of old people and related factors. Testing of materials meant for oral rehabilitation was found with lower relevance and densely studied during the assessed time spam. Conclusion: The profile of publication and the themes addressed in gerodontology focus on the association of oral conditions and risk factors. Testing of materials and teaching of gerodontology are also explored. Still, important issues such as prejudice related to ageing, working market of gerodontology and the formation of qualified personnel in the field still require further study.

Transformation of Urban Space for the Elderly During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Relevance. In this study, based on empirical data, the features of meanings and the role of spaces, solidarity with space for the older during the COVID-19 pandemic are considered.The purpose is to study how the urban space of St. Petersburg for the older changes during the pandemic, how difficulties, inequalities and barriers arise in the urban space for this category of citizens, how the meanings of the spaces familiar to it change.Objectives. The object of the study is older people — residents of a large metropolis, St. Petersburg. The subject of the study: assessment of the urban environment and features of solidarity with the space of the older. The objectives of the study are to study the peculiarities of transformations of urban spaces in the lives of older people during the COVID-19 pandemic and the peculiarities of the older themselves understanding such transformations.Methodology. The research methods are: interviews-conversations with older people. The informants of the study are older people of different ages, from 65 to 86 years old, living in the old and new districts of St. Petersburg. Results. Based on interviews with older residents of cities, we were able to identify and identify key features in the framework of the interaction of older people with urban spaces. Among the main problems that older people noted in interviews is the loss of the instrumental capabilities of the city itself, namely the availability of pharmacies and shops, as well as the emergence of various fears associated with the possibility of contracting a new coronavirus infection when interacting with people during visits to shops and other public places.Conclusions. The older age in a limited and closed urban space becomes a kind of frame that sets special conditions for the perception of urban spaces as maximally closed and unfriendly for the older. The total transformation of the meanings of familiar spaces as the attachment of older people to urban spaces is becoming more pronounced and obvious, and the key in this case is that new solidarity and new practices are emerging within the most narrowed and most accessible spaces.

Understanding Place Histories to Inform Positive Ageing-in-Place Transitions: An Intersectional Place Perspective of Forced Relocation Experiences

Background: Forced relocation is not always experienced as a single occurrence or event in time. Currently, there is a limited knowledge on how several substantial relocations across a lifetime impacts the health and wellbeing of older people. Aim: This study explores forced relocation experiences of older, low-income migrant Canadians through inquiries into their past place histories and examines how these have shaped opportunities and oppressions leading up to transitions into affordable housing in Richmond, BC, Canada. Methods: Informed by an intersectional place perspective model developed specifically for this research, a multi-method, qualitative community-based approach was undertaken involving in-depth interviews (N = 15), storytelling sessions (N = 10), and photo-tours (N = 8), with 28 participants. Narrative and visual data were co-analysed with participants, using a framework thematic analysis approach. Results: The analysis revealed oppressive structures that influenced the everyday lives of older people, which generated feelings of distress, fear, exclusion, feeling unsettled, and being &lsquo;othered&rsquo;. However, within oppressive structures of enforcement emerged experiences of empowerment engendered through gaining a sense of community, realising social belonging and family, maintaining pride and personal integrity as well as capturing community, social, psychological, physical and health transitions. Discussion: Unique insights acquired from an intersectional place analysis highlight how past experiences of place shape current perceptions of home and provide important implications for supporting and maintaining the health and wellbeing of older people during this type of relocation. The theoretical resource developed for this study, offers researchers, planners and developers an important tool for procuring a more critical perspective when creating homes for marginalised persons.