Perceptions Of Older Adults Research Articles

Academicians' Metaphorical Perceptions of Older Adult Sexuality: An Example of Metaphor Analysis.

Sexuality is one of the most natural aspects of life that continues throughout life and is within the scope of basic human needs. Sexual life can be affected by many factors such as individual characteristics, diseases, society's values, attitudes, and cultural and religious characteristics. The objective of this research is to identify the metaphorical perceptions of older adults' sexuality held by academics, employing a phenomenological methodology. This study was conducted with the participation of 164 academicians. The research data were collected between March-April 2022. The evaluation of the metaphors created about the concept of older adults' sexuality employed content analysis techniques. The metaphors pertaining to the perceptions of academics regarding the sexuality of older adults were classified into four categories and 11 sub-themes: "Perceptions that sexuality as natural," "Diminishing sexuality," "Sexuality as love, affection and friendship," and "Sexuality as hidden and stigmatized." The majority of the metaphors created by the academic researchers were found to contain negative themes related to the sexuality of older adults. It can be suggested to organize seminars to increase the awareness of academicians on sexuality, older adults' sexuality, and sexual health.

Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a 'double-edged sword' for older adults: not only were they more susceptible to the virus, but its broader consequences also exacerbated other challenges, particularly those related to psychosocial well-being. Limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive the pandemic and its impact on their well-being and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings like Nigeria. This study explored older adults' perceived risks regarding COVID-19, its impact on their psychosocial well-being, and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges in Nigeria. A phenomenological and exploratory research design was used. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 16 older adults and 4 social workers in Onitsha metropolis, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the COVID-19 restrictive measures negatively impacted the psychosocial well-being of older adults, where social isolation, lack of support, the inability to engage in wellbeing activities, and emotional trauma collectively contributed to a significant decline in their mental and emotional health. Additionally, widespread misconceptions about the origin of COVID-19 led to reluctance in adopting preventive measures. While social workers provided some awareness and counselling sessions, their involvement was limited. Social workers were not recognized as part of the frontline response team, and their efforts were primarily constrained by governmental and institutional neglect. The findings highlight the need for policy initiatives to enhance social workers involvement in strengthening the psychosocial resilience of older adults and addressing misconceptions during public health emergencies. Comprehensive strategies are essential for safeguarding the psychosocial well-being of older adults in future pandemics or similar crises.

“I have a doctor that handles all the other stuff.” Perceptions of older adults with cancer about discussing aging-related conditions with their oncologists

“I have a doctor that handles all the other stuff.” Perceptions of older adults with cancer about discussing aging-related conditions with their oncologists

Lived experiences and illness perceptions of older adults with age-related hearing loss before the use of hearing aids: An interpretative phenomenological study

Age-related hearing loss is a chronic health condition. This qualitative study applied the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation to explore the lived experiences and illness perceptions of older adults with age-related hearing loss. Twenty older adults ≥ 65 years of age with hearing loss were recruited by purposive sampling. Data were collected with face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interpretive phenomenological analysis analyzed the interview data. Four overarching themes described the experience of hearing loss: 1) awareness, 2) impacts, 3) coping, and 4) appraisal. These highlight of how participants perceived and reacted to progressive hearing loss before adopting hearing aids. The impact of hearing loss was diverse and complex and included fatigue, stress, and interpersonal conflicts. Participants responded with changes in behaviors that were proactive or avoidant. Our findings may help clinicians understand how older adults perceive and manage age-related hearing loss, which could guide the development of effective individual and family-focused interventions.

Factors related to benevolent and hostile ageism among paramedical students

ABSTRACT Caring for older adults is often seen as less prestigious, less attractive, and even boring and frustrating by health care students. A cross-sectional study of 265 paramedical students examined their fear of death, anxiety about aging, knowledge of aging and gerontological care, perceptions of older adults, and how these factors relate to ageist attitudes and perceptions of working with older adults using path analysis. The study found that anxiety about aging, negative perceptions of older adults, and limited knowledge of aging and gerontological care were directly linked to hostile ageist attitudes. Fear of death indirectly influenced hostile ageist attitudes through negative perceptions of older adults. Additionally, anxiety about aging, hostile ageist attitudes, and negative perceptions of older adults were linked to negative perceptions on working with older adults. Benevolent ageist attitudes were not linked to negative perceptions of working with older adults but were associated with negative perceptions of older adults and less knowledge of aging. These findings suggest that enhancing students’ knowledge and changing their perceptions of older adults and the aging process could effectively combat ageism in health care. Addressing ageist attitudes is crucial, as they are significantly associated with negative perceptions of working with older adults.

Music Perception in Older Adults With Hearing Loss: Protective Effect of Musical Experience.

The goal of this project was to investigate the impact of musical experience, hearing loss, and age on music perception in older adults. The authors hypothesized that older adults with a varying degree of musical experience would perform better at music perception tasks than their counterparts without musical experience while controlling for age and hearing loss. This study used a descriptive correlational cross-sectional design. Seventy-seven older adults aged 60 to 90 years were recruited and divided into two groups based on their lifetime musical experience: the group without musical experience (n = 39) and the M group (with musical experience; n = 38). Participants in the M group had either played an instrument for 5 years or more and/or taken at least 1 year of music lessons. Following a hearing screening and a musical experience questionnaire, participants completed two music perception tasks: (1) a short version of the Montreal Battery Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA) measuring melodic (scale and contour) and rhythm perception, and (2) an instrument discrimination task measuring timbre perception. Results revealed that participants of the M group had a significantly higher accuracy in both tasks compared with the group without musical experience while controlling for age and hearing loss. Moreover, a significant interaction was found between group effect and hearing loss for the MBEA, suggesting that musical experience moderates the impact of hearing loss on melodic and rhythm perception abilities. Finally, the amount of musical experience was the most important positive predictor for MBEA accuracy in the M group. These results suggest that despite age-related hearing loss, older adults with musical experience still benefit from their experience-driven enhancement in melodic, rhythm, and timbre perception. Findings from this study support the notion that music training is beneficial for music perception abilities, providing protection against the impact of presbycusis.

Exploring the Perspectives of Older Adults Living With HIV on Virtual Care: Qualitative Study.

As the population of individuals with HIV ages rapidly due to advancements in antiretroviral therapy, virtual care has become an increasingly vital component in managing their complex health needs. However, little is known about perceptions of virtual care among older adults living with HIV. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of older adults living with HIV regarding virtual care. Using an interpretive, qualitative, descriptive methodology, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 diverse older adults living with HIV. The participants lived in Ontario, Canada, self-identified as HIV-positive, and were aged 50 years or older. Efforts were made to recruit individuals with varying experience with virtual health care. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted with the interview transcripts to identify prevalent themes. The identified themes included (1) the importance of relationships in virtual care for older adults living with HIV; (2) privacy and confidentiality in virtual care; and (3) challenges and solutions related to access and technological barriers in virtual care. These themes highlight the perceptions of diverse older adults living with HIV concerning virtual care, emphasizing the fundamental role of trust, privacy, and technology access. By embracing the unique perspectives and experiences of this population, we can work toward building more inclusive and responsive health care systems that meet the needs of all individuals, regardless of age, HIV status, or other intersecting identities.

Differing Perceptions of Older Adults’ Reasons for Refusing Services Among Staff, Caregivers, and Older Adults

Differing Perceptions of Older Adults’ Reasons for Refusing Services Among Staff, Caregivers, and Older Adults

Lived experiences of older adults within an integrated hospital-at-home service: an interpretive phenomenological analysis

BackgroundThe Hospital at Home (HaH) service has developed and evolved over the past few years with the Covid-19 pandemic and improved the integration of care in the community from acute hospital settings. Despite these advancements, there remains a limited understanding of patients’ lived experiences with the HaH service. This study aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of older adults who have received HaH services to inform future quality improvement initiatives.MethodsA qualitative approach utilizing semi-structured interviews was employed to comprehensively understand how patients and family caregivers individually interpreted and made sense of their interactions with the HaH service in the context of an urban setting in the United Kingdom. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants (n = 7) who had previously utilized the HaH service in early 2023. Using an interpretive phenomenological analysis, approaches of interpretive interviews, initial data review, segmentation of data into coherent units, and condensation into cohesive themes were involved. Reporting of findings adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) Guidelines.ResultsFour distinct themes, each accompanied by its own set of interpretive practices and subordinate themes, emerged: [1] positive experiences of using HaH service [2], supporting family-centred care within HaH service [3], perceived challenges faced by individuals and caregivers in HaH [4], messages for quality improvement of HaH service.ConclusionsThe study’s findings provide insight into the experiences and interpretations of users within an integrated HaH service. The positive aspects of the service, its encouragement of family-centred care, identified challenges, and suggested improvements collectively contribute to advancing the quality enhancement of future HaH endeavours.

Knowledge and perception of older adults toward end of life and advanced directive in Nigeria.

Older adults often have a heightened awareness of death due to personal losses. In many low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, conversation about end-of-life issues and advanced care planning (ACP) among older adults is gradually emerging. Our study explored older adults' knowledge and perceptions towards advanced directives and end-of-life issues in a geriatric care setting in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults (aged ≥60 years) in a geriatric outpatient clinic. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire, tested at a significance level set at alpha 0.05. The study included 204 participants with a mean age of 71.3 ± 7.2 years, predominantly female (67.2%). Few of the participants have heard about end of life (20.1%), living will (19.1%), power of attorney (19.6%), and ACP (25.9%). About 29.9% of the respondents considered having a living will, of which about 34.4% have written one. Only 23 (11.3%) would consider discussing ACP in the future, 32 (15.7%) would discuss place of care, and 30 (14.7%) place of death. Preparedness for end of life and knowledge of ACP was higher among males, those with formal education, and those with good self-rated health (p < 0.05). The study highlighted gap in awareness and engagement in ACP among older adults in a country like Nigeria. This lack of knowledge can lead to inadequate end-of-life care and unpreparedness for critical health decisions for older adults in Africa. Thus, improving awareness and understanding of ACP can empower older adults, ensuring their end-of-life preferences are respected, enhancing the quality of care, and reducing the emotional and financial burden on families.

‘I worry about you more’: insights from older care recipients’ experiences during the Israel-Hamas war

Objectives This study explored the experiences and challenges of older adults with functional disabilities in Israel during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, particularly those receiving care from migrant live-in carers. The main objectives were to identify their main concerns and coping strategies during this period. Method A qualitative methodology was employed, involving face-to-face interviews with 13 older adults (mean age 91.33, SD = 5.31). All participants liveded in separate housesholds with the assistance of migrant live-in carers. They were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results Two main themes emerged from data analysis: 1) Concerns for others affected by the war and concerns for oneself, and 2) Coping strategies, including utilizing personal resources such as optimism and distraction, seeking connections with family members and carers, and contributing to the community. Conclusion The study highlights the interplay between the vulnerabilities and strengths of older adults during wartime. Their ability to mobilize both internal and external coping strategies reflects an active approach to managing the stress and uncertainties of war, underscoring their resilience and agency and challenging the perception of older adults as passive recipients of care.

Exercise Perceptions Of Older Adults Participating In An 8-week, Student-led Strength Training Program

Exercise Perceptions Of Older Adults Participating In An 8-week, Student-led Strength Training Program

A Hybrid Concept Analysis of Frailty Among Older Adults Living in the Community.

To analyse the concept of frailty through a literature review and in-depth interviews. A hybrid model of concept analysis. The theoretical phase identified 43 articles for reviewing the definition and measurement of frailty. Seven frail older adults were invited in the fieldwork phase for in-depth interviews. In the final analysis phase, results from the fieldwork and theoretical phases were integrated to obtain a final definition of frailty. Attributes of frailty were heterogeneous, involving dynamic/bidirectional, multidimensional and multiple systems. The antecedents of the concept were exposure to various stimuli and challenges in responding to these stimuli. Consequences included losing autonomy and adverse health outcomes. Four themes of frailty were identified based on the fieldwork data: 'accumulation of functional decline', 'powerlessness of coping with', 'vicissitudes of lived experience' and 'loss of autonomy and positivity'. The final definition of frailty was 'a dynamic and fluctuating process of powerlessness to manage biopsychosocial and environmental stimuli, involving functional decline and vicissitudes of life, which results in losing autonomy and positivity or adverse health outcomes'. Characterising the definition of frailty is essential for nurses to address the lived experiences of older adults when providing person-centred care and for developing interventions that meet the needs of frail older adults. Since some discrepancies existed in the definition of frailty from individual perception of older adults, combined in-depth interviews with a theoretical literature review were used to provide comprehensive insight. This concept analysis provides guidelines of training for nurses and opportunities to improving quality of life for community dwelling older adults. N/A. No Patient or Public Contribution.

The Lived Experience of Frailty: Are Frailty Intervention Teams Adding to Patient Quality of Life?

Abstract Background Numerous clinical tools are used to identify and quantify frailty, but the lived experience of frailty is not consistently measured or considered in clinical practice. The project aim was to understand the health perceptions of older adults treated by the Frailty Intervention Team (FIT) and establish if the team has an impact on care burden. Methods Participants were recruited from a hospital based, out-patient Frailty Intervention Clinic over a 4-month period. Older adults were classified as frail by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). The lived experience of frailty was assessed via the EQ 5D 5L a self-rated quality of life measure with a visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). The impact of frailty on carers was examined by the Carer Strain Index (CSI). These subjective measures were recorded on initial assessment and 2 months post intervention. Results 31 individuals were assessed (male n=13, female n=18). The average CFS was 4.98 (4.91 male, 5.05 female), indicative of ‘Living with Mild Frailty’. 74.19% of participants (male n=9, female n=14) responded to the follow up questionnaires. Pre-intervention, EQ VAS average responses were 42.5/100 for males and 49.33/100 for females. Two months post intervention improvements were observed in both males and females with scores of 72.77/100 and 62.5/100 respectively. CFS ratings remained unchanged post intervention. 29% of carers reported a CSI of greater than 7/12 pre intervention – indicating high level of carer burden. Post intervention this figure reduced to 9.6% of carers. Conclusion This FIT model adds positively to the lives of older adults in a holistic manner. The average participant rated their health positively post intervention despite being classified as ‘Living with Mild Frailty’. This underscores that the patient is the expert of their own experience and challenges the negative perceptions of frailty. Highlighting the need for a holistic understanding of frailty beyond classification scales.

Feasibility and Usability of an Occupation-Based Immersive Virtual Reality Protocol for Older Adults

The growing population of aging adults, coupled with the widespread adoption of technology, including within virtual environments, prompts the need to understand technology engagement preferences among older adults. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of older adults engaging with a client-centered immersive virtual reality (IVR) protocol tailored to their specific occupational interests. Employing a mixed methods approach, the research combined the quantitative System Usability Scale (SUS) assessment with qualitative interviews to examine the feasibility, usability, and learning experiences of community-dwelling older adults. Fifteen (n = 15) older adult participants trialed an IVR session tailored to match their chosen occupations of importance. Findings revealed that the usability of IVR varied significantly among participants, with an average SUS score of 55, indicating a need for further investigation into usability issues. Qualitative analysis identified three themes: IVR is usable when it is intuitive and with training, balance the apps for success, and overall lasting impressions were related to the perceived implementation for the participant. The incorporation of meaningful occupations in IVR programming is feasible and can be integrated into healthy aging-in-place programming; however, expanding available leisure-based apps and increasing the learning time before engagement should be considered.

Relationship between-channel gap detection thresholds and speech perception in older adults

Relationship between-channel gap detection thresholds and speech perception in older adults

Negative perceptions toward older adults and life satisfaction among community-dwelling older citizens in Japan.

With the rapid aging of the population, increasing life satisfaction among older adults is essential. Negative perceptions of older adults are internalized, leading to poor mental health. This study hypothesized that participants with more negative perceptions of older adults would have lower life satisfaction. A cross-sectional survey of older adults was conducted across five wards and four cities in Tokyo, Japan. Participants responded to questions regarding demographics, life satisfaction, and negative perceptions of older adults. Data from 285 participants (264 women, M = 71.97 years) were analyzed. The intraclass correlation coefficient for life satisfaction concerning residential areas was. 03 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [-.03, .10]). Instead of multilevel models, a multiple regression model with life satisfaction as the dependent variable and negative perceptions of older adults and demographics as the independent variables yielded the best fit. Results indicated that participants with more negative perceptions of older adults reported lower life satisfaction ( β = -.16, 95% CI = [-.28, -.04], p = .008), supporting our hypothesis. This study was constrained by limited variance in residential areas and a predominantly female participant pool. Previous studies have shown that higher life satisfaction is associated with increased social participation and extended life expectancy, and interventions aimed at enhancing life satisfaction in older adults are significant. Further exploration is warranted to ascertain whether a causal relationship exists, wherein more negative perceptions of older adults diminish life satisfaction.

Older Adult Perceptions of Health Management Based on Social Determinants of Health

Abstract Date Presented 03/23/24 This research explored older adults living in affordable housing and their views of social determinants of health and health management. The findings provide a better understanding of the role of personal factors of age and socioeconomic status on health management. Primary Author and Speaker: Kathleen (Kay) Cahill Graham Contributing Authors: Bailey Lester, Ziwang Long, Michaela Williams, Lanisha Mitchell

Perceptions of older adults about the influence of physical activity on aging-in-place

Perceptions of older adults about the influence of physical activity on aging-in-place

Subjective Successful Aging in the Presence of Mobility Disability.

Researchers often define successful aging as freedom from disability and disease, yet the perceptions of older adults living with disability challenge this conception, demonstrating that they can indeed age successfully. This paper adapts a framework of successful aging with disability, basing it on the subjective assessment of key components contributing to success among older adults living with mobility disability due to multiple sclerosis. Employing a qualitative, theory-grounded methodology, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 individuals aged 60-75 who live with mobility disability attributed to multiple sclerosis. The open-ended questions explored their perspectives on the aging process, their definition of successful aging, and the coping strategies they employ in navigating challenges associated with age and their condition. Despite facing mobility disabilities, the majority (16 out of 20) expressed a sense of successful aging, identifying five key themes: accepting reality, maintaining a positive attitude, fostering independence, nurturing a social life, and preserving cognitive abilities. They achieved successful aging by focusing on alternatives, relying on external support, having a good attitude and faith, and accepting their challenges. The themes identified in this research contribute to redefining successful aging in future studies and facilitating the development of interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults coping with mobility disability.