Adult Preference Research Articles

Adult Outdoor Play Preferences: Why Nature Space Design Matters

Adults from many communities who value unstructured, outdoor play and want to play have limited resources to engage in play (Talarowski et al., 2019). Many parks and playgrounds today are designed with children in mind and do not offer many adult-friendly play options. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine outdoor and indoor adult play preferences to establish a baseline for adult play or nature space design. The survey was distributed to male (N=61) and female (N=261) 18–80-year-old participants through email and posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and given a three-week window to complete. The participants were asked to pick their five top activity preferences. Overall, 33% of the participants preferred nature activities, 24% preferred playground equipment, 22% preferred sports, and 21% preferred large-yard games. The top preferences predominately came from nature activities and large-yard games. Responses from write in questions showed this group of participants preferred being outdoors (84%), active (85%), and socially driven (97%). More opportunities that match these specific preferred activities must be considered so that adults can take full advantage of the benefits play can provide.

Snack consumption frequency of children and adults in the Vaal region of Gauteng, South Africa.

Energy-dense, nutrient-poor snacks are associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the double burden of malnutrition, especially among poor communities. To determine and compare the snacking preferences and consumption frequency of children and adults from a low SES community in South Africa. A preschool, primary school, and an elderly centre in Gauteng. A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 90 children (3-8 years) and 100 adults (≥ 18 years) to assess snack consumption frequency and preferences of children and adults by means of a snack survey. Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the differences in preferences and snack consumption frequency of children and adults. The most preferred and consumed snacks included fruits, potato chips, corn chips, sweets, and cookies. Children frequently ate more potato chips (p < 0.001), corn chips (p < 0.001), cheese curls (p < 0.001), and muffins (p = 0.024) than adults. In contrast, adults frequently consumed more peanuts or nuts (p = 0.024), savoury biscuits (p = 0.048) and biltong (p < 0.001) than children. Apart from fruits, the most preferred and frequently consumed snacks by the sample were highly processed snacks, which are low in fibre and high in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Findings from this study highlight current snack trends and can guide future nutrition education interventions on healthy snacking and in developing nutritious snacks for the South African community.

Health Outcome Preferences Among Older Adults with Multiple Myeloma Undergoing Systemic Therapy

Introduction: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the US; over half of patients are ≥70y at diagnosis. Prior studies have shown that treatment preferences of older adults with cancer vary based on burden/intensity of current treatment and its impact on functional and cognitive well-being in addition to anticipated survival. However, no such studies exist among older adults with MM. We sought to understand health outcome preferences in a cohort of older adults with MM. Methods: Using the Cancer and Aging Resilience Evaluation in Hematologic Malignancies Registry (NCT05556928), a single institution prospective observational study of older adults with hematologic malignancies undergoing systemic therapy, we identified patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age ≥50y who had undergone a geriatric assessment (GA) within 30 days of initiating a new line of therapy (1 st to 5 th line).Treatment preference was assessed using a 9-item health outcome preference attitude scale (Case et al Patient Educ Couns 2013), rating self-reported agreement with statements related to health outcomes on a Likert scale. Frailty was assessed using a deficit accumulation method as previously described (Giri S et al J Am Geriatr Soc 2023) We measured the proportion of patients reporting other outcomes being “as important” or “more important” than survival and compared the response between younger (&amp;lt;70y) and older (≥70y) adults. Subsequently, we built proportional odds models to study the factors associated with a greater prioritization of outcomes other than survival. All p values were two sided and the level of significance was chosen at 0.05. Results: Of the 228 patients initiating a new line of therapy between 01/2022 to 4/2023, 104 (47%) underwent treatment preference assessment. The median age at enrollment was 65y with 33% ≥70y; 62% were males, 57% whites; 19% had ISS stage 3 disease; 28% were frail on the CARE frailty index. In the younger (age &amp;lt;70y) vs older (age ≥70y) patients, 32% vs 77% agreed/strongly agreed with: “I would rather live a shorter life than lose my ability to take care of myself”; and 54% vs 79% agreed/strongly agreed with: “It is more important to me to maintain my thinking ability than to live as long as possible”. In multivariable models, age but not frailty, sex, race or disease stage were associated with health outcome prioritization other than survival. Each 1y increase in age was associated with and 8% (Odds Ratio 1.08; 95% CI 1.03-1.13; p value=0.001) and 4% (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.0-1.09; p value=0.04) increased odds of rating functional independence and cognition respectively as more important than survival. Conclusions: Three out of four older adults (age&amp;gt;70y) with MM rated other outcomes (particularly physical function and cognitive ability) as being more important than survival. Eliciting which outcomes are the most important for older patients can help define treatment goals and improve shared decision-making. Further, interventions focusing on preserving physical and cognitive function need to be tested in this population.

Understanding Relapsed/Refractory Acute Leukemia Patients' Treatment Preferences: Insights from Qualitative Research

Introduction Evidence on patient preferences is increasingly being used to inform regulatory and reimbursement decisions. In acute leukemia, the number of treatment options is expanding but there is limited quantitative evidence on patients' treatment preferences, especially in the event of relapse. The Acute Leukemia Advocates Network (ALAN) in collaboration with The Office of Health Economics are running a quantitative patient preference study using a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to 1/ Elicit adult acute leukemia patients' preferences for treatment outcomes and characteristics in the event of a future relapse 2/ Explore the tradeoffs that patients are willing to make between different hypothetical treatments 3/ Describe preference heterogeneity in the patient population and 4/ Provide useful insights that could demonstrate patient value for a range of upcoming health technology assessments of relapsed/refractory treatments and guide innovation and development throughout the medical product lifecycle. Here we report on two stages of qualitative research: 1/ Online bulletin boards (OBBs) to identify potential attributes for the DCE and 2/ Cognitive ‘think aloud’ pilot interviews to test participant understanding of the draft DCE survey. Methods Two structured OBBs were conducted - one each for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Each day, participants were asked up to four open questions on the following topics: “your diagnosis and expectation of treatment”, “your first experience of treatment”, “treatment following a relapse”, and “your treatment priorities”. Participants could see and respond to each other's answers. Three researchers acted as moderators and engaged in discussions where appropriate. Following the design of the DCE survey, a series of online one-on-one think-aloud interviews with AML and ALL participants was subsequently conducted to pilot the DCE survey. Interviewees were asked to verbally reflect on their responses, with occasional interviewer prompts. The pilots were conducted in two separate weeks, with a week in between to allow for changes to be made. All participants were recruited via ALAN and its members. Results A total of 12 AML and nine ALL patients took part in the OBBs, of which 15 were female. Age (range: 26-71; average: 51.1) and years of living with the disease (range: &amp;lt;3 to &amp;gt; 10 years) were varied. Both the AML and ALL groups agreed that the effectiveness of the treatment in achieving long-term stable remission would be most important. Severe long-term side effects would also be an important concern but many participants said they could put up with potentially severe short-term side effects for a good chance of long-term survival. Additional concerns were the length of hospital stays, availability of psychological/mental/emotional support, catheter-related pain and infections, and mode of administration (MoA). Several participants argued that an individualized approach to treatment is preferred. Thematic analysis of the OBB data led to the identification of five attributes for the DCE: chance of response (20-95%), duration of response (6-18 months), quality of life (QoL) during treatment (0-50%), QoL during response (25-75%), and MoA (tablets taken at home, injections requiring a hospital stay, injections as outpatient appointments). The DCE was designed using an efficient experimental design and coded as part of an online survey, and subsequently piloted (see Figure 1). In week 1 of the pilots (n=5 interviews), ‘duration of response’, was often misinterpreted as ‘duration of treatment’. Interviewees also interpreted treatment and response as potentially overlapping, and therefore struggled to separate the two QoL attributes. Therefore, we made several changes including explicitly structuring the choice tasks to distinguish treatment and response phases. The changes improved understanding in week 2 (n=5 interviews) and raised some additional minor issues for consideration. Conclusion People with acute leukemia have a range of concerns about treatments in the context of a relapse. However, the primary issues identified in the qualitative research relate to the chance and duration of treatment success, QoL during and after treatment, and the MoA. The pilot interviews were valuable in improving the wording and overall quality of the final survey, which has since been fully launched.

What outcome do older adults with cancer prioritize when asked?

316 Background: The critical components of cancer care for older adults with cancer are geriatric assessment, goal setting, and skilled communication. Does defaulting a serious illness communication checklist inform preferences among outcomes from older adults with cancer? Methods: Patients ≥ 75 with a new solid tumor diagnosis were navigated into an older adult pathway. In addition to a standardized geriatric assessment (including physical fitness, function, cognition, psychological wellness, social support, caregiver distress, and nutritional status), the Serious Illness Conversation Guide (Ariadne Labs, Harvard Medical School) was used to structure the conversation around goals and values. The Outcome Prioritization Tool was used to elicit preferences for older adults. Results: 171 consecutive older adults were assessed from September 2021 to April 2023. The median age was 83 (range 75-97). Using the VES-13 survey, 11% of patients were fit, 62% vulnerable and 27% frail. Issues in cognition (12%), psychological health (22%), social support (39%), and nutrition (29%) were noted. Preserving independence was the most common treatment goal (77%) for older adults and quality of life was a common value (82%). Through shared decision-making, nearly one in three patients deviated from standard of care to align treatment with their priorities. Conclusions: Patient and caregiver value assessment is important to prioritize in cancer care. By leveraging behavioral economics, using a default pathway, and allocating appropriate resources, we were able to structure how older adults navigated through a community oncology clinic and personalized treatment plans with their goals.

6 Now or Later? Decision-Making Preferences in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objective:When deciding between now and later, the tendency to devalue later outcomes is known as temporal discounting. The degree of devaluing is known as one’s discounting rate. Steeper temporal discounting rates indicate preferences for immediate gains and delayed losses, reflecting a desire for instant gratification and greater loss aversion, respectfully. Considering that decrements in decision-making abilities may precipitate cognitive dysfunction and decline, a better understanding of decision-making preferences among older adults represents an important endeavor. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate whether differences among temporal discounting rates for gains and losses exist when outcomes are monetary or interpersonal in nature.Participants and Methods:One hundred and forty community-dwelling older adults aged 50 to 90 (75% female, Mage=71.6) completed a hypothetical discounting task in which they chose between smaller immediate outcomes and larger delayed outcomes presented at various delay periods of one week, one month, six months, and one year. An iterative algorithm determined the indifference point for each delay period. Indifference points were fit to hyperbolic models using nonlinear regressions to determine discounting rates within each condition. Nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests compared discounting rates.Results:Older adults more steeply discounted monetary gains as compared to monetary losses (Z=-6.88, p&lt;.001), as well as for social gains compared to social losses (Z=-4.81, p&lt;.001). They also discounted social gains more steeply than monetary gains (Z=-5.44, p&lt;.001), and social losses more steeply than monetary losses (Z=-4.44, p&lt;.001).Conclusions:Preliminary findings suggest older adults displayed a greater desire for instant gratification of rewards, particularly social rewards, yet also displayed lower loss aversion, particularly for monetary losses. Stronger preferences for instant gratification of gains in certain contexts may inform ways in which healthier lifestyle choices or changes could be framed to appeal to older adults.

Meanings of Aging in the Right Place for Older Clients of a Temporary Housing Program.

The concept of aging in place is acknowledged as the preference of older adults, yet without consideration of the intersections of diversity in later life, it is critiqued as unattainable, unrealistic, or even undesirable. This gave rise to the exploration of what is needed to age in the right place (AIRP). Building on existing research, we examined the meaning of AIRP to older adults (aged 55+ years) who have experienced homelessness. We conducted photovoice interviews with 11 residents of a temporary housing program in Metro Vancouver (Canada). Using thematic analysis, we organized meanings of AIRP according to (1) Where one lives-the physical and social environment, (2) Where one goes and what one does, and (3) How one feels in "the right place." Participants meanings' of AIRP are applied to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. That is, when basic needs of shelter are met, participants' considerations of "the right place to age" extend beyond affordable housing to include feeling safe and comfortable in one's home and neighborhood and having access to meaningful engagement and activities-both in vibrant urban districts and naturescapes-enabled by affordable transportation. Our examination of what AIRP means to this group of older adults broadens current conceptualizations. Given the increase in homelessness among older adults, it is imperative that policymakers and practitioners are cognizant of meanings of AIRP so diverse older adults can not only age in place, but can thrive in the right place.

A Comparison of Mate Preferences in Asexual and Allosexual Adults.

Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction. Sexual attraction is likely associated with preferences for certain characteristics in romantic partners, such as physical attractiveness. Preferred partner characteristics can be influenced by an individual's sexual orientation, gender, and age. Allosexual (N = 239; male = 48, female = 181, other = 4; Age M = 20.48years) and asexual participants (N = 149; male = 36, female = 88, other = 23; Age M = 25.54years) recruited from a pool of psychology students and through online asexual communities were presented with a survey in which a total of 388 participants rated 13 characteristics according to how desirable they were in a potential long-term romantic partner. Characteristics that are related to physical attractiveness were predicted to be rated lower by asexual participants than by allosexual participants. Asexual participants rated the desire to have children as being less desirable in a romantic partner than allosexual participants did. However, preferences for other traits, such as exciting personality, creative and artistic, and religious, were dependent on interactions of gender and attraction to men or women. Because asexual individuals report generally lower levels of sexual attraction, it will be important for future research to consider romantic attraction as a more nuanced measure than sexual orientation alone when considering sex differences in asexual and allosexual populations.

The footwear needs and preferences of adults over 55 years of age participating in court sports

Court sports like tennis are popular with older adults and important for maintaining physical and mental health. Footwear can influence player experience and injury risk in sports. Previous preliminary work using interviews and focus groups identified key themes regarding comfort (including cushioning), functionality (including a wide width) and choice (including appearance) that are important aspects of footwear for older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes towards athletic footwear and the footwear features considered important in older adults playing court sports across the population. An online survey was conducted of older adults in the UK/Ireland who participated in court sports at least once a week. Questionnaire items included descriptive information on age, gender, playing level and sport played and Likert item questions regarding attitudes and important footwear features. Using a mixed methods approach, percentage agreement and importance was combined with qualitative comments. Comfort, appropriate grip, good cushioning and overall support were all important for over 95% of respondents. Width, durability and reducing the likelihood of injury were also important to over 80% of respondents. Around 20% of female participants agreed they had difficulty in purchasing sports shoes with their desired aesthetics compared to around 10% of male participants. Some women reported needing to buy men’s shoes for adequate width, while 12% of respondents reported wearing non-specific footwear like running shoes, often for extra cushioning or to avoid foot pain, which could put them at greater risk of injuries such as ankle sprains. It would appear the athletic footwear industry in the UK/Ireland could do more to improve player comfort and safety of older adults in court sports.

Advancements and Considerations in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Review

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) stands as a cornerstone in the management of cardiovascular diseases, offering comprehensive programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of individuals with heart conditions. This abstract provides an overview of the advancements and considerations within the realm of cardiac rehabilitation. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in understanding the multifaceted aspects of CR, encompassing exercise training, risk factor modification, psychosocial support, and patient education. Novel exercise modalities, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and technology-assisted rehabilitation programs, have emerged as effective strategies to enhance cardiovascular fitness and functional capacity in CR participants. Additionally, personalized approaches to risk factor management, such as tailored dietary interventions and smoking cessation programs, have demonstrated promising outcomes in improving cardiovascular outcomes and reducing disease burden, the integration of psychosocial support services, including stress management techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social support networks, plays a crucial role in addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of cardiovascular rehabilitation. Patient education programs focusing on medication adherence, symptom recognition, and lifestyle modifications empower individuals to actively participate in their care and promote long-term adherence to healthy behaviors. Despite these advancements, several considerations must be addressed to optimize the delivery and effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programs. Access barriers, including geographical constraints, socioeconomic disparities, and healthcare system limitations, pose challenges to equitable participation in CR, particularly among underserved populations. Moreover, tailoring CR interventions to the unique needs and preferences of diverse patient populations, including women, older adults, and individuals with comorbidities, remains a critical priority in promoting inclusivity and accessibility in cardiac rehabilitation services.

Associations between the TV program preferences of older adults and their COVID-19-related fear during the pandemic: A quantitative study in China

Associations between the TV program preferences of older adults and their COVID-19-related fear during the pandemic: A quantitative study in China

Increasing Influenza Vaccination Uptake by Sending Reminders: A Representative Cross-Sectional Study on the Preferences of Italian Adults.

Evidence from countries that achieved a high seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) coverage suggests that reminders to get vaccinated may increase SIV uptake. The goal of this study was to explore the experience and attitudes of Italian adults toward an active invitation to receive SIV, triggered by different sources and delivered via different communication channels, and to assess the projected benefits of this strategy. A cross-sectional survey on a representative sample of Italian adults was conducted by using computer-assisted web interviewing. Responses from 2513 subjects were analyzed. A total of 52.2% of individuals previously received invitations to undergo SIV and compared with people who did not receive any reminder were three times more likely (68.2% vs. 22.2%) to be vaccinated in the last season. Compared with other sources, reminders sent by general practitioners (GPs) were perceived as the most attractive. As for communication channels, most participants preferred text/instant messaging (24.6%) or email (27.2%), suggesting an acceleration in the Italian digital transformation triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, traditional postal letters or phone calls were preferred by only 17.0% and 8.6% of respondents, respectively. Reminders sent by GPs via text/instant messages or email are a valuable option for increasing SIV uptake among Italian adults.

Adolescent alcohol disrupts development of noradrenergic neurons in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and enhances stress behaviors in adulthood in mice in a sex specific manner

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are common mental health issues worldwide and can lead to other chronic diseases. Stress is a major factor in the development and continuation of AUDs, and adolescent alcohol exposure can lead to enhanced stress-responsivity and increased risk for AUD development in adulthood. The exact mechanisms behind the interaction between adolescence, stress, and alcohol are not fully understood and require further research. In this regard, the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) provides dense norepinephrine projections to the extended amygdala, providing a key pathway for stress-related alcohol behaviors. While NTS norepinephrine neurons are known to be alcohol sensitive, whether adolescent alcohol disrupts NTS-norepinephrine neuron development and if this is related to altered stress-sensitivity and alcohol preference in adulthood has not previously been examined. Here, we exposed male and female C57Bl/6J mice to the commonly used adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) vapor model during postnatal day 28-42 and examined AIE effects on: 1) tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression in the NTS across various ages (postnatal day 21-90), 2) behavioral responses to acute stress in the light/dark box test in adulthood, 3) NTS TH neuron responses to acute stress and ethanol challenges in adulthood, and 4) ethanol conditioned place preference behavior in adulthood. Overall the findings indicate that AIE alters NTS TH mRNA expression and increases anxiety-like behaviors following acute stress exposure in a sex-dependent manner. These mRNA expression and behavioral changes occur in the absence of AIE-induced changes in NTS TH neuron sensitivity to either acute stress or acute alcohol exposure or changes to ethanol conditioned place preference.

Mental Health Self-Tracking Preferences of Young Adults With Depression and Anxiety Not Engaged in Treatment: Qualitative Analysis.

Despite the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among young adults, many do not seek formal treatment. Some may turn to digital mental health tools for support instead, including to self-track moods, behaviors, and other variables related to mental health. Researchers have sought to understand processes and motivations involved in self-tracking, but few have considered the specific needs and preferences of young adults who are not engaged in treatment and who seek to use self-tracking to support mental health. This study seeks to assess the types of experiences young adults not engaged in treatment have had with digital self-tracking for mood and other mental health data and to assess how young adults not seeking treatment want to engage in self-tracking to support their mental health. We conducted 2 online asynchronous discussion groups with 50 young adults aged 18 years to 25 years who were not engaged in treatment. Participants were recruited after indicating moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety on screening surveys hosted on the website of Mental Health America. Participants who enrolled in the study responded anonymously to discussion prompts on a message board, as well as to each other's responses, and 3 coders performed a thematic analysis of their responses. Participants had mixed experiences with self-tracking in the past, including disliking when tracking highlighted unwanted behaviors and discontinuing tracking for a variety of reasons. They had more positive past experiences tracking behaviors and tasks they wanted to increase, using open-ended journaling, and with gamified elements to increase motivation. Participants highlighted several design considerations they wanted self-tracking tools to address, including building self-understanding; organization, reminders, and structure; and simplifying the self-tracking experience. Participants wanted self-tracking to help them identify their feelings and how their feelings related to other variables like sleep, exercise, and events in their lives. Participants also highlighted self-tracking as useful for motivating and supporting basic activities and tasks of daily living during periods of feeling overwhelmed or low mood and providing a sense of accomplishment and stability. Although self-tracking can be burdensome, participants were interested and provided suggestions for simplifying the process. These young adults not engaged in treatment reported interest in using self-tracking to build self-understanding as a goal in and of itself or as a first step in contemplating and preparing for behavior change or treatment-seeking. Alexithymia, amotivation, and feeling overwhelmed may serve both as barriers to self-tracking and opportunities for self-tracking to help.

Avoidance of added salt for 6–12-month-old infants: A narrative review

Most nutrition guidelines recommend avoiding foods with added salt for infants aged 6–12 months. However, the reason for no added salt lacks enough and reliable evidence. We re-searched and re-studied the relevant evidence. We searched PubMed and the Cochrane database for English-language studies published from 1904 through 2021. We also searched the databases of the websites of different national institutions. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, observational studies, and dietary guidelines were included in this review. The kidneys of infants aged 6–12 months have adequate sodium excretion capacity. There is insufficient evidence that high salt (sodium) intake early in life might lead to hypertension or salty diet preference in adults. Infants aged 6–12 months might be at risk of low sodium intake of only 150–300 mg of sodium/day, which may not meet the body's needs, if their supplementary food is not adequately salted.

Inheritance of the Resistance to Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say.) in a Heterogeneous Inbred Families Population of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus is one of the world’s main pests of stored beans. The heterogeneous inbred family (HIF) population of near-isogenic lines (NILs) could be an exceptional strategy to study the inheritance of the resistance against A. obtectus. We developed a HIF population of 148 NILs of R-bufa-80-12. The objectives of this research were as follows: (1) to study and understand the genetics of the attack resistance to A. obtectus in a HIF population and (2) to identify the best lines to provide weevil resistance. The pure lines of the HIF population showed a great variability for all the analyzed traits. The traits studied in this research have a normal distribution showing continuous variation, so they are considered to be quantitatively inherited. The heritabilities for resistance traits were low and very low, ranging from 0.09 to 0.17. The heritability for 100 seed weight was the highest, with a significant value of 0.90. The best lines of the HIF population for resistance to A. obtectus comprised Line-45, Line-129, Line-124, Line-142 and Line-47. In general, these lines presented lower preference of adults, and lower consumption in grams and in percentages. However, lines 45 and 129 are the most interesting from a commercial point of view because they combine resistance and seed weight.

Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea.

As society ages and the digital economy continues to develop, accessibility to information and communication technology (ICT) has emerged as a critical factor influencing the mental health of older adults. Particularly, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for non-face-to-face communication has significantly increased older adults' reliance on ICT for accessibility. This transition from a self-motivated engagement to a more socially passive mode of interaction highlights the importance of creating a digitally inclusive aging society. This empirical study used pooled cross-sectional data from the Digital Gap Survey conducted in South Korea in 2018 and 2020. It aimed to analyze the association between ICT accessibility and the mental health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant positive relationship was found between ICT and mental health among older adults in South Korea. However, this positive association weakened during the COVID-19 period. Furthermore, the analysis revealed heterogeneity among older adults by age, sex, and place of residence, with older females in their 70s living in rural areas experiencing the greatest weakening. These results highlight the need for tailored interventions and support mechanisms for specific demographic groups of older adults. We recommend that the South Korean government implement various policies to facilitate the post-COVID-19 digital landscape. These include initiatives such as ICT-related education programs, development of user-friendly e-government systems, and creation of social media platforms designed to accommodate the needs and preferences of older adults.

Social Connectedness Resource Preferences of Older Adults in Assisted Living: A Scoping Review Based on the WHO-ICF Framework.

The current scoping review identified emerging evidence on social connectedness resource preferences of older adults in assisted living facilities (ALFs) and the community. A literature search was performed using several databases. We included review articles published between January 2000 and September 2022 in English and related to social connectedness resources in ALFs and the community. Of 134 titles and abstracts, eight studies were included. Study participants comprised 2,482 older adults from 233 ALFs in the United States. Themes were framed using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. For social activities, older adults preferred facility-based recreation and leisure resources. For community social connectedness, residents preferred participation in civic life activities. Participants of older age preferred facility resources, whereas those of younger age preferred more demanding physical activities. Those from larger enrollment facilities preferred facility-based resources compared to community resources. For moderately and less active residents, participation was limited to less demanding activities. Older adults' preferences varied based on age, physical limitations, and size and location of the facility. Findings suggest opportunities for further research on developing ALF- and community-based resources for older adults' social well-being and quality of life. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(9), 35-42.].

A Discrete Choice Experiment to Assess Patient Preferences for Asthma Rescue Therapy and Disease Management.

With the expanding treatment landscape for asthma, the process of identifying best-fit, individualized management options is becoming increasingly complicated. Understanding patients' preferences can inform shared decision-making between clinicians and patients. To examine preferences of adults with asthma for therapeutic and management attributes and determine how these preferences vary among patients. We conducted an online discrete choice experiment survey in US adults with asthma. Patient preferences were analyzed using logit models. Factors affecting patients' preferences were identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis. A total of 1,184 patients completed the survey (60% female; mean [SD] age, 49.2 [15.0] years). Patients most valued fewer asthma attacks requiring urgent health care professional visits, fewer exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids, and a reduced risk for oral thrush. Higher value was placed on reducing the risk of short-term (oral thrush) versus long-term side effects (diabetes). Patients were willing to increase rescue medication use in exchange for decreasing exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids and attacks requiring urgent health care professional visits. Patients preferred a single inhaler for rescue and maintenance and least valued asthma action plans. Demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors affected patient preferences. Patients sought convenient management options that focused mainly on decreasing the short-term morbidity associated with asthma exacerbations and therapies. Preferences varied by demographics, clinical factors, and socioeconomics. It is important for shared decision-making discussions to include conversations about morbidity and how available therapeutic options align with individual patient preferences.

Migration choices of China's older adults and spatial patterns emerging therefrom (1995-2015).

The steady increase in China's ageing population and an upswing in migration among the country's population, on the whole, has caused a continuous expansion of the scale of older migrants. The migration of older adults not only directly affects the well-being of individual families but also significantly impacts the population structure and economic development of the places of origin and destination. Despite this, in China, the various relevant aspects concerning this age group and, in particular, its migration choices and the patterns thereof have only rarely been the subject of sound research. The study presented in this paper seeks to fill this gap; the present study makes use of the microdata obtained from the national population censuses of 2000 and 2010 and the 1% population sample surveys conducted nationally in 2005 and 2015. The findings of the present study were the following: ① During 1995-2015, the efficiency of older adults' migration was significantly higher in the eastern region than in the central and western regions. ② Older individuals migrating to urban areas are increasingly choosing, for their relocation, economically developed, urban areas such as the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. ③ Relocation of older adults to urban areas was much more than to rural areas. The latter group has a more diverse choice of destination, and the larger migration flow is primarily from developed provinces to relatively underdeveloped provinces. ④ The results of binary logit regression indicated that the factors that significantly and consistently influence the migration decisions of older adults were found to be the following: age, education level, health status, the primary financial resource, children aged ≤ 6 years being members of the household that would receive the migrants, and the average wage of employees. As for the geographical characteristics of the province to which the older adults migrate, a substantial difference was observed between the preferences of older adults migrating to urban regions and those of older adults relocating to rural areas. The findings of the present study provide further insight into the decision-making of older adults regarding migration. Further, these findings constitute an empirical basis for the local governments concerned to devise and implement policies to better cope with an ageing population.