Quality Of Life In Elderly People Research Articles

Effect of cognitive and executive functions on perception of quality of life of cognitively normal elderly people dwelling in residential aged care facilities in Sri Lanka

BackgroundAlthough cognitive functions affect the health related quality of life (QoL), the relationship between perceived QoL and cognition including executive functions has not been studied adequately. Available studies show moderate to weak correlations. We evaluated the association of cognition and executive functions, namely working memory (WM) and inhibitory control (IC) with the perceived QoL of a sample of elderly people dwelling in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Southern Province of Sri Lanka.MethodsCognition was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while verbal WM (VWM), visuo-spatial WM (VSWM) and IC (interference control, inhibition of pre potent and ongoing responses) were assessed using VWM, VSWM tasks, colour word Stroop (CWS), go/no-go (GNG) and stop signal (SS) tasks respectively. WHOQoL-Bref (Total score and domain scores) were used to assess QoL. The relationship was analysed using Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analysis.ResultsStudy included 237 elderly people with a mean age of 71.11 ± 6.44 years. Participants scored the highest in the domain of environment (63.48 ± 10.63) and lowest in the domain of social relationships (55.43 ± 21.84) of QoL. Psychological health domain positively correlated with MMSE, VSWM and VWM scores and negatively correlated with CWS, SS and GNG task errors. Both physical health domain and total QoL demonstrated positive correlations with MMSE, VSWM and VWM scores, while negative correlations were observed with CWS task errors. Social relationships domain demonstrated a significant positive correlation with VSWM score. Environment domain positively correlated with MMSE, VSWM and VWM scores and negatively correlated with CWS and SS task errors. All were significant but weak correlations. When controlled for covariates, such as educational status, physical activity and marital status, cognition was a predictor of the domain of environment of QoL, while executive functions were not predictors of total QoL and domains of QoL.ConclusionCognition and executive functions weakly but significantly correlated with different domains of QoL. Only the level of cognition measured by MMSE was a predictor of the domain of environment of QoL and executive functions were not predictors of total QoL and domains of QoL in elderly people with normal cognitive functions dwelling in RACFs.

The effect of exercise prescription of primary care physician on the quality of life in patients.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of exercise prescribed by primary care physicians (PCPs) on the quality of life (QoL) of elderly people.MethodRandomisation was performed at PCPs level from 16 primary healthcare centers. Patients were divided into intervention and control groups. Both groups of physicians received theoretical training (14 h), and the intervention group received additional practical training on exercise prescription (10 h). Patients in the intervention group were prescribed endurance, flexibility, balance, and strength exercises and were given training packs. QoL was measured using Short Form-36. Measurements were taken at the beginning of the study, after the 3rd month, and at the end of the 6th month to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.ResultsThe age of participants (Intervention group n = 69, Control group n = 110) was 57.68 ± 5.08 years. At the end of the study, physical function, physical role function, social role function, mental health, vitality, general health perception, and emotional role function scores increased and body pain scores decreased in the intervention group. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the intervention and control groups were observed for physical function, physical role function, body pain, mental health, vitality, and emotional role function scores but not for social role function or general health perception scores.ConclusionsExercise prescriptions given by PCPs containing endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises improve QoL in elderly people.

The Effect of a Horticultural Activities Program for the Community Elderly

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a horticultural activities program for the community elderly. Methods: The community elderly were invited to participate in a 6-week horticultural activities program. The Intervention groups contained seven participants (3 women and 4 men ; mean age, 69 years). In the participants, demographic data, including age, gender, and experience of horticultural activity were collected, in addition to information relevant to the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Activities of Daily Living (ADL-20) scale, quality of life (QOL), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), before and after the intervention. Results: Regarding QOL, the participants exhibited a significant improvement in “satisfaction with life” after the intervention (P < 0.05). Regarding GDS-15 score, the participants exhibited a significant decrease after the intervention (P < 0.05). ADL-20, and MMSE scores remained unchanged after the intervention in both groups. Conclusions: Participation in horticultural activities reduced depression and increased life satisfaction in elderly residents of the community elderly. However, the number of participants in this study was small, and it was not a randomized controlled trial. Further studies are warranted to completely elucidate the effects of horticultural activities on the psychologic, physical, and cognitive function and QOL of elderly people.

Auriculotherapy for insomnia in elderly people: a 6 week, double-blinded, randomised pilot study

BackgroundInsomnia is a common disorder among elderly people. Sleep loss in the ageing population is associated with increased frequency of accidents and falls, poor health status, depression, and compromised quality of life (QoL). Auriculotherapy, a Chinese medicine-based approach, is a therapeutic method in which specific points in auricles are stimulated to achieve specific therapeutic purposes. In this randomised controlled pilot study, we aimed to determine preliminary treatments using magneto- auriculotherapy (MAT), laser auriculotherapy (LAT), or a combined auriculotherapy approach (ie, MAT plus LAT) to improve sleep and QoL in elderly people with insomnia. MethodsWe included elderly people with insomnia as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edn). Participants were randomly allocated to three groups, as decided by a computer-generated randomised table: MAT only (placebo LAT followed by MAT; n=10); LAT only (LAT followed by placebo MAT, n=9); and combined AT (LAT followed by MAT, n=12). To achieve the effect of evaluator blinding, treatment effects were evaluated by a researcher who was not aware of types of treatment modality received by participants. Treatment was performed on one ear at a time on seven auricular points three times per week. Participants were assessed at baseline, after completion of the 6 week treatment course, and at 6 weeks follow-up. Outcome measures included: (1) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; score 0–21, with a score greater than 5 indicating poor sleep quality); (2) Insomnia Severity Index (score 0–28, high score indicates increased severity); (3) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) to evaluate depressive condition (score 0–27, high score indicates depressive status); and (4) the Chinese (Hong Kong)-specific SF-12 v2 to determine QoL. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT02970695). Ethical approval was sought from the Human Research Ethics Review Committee, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HSEARS20151129001). Findings31 participants aged 65 years or older were recruited from four community centres for elderly people in Hong Kong. Mean age of participants was 72·84 years (SD 5·01). A mixed between-participant and within-participant analysis of variance was conducted to assess the effects of three different interventions on different outcome variables across three time periods (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6 weeks follow-up). Substantial effects were observed for time, with all three groups showing a reduction in PSQI scores (F[2,27]=13·53; p<0·0001; partial eta squared=0·501), sleep latency (F[2,27]=13·53; p<0·0001; partial η2=0·751), level of insomnia severity (F[2,27]=21·95; p<0·0001; partial η2=0·619), PHQ depressive score (F[2,27]=10·53; p<0·0001; partial η2=0·438). Participants in all three groups showed an increase in sleep efficiency (F[2,27]]=13·80; p<0·0001; partial η2=0·505), physical components of QoL (F[2,27]=4·76; p=0·017; partial η2=0·261), and mental components of QoL (F[2,27]=4·77; p=0·017; partial η2= 0.261) across three time periods. Comparison of the three types of intervention resulted in non-significant effects (p>0·05), suggesting absence of difference in effectiveness of the three treatment approaches. No adverse events were reported. InterpretationThe three treatment approaches using auriculotherapy improved sleep, depressive conditions, and QoL of participants. No difference was noted in treatment effects of these approaches. Future study with a large sample size should be conducted to establish causal relationship between these treatments and their effects. FundingHealth & Medical Research Fund (HMRF), Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China (13144061).

Impact of the built environment and care services within rural nursing homes in China on quality of life for elderly residents

PurposeThe ageing of rural Chinese populations is challenging health and social policy, driving growth in rural nursing homes. Living environment plays a role in enhancing elderly quality of life (QoL), however, the impact of the built environment and care services are under-studied. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the built environment and care services on the QoL of elderly people within rural nursing homes in China.Design/methodology/approachA total of 242 residents of nursing home were surveyed, of which 76 percent were male and 24 percent were female. In total, 25.6 percent were aged between 60 and 69, 40.1 percent between 70 and 79, 31 percent between 80 and 89, and 3.3 percent were 90 or above. Quantitative data were analyzed through factor analysis, reliability test and multiple regression modeling.FindingsThe authors identified six built environment factors (room distance, space, barrier-free design, indoor environment, fire safety, and support facilities) and three services factors (i.e. daily care services, cleaning services, and healthcare services). QoL was measured over four dimensions: QoL, physical health, psychological health, and social relationships. Elderly QoL could be accurately predicted from room distance, space, barrier-free design, indoor environment, daily care services, and cleaning services.Practical implicationsInterventions in design of the built environment and the provision of care services are proposed, including dimensions of living space, heating, and provisions for qualified care providers.Originality/valueThis paper provides a clear picture about elderly special requirements on their built environment and healthcare services, helping architects, engineers and facilities managers understand elderly needs and improve built environment during design and operation stages.

AVALIAÇÃO DOS EFEITOS DO CONSUMO DO COGUMELO AGARICUS BLAZEI EM INDICADORES DE QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE IDOSOS

Objetivou-se avaliar a relação entre o uso do cogumelo Agaricus blazei, a prática de atividade física e a qualidade de vida entre idosos. Tratou-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com 44 idosos, divididos em grupos: grupo A – praticantes de atividade física exclusivamente – 21 indivíduos; grupo B – usuários do cogumelo Agaricus blazei e não praticantes de atividade física – 12 indivíduos; grupo C – usuários do cogumelo Agaricus blazei e praticantes de atividade física – 11 indivíduos. Utilizou-se um questionário estruturado, sendo a análise descritiva realizada no software estatístico SPSS, versão 17. O grupo C apresentou maior número de indivíduos que afirmaram possuir sensação de saúde boa/ muito boa, percepção da própria memória muito boa/ boa e, com a menor ocorrência de sintomas de dores, rigidez e edema nas articulações. Assim, sugere-se que o uso sinérgico do cogumelo Agaricus blazei com a prática de atividade física pode melhorar a qualidade de vida de idosos.

Криоконсервированные экспланты плаценты увеличивают продолжительность жизни мышей-самцов и изменяют показатели выживаемости мышей-самок

According to the WHO data, to date the population lifespan is increasing worldwide due to infant mortality decrease, rather than the duration and life quality of elderly people. Most effective geroprotectors affect the immune and nervous systems, cellcycle, metabolism of carbohydrates, stimulate autophagy. Bioobjects of placental origin possess similar properties. The research aim was to study the effect of cryopreserved human placental explants on lifespan of BALB/c mice. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were analyzed and survival indices were calculated. The differences were determined using the Log-rank test. It has been shown that implantation of cryopreserved placental explants to experimental animals significantly increases the indices in male mice as follows: median of lifespan - by 17.6%; average life expectancy – by 18.1%; 90% survival rate – by 20.8%; maximum lifespan – by 17.9%. The administration of placental explants to female mice did not affect their lifespan, but reduced the probability of death in the reproductive period.Probl Cryobiol Cryomed 2017; 27(2): 143–150

Associations of self-neglect with quality of life in older people in rural China: a cross-sectional study.

Elder self-neglect (ESN) has become a public health issue globally. Limited studies have focused on ESN, as well as the relationship between ESN and quality of life (QoL) in developing countries. The study's objective is to explore the association between ESN and QoL among rural elderly in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3,182 elder adults aged 60 years or older, using a cluster-sampling technique in one township in Dangtu, a county in Anhui province. All participants completed face-to-face interview in their household. QoL was assessed using a brief form of the World Health Organization's quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), and ESN was assessed using the Scale of the Elderly Self-neglect (SESN). Hierarchical linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between the ESN scores and QoL scores after adjusting for sociodemographic, social support, and physical and psychological variables. The scores of overall ESN and five domains were significantly correlated with the scores of four QoL domains (p < 0.001). After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, social support, and physical and psychological health characteristics, elders who reported higher overall self-neglect scores had significantly lower scores in the four QoL domains (p < 0.001). Education, economic level, physical health, ADL, depression, and cognitive function are consistent predictors across all QoL domains. ESN is an independent risk factor for poor QoL in elderly people in rural China. Understanding the role of ESN and its influence on QoL is important for the management of and intervention in ESN.

Improvement in Oral Health-related Quality of Life by Periodontal Treatment: A Case Report on Elderly Patient with Chronic Periodontitis.

We report a case of an elderly patient with chronic periodontitis requiring periodontal surgery. An 86-year-old man presented to Tokyo Dental College Suidobashi Hospital with the chief complaint of tooth fracture in the anterior region and occlusal pain in the posterior region. Clinical examination revealed 47% of sites with a probing depth (PD) of ≥4 mm and 47% of sites with bleeding on probing. Radiographic examination revealed generalized moderate horizontal bone loss with localized vertical defects. A clinical diagnosis of moderate chronic periodontitis was made. The patient's oral health-related quality of life (QoL) was also assessed at the time of each periodontal assessment. Initial periodontal therapy was provided followed by periodontal surgery. Open flap debridement was performed at sites with a PD of ≥5 mm (teeth #15-17). Surgical crown lengthening with an apically positioned flap was performed on #11 and 13 to gain an adequate biological width for the subsequent crown restoration. After confirming the stability of the periodontal tissue, provisional restorations were replaced with final restorations. No further deterioration was observed in the periodontal condition during the subsequent 1-year period of supportive periodontal therapy. Oral health-related QoL was markedly improved by the periodontal therapy. This suggests that periodontal therapy plays an important role in improving and maintaining oral health-related QoL in elderly people.

HUBUNGAN PERAN SERTA KADER POSYANDU DENGAN PERAWATAN HIPERTENSI PADA LANJUT USIA (LANSIA) DI DESA SALAMREJO SENTOLO KULON PROGO

Background: One of the most prevalent cardiovascular problems in elderly people is hypertension.Health&#x0D; cadres are those who voluntarily dedicate their time to have concern about elderly people’s health status in the community. Health cadres’ roles are important to promote elderly people quality of life, including their hypertension management.&#x0D; Objectives: This research aimed to analyzethe correlation between the role of health cadres of elderly posyandu and the treatment of hypertension at Salamrejo Village Sentolo Kulon Progo.&#x0D; Methods:This research was a correlational study with a cross sectional approach. The sample of this study was selectedwith a total sampling technique, drawn 57 hypertension patients. Data were analyzedwith Spearman rank correlation.&#x0D; Results:The result showed that coefficient correlation value of Spearman’s rho (r) between the role of cadres of elderly posyandu and the treatment of hypertension patients was 0.294 and p-value was 0.026 (p&lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion:It can be concluded that there was a positive and significant correlation between the role of cadres of elderly posyandu and the treatment of hypertension.&#x0D; Key word:cadres, elderly posyandu, hypertension

QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE ON VIETNAM SITUATION ANALYSIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

A primary concern of elderly people quality of life ( QOL ) as many countries in the world are rapidly entering an aging society . In Vietnam, the number of studies, which showed relat ionships between QOL and characteristics of older persons are less . The objectives of this research are to explore situation of QOL among elderly people . S tudy was design ed as a systematic review . P ublications were searched via PubMed, Science Direct, and Google scholar datab ases between 2005 and 2015 with key word ‘ quality of life ’ , ‘ QOL ’ , ‘ WHOQOL - OLD ’ , elderly, older, ‘ Viet * ’ with [ Title / Abstract ]. Publication s were included if they presented QOL, elderly people, Vietnam context, an d in English language . Articles of editoria l, review or methodolo gical articles were excluded . A total of 3000 publications searching QOL were identified, of which 6 met the inclusion criteria . In term of articles were published, the number of papers which were conducted in rural and u rban of Vietnam are five and one study, respectively . In t erm of published articles, six studies had published between 2010 and 2014 . Year of publication were in 2010 ( n = 3 studies, 50 %) , 2011 ( n = 1 study, 16 . 7 %) , and 2014 ( n = 2 st udies, 33 . 3 %). The questionnaire of instruments are consisted of EQ - 5D, WHO - SAGE, WHOQOL - BREF, ADLs, and WHOQOL - OLD . T he study also points out the factors affecting the QOL including age, gender, level of education, and condition e nough income . S tudy indicate d that QOL among elders in urban is higher than rural areas, and male is higher than female .

A cohort study of elderly people in Bloemfontein, South Africa, to determine health-related quality of life and functional abilities.

An ageing population has become an issue of global importance. According to statistics, the number of people aged ≥60 years will outnumber children &lt;5 years by 2020. To identify chronic and comorbid diseases that contribute to reduced quality of life (QoL) and functional ability in elderly people living in nursing homes in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa (SA). This study used utility- and capability-based questionnaires EQ-6D and a modified ICECAP-O to identify chronic and comorbid diseases that contribute to reduced QoL and functioning in the elderly. An information leaflet was supplied to respondents, along with an informed consent form that each signed and dated. The respondents participated voluntarily and anonymously. Structured interviews were conducted. No algorithm for the EQ-6D or ICECAP-O is available for the SA population. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 was used to perform the sum score calculations. Data were presented using standard descriptive statistics (frequencies, medians, means, standard deviations and standard errors). The total sample comprised 104 elderly respondents, 72.1% females and 27.9% males (mean age 77 years). Most suffered from at least two of the following diseases: hypertension (68.8%), joint disease (46.2%), heart disease (22.1%), cancer (19.2%) and psychologicaldisorders (18.3%). The EQ-6D indicated that 'pain' (48.3%) and 'mobility' (36.2%) were the domains chiefly affected. Elderly subjects with extreme problems reported all domains to be equally affected, with the exception of 'cognition' (29.1%). Our results confirm that diseases result in pain and affect mobility and cognition in old age. Access to healthcare and services for older people involves recognition of the importance of health promotion and activities that will help prevent disease, and there should be a focus on maintaining independence, prevention and delay of disease, and disability treatment. This includes improving QoL in elderly people with existing disabilities. Reform of medical care services is essential to improve healthcare for the elderly and thus improve their QoL.

Level of physical activity and quality of life: a comparative study among the elderly of rural and urban areas

Objective : To investigate if the relationship between physical activity level (PAL) and quality of life (QOL) is affected by living environment (rural or urban). Method : A quantitative, observational and cross-sectional study was performed. Of the 40 participants of both genders, 20 were residents of urban areas and 20 were residents of rural areas in the town of Pimenta Bueno (RO), Brazil. The WHOQOL BREF and IPAQ Long Version questionnaires were used to assess QOL and PAL, respectively. Mann Whitney and Fisher's Exact were used to statistically compare groups for QOL and PAL scores. The correlation between the two was tested by the Spearman test. A significance level of p&lt;0.05 was used. Results : No differences between the rural and urban areas for QOL or PAL were found. In the rural group a positive and significant correlation was found between PAL and the physical, psychological and complete QOL domains. In terms of PAL, elderly persons from the rural area who were regularly active had higher total QOL and physical domain scores than insufficiently active elderly individuals from the rural area. When place of residence was compared, insufficiently active elderly in the urban area had higher scores on the social component of QOL than insufficiently active elderly from the rural group. Among regularly active seniors, those living in the rural area had higher physical QOL scores. Conclusion : According to the results, level of physical activity exerts a differential influence on the QOL of elderly people from rural and urban areas.

Towards Context-Aware and User-Centered Analysis in Assistive Environments: A Methodology and a Software Tool.

One of the main challenges on Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is to reach an appropriate acceptance level of the assistive systems, as well as to analyze and monitor end user tasks in a feasible and efficient way. The development and evaluation of AAL solutions based on user-centered perspective help to achive these goals. In this work, we have designed a methodology to integrate and develop analytics user-centered tools into assistive systems. An analysis software tool gathers information of end users from adapted psychological questionnaires and naturalistic observation of their own context. The aim is to enable an in-deep analysis focused on improving the life quality of elderly people and their caregivers.

A Virtual Village Network Architecture for improving the elderly people quality of life

Elder people often feel pushed to the margins by the generational shift and suffer from loss of identity and hence they lose motivation, recognition and self-esteem: they are often considered to be no longer capable of performing any service. This paper proposes an ICT network architecture oriented to improve the quality of life of elderly people and their caregivers focused on the user need satisfaction and reducing negative feelings like insecurity, vulnerability, loneliness and depression. This Virtual Village Network architecture is organized on 3 levels: 1. the Virtual Service Centre (VSC) that, through a proper home interface, carries out the support, the monitoring, the prevention and the social facilitation; 2. the Intelligent Domotic Health Networks (DHN) a domotic modular network with high local evaluation ability through which the VSC can monitor the home and/or the user’s state of wellness and of health ; 3. the Dynamical Village Network (DVN) that is an ICT network of users. The idea is to build an ICT network of “virtual social neighbours” facilitating user relationships, able to have positive influences on the interactive abilities and self-image of the elderly, and to prevent or overcome solitude, isolation and their negative effects on the elderly person’s overall quality of life and health. The whole architecture is pervaded by strict attention paid to security and privacy.

Functional Textile Preferences of Elderly People

Aging is an inevitable stage of lifetime bringing along physical and emotional deterioration. Rate of aging population in the world has been constantly rising with the contribution of technological improvements on life quality, and medical services. Depending on the unavoidable physical and emotional changes of aging human body, clothing preferences and needs become different then needs of other textile and clothing consumer groups. Textile and clothing products are one of the basic needs of human kind. Sufficient and appropriate clothing is especially important for life quality improvement at elderly stage of human life. New generation functional and smart textile and clothing products bring new opportunities to improve life quality of elderly people with such wide range products of mobility support clothing, medical help, hygiene, and health monitoring textile and clothing products. This survey based research work is aimed to search the awareness level and priority of society about the functional and smart textile products for elderly people. It has been found that gender difference has significant influence on preference level of functional textile products, where women has higher interest then men about functional textiles. It can also be stated that comfort properties are primarily preferred preferences comparing to the fashion and functionality properties of textile products. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s5p279

The effect of powered scooters on activity, participation and quality of life in elderly users

Purpose: The aim was to explore the effect of using a powered mobility device (PMD) on older peoples' activity, participation and quality of life (QoL). Method: A pre- and post-intervention design with outcome measures for activity, participation (Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment, IPPA; World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, WHODAS 2.0) and QoL (SF-36) were used. T-test was used to analyse the data. The magnitude of the effects was measured by Cohen's criteria for effect sizes (d). Results: The sample consisted of 45 individuals (36 men) aged 66–88 years referred for prescription of a PMD. All were prescribed a powered scooter (PS). A statistically significant improvement with a large effect on IPPA in the ICF domains of Self-care (d = 2.47), Domestic life (d = 2.40), Interpersonal interactions and relationships (d = 2.08), and Community, social, and civic life (d = 2.36) was found. Medium-sized improvement on the WHODAS 2.0 domain of Participation and small improvements in the SF-36 domains of Physical Health and Role-Physical were also found. Conclusion: A PS has significant effects on the areas of activity, participation and QoL in elderly people. These findings have implications for prescriptions of a PS to this population.Implications for RehabilitationPowered scooter interventions increased the performance of activities and increased participation in elderly people with mobility limitations.Actions from several parts of the community are required to prevent from mishaps from using powered scooters.The Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment is an adequate method to measure goal attainment in elderly users of powered scooters.

Life quality of low-vision elderly people: before and after hearing and speech intervention

Aim: To evaluate life quality of elderly people with acquired low vision before and after hearing and speech intervention. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was made with 52 elderly people with acquired low vision. Two questionnaires that measures life quality were used in this study. The first was ‘Low Quality of Life Vision (LVQOL)’ and the second the ‘National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEIVFQ-25)’. The study included people with more than 60 years with acquired low vision and who accepted to participate signing the consent form. The hearing and speech therapy were made into three months, one meeting a week. The questionnaires were applied in the first and last day of the intervention. Results: The age ranged between 60 and 91 years. The macular disorder (38%), such as age-related macular degeneration, macular hole and high myopia were the main causes of visual loss. Although the tests show superior performance after the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference. On the question about difficulties seeing in general, 17 participants answered that they had much more difficulty before the intervention and only 5 participants have reported having much difficulty after the intervention. Conclusion: The intervention trended to positive results, and after the meetings, participants showed improvements in aspects of the two questionnaires used in the study, decreasing the degree of difficulty in performing activities.

A Virtual Village Network Architecture for improving the elderly people quality of life

A Virtual Village Network Architecture for improving the elderly people quality of life

Centenarian Offspring: A Model for Understanding Longevity

A main objective of current medical research is to improve the life quality of elderly people as priority of the continuous increase of ageing population. This phenomenon implies several medical, economic and social problems because of dramatic increase in number of non autonomous individuals affected by various pathologies. Accordingly, the research interest is focused on understanding the biological mechanisms involved in determining the positive ageing phenotype, i.e. the centenarian phenotype. In achieving this goal the choice of an appropriate study models is fundamental. Centenarians have been used as an optimal model for successful ageing. However, this model shows several limitations, i.e. the selection of appropriate controls and the use itself of the centenarians as a suitable model for healthy ageing. Thus, the interest has been centered on centenarian offspring, healthy elderly people. They may represent a model for understanding exceptional longevity for the following reasons: they exhibit a protective genetic background, cardiovascular and immunological profile, as well as a reduced rate of cognitive decline than age-matched people without centenarian relatives. Several of these aspects are summarized in this review based on the literature and the results of our studies.