Senior Citizen Home Research Articles

Non-communicable diseases and their impact on depression, anxiety, and stress among the geriatric population residing in old age homes in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are most prevalent among the elderly population. Mental illness and chronic disease conditions are of utmost significance when considering their implications on various aspects such as well-being, quality of life, cost of treatment, and longevity of the affected individuals. There is a paucity of data from India to assess the prevalence of NCDs and their relation to depression, anxiety, and stress among the elderly population. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of NCDs and their relationship with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS) among the geriatric population that resides in senior citizen homes (Old age homes) in Chennai. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the elderly population in old age homes located in Chennai. The research was carried out through offline methods during the period of January 2023 to April 2023. A total of 311 participants were involved in this study who were aged 60 and older. DASS 21 was used to study depression, anxiety, and stress. The overall prevalence of depression was 84.2%, anxiety was 49.2%, and stress was 55.9% among the study participants. The findings of the study show that there is a statistically significant association, the odds of diabetes were 2 times higher (OR- 2.082, 95% CI: 1.225-3.888), the presence of hypertension was nearly 4.1 times higher (OR- 4.116, 95% CI: 2.110-8.030) and the odds of the presence of visual impairment were nearly 1.8 times higher (OR-1.810, 95% CI: 0.976-3.357) in developing the symptoms of depression. Screening of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, etc. for DASS among the elderly population is recommended at regular intervals, as elderly people are considered to be the most vulnerable age group population, worldwide.

Urinary Incontinence, Quality of Life, and Risk Factors in a Geriatric Cohort

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and its subtypes, associated clinical factors, and impact on quality of life (QoL) in a geriatric population aged 80 years or older. Methods: Male and female residents (inclusion criterion: 80 years or older) of three Viennese senior citizen homes were personally interviewed with the aid of a structured questionnaire based on the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Questionnaire within a 12-month period. UI was defined as any involuntary loss of urine during the past 4 weeks. Several demographic parameters were obtained additionally. Results: 434 participants with a mean age of 86.8 years (women: 87.6 years; men: 86.1 years) were included. UI was present in 52.5% (57% female vs. 23% male, p < 0.001), stress UI affected 36% (41% female vs. 5% male, p < 0.001), urge UI 38% (40.5% female vs. 23% male, p < 0.01), and mixed UI 28% (24% female vs. 5.0% male, p < 0.01). While the overall prevalence of UI remained rather stable in the four age cohorts (80–84 years, 85–89 years, 90–94 years, >94 years), there was a constant decline of SUI paralleled by an increase of UI and – to a lesser extent – of MUI with age. 36.5% (33% female vs. 57% male) participants did not report any negative impact on QoL, while a severe reduction of QoL was present in 31% of cases (35% female vs. 10.0% male). Risk factors for UI and its subtypes included female sex, reduced/no mobility, hysterectomy, and number of births. Conclusion: This study provides data on the high prevalence of UI in a low-morbid geriatric cohort and evaluates gender-specific differences in UI prevalence, associated risk factors, and QoL.

Improving residents’ wellbeing in senior citizen homes with more individualized food services

Currently, food services in Swiss senior citizen homes heavily depend on the presence and working hours of human resources. For most residents, there is currently no possibility to eat according to their individual needs or preferences. However, trends like flexible catering, the reduction of the importance of lunch as main meal of the day or the “snackification” will influence service delivery in senior citizen homes in the future. At the same time, staff shortage and decreasing financial means force institutions to find new service designs. The goal was to find out how the wellbeing of residents in senior citizen homes can be improved by providing more individualized food services. Based on literature, a mixed-method research approach was chosen, combining expert interviews and a survey amongst management and staff representatives of Swiss senior citizen homes. It becomes clear that a more flexible food service provision needs to be thought in a holistic context encompassing the whole organisation, including not only hospitality staff but also management and care professionals.

Social Condition of Elderly People of Pashupati Elderly's Home

All countries have to face population aging sooner or later, depending on their degree of development. However, elderly care is predicted to soon become a major concern for developing countries such as Nepal. Both quantitative and qualitative investigations were conducted on elderly people living in Pashupati Elderly’s Home in Kathmandu using the descriptive and eresearch design. Thirty elderly people were the respondents of this study. Face-to-face interview, KII, and observation methods were used to collect data on the elderly and their attitudes toward senior citizen homes. Most elderly people are forced by different factors like loneliness, family dispute, disability, poverty, and domination in their families to take shelter in old people’s homes for several years. Some were living happily in the home, though they missed their family on some occasions because they could have spent their leisure time by sharing their emotions and feelings with same-age groups.

An exploratory study on free and paid senior citizen homes in Andhra Pradesh

An exploratory study on free and paid senior citizen homes in Andhra Pradesh

Malaysian Version of the Sniffin’ Sticks Identification Smell Test: Cutoff Points of Hyposmia

Introduction: Cultural backgrounds can influence the smell test because of the unfamiliarity of different populations with a number of odorants. The study aims to determine the cutoff points for hyposmia using the cultural adaptation of the Malaysian version of the Sniffin’ Sticks identification smell test among different age groups. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, healthy participants were recruited from a hospital, senior citizen homes, and schools from 2019 until 2021. Participants were divided into 5 different age groups (A: children, B: adolescents, C: young adults, D: middle-aged adults, and E: older adults) and underwent the identification smell test. Scores below the 10th percentile in these age groups were used to determine the cutoff points for hyposmia. Results: The cutoff points for the smell identification scores for hyposmia at the 10th percentile in children, adolescents, and adults (young, middle-aged, and older) were less than 6, 9, and 11, respectively. Pairwise comparisons were made using the Bonferroni post hoc test, with p < 0.001. Scores showed a significant difference between males (mean [SD]: 11.43 [2.42]) and females (12.01 [1.98]); p = 0.005. Conclusion: Our study found that the cutoff points of the identification smell test for hyposmia were lower than those of other studies. It is important to use these cutoff points in our population to establish the correct integrity of olfaction function in the clinic setting and in future research.

Evaluate the Effectiveness of Reminiscence Therapy

Background: The aging begun with the birth and observed as a continuous change in different phases of life due to weakening of the body function with respect to the time and quantity. Aging also causes a continuous stress on the adaptive response and indirectly enhance the disease conditions. The adaptive childhood degree is more important to the man for his well- being and happiness. But, due to stress increasing, a strong decreased adoptability led to the increase of the inner withdrawal,bitterness, weariness of life and depression are the results of failure to adapt.&#x0D; Methodology: The geriatrics eventually lead to depressed state and lack a prominentsupport. The current study aimed to analyze efficiency of the Reminiscence based therapy in aged and depressed people. The present work was based on quasi experimental nonequivalent control group designin selected senior citizen home, Chennai.Of 64 samples, experimental group (31)and control group (33) using Non-probability, purposive- sampling technique and measured based on Yesavage geriatric depression scale.&#x0D; Results: Continuously, twenty-one days, two session per day (morning and evening) the experimental group were demonstrated with Reminiscence therapy. Reminiscence therapy characteristically having non-pharmacological psychosocial intervention for depression remedy. The results showed the significant difference in degree of depression between the two groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: As conclusion, the study showed that reminiscence therapy had tremendously decreases the depression and elevated the well-being feeling in elder people.

A single dose of the Biontech/Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine protected elderly residents from severe COVID-19 during a SARS-coronavirus-2 outbreak in a senior citizen home in Germany.

Background: A total of 62/66 (93.9%) residents in a senior citizen home in Bremen, Germany, received the first dose of the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine BNT162b2 on December 27th 2020. After routine severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) antigen tests showed positive results on January 5th, all residents and staff were tested by RT‐PCR. Results: Nine staff members and 23 residents had a positive result. PCR positive staff members reported mild to severe COVID‐19 symptoms, one was hospitalized. None of them had been vaccinated. In contrast, the vaccinated residents reported no or only mild symptoms. Sequencing of the SARS‐CoV‐2 genomes of infected individuals revealed a monophyletic origin of the outbreak within the PANGO lineage B.1.177.86. Conclusions: In summary, our data show that partial vaccination prevented severe COVID‐19 among the residents during this local SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak, suggesting a high effectiveness of even a single vaccine dose, but also emphasize that asymptomatic individuals might still be carriers/spreaders.

Evaluation of psychological stress, awareness, and attitude regarding COVID-19 infection pandemic within senior citizen homes in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

CONTEXT: Senior citizens with comorbidities are more vulnerable to severe illness and associated high mortality rate due to the prevailing pandemic. AIMS: The aim of this online survey is to evaluate the psychological stress, awareness, and attitude regarding COVID-19 and the infection control measures taken by the senior citizens. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present study involves an online descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire survey conducted at a senior citizen home. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The questionnaire of the study consists of 20 questions and was performed among 84 older adults of two senior citizen homes supervised by nongovernment organizations through video conferencing on WhatsApp. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Participant's response was calculated and expressed as percentages and frequency, with the mean values. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of senior citizens responded to the study, and 91.6% accepted phobic anxiety due to COVID-19 lockdown, while 97.6% reported behavioral disorders. Majority of the senior citizens (96.4%) had awareness regarding COVID-19 infection, 97.6% were aware of water and hand sanitization, while 98.8% of the respondents had a positive response toward COVID-19 protection practice in the future. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness regarding COVID-19 was found to be satisfactory among the senior citizens, although psychological counseling and more precautions are required to make them feel secure from the current pandemic scenario.

Senior Citizen Homes: Search for a Viable Business Model

The case pertains to the decision regarding business model to be decided by the developer of a proposed senior citizen homes. Due to a number of reasons, enumerated in the study, the elderly people prefer to live in community living projects. The protagonist Mr Pankaj Pawa, MD, Pawa Group, wants a scalable Old Age Home (OAH) concept, which can be replicated across India. Accordingly, he has identified upper-middle-class senior citizens as the potential segment. As per his surveys, this segment is neglected till date. The project will need to be planned as a community project, where the residents become part of the community by sharing common resources. The developer’s main concern is selecting the best business model, which allows him to expand. Simultaneously, the project should not lead to his capital blockage as the real estate market has faced liquidity crisis. Furthermore, he needs to be convinced that the senior citizens are a financially viable customer segment, and an exclusive project for them will be self-sustaining in the long term.

Predicting Future of Senior Housing Markets amid COVID-19 Pandemic in India Using Dependency Models

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a very high percentage of senior deaths in India. Senior citizens constitute about 10% of total population while 73% of deaths during COVID-19 pandemic in India have been of people with co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart and respiratory diseases. Amidst this pandemic, the senior housing market is poised for exponential growth despite a low market share as well as slow sales. To inquire as to which factors influence the seniors for not buying into exclusive senior housing communities and whether the decision varies among ages as well as genders; a questionnaire survey was conducted pre-COVID-19 using sales leads of 143 senior respondents from five cities; Delhi, Lavasa, Chennai, Pune and Ahmedabad. These data were tested using binary probit regression models for age and gender. The survey required the respondents to rate decision factors which included; amenities, location, social isolation, wealth, family, urban connect, new relationships, inheritance and moral values - on Likert scale of 1 to 9. The tested model for gender shows that males are dependent on factors of location of the project and fear isolation as compared to females. Males also rated new acquaintances as a discouraging factor as compared to females. The age model shows that older seniors (aged 66-75) do not wish to move to an exclusive senior citizen homes due to factors of distance, fear of social isolation and attachment to urban elements as compared to younger seniors (aged 55-65). An attempt is made to use the results arising from these models to predict the future of senior housing market post-COVID-19 pandemic in India. By integrating new factors such as social distancing, personal hygiene and recreational activities, the existing models can be used to forecast post-COVID-19 senior housing markets in India.

An observational study of Senior Citizen at Senior Citizen Home of Tanahun District of Nepal

Background: All countries have to face the population aging sooner depending on their degree of development; however, elderly care is predicted to soon become a major concern for developing countries such as Nepal.&#x0D; Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted in a senior citizen home of Tanahun district. General health check­ up of the 30 elderly followed by 2 focus group discussion and one Kll with provider was done to know the status of elderly and their perception towards senior citizen home.&#x0D; Results: Majority of the elderly were abandoned by their family members due to financial sufferings, and some of them left their home in search of their own comfort zone. Majority of them got old aged allowance which is the only way of financial security. They were living happily in the home though they missed their family in some occasion because they could have spent their leisure time by sharing their emotions and feelings with same age groups.&#x0D; Conclusions: Concept of senior citizen home has to be broaden up from the living home of poor old people to relaxing comfort home for elderly. Good management and facility should be incorporated with multi disciplinary team to take care of elderly to spend dignified life in senior citizen home as well.

Depression among Elderly people attending at Senior Citizen Home, Bhaktapur

Introduction: Depression is the most common mental disorder in elderly people. The rapidly increasing growth of elderly population in developing countries including Nepal is at risk of increased population with depression.The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and level of depression among elderly people attending day care center at Sidhi Saligram Senoir Citizen Home.Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out among the elderly people attending day care center at Siddhi Shaligram Senior Citizens Home, Bhaktapur. Non-probability convenience time frame sampling technique was used to collect the data. The total sample was112 respondents. Face-to-face interview was carried out using Geriatric Depression Scale Long Form. Data analysis was done with SPSS 16 version and simple descriptive statistics and chi-square were applied for data interpretationResults: The study findings show that the prevalence of depression, i.e. 56.2% had depression. Among the depressed respondents, 77.8% had mild depression and 22.2% had severe depression. Depression among elderly people was found to be significantly associated with the sex (p=0.05) and the presence of chronic illness (p=0.000). However association was not seen among the age, educational level, and marital status, type of family, Income and disability.Conclusion: Prevalence of depression was found high among elderly people. Counseling and group discussion in day care center with psycho social support focused to female suffering from chronic illness is recommended.Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health SciencesVol. 3, No. 1, 2017, page: 36-44

Yoga Therapy in Japan.

This perspective piece gives an overview of the current situation of yoga therapy in Japan today. Traditional yoga in Japan suffered a serious setback in 1995 with a nerve gas terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway, which was carried out by a cult that recruited members through yoga classes. But with the increase in popularity with modern forms of yoga such as Iyengar yoga, Ashtanga yoga and hot yoga in the West, the general public in Japan today is forgetting its aversion to yoga and considers it to be something that can contribute to good health. In 2012, the Japan Yoga Therapy Society (JYTS) conducted a study on adverse events in yoga classes throughout Japan with the University of Kyushu School of Medicine, with support from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This study indicated that more than half of people attending yoga classes have some form of chronic illness, with 42.3% receiving outpatient care. This survey was the beginning of growing interest from both the government and universities in yoga therapy. JYTS is beginning to make inroads into bringing yoga therapy into cancer and palliative care, senior citizen homes, alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation, cardiovascular rehabilitation, and research on trauma and schizophrenia. While there are still limited opportunities for yoga therapists to work in mainstream healthcare services, there is growing interest among medical professionals in both physical and mental health. JYTS is beginning to make inroads into bringing yoga therapy into cancer and palliative care, senior citizen homes, alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation, cardiovascular rehabilitation, and research on trauma and schizophrenia. While there are still limited opportunities for yoga therapists to work in mainstream healthcare services, there is growing interest among medical professionals in both physical and mental health. This perspective piece introduces some of the developments in yoga therapy research and practice in Japan.

Yoga Therapy in Japan

This perspective piece gives an overview of the current situation of yoga therapy in Japan today. Traditional yoga in Japan suffered a serious setback in 1995 with a nerve gas terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway, which was carried out by a cult that recruited members through yoga classes. But with the increase in popularity with modern forms of yoga such as Iyengar yoga, Ashtanga yoga and hot yoga in the West, the general public in Japan today is forgetting its aversion to yoga and considers it to be something that can contribute to good health. In 2012, the Japan Yoga Therapy Society (JYTS) conducted a study on adverse events in yoga classes throughout Japan with the University of Kyushu School of Medicine, with support from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This study indicated that more than half of people attending yoga classes have some form of chronic illness, with 42.3% receiving outpatient care. This survey was the beginning of growing interest from both the government and universities in yoga therapy. JYTS is beginning to make inroads into bringing yoga therapy into cancer and palliative care, senior citizen homes, alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation, cardiovascular rehabilitation, and research on trauma and schizophrenia. While there are still limited opportunities for yoga therapists to work in mainstream healthcare services, there is growing interest among medical professionals in both physical and mental health. JYTS is beginning to make inroads into bringing yoga therapy into cancer and palliative care, senior citizen homes, alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation, cardiovascular rehabilitation, and research on trauma and schizophrenia. While there are still limited opportunities for yoga therapists to work in mainstream healthcare services, there is growing interest among medical professionals in both physical and mental health. This perspective piece introduces some of the developments in yoga therapy research and practice in Japan.

A Study of Psychological Well-Being of Senior Citizens from Community and Non Community Living

Rise in the share of elderly in total population of India posses multiple challenges viz., improving their wellbeing through providing family support, medical assistance and social support, reducing their negative aspect of life. There is an increasing interest worldwide in the study of well-being as a means to assess and need to evaluate positive dimensions of health aspects of senior citizens. In a study on the psychological well being of senior citizens residing in community and non community living, the objective was to see the difference in their psychological well being of senior citizens from community and non community living. A sample of 100 senior citizens was taken randomly from different areas in the city of Jaipur, for non community living and the sample for community living was taken from Ashiana Utsav (senior citizen homes).Out of the entire sample 50 were from community living and 50 from non community living and out of them, 25 were males and 25 were females respectively for both the groups. Standardized tool used for the study was Psychological well being scale by Dr. D.S.Sisodia and Pooja Singh. Statistical analysis used was mean, SD and‘t’ test. The results revealed that there was a significant difference in the psychological well being of senior citizens living in community living and non community living. There was also a significant difference between males and females in the different types of housing.

The influence of cold weather on the usage of emergency link calls: a case study in Hong Kong.

BackgroundIn response to an unexpected long cold spell in February 1996 which killed more than 100 older adults (mostly living alone) in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Senior Citizen Home Safety Association established a Personal Emergency Link Service to provide emergency contact to the older adults, which uses a telephone system to render emergency relief and total care service around the clock. To facilitate the dynamic and efficient allocation of service resources, it is crucial to understand the factors linked with use of the services and number of hospital admissions arising from PE link service.MethodsWe initially use the Poisson generalized linear model (GLM) with polynomial effect functions of relevant covariates. If the time series of residuals from fitting the Poisson GLM reveals significant serial correlation, a Poisson generalized linear autoregressive moving average (GLARMA) model is refitted to the data to account for the auto-correlation among the time series of daily call numbers. If the data is overdispersed relative to the best fitting Poisson GLARMA model, then the negative binomial GLARMA model is refitted to account for any overdispersion. In all the models, dummy variables for weekdays and months are included to account for any cyclic trends due weekday effect or month of the year effect. The secular time trend is modeled by a polynomial function of calendar time over the study period. Finally any critical temperatures are identified by visually inspecting the graph of the effect function of temperature.ResultsThe weekday and month effects are both significant with Monday seeing more PE Link calls than Sunday and June seeing less than January. Temperature has significant effect on the PE Link call rate with the effect highly nonlinear. A critical temperature, below which excessive increase in PE link calls that lead to hospital admissions, is identified to be around 15 °C.ConclusionIdentifying a threshold temperature which generates an excessive increase in the expected number of PE Link calls would be useful in service provision planning and support for elderly in need of hospital admission.

Compare and Contrast of Grand Theories: Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory and Roy’s Adaptation Model

Nursing theories are developed to provide a connecting frame work which focus on nursing practice. Dorothy Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory and Sister Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model are grand theories; both developed these to enhance nursing practice and education. Orem Model emphasizes on the individuals demands of self care which the nurse can accomplish through certain actions to promote health and well being. However, the adaptation model gives an effective frame work for addressing the adaptive needs of individuals, families and groups. Orem’s theory is applicable in certain settings such as acute care units, ambulatory clinics, community, senior citizen homes, hospice, and rehabilitation centre. Whereas, Roy’s model is practical in many areas of nursing practice to enhance practical nursing for individuals of all ages in health and illness, it is also more relevant to assessment and intervention during the changes which occur with aging. In conclusion, both the models are well defined to promote better patient care, to enhance the image of nursing profession, and to improve communication among nurses.

Development of the psychometric property of a Minimum Data-Set-Based Depression Rating Scale for use in long-term care facilities in Taiwan

Objectives: Our aim is to develop the psychometric property of the Minimum Data-Set-Based Depression Rating Scale (MDS-DRS) to ensure its use to assess service needs and guide care plans for institutionalized residents.Methods: 378 residents were recruited from the Haoran Senior Citizen Home in northern Taiwan. The MDS-DRS and GDS-SF were used to identify observable features of depression symptoms in the elderly residents.Results: A total of 378 residents participated in this study. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the MDS-DRS has a 43.3% sensitivity and a 90.6% specificity when screening for depression symptoms. The total variance, explained by the two factors ‘sadness’ and ‘distress,’ was 58.1% based on the factor analysis.Conclusions: Reliable assessment tools for nurses are important because they allow the early detection of depression symptoms. The MDS-DRS items perform as well as the GDS-SF items in detecting depression symptoms. Furthermore, the MDS-DRS has the advantage of providing information to staff about care process implementation, which can facilitate the identification of areas that need improvement. Further research is needed to validate the use of the MDS-DRS in long-term care facilities.

Serving Seniors with Simple Technology – From Indoor to Outdoor Emergency Support and Care

For 15 years, Senior Citizen Home Safety Association (SCHSA) has been providing 24-hour emergency support and care to seniors living in the community. By integrating mobile technology applications with social services, SCHSA has been able to extend the emergency support from indoor to outdoor in 2008. With a specially designed one-button device and via mobile technology, including mobile communications and mobile positioning service, seniors can easily seek timely assistance from SCHSA’s Call Centre anywhere in the street. According to the user satisfaction survey, over 80% of users expressed that the service has brought them peace of mind.