Well-being Of Elderly Persons Research Articles

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment of Elderly Adults

The geriatric population is increasing all over the world. Aging people have special health requirements and comprehensive medical checkups prevent physical, functional and mental decline during the aging period. This study aimed to examine the fitness level and identify problems with the well-being of elderly persons. In this context, the study also attempted to determine the relationship between socio-demographic factors and the health status of elderly adults. In this cross-sectional study, 168 elderly adults (≥65 years old) from 12 central villages of Kars, Turkey were examined. The home home comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed by a family physician in participant. In this study group, more than half of the participants reported urinary incontinence problems (51.2%) and a very high rate of generalized pain (58.3%). The most frequently observed chronic disease was hypertension (45.2%). The percentage of chronic dental oral problems was 57.1% in the current study group. Comorbidity and polypharmacy rate among the participants was 19.0%. The reported health problems in order to frequency in the study group were; heart disease: 17.3%, benign prostatic hypertrophy:16.7%, gastric diseases: 16.3%, diabetes mellitus (type II): 13.1%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 11.6%, depression: 10.9%, the audio impairment:10.7%, visual impairment: 8.3%. There was a statistically significant relationship between advanced age, low economic level, low education level, lack of social support, co-morbidities, polypharmacy, depression, and impaired health status. Comprehensive geriatric assessment of elderly adults is essential for managing geriatrics health problems. With the comprehensive geriatric assessment, pre-frail individuals could be detected and early medical care would be planned for this population.

A new method to assess perceived well-being among elderly people - a feasibility study

BackgroundA simple but countable electronic device has been developed to gain reliable information on elderly patients' perceived well-being. The device has been tested and proven to be technically functional and countable. It was now tested in two care homes for the elderly and two private homes to evaluate if it provided solid information about the well-being of elderly persons. This report illustrates the practical usage of the device and shows its efficiency in gathering solid well-being information from the focus group.MethodsThe test arrangement was carried out by assigning a group of volunteers (n = 10) in care homes for the elderly for two weeks. The time period was long enough to collect a sufficient amount of information to evaluate the perceived well-being of the test subjects. Perceived well-being was assessed by using a Con-Dis device and by filling out an attached questionnaire - RAI - at the same time. RAI consisted of questions concerning mood, pain and quality of life. A standardised RAVA questionnaire with 12 questions concerning test subject's health was also answered once during the two-week time period by each test subject. After the test period the data obtained by Con-Dis was compared with the findings collected using questionnaires.ResultsA statistically significant correlation was found between perceived well-being (measured by Con-Dis) and questionnaire-based mood (r = 0,66, Pearson Correlation Coefficient) and quality of life (r = 0,68). No statistically significant correlation was found between perceived well-being and pain (r = 0,28). Technical functionality and feasibility of Con-Dis were good during the test period. Some problems arose because the test subjects were elderly and some in poor physical condition.ConclusionOn the basis of the collected results, the Con-Dis device presented information on the test subjects' perceived well-being that appeared to correlate with certain aspects of their health status. The test subjects' mood and quality of life but not pain had a statistically significant association with the perceived well-being level measured by Con-Dis.

Standing guard—being a relative to a hospitalised, elderly person

Caregiving relatives continue to feel primarily responsible for the care and well-being of elderly persons, when they are admitted to hospital. Although involvement of relatives in decision-making is rare, and the hospitalisation therefore may be a frustrating experience, little is known of relatives' experience of the hospitalisation of elderly persons from a life-world perspective. In this phenomenological study, hospital admission was a time of crisis and possible transition for the relatives, and the encounter with the professional system added to the relatives' emotional and physical burden. They felt responsible for protecting the elderly person and ensuring they received sufficient care. The history of the relationship and care was the frame of reference in which the hospital stay of the elderly person was reflected and understood. Feelings, roles and experiences were brought into the hospital setting and formed the basis for the relatives' expectations, values and conducts there.

Variation in Elderly Friendliness across the U.S. States: Operationalization, Rankings, and Selected Consequences

The United States faces a rapidly growing population of elderly citizens. To learn more about their prospects, we engage in three tasks. First, we develop and operationalize a five-dimensional concept, “state elderly friendliness,” that facilitates assessing various political, economic, and social aspects of state environments that influence the well-being of elderly persons. Second, we rank states on the five dimensions of this concept. We find large differences both within states across various dimensions and across states on individual dimensions. Third, we demonstrate that differences in states' ranks on our dimensional scales are associated with sharp variations in particular societal outcomes of importance for the well-being of various segments of the elderly. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.

Subjective evaluation of health in old age: the role of immigration status and social environment.

The study investigated the role of immigration status on self-rated health, general health, and well-being among elderly persons by comparing two groups of elderly persons who immigrated from Eastern European countries to Israel-veterans and new immigrants. It also examined the factors that explain self-rated health in both groups. Data for this study (n = 784) were taken from a study based on structured home interviews of a random sample of Israeli Jewish elderly (70+) conducted in 1994. The results show that the new immigrants are younger and have higher education than the veterans, but their economic status is lower and they have a lower percentage of men and married persons. The new immigrants also rank themselves lower than the veterans on a variety of measures of health and psycho-social well-being. It is suggested that the stress caused by immigration and factors related to the standard of living and health services in the countries of origin outweigh the relative advantage that the new immigrants have, in terms of age and education, in influencing their health and well-being. Self-rated health among the new immigrants is explained mainly by objective measures of health, economic status and a feeling of control over life, while among the veterans it is explained by these variables as well as by other psycho-social variables such as self-esteem and social support. These findings suggest careful analyses of subjective evaluations of health in different socio-cultural subgroups in society for theoretical reasons and for purposes of planning interventions directed to promote health and psycho-social well-being of elderly persons on the community level.

Evidence-Based Programs for the Prevention of Early Exit From Work

Aging of the population and lowered average age of retirement imply greatly increased public costs for pensions and health care in western societies. Prolongation of working life is necessary to counteract large budget deficits, and most western countries are now in the process of changing public retirement benefits. However, a prolongation must be accomplished without threatening the well-being of elderly persons, and therefore working life needs changes that accommodate the capacity and demands of an aging work force are needed. No scientific intervention studies have as yet demonstrated that early exits from working life can be prevented while work ability, health, productivity, and a high quality of life are maintained. However, several studies on return-to-work after prolonged sick leave, re-entry to work after lay-offs, risk factors for early retirement, risk/health factors for maintained work ability, and case studies provide indirect support for the feasibility of preventing early exits. Scientific studies comparing different approaches, and per formed in varying cultural and environmental conditions, are needed.

Associations Between Early Experiences With Parents and Well-being in Old Age

This study explores the impact of early experiences with parents on health and well-being in old age. An interview survey was conducted with a representative sample of 267 elderly community residents in the age group 65-74. Standard measures for health, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and loneliness were included as dependent variables. Quality of parenting was measured by means of a retrospective questionnaire focused on the care dimension of parental behavior. The foremost conclusion of this study is that early experiences with parents have an impact on the well-being of elderly persons. The effect is stronger among those older persons who lack a current attachment figure in the form of an affectionate partner; also, it is stronger for unattached older men than for unattached older women.

Clinical Practice and Public Policy for Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination of the Elderly

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are safe, effective, and cost-effective, but they are not used widely. Organized programs for vaccine delivery can lead to substantial improvements in vaccination rates for the elderly. Adequate reimbursement by Medicare and other third-party payers needs to be supplemented by educational programs to promote influenza and pneumococcal vaccines if the opportunity vaccination presents to improve the health and well-being of elderly persons is to be fully realized.

Effects of Environment on Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Persons

This study reports an investigation of the psychological well-being of 90 elderly persons living in independent, retirement, and nursing homes. In previous studies elderly persons have not been matched on high levels of social and physical functioning across these living environments. Analyses indicated significantly that elderly persons living in their own homes or retirement homes reported greater well-being than their matched cohorts in nursing homes.

Dimensions of religiosity in old age: accounting for variation in types of participation.

Research on religiosity and aging has focused more on church attendance than on the religious role and the strength of beliefs and the extent of private devotions. This study of 123 older West Texans examines the degree to which nine variables account for variation in both organized religious activities and private religious behavior. These include three social activity and interaction variables, three religion variables, and three personal variables (health, age, and income). Strength of religious conviction proved to be the strongest predictor of both types of religious participation. Multiple-regression analysis did not support the hypothesis that private religious activity is compensatory; that is, it does not make up for increased social or personal deprivation. Poor health, low income, reduced activity, and living alone did not predict higher levels of nonorganized religious behavior. However, strong kin/friend networks did predict high levels of private devotion. This research suggests that frequent interaction in a social network contributes to the spiritual well-being of elderly persons; that is, it affirms the wholeness of their lives.

Medication utilization problems among the elderly.

The improper use of medication can frequently threaten the health and well-being of elderly persons. This article alerts social work practitioners to the possible dangers of drug utilization among the elderly and explains the factors commonly associated with the inappropriate use of drugs.