Journal of Aging Research最新文献

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical role of social interaction technologies (SITs) in mitigating loneliness and social isolation, particularly among older adults. However, challenges such as the digital divide, physical and cognitive declines, and digital literacy gaps persist. This article seeks to explore the drivers, drawbacks, and prospects of SITs' adoption during the pandemic. The paper employs a narrative review approach, using targeted phrases and keywords, including "COVID-19 pandemic and digital engagement," "digital technologies usage among older adults/people during COVID-19," and "drivers of digital technologies adoption among older adults/people during COVID-19." Articles were retrieved through Google Scholar searches conducted between October 2023 and December 2024. In line with key findings, we propose evidence-based recommendations, including user-centered digital communication technology design, the need to balance digital engagement with healthy physical activity, and personalized digital literacy programs, to enhance SITs' accessibility and usability for older adults.

Purpose: Accurate measurement tools are essential for evaluating the health-related quality of life in older adults. We aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Sickness Impact Profile-30 (SIP-30) in community-dwelling older adults. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty older adults participated in this study. To evaluate construct validity, its correlation with General Health Questionnaire-28, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale was assessed. Reliability features were also investigated. Results: The results of construct validity analysis demonstrated a moderate to high (r = 0.61-0.84) correlation between the total score of SIP-30 and GHQ-28, GDS-15, HADS, MHAQ, and NPRS. There was a moderate inverse (r = -0.67) correlation between the total score of the SIP-30 and the FAB Scale. Test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.83) and internal consistency (α = 0.94) of the Persian SIP-30 were high. Conclusions: The results indicated that the Persian SIP-30 is a reliable and valid measure to assess health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults.

The aim of this study is to examine the individual's perspective on healthy aging through exercise. Individuals aged 18-60 years who have been physically active for at least one year were included in this study. The study focused on the exercise behaviors of young and middle-aged individuals through photographs. The photovoice method was used to discover how healthy aging affects exercise behaviors in physically active individuals. Content analysis was used to analyze photographs and the photovoice of the participants. Environmental, psychosocial, and individual themes emerged with the interpretation of the data. According to the results of this study, environmental, psychosocial, and individual factors have been found to be effective for healthy aging. The contribution of exercise to personal development was beneficial in strengthening the network of interpersonal relationships and improving physical and mental health in young and middle-aged adults. Exercise programs should not be monotonous, and individuals should not depend on a single location for exercise.

Objectives: Person-centered care emphasizes patient choice and autonomy and is considered an important means for improving the quality of care and quality of life for older adults with multiple chronic conditions and functional limitations. In implementing person-centered care, goals of care based on the patient's preferences are considered fundamental. Psychiatry is generally practiced in a curative paradigm, and little is known about the goals of care in geriatric psychiatric settings. In this study, goals of care as documented in care plans and medical records in geriatric psychiatric outpatient care have been explored, with a special focus on the end of life. Methods: This study was based on a descriptive qualitative content analysis of medical records of patients enrolled at an outpatient clinic for geriatric psychiatry at the time of death. It was complemented by a basic quantitative analysis of patient characteristics. Results: A total of 66 medical records were included, with a male/female ratio of 41/59% and a mean age of 83 years (66-104 years). Among psychiatric diagnoses, depression predominated. The dataset was generally limited, and clearly defined goals of care were sparsely presented. Therefore, the included medical records were analyzed twice: first regarding goals of care and second regarding patient wishes and requests. In both cases, the highest level of abstraction in terms of themes was achieved. Analysis of goals of care resulted in the themes patient well-being and care arrangements. Analysis of patient wishes resulted in the themes active patienthood and living and being. Conclusion: Goals of care were often disease-oriented, focusing on recovery or symptom management, whereas analysis of patients' wishes revealed personal goals other than remission, including outspoken existential needs. The results call for further research on the interplay between person-centered care and the goal-planning process and point to the potential of a palliative approach in geriatric psychiatric care involving patients with complex comorbidities and multilevel needs.

Objective: This quasi-experimental research was to assess the effect of online traditional dance exercise program on stress among elderly in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand. Methods: The elderly living in Nakhon Nayok province were recruited for the study. Multistage random sampling was employed to select participants. There is a total of 27 elderly people classified as experimental Group 15 people (received a 4-week online traditional dance exercise program) and control Group 12 people. Exercise data collected by the SPST20, pre- and postintervention testing was used to measure stress. An independent t-test analyses were performed to assess the effectiveness of program interventions. Results: After the program, there were statistically significant differences in mean scores of stress between the experimental and the control group. The level of stress of the elderly in the experimental group had decreased within and between groups after 4-week (p value < 0.05). Conclusion: Effectiveness of online traditional dance exercise program on the stress level of the elderly. It can reduce stress levels in the elderly. It could be applied with elderly in the community healthcare setting.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the quality of life (QOL) and chronic disease prevalence among 265 individuals over the age of 60. Methods: Utilizing the quality-of-life index (QLI), data were collected through an online questionnaire from eligible participants, not mentally disabled. Results: Significant variations in chronic conditions were found based on marital status, education, employment, and daily activities. QOL declined with age, divorce, unemployment, and dependency on caregivers but improved with a university degree. Living with family positively impacted overall QOL, while older age, unemployment, dependency, hypertension, and kidney disease were associated with lower QOL scores across various domains. Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors and chronic conditions had pivotal role in shaping the QOL for individuals over the age of 60, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions for improved well-being in this population.

Background and Purpose: Communities face a mounting social, economic and health burden as the global population of older adults continues to grow. Regular physical activity is consistently reported as an effective means of maintaining health and independence in older adults, yet engagement in activity remains low. This study assesses the activity levels of adults aged over 65 years residing in Australian assisted living homes, and extended to examine their perception of their activity and explore possible factors that hinder or promote their engagement in physical activity. Methods: Thirty-five older adults were recruited to this mixed-methods study from four separate assisted living homes. Objective activity data from five consecutive days of accelerometer wear were collected in combination with data from standardised and demographic questionnaires, and semistructured interviews. Qualitative data from interview transcripts were thematically analysed using NVivo software to develop themes relating to physical activity levels of older adults. Quantitative data from accelerometers and questionnaires were descriptively analysed, and associations between variables were examined using STATA software. Results and Discussion: Findings indicated that females were more active than males, and those who were younger and those with lower body mass index (BMI) displayed higher activity levels. Additionally, residents in assisted living facility (number 4) and those who did not need ambulatory assistance are more active. Conversely, those utilising support services and those with more comorbidities demonstrated lower activity levels. Marital status and cognitive function did not show any association with activity levels of older adults. During the interviews, many older adults acknowledged the importance of physical activity, and some believed they were active. However, objective results contradicted this perception. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insight into the demographic and health factors contributing to higher levels of activity, and the perceptions of activity among older adults vulnerable to health conditions associated with inactivity.

This study identifies senescent osteocytes in the femur and tibia of young rodents and explores their role in bone remodeling. The proximity of osteoclasts to senescent osteocytes was observed, which is a new finding. Cultured osteocytes, sorted using a podoplanin antibody in FACS, exhibited osteocytic characteristics and increased senescence-related genes. Senescent osteocytes secreted cytokines associated with senescence, remodeling, and inflammation. Notably, IGF1 and MMP2 were elevated in podoplanin-positive (pdpn⁺) osteocytes. Migration assays demonstrated significant osteoclast precursor migration towards senescent osteocytes, further confirmed by co-culture experiments leading to osteoclast differentiation. These findings suggest that senescent osteocytes have a pivotal role in initiating bone resorption, with recruitment of osteoclast precursors during early bone remodeling stages. In conclusion, our research enhances our understanding of complicated bone remodeling mechanisms and bone homeostasis.

The retirement transition has been associated with a decrease in total physical activity (PA). However, little is known about effective interventions to counteract this decrease. Prior to designing interventions, more information is needed about the changes in PA and in determinants of PA around this life change. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to investigate perceived changes in PA. The second aim was to explore the changes in PA barriers and facilitators experienced by recent retirees. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 retirees six to ten months after their retirement transition. The interview guide consisted of open questions as well as specific questions based on the "behavior change wheel" (BCW). The analysis of the interviews involved an initial inductive reflexive thematic analysis, followed by deductive mapping of the themes onto the COM-B categories, which are an integral part of the BCW. Most retirees experienced an increase in PA. The first inductive theme regarding changes in barriers and facilitators for PA was labelled as "changes in time availability and time structure." For instance, one of the facilitators was that increased time availability led to more PA. However, as a barrier, it was noted that this sometimes resulted in increased procrastination as well. The second theme was labelled "emotional/mental changes" and included facilitators such as a decreased feeling of being useful with consequent uptake of new purposeful (physical) activities. Conversely, a perceived barrier was the idea that reduced PA is allowed after retirement. The third theme, "social changes," highlights for instance the facilitator that many participants expressed an increased desire to expand their social network for shared (physical) activities. The identified themes were mapped onto the COM-B categories and potential intervention functions were discussed.

Background: Sarcopenia is prevalent in older adults. It is essential for nurses to sustain updated information regarding the knowledge of sarcopenia, particularly in relation to approaches to diagnosing and addressing sarcopenia. However, there are limited studies examining the attitudes and awareness of nurses in relation to this condition.

Objective: To assess the attitude and knowledge of nurses regarding sarcopenia and correlation between positive attitude and scores on knowledge.

Materials and methods: An electronic survey was carried out among the nurses of the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, during November 2022 and January 2024. This survey encompassed questionnaires aimed at evaluating the nurses' perspectives and understanding of sarcopenia. The participants were invited to complete the survey, and they were returned to the researchers for analysis.

Results: A total of 231 nurses were recruited (response rate 46.2%). Only 58.4% of them were familiar with "sarcopenia," while only 16% had confidence in diagnosing it. For general knowledge, they achieved a total score of 19/30 (63.3%). They demonstrated proficiency in "etiology" (75%), while their performance was fair in "management and prevention" (62.5%) and low in "terminology & importance" (50%) and "diagnosis" (50%). The correlation between positive attitude and knowledge on sarcopenia was 0.22 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Nurses exhibited a reduced awareness regarding "sarcopenia." Their comprehension about terminology, diagnosis, prevention, and management of this condition was limited. There was a weak correlation between positive attitude and knowledge. The findings emphasize the essentiality of augmenting the educational programs to enhance the recognition of sarcopenia among nurses.