Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und Geriatrie最新文献

The article examines the ethical responsibility of welfare organizations in the context of assisted suicide against the background of the judgement of the German Constitutional Court (BVerfG) on § 217 of the German Criminal Code (StGB). The emphasis on self-determined dying poses a particular social and ethical challenge for organizations and providers of care for the aged to consider the consequences and draw appropriate conclusions for implementation. The article outlines a theory to practice transfer in three main steps: (1) development of the ethical and social implications of assisted suicide, particularly with respect to old people and those in need of care, (2) description of an organizational ethical approach as a mediating authority to systematically transfer the value orientation into practice and (3) exemplary presentation of the current procedure in the Worker's Samaritan Foundation (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, ASB) as an outline of the development of a concept of action that is congruent with organizational logic, structure and culture.

This article systematically analyzes suicidal ideation in old age from the perspective of traditional age-related ideas, evaluations and expectations. The synthesis of empirical evidence from different research areas provides preliminary evidence that ageism "in the mind" reduces the will to live in old age and thus represents a suicide risk for the individual. This effect is caused by a culturally deeply rooted social climate of old age, according to which life in old age tends to be seen as a phase of deficit and lack of productivity, and according to which older people tend to be expected to socially withdraw and not become a burden. If healthcare professionals are not sufficiently qualified in gerontology, they are guided in their work by this age bias, which, in the worst case, is expressed in ignorance and passivity towards suicidal crises in older people. A relevant risk factor is that in old age the ageism internalized by individuals over the course of their lives is directed against themselves. The analysis underlines a contextualist understanding of suicidal ideation beyond a widespread, oversimplistic view as an understandable reaction to "old age" or a narrow psychiatric assessment as "old age depression". At the same time, ageist tendencies in the public discourse are questioned, according to which suicidal ideation in old age is a rational phenomenon that is justified in view of the horrors of old age and is also a less serious phenomenon for the social environment. The rhetoric of assisted suicide as an act of self-determination and self-decision in favor of society is also questioned.

Dizziness is a frequent and often multifactorial symptom in older patients that can significantly impair the quality of life. The causes are diverse and differ from younger patients. Polyneuropathy, orthostatic dysregulation, drug-related causes, positional vertigo and bilateral vestibulopathy are more frequent in old age. A detailed and vertigo-specific patient history, including the assessment of risk factors such as frailty, polypharmacy and comorbidities, is essential for the diagnostics. The treatment depends on the underlying cause and includes physiotherapeutic interventions as well as adjustments to the medication.

Background: Neuroanatomical parameters deteriorate with age and this process varies among individuals. Gender differences in these parameters have been documented but their effects on cognition remain unclear. Physical activity, continuous learning and social interactions are recognized strategies to prevent cognitive decline.

Aim: This study investigated the effects of multidimensional training on selective attention and reaction speed in physically inactive but healthy older adults, exploring gender-specific differences in cognitive abilities.

Material and methods: The study employed a pre-post design and included a 24-week exercise program. A total of 60 participants (30 male, 30 female) aged 65-69 years completed the program, which consisted of 90 min of fitness and 90 min of recreational sports each week. Cognitive performance was assessed using the STROOP (a visual test for selective attention) and reaction time (RT) tests administered through the Vienna Test System.

Results: Significant gender differences were observed. Women were initially slower than men but significantly improved their reaction speed after the training (p < 0.001, d = 1.144). Conversely, men showed significant improvements in controlled and automated actions (p = 0.021, d = 0.5).

Discussion: Multidimensional training enhances cognitive performance in physically inactive older adults. Gender-specific differences in reaction time were confirmed, while differences in other cognitive domains were revealed. The underlying causes of these differences are still unclear, raising the question of whether training programs should be tailored differently for men and women.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent disease from which approximately 8% of individuals aged 40 years and above suffer. The prevalence increases up to fivefold as age advances. Following an introduction including the etiology, measurement, characteristic features and classification of COPD, this article presents the consensus recommendations of the German Working Group on Pneumology in Older Patients. These include statements on the screening for frailty, dysphagia, malnutrition and cognitive impairment. The results are summarized with the final conclusion that adequate treatment of COPD can also slow the progression of cognitive decline and could potentially prevent or delay the onset of dementia.