Ageing International最新文献

Sense of coherence (SOC) explores how individuals perceive and manage life, focusing on their ability to use available resources to overcome challenges and maintain or improve their health. However, understanding of the concept of SOC and its relationship to health among older Nigerians remain unknown. This study investigated the SOC and associated factors among older adults attending a geriatric facility in southwestern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 384 older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) were recruited at the Geriatric centre. Data were obtained using an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire administered by trained research assistants, we utilized the SOC adapted scale of Antonovsky’s SOC-13 scale. Other measures include their spirituality, cognition, depression, functional disability, quality of life, family relationship, and level of frailty, which were assessed using the spirituality index of well-being, six-item screener, Geriatric depression scale, Barthel’s independence activities of daily living, Family relations scale, Short-form 12-item and self-assessment of frailty tools, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted at α_0.05. The mean age was 70.3 ± 6.9 years, and 226 (58.9%) were females. The total mean SOC score was 42.96 ± 2.80, and the mean scores for the domains of SOC were ‘comprehensibility’ (16.68 ± 1.44), ‘manageability’ (14.43 ± 1.88), and ‘meaningfulness’ (11.84 ± 1.19). The predictors of stronger SOC were having fewer children alive (β = -0.100), lower depression score (β -0.117), higher self-rated health (β = 0.103) and a higher level of spirituality (β = -0.335). This study revealed that lower depression, better self-rated health, and higher spirituality were linked to a stronger sense of coherence among older Nigerians. Understanding these factors aids designing interventions to enhance SOC and health outcomes. The findings advocate for the prioritization of mental health and spiritual care in Nigerian geriatric services.

Nursing homes (NHs) play an important role in ensuring that older adults have a place to live. However, few quantitative studies have examined NH prices and services vis-à-vis users’ preferences. Therefore, in this study, we used a choice-based conjoint analysis to examine price- and services-related needs for NHs according to respondents’ age. The survey was conducted in Osaka, Japan, where 130 community-dwelling individuals were divided into two age groups: 40–50 s (n = 65)—comprising individuals whose parents or relatives were expected to need long-term care—and ≥ 60 (n = 65)—comprising individuals who were expected to need long-term care. Prior to analysis, we determined that a nested logit model was appropriate for this study. We examined the marginal effects of prices and services. The results showed that good healthcare had a positive and significant effect on the preferences of the 40–50 s group, whereas this effect was absent in the ≥ 60 group. In both groups, good life support had a significant positive effect on preference. However, the marginal effect of good life support was larger for the 40–50 s group because fewer people chose not to move into an NH, suggesting the need for a more detailed analysis of the 40–50 s group. This study’s results provide valuable insights regarding pre-purchase decision-making for NH selection, which is currently determined based on post-purchase activity.

This study identified potential barriers and facilitators to the implementation of a medical device in the form of a mobile health (mHealth) application, (app) called PainChek®, by family carers of individuals with dementia in the Australian community setting. Focus groups and a phone interview took place with family carers and healthcare professionals. Data were analysed thematically. 6 family carers and 8 healthcare professionals participated across 2 focus groups and 1 phone interview. Themes related to the user, innovation/PainChek®, and contextual factors were identified. Barriers to use included age, physical limitations, cost, technical issues, misinterpretation of how PainChek® works, and influence of family. Facilitators included a willingness to use mHealth Apps and previous experience. Some themes acted as both barriers and facilitators depending on the situation such as the healthcare team's acceptance. Targeted interventions and support strategies, leveraging facilitators are essential to overcome barriers related to user, intervention, and context and to enhance successful PainChek® implementation, thereby improving pain management in individuals with dementia. Future research is recommended to develop effective implementation strategies to utilise the facilitators and overcome the barriers to improve the implementation of PainChek®.

Globally, hypertension among mid & old aged population is considered a severe chronic health issue. The latest LASI (longitudinal ageing study in India) wave data shows that in the northern region of India, middle-aged and elderly population have a higher prevalence of hypertension than in other parts of the country. Thus, this study aims to identify the risk factors for hypertension among the mid & old aged population of north India .This study has utilised the first wave of LASI secondary data. A total of 11476 respondents have been considered for this study. The Binary logistic regression model has been administered to determine the associated risk factors of hypertension among mid and old aged population. Our result shows that the higher odd ratios of hypertension found among respondents above 60 years old (OR = 1.55, 95%, CI = 1.38–1.73), urban dwellers (OR = 1.30, 95%, CI = 1.15–1.47), female respondents (OR = 1.56, 95%, CI = 1.33–1.81), diabatic respondents (OR = 2.86, 95%, CI = 2.41–3.40), richer respondents (OR = 1.56, 95%, CI = 1.29–1.89), non-Hindu religious groups (OR = 1.49, 95%, CI = 1.32–1.59), and depressed respondents (OR = 1.38, 95%, CI = 1.20–1.60). Therefore, formulating strategic policy to reduce the hypertension problem among mid & old-aged populations should be prioritised.

The objective of this study is to determine the influence of personal and contextual variables on negative stereotypes towards older age to define a sociodemographic profile, according to age groups. A non-probabilistic purposive sampling was carried out with a sample of 465 participants over 18 years of age. Four age groups were established (early adulthood, middle adulthood, late adulthood and older age). An ad hoc sociodemographic questionnaire and the CENVE were administered. Mean contrasts were performed to determine the differences between the variables studied. The results showed that the late adulthood and older age groups showed a greater presence of negative stereotypes than the other groups. Concerning the contextual variables, primary education and daily contact with dependent older adults presented greater overall negative stereotypes. We can conclude that negative stereotypes about older age increase in women caregivers of dependent older adults. Also, the evolution of stereotypes to self-stereotypes in the older adults group is confirmed.

Age-related changes have been observed in sustained attention and impulse control. Deficits in these functions are related to pathological aging. However, research suggests that an active lifestyle may exert a protective effect on cognition in aging. While the association between physical activity and cognitive functioning in older adults has been previously described, few studies have explored the relationship between incidental physical activity and fitness with sustained attention and impulse control in this population. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between incidental physical activity and various components of fitness and sustained attention and impulsivity in older adults. Fifty-four older adults were recruited (41 females and 13 males) with a mean age of 76.76 years (SD = 8.94). Physical activity levels were assessed using the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS), physical function in healthy older adults was evaluated with the Senior Fitness Test, and sustained attention and impulsivity were measured using a computerized continuous performance task. Significant correlations were found between higher energy expenditure during housework and yardwork activities, and fewer commission errors and shorter reaction times during sustained attention task, and higher sensitivity during impulse control task (rho between 0.35 and 0.40, p < .01, β = 0.80). Additionally, higher scores between agility and balance were associated with better accuracy during the sustained attention task, and faster speed processing correlated to better performance impulse control task (rho between 0.33 and 0.36, p < .05, β = 0.80). Our study highlights the importance of incidental physical activity and various components of fitness on sustained attention and impulse control in aging.

This bibliometric analysis endeavors to bridge a gap in existing research on social support for the older adults, focusing on the theme of ageing. The primary objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of scholarly advancement of previous research papers in this domain, employing a bibliometric approach. A dataset inclusive of publications up to February 2024 from Scopus database has been compiled, capturing pertinent information on older adults’ social support. Employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the study offers a historical panorama of research trends. Through bibliometric techniques, significant articles, authors, journals, organizations, and countries contributing to this field are identified. The analysis unveils the current research status, elucidating key contributors, influential publications, and emerging thematic trajectories within ageing studies. Citation patterns and literature examination aid in identifying influential factors shaping the scholarly landscape. This research significantly enhances understanding of formal and informal social support for the older adults, filling existing research lacunae while spotlighting key contributors and burgeoning areas of interest. The findings of relevant studies based on PRISMA screening, a total of 152 research papers were screened. Seventeen papers were excluded because they did not specifically address social support for older adults. Three review papers and four others were removed due to being out of scope. Finally, 128 documents were retained for bibliometric analysis. The publication trend stands at 3.73%, indicating a significant increase in scholarly interest in social support for older adults.

Violence and abuse by grandchildren towards their grandparent kinship carers is an important but under-researched issue. Research evidence on the perceived legitimacy of aged-related myths, beliefs, and witchcraft accusations against older people, especially grandparents, in Ghana and Africa suggest that violence and abuse against grandparent kinship carers could be common. This study explored the types of violence or abuse experienced by grandparent kinship carers, and the meanings grandparents associate with the abuse. Thirty-one grandparents were recruited from four communities in Ghana following a horizontal network sampling approach and interviewed using a qualitative in-depth narrative storytelling strategy. Analysis of the narratives revealed three common types of abuse experienced by the grandparent kinship carers which were perpetrated by children living under their care: (1) insults and verbal abuse, (2) stealing and financial exploitation, and (3) physical threats. However, the grandparents rationalised and justified the abusive behaviours by attributing them to factors within the children’s eco-system, such as friends and household members. The findings highlighted three crucial interrelated factors that underlie these incidents of violence including cultural beliefs around witchcraft, family structural dynamics, and grandparents’ attitudes towards violence. Practical recommendations, including the development of a community normative change program, have been proposed to address violence by grandchildren towards grandparent kinship carers in Ghana.

Telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic grew expansively and provided patients with care when there were substantial movement restrictions. We examined access to internet and telehealth services as well as factors associated with telehealth use among older New York City residents. From December 2020 to March 2021, we conducted a random digit dial phone survey, calling listed New York City landline phone numbers. A total of 676 individuals 70 years or older were recruited; 62% were ages 70–79 and 38% were 80 years or older. Forty-five percent self-identified as White, 21% as Non-Hispanic Black or African American, 20% as Latinx, and 14% as another race. Sixty-three percent were female and 37% were male. Twenty percent did not have access to internet. During the prior three months, 44% indicated having a phone or video telehealth visit. Compared to White participants, Black participants had 2.15-fold higher telehealth use (CI: 1.33–3.44, P-Value: < .001), Latinx participants had 2.27-fold higher telehealth usage (1.19–4.27, P-Value: < .001), and those of another race had 3.45-fold higher telehealth usage (CI: 1.67–7.08, P-Value: < .001). Older Black, Latinx, and those of another race were more likely to use telehealth than White older New Yorkers. However, overall, a substantial percent did not have access to the internet, limiting their access to telehealth and their ability to seek pandemic related resources.

The study examines the exclusion of older people using a multidimensional approach to understand the different domains of exclusion. Particularly, it evaluates the risk factors of old-age social exclusion, focusing on the level of exclusion across three domains such as social relations, economic and material resources, and social activities, as well as the total exclusion score. Using secondary data from the Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India (BKPAI) survey, the study employed bivariate descriptive and multinomial logistic regression models to assess the factors that affect social exclusion for all three domains, as well as the total exclusion score. Results for the total social exclusion score reveal that older people in their later ages, women, from rural areas, without schooling, living alone, without work, and having poor physical health, experienced a severe risk of exclusion. Notably, older people at later ages (70+) from rural areas without schooling experienced both moderate and severe exclusion in all the domains, as well as in the total exclusion score. While analysing exclusion across all three domains, the study found that older people were most at risk of exclusion in the domains of economic and material resources, followed by the domain of social relations. Thus, ageing policies should consider these micro-level risk factors associated with these two domains to combat the exclusion and improve their quality of life.