Ageing International最新文献

Old age brings unique challenges, and in India, many senior citizens in old-age care homes face loneliness, social isolation, and reduced autonomy—factors that raise the risk of depression and anxiety. The living environment plays a crucial role in Older Adults mental health, while spirituality can offer significant support and resilience. This cross-sectional study in the Delhi-NCR area included 120 Older Adults participants, with 60 from old age homes and 60 from their natural home environments. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) was used to evaluate mental health, while the Spirituality Attitude Scale (SAS) measured spirituality. Participants in old age homes (n = 60) had a mean age of 76.36 ± 6.43 years, while those living in natural settings (n = 60) had a mean age of 72.2 ± 8.09 years. Relationship maintenance scores were significantly lower in old age homes (30.41 ± 7.47) compared to natural home settings (39.28 ± 11.74), with a p-value of < 0.001. Similarly, the total spirituality scores showed significant differences: residents in old age homes had a mean score of 34.04 ± 8.31, while those in natural home settings scored 41.63 ± 9.80 (p < 0.002). Older Adults individuals in natural home settings demonstrate higher spirituality scores compared to those in old age care homes, suggesting a link between living environment and spiritual well-being. This highlights the need to consider environmental factors when exploring the relationship between spirituality and mental health in the Older Adults.

The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing plan of action has identified combating ageism and challenging negative and restrictive attitudes as a priority area. Ageism towards older people refers to negative constructions of old age, comprising of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination, and age norms are expectations and social rules around age-appropriate behaviour. Ageism and age norms can have adverse physical and mental consequences for older people. This study aims to explore ageism and age norms and their effects on the health and wellbeing of older adults in India. The study adopted an exploratory qualitative research design. Online focus groups and interviews were conducted with 21 participants from urban Indian cities, and data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Themes relating to ageism and current norms experienced by older people in urban India were identified. Experiences of ageism stemmed from institutions (e.g. healthcare, transport, employment), lack of consideration of social needs, intergenerational dynamics, and changing roles and identities in a rapidly evolving world. Age norms included societal expectations that older adults take up “age-appropriate” activities and be restrained in how they behave. The study findings emphasise that older adults are diverse with varied interests and hobbies, who refute stereotypes, endorsing the view that they are a complex, heterogenous group. Recommendations include investment into creating age-friendly cities, development and implementation of educational and intergenerational programmes, increasing avenues for employment and civic participation, as well as initiatives to cater to the social needs of older people.

As economic growth and a rapidly aging population drive substantial demand for healthcare services in Vietnam, it is salient that more attention be paid to assessing patient satisfaction among older adults. Specifically, the study aims to shed light on the critical aspect of patient satisfaction among older adults, which has not been extensively explored in previous research conducted within the country. By utilizing national data from the Vietnam Aging Survey, our analysis showed that approximately 83.2% of older patients were satisfied with healthcare services. Notably, there were significant differences in healthcare service satisfaction between the Northern and Southern regions. Furthermore, healthcare satisfaction varied based on educational levels and social insurance holding status. While insurance coverage and socio-demographic factors played important roles in narrowing the gap between the Northern and Southern regions, the type of facility widened the regional difference in healthcare satisfaction. In light of these results, our study underscores the importance of national policies prioritizing enhancing social insurance mechanisms and improving the quality of healthcare services at the district level in rural areas. These measures are crucial for achieving geographic equity in patient satisfaction with healthcare services in Vietnam.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Touch & Play interactive activity screen as welfare technology to enhance the well-being of nursing home residents with dementia. A secondary aim was to examine whether the success of individual Touch & Play sessions was associated with contextual and individual factors. Ten residents aged 72–90 years with severe dementia participated in a 12-month study at a Norwegian nursing home. Residents used the activity screen regularly, individually or in small groups, assisted by staff. Data was collected through interviews, standardized cognitive and physical tests, and systematic observations recorded in a logbook. The results show that the well-being was high among the residents of the surveyed nursing home, and it seems that the interactive activity screen contributed to increased happiness and led to less anxiety and turmoil. The activity screen’s effect on physical and cognitive capacity is uncertain, but we find indications of a slightly positive effect. Participants also reported increased engagement and social interaction. While limited by a small sample and lack of a control group, the findings suggest that interactive welfare technology may promote meaningful activity and quality of life in dementia care, warranting further large-scale evaluation.

Older adults residing in nursing homes face an increased risk of falls leading to hip fractures, resulting in a reduced quality of life. This study aimed to explore the usability (i.e. learnability, efficiency, and satisfaction) of a newly developed EXO + hip protector in a nursing home in Singapore. The study used a mixed-method approach. Eligible residents in the participating nursing home were recruited to participate in a two-month trial of the hip protector. Wear time data was recorded and analyzed. Participants without cognitive impairments participated in semi-structured interviews to share their experiences with the hip protector. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed to identify trends. Fifteen male residents completed the study with eight having cognitive impairment. The average wear time was 1.5 h/day. Residents with cognitive impairment had a higher wear time (1.9 h/day) compared to residents without cognitive impairment (1.1 h/day). The most cited reason for non-wear was a refusal from residents due to discomfort and not recognizing the need to wear the hip protector. No falls were reported throughout the trial period. Seven interviews revealed that some positive factors in their learnability and efficiency (e.g., training, functional status, elder-friendly design, wearing regime) led to increased user satisfaction. In contrast, barriers including functional limitations and non-elder-friendly features led to poor compliance and dissatisfaction. The findings demonstrated the potential for using hip protectors, particularly for ambulatory residents, in local nursing homes. Improvement in the design of the hip protector can improve users’ experience in a larger-scale study.

Background: Hearing loss can significantly impact the social, functional, and psychological well-being of both the individual with hearing loss (IWHL) and their communication partner (CP). Existing literature indicates that third-party disability increases with increasing degree of hearing loss. Very few studies have investigated the effects of communication strategies used by IWHL on third-party disability in their CPs. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the communication strategies used by IWHL and its influence on hearing loss-related quality of life of their CPs. Methods: Two questionnaires were administered to 30 pairs of IWHL and CPs: the Communication Strategies Scale (CSS) of the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired for IWHL and the Hearing Impairment Impact-Significant Other Profile (HII-SOP) for their CPs. Statistical analysis encompassed Pearson correlation and linear regression to explore the relationships between communication strategies used by IWHL and hearing loss related Quality of Life (QoL) among CPs. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between the total score of the CSS and scores of the HII-SOP communication strategy subscale. All three subscales of the CSS were significantly correlated with the HII-SOP scores. The maladaptive behaviors were negatively correlated with the HII-SOP scores, whereas the verbal and nonverbal communication strategies were positively correlated. A regression analysis revealed that the CSS used by IWHL explained 26.7% of the variance in third-party disability experienced by the CPs. Conclusion: Overall, this study underscores the importance of addressing communication challenges in IWHLs to improve the QoL of both IWHL and their CPs.

Longevity is increasing in Spain but not always accompanied by healthy life years. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of ageing and the differences by sex in patients > 64 years from the Valencian Community, a region on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. We performed a cross-sectional study evaluating self-perceptions of ageing with the Attitude Towards Own Ageing scale, through face-to-face interviews with 186 randomly selected patients in a Primary Healthcare Centre. We assessed sociodemographic variables, physical self-sufficiency, self-rated health, quality of life-related to health, social and family support, and health literacy. It was found that a greater percentage of women showed negative attitudes towards own ageing as compared to men. Variables associated with negative perceptions of ageing for women were bad quality of life and limited health literacy, whereas for men, were social and family support, self-rated health, and quality of life. Sex and gender influence self-perceptions of ageing, reflecting social roles, cultural expectations, and access to resources. Enhancing self-perceptions of ageing through interventions targeting health perception, social support, and quality of life—including health literacy, physical activity, and community engagement—may help close the gap between longevity and healthy life years.

Older people may broaden and refine their social roles in society through active participation in diverse social activities. To discuss the range of these roles, this paper proposes a typology of social activities organised by non-profit organisations and older adults’ initiative groups. The typology is based on a database that was compiled for the purposes of this study and covers a total of 2,366 social projects from various regions of Russia. Among the identified 11 types of activity, the two most frequent were found to be Developing Knowledge and Skills and Physical Activities. Within the analysed projects, older adults assumed a wide range of social roles, including caregivers, care receivers, learners, mentors, transmitters of culture and knowledge, and active agers. The heterogeneity of older adults’ interests and needs—and the ways in which it shapes their ageing experiences—has significant theoretical implications for understanding ageing and for the development of future social policies on ageing.

Objective: This study aims to examine the healthcare services received by adults aged 65 and over who visit the emergency department within 30 days of being discharged from their index admission, and it aims to establish a relationship between the healthcare services received and the revisits. Methods: Data were collected from the electronic records of 36,205 older patients who revisited the emergency department of a public training and research hospital. Patients were classified as “revisiting” if they returned to the ED within 30 days of discharge from their index visit. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics. Binary logistic regression assessed the impact of triage tag color, prior hospital visits, and outpatient clinic utilization on ED revisits. Results: Patients with a red triage tag were over six times more likely to be hospitalized than those with a yellow tag. Those who had visited the hospital within the previous 30 days were 37% more likely to return to the emergency department. Outpatient visits to internal medicine, cardiology, and pulmonology clinics increased revisit likelihood by 94%, 142%, and 244%, respectively. Conversely, patients receiving home healthcare were 65% less likely to revisit the emergency department. Conclusion: Outpatient service utilization are strongly associated with emergency department revisits among older adults. Enhancing access to primary care and improving coordination between specialists and family physicians may reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization. Policymakers should prioritize expanding primary care services and implementing remote follow-up systems to support continuity of care.

Canada’s growing immigrant population faces significant challenges in accessing primary healthcare services, particularly older adult immigrants from Arab countries. This study explores the experiences of Arab older adults and family caregivers in Ontario in navigating relationships with family physicians. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a primary study that included interviews with 17 participants, comprising of caregivers and older adults. Findings revealed three central themes: the importance of community connections, person-centred care, and preferences for in-person over remote consultations. Participants emphasized the value of family physicians who shared cultural or linguistic backgrounds, which facilitated trust and access to care. However, care quality and attentiveness were equally praised among non-Arab physicians when cultural sensitivity and clear communication were demonstrated. Caregivers and older adults differed in their preferences for telehealth services, with older adults favoring in-person visits for their perceived thoroughness, while caregivers appreciated the convenience of remote appointments. The study highlights the role of relational care in building trust and addressing the unique needs of Arab older adults. It also underscores the importance of cultural humility among healthcare providers, fostering culturally safe environments regardless of shared ethnic or linguistic backgrounds. These findings offer insights for improving primary care practices and inform training for healthcare professionals in serving diverse immigrant populations effectively.