Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie最新文献

In a study on the chances and limits of independent living in old age, we collected data about difficulties in 23 activities of daily living in two sub-samples: participants from the western part of Germany (n = 745), and from the eastern part of Germany (n = 347). Participants were grouped into three patterns of competence by means of cluster analysis. Cluster analyses were calculated separately for participants in the western and eastern parts of Germany. In both sub-samples, we found three patterns of competence: "High competence in most activities of daily living", "reduced competence in some activities of daily living" and "reduced competence in most activities of daily living". Patterns of competence were similar in the sub-samples, but important differences were found in some activities of daily living between participants from the eastern and western parts of Germany (e.g., in "heating home," "washing clothes," "banking"). These differences were due to unfavorable conditions in physical environment. Analysis of the relationship between objective housing conditions (assessed by our research team) and patterns of competence strongly supported this interpretation. Participants in the two sub-samples were more satisfied with their housing conditions as could be expected from our assessment of housing conditions. Successful adaptation to environmental conditions and changes in the aspiration-level can explain these differences. The degree of satisfaction with housing conditions is only a poor predictor for possibilities in increasing competence by intervention and rehabilitation. Most participants wished to keep their household independently as long as possible. Acceptance for homes for the elderly was low.

In the conceptual part of this article, the existential dimension of experiencing a dramatic visual loss in late life is highlighted. Three theoretical avenues are proposed to approach age-related vision loss: 1) a stress and burden perspective; 2) a coping perspective, 3) an environmental psychology perspective. The empirical study is based on 84 elderly subjects suffering from vision loss (42 visually impaired, 42 blind), a comparison group of 42 subjects with mobility impairments, and a control group of 42 healthy subjects (particularly not impaired in vision or mobility). In all impaired groups, the impairment appeared after the age of 55 years; identification of subjects was based on medical expertise. Mean age varies between groups from 75 to 78 years with 30 females and 12 males in each group. Data based on person (e.g., ADL-functioning, subjective well-being, depressivity) as well as person-environment-transaction measures (e.g., microecology within the house, action range outside the house) were collected. Results revealed a reduced ADL-competence, lower subjective well-being, higher depressivity, and a shrinkage of action range in subjects suffering from visual loss. However, there was also a need for a differential perspective: For example, depending on person variables (living alone/not alone, degree of visual loss, coping style, coexisting illnesses), a different "resilience" against environmental pressure was observed. These findings point to the importance of a "differential" environmental gerontology.

325 inhabitants of several Hessian rest and nursing homes--of an average age of 81 years--have been viewed about their laymen's knowledge of dentistry, their daily oral hygiene, and their opinion about dental treatment. The majority of those senior probands did not realize any connection between insufficient oral hygiene and the origin of both caries and periodontal disease. They considered oral hygiene to be a matter of bodycare, not of medical prevention.

The Ca/Mg ratio in fibrous connective tissue may be related to its elastic property. Ligamenta flava were obtained from 76 patients during lumbar disc surgery, and Ca and Mg levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The Ca/Mg ratio was almost constant throughout all age groups. It is concluded that the constancy of the Ca/Mg ratio throughout the lifetime is an integral quality of elastic fibers which may be explained by the biological long half-life of elastin.

The effects of age and sex on the serum levels of trace elements were determined after an overnight fast in 80 ambulatory, disease-free adults who had undergone rigorous health screening. Significant age and sex differences were found for Mn. Blood levels of Cu and Zn showed both age and sex differences. No age or sex differences were found for Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Se, and Al.

At the Institute for Legal Medicine in Hamburg, 105 cases of homicide among the elderly (> or = 65 years of age) have been analyzed. The study shows typical characteristics in personal and social conditions of victims and offenders. The problem of victimization is described. Finally, preventive measures are discussed.

Temporary pacemaker therapy is defined as a limited electrical stimulation of the heart with an external generator. This method is used in emergency situations for patients with bradycardia or asystolia. Since the first implantation of a permanent pacemaker in 1958, the types of indications changed according to technological development of the generators. In former times, total AV-block of the heart was the classical indication. Today, also patients with bradyarrhythmia or sinus node dysfunction are given a pacemaker based on hemodynamic findings. More possibilities in pacemaker programming also requires more education of physicians.

A register of the families of 60 patients with Alzheimer's disease was established with two questionnaires (the Family History Questionnaire and the Patient History Questionnaire). These questionnaires, instruments of the MIRAGE study, were translated into German. 35% of the families had more than one family member affected with dementia. The frequencies of the risk factors that were studied were surprisingly high. The responses of the family members to the study were very positive and encourage further investigation in the field of genetic epidemiology in Alzheimer's disease.