BMC Geriatrics最新文献

Background and objectives: Increasing urbanization and the aging global population highlight cities as vital environments for promoting healthy aging. However, the relationship between characteristics of urban green spaces and older adults' mental well-being remains unclear.

Research design and methods: This study employed participatory action research to investigate the impact of urban green space characteristics on the mental well-being of older adults in Hong Kong. Collaborating with 15 community-dwelling older adults through photovoice and design workshops, thematic analysis was used to code and analyze data.

Results: Through collaboration, four key themes were identified as key characteristics of urban green spaces and their underlying pathways to benefit late-life mental well-being: spaciousness as a psychological buffer in high-density urban living, restorative urban oases facilitating daily stress-coping strategies, inclusive design to encourage active aging in close-door urban living settings, and self-made spaces fostering co-production and ownership.

Discussion and implications: This study underscores the potential of urban green spaces for large-scale, place-based health promotion strategies to support mental well-being in healthy aging, emphasizing their roles in fostering well-being among older adults.

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as age-related muscle loss, has significant implications on the physical performance and health of older adults. An adequate dietary protein intake plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass and function. In Japan, the "Take 10!" assessment method, focusing on 10 food groups with an emphasis on 5 protein-rich foods, has been used for older adults. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the protein-rich food intake frequency score (PFFS) and muscle mass, strength, muscle-specific strength, and physical performance in older Japanese women.

Methods: This study included 309 Japanese women aged 65-92 years. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle index were assessed. Hand grip strength and knee extension strength were measured, and muscle-specific strength was calculated. Chair stand test, shuttle stamina walk test, 10-m walk test, and timed up-and-go test were conducted. The Take 10 food frequency score (Take10-FFS) and PFFS were obtained. A one-way analysis of covariance was conducted, adjusted for age, percent body fat, exercise habits, smoking habits, alcohol habits, preexisting conditions, polypharmacy, fall incidence within 1 year, subjective economic status, and years of education.

Results and conclusion: Higher Take 10-FFS and PFFS were associated with better muscle mass, strength, and physical performance (P < 0.05), emphasizing the importance of protein intake in preventing sarcopenia. However, no direct association was found between PFFS and muscle-specific strength (P > 0.05). This underscores the complexity of the factors influencing muscle-specific strength.

Background: Unintentional home and leisure injuries (HLIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults, with falls representing the main source of harm. In France, as in many countries, the recurrence of such injuries has received limited attention, despite their major health and social consequences.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using data from the French MAVIE cohort, which continuously collects information on household characteristics, socio-demographics, health conditions, and injuries among older adults. We applied duration models with selection correction to estimate both the probability of sustaining an HLI and the time interval until injury recurrence, accounting for previous injuries and unobserved heterogeneity.

Results: Among 2,179 participants aged 65 and older (mean age = 69.9 years; 57.2% female), 463 experienced at least one HLI during follow-up, resulting in 652 events. Low-income status, living alone, poor health, and a history of severe trauma (defined as injuries requiring medical attention) were associated with a higher probability of HLI. Regarding recurrence, the risk was influenced primarily by the nature of the previous injury. Seeking medical attention after an HLI was associated with a longer interval to recurrence, whereas the cumulative number of severe past injuries increased the likelihood of a faster recurrence.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight that prior severe injury predicted subsequent HLIs: a history of severe trauma significantly raises the probability of subsequent HLIs. Prevention strategies should prioritize avoiding the first severe injury, promoting the use of walking aids, and improving home safety conditions. Tailored interventions addressing frailty and living environments are crucial for reducing injury recurrence among older adults.

Background: With approximately 90% of older adults globally preferring to age in place, this study examines how perceived Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) quality shapes older adults' intentions within China's urban-rural context. While existing research emphasizes perceptions of internal factors and service utilization, significant gaps remain regarding perceived HCBS quality's role across different environmental contexts.

Methods: Using data from 11,601 older adults in Sichuan, China, we analyzed perceived HCBS quality across four dimensions (service quantity, service quality, provider sufficiency, and distance) through an ecological framework integrating service quality models and the Ecology Model of Aging. Stratified urban-rural differences and moderation effects of unmet care needs were tested.

Results: Perceived HCBS quality significantly predicted aging-in-place intentions, with notable urban-rural variations. Rural older adults showed resilience to service quantity limitations but sensitivity to quality deficits, provider shortages, distance, and service unavailability, while urban respondents were more affected by provider shortages and distance barriers. The negative impact of service unavailability was exacerbated when care needs were unmet among urban but not rural older adults, while rural older adults who perceived both distance barriers and unmet needs were most likely to age in place, reflecting either greater adaptation to systemic constraints or fewer alternative options in rural areas.

Conclusions: Findings underscore the need to improve HCBS accessibility and provider availability to support aging-in-place preferences. Urban areas require strategies addressing service proximity and workforce capacity, while rural regions benefit from enhanced service quantity and quality. These results highlight the importance of context-specific policies that account for both service quality perceptions and urban-rural disparities in China's aging population.