Reading and writing for well‐being: A qualitative exploration of the therapeutic experience of older adult participants in a bibliotherapy and creative writing group

The purpose of this study was to determine if increased use of science processing skills would in turn increase motivation in older adults. There were three complimentary curricular topics that informed this project: intergenerational (IG) programming, natural motivation, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum. For this study, a facilitator in-service intervention was developed to specifically focus on STEM practices in IG programming. Overall, increasing use of science processing skills in the context of an IG program engaged certain natural motivators in older adults. Following the training, the same older adult participants experienced improved life satisfaction with trends in decreasing depression. Increased use of communication-related science processing skills is an effective method to improve well-being among older adults with dementia.

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OLDER ADULT WOMEN’S MULTIDIMENSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN SKIPPED GENERATION HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGERIA

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.145 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S37-S37

Author(s):

Mojirayo Afolabi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Economic Status ◽

Economic Value ◽

Well Being ◽

Primary Data ◽

Adult Women ◽

Adult Participants ◽

Proper Design ◽

Qualitative Methodologies

Abstract This contribution studies the roles of grandparents in caring for grandchildren in skipped generation households, from gender perspective. Historical studies often focus on health and economic status of older adults generally, without distinguishing older adult women whose responsibilities are often undervalued. Such assessments assume that both grandparents engage in caring for grandchildren, being the joy of old age. Highlighting women’s roles will ensure proper design and implementation of policies to enhance improvement in overall well-being of skipped generation households in Nigeria. The economic value of this is high. Using detailed data from three major states in Nigeria, - Imo, Lagos and Kano (representing each of the major ethnic groups) this study provides a detailed picture of the areas of women’s responsibilities in skipped generation households, using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The quantitative study employed structured questionnaire to collect primary data while the qualitative technique employed the use of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The older adult participants are grouped into three; less than sixty five years, between sixty five and eighty and those above eighty years of age. The study reveals that social norms and expectations impact the lives of older adults, ensuring that responsibilities sharing in skipped generation households are strongly impacted by gender roles. The paper concludes that in order to ameliorate the difficulties and challenges faced in performing these roles, governments and other organizations need to put the realities in the skipped generation households into consideration during planning processes.

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Do Loneliness and Social Connectedness Improve in Older Adults Through Mobile Technology?

Disruptive and Emerging Technology Trends Across Education and the Workplace - Advances in Business Strategy and Competitive Advantage ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-2914-0.ch009 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 221-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rochell R. McWhorter ◽

Julie A. Delello ◽

Christine S. Gipson ◽

Beth Mastel-Smith ◽

Kleanthe Caruso

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Older Adult ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Adult Participants ◽

Other Information ◽

Information And Communication

About one-fifth of the population in the United States in 2015 will be age 65 or older in 2050 and loneliness may be a contributing factor that inhibits their well-being and overall health. As the number of older adults continues to escalate, information and communication technologies such as smartphones and computers may create an increase in social connectedness leading to a decline in loneliness and social isolation. Results from this pilot study suggest that the older adult participants demonstrated some degree of loneliness. As the older adults used social media to connect with friends, family, and other information of interest, there was an increase in social connectedness for many of the participants, but the intensive iPad intervention was not significant in terms of reducing loneliness for either group over time.

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Older adult maintaining and improving health self-management through peer supported SMART goal setting

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2326 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 611-611

Author(s):

Mary Hynes ◽

Nicole Anderson ◽

Monika Kastner ◽

Arlene Astell

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Health Management ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Management ◽

Medical Interventions ◽

Adult Participants ◽

Smart Goals ◽

The Impact

Abstract Non-medical interventions to address risk factors (such as reducing smoking, increasing physical activity, and tackling limited social interaction) are needed to help tackle escalating social and financial health costs. Peer supported interventions have been used successfully to support persons’ health self-management; however, there is limited evidence for group interventions facilitated by older adults. A proof-of-concept study by the first author demonstrated the potential of older adults meeting in groups to each create and follow through with a single SMART goal for any area of health over one-month. This study extends SMART goal setting to enhancing health management over six months. Older adult participants from across Ontario will attend virtual SMART goal setting group sessions followed by six monthly support group meetings where they are free to choose any goal, whether a mitigation or a new behavior. Each month the facilitator will assist participants to continue, modify, or set a new goal. At the end participants will complete surveys about their satisfaction with the method, their results and their desire to continue with SMART goals. They will also be asked if they would like to facilitate new groups to continue the spread of peer-supported SMART goal groups. This study is designed to empower older adults to maintain or improve management of their physical, psychological, and/or social health. It will reveal the impact of an older adult created and guided group health intervention on feelings of self-efficacy and well-being.

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Talk or Walk? Gait Speed over Self-Report in Association with Cognitive Speed in Healthy Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000202 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 41-52

Author(s):

Matthew C. Costello ◽

Shane J. Sizemore ◽

Kimberly E. O’Brien ◽

Lydia K. Manning

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Subjective Report ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Relative Value ◽

Cognitive Speed ◽

Age Range

Abstract. This study explores the relative value of both subjectively reported cognitive speed and gait speed in association with objectively derived cognitive speed. It also explores how these factors are affected by psychological and physical well-being. A group of 90 cognitively healthy older adults ( M = 73.38, SD = 8.06 years, range = 60–89 years) were tested in a three-task cognitive battery to determine objective cognitive speed as well as measures of gait speed, well-being, and subjective cognitive speed. Analyses indicated that gait speed was associated with objective cognitive speed to a greater degree than was subjective report, the latter being more closely related to well-being than to objective cognitive speed. These results were largely invariant across the 30-year age range of our older adult sample.

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Sex Difference in Self-Reported Sexual Functioning Among Frail Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 313-313

Author(s):

Brianne Olivieri-Mui ◽

Sandra Shi ◽

Ellen McCarthy ◽

Dae Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Older Adult ◽

Sexual Functioning ◽

Social Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Adult Males ◽

Males And Females

Abstract Frailty may differentially impact how older adult males and females perceive sexual functioning, an important part of well-being. We assessed the level of frailty (robust, pre-frail, frail) for anyone with data on 11 sexual functioning questions asked in wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, 2010-2011 (n=2060). Questions covered five domains: overall sexual function (OSF), sexual function anxiety (SFA), changes in sexual function (CSF), erectile/vaginal dysfunction (EVD), and masturbation. Logistic regression identified sex differences in frailty and reporting worse sexual functioning. Linear regression predicted the number of domains reported as worse. Among males (n=1057), pre-frailty meant higher odds of reporting SFA (OR 1.8 95%CI 1.2-6.6), CSF (OR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.7), and EVD (OR 1.5 95%CI 1.0-2.2). Among females (n=1003), there was no difference in reporting by frailty. Females were more likely to report worse OSF (Robust: OR 7.4, 95%CI 4.8-11.4; Pre-frail: OR 6.2, 95%CI 3.9-9.9; Frail: OR 3.4 95%CI 1.7-6.6), but less likely to report SFA (Robust OR .3, 95%CI .2-.5; Pre-frail OR .2, 95%CI .1-.3; Frail OR .2 95%CI .1-.3). Pre-frail and frail females reported fewer domains as worse (Pre-frail coefficient -0.21 SE 0.09, Frail -0.43 SE 0.14). As frailty worsened, males reported more domains as worse (Pre-frail 0.24 SE 0.07, Frail 0.29 SE 0.08). Self-reported sexual functioning differs by sex at all levels of frailty, and reporting by males, but not females, changes with frailty. Providers should be aware that sexual functioning is of importance to both sexes despite varying degrees of frailty.

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Older Adults’ Subjective Well-being Following an Exergame Intervention “Bandit the Dolphin”: Focus Group Findings

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.549 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 169-170

Author(s):

Brittany Drazich ◽

Breanna Crane ◽

Kyle Moored ◽

Karl Shieh ◽

Janiece Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Mental Illness Stigma ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Future Health ◽

Adult Participants

Abstract Due to generational mental illness stigma and under diagnosis of mental illness, older adults do not always receive the mental health help that they need. One unique technology that has the potential to improve mood in older adults is exergames, or exercise video games. The objective of this sub-study (main study: Stimulation With Intricate Movements “SWIM” Study) was to explore older adults’ mood following an exergame intervention called “Bandit the Dolphin,” created by the Johns Hopkins KATA Studio. Researchers conducted three focus groups with 14 community-dwelling older adult participants who took part in the SWIM Study exergame intervention. The semi-structured focus groups were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using deductive and inductive techniques described by Ray Maietta’s “sort and sift, think and shift” method. Three themes related to playing “Bandit the Dolphin” and mood emerged. First, participants described their perceived association between activity and mood. Participants felt that both active and passive activities, “Bandit the Dolphin” and otherwise, improved their mood through the “fun” factor, and through feelings of achievement. Second, the participants described that the competition and frustration of playing “Bandit the Dolphin” increased eventual feelings of achievement. Third, participants described how feelings of immersion, or being absorbed in the game, helped them forget their other life concerns. These findings provide a better understanding of older adults’ perceived relationship between an exergame intervention, “Bandit the Dolphin,” and short-term improved mood. Future health and engineering researchers should explore exergames as a potential tool to improve the mental health of older adults.

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Increasing Older Adult Involvement in Geriatric Assessment: A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264321993321 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089826432199332

Author(s):

Wanda Rietkerk ◽

Jannet de Jonge-de Haan ◽

Joris P. J. Slaets ◽

Sytse U. Zuidema ◽

Debby L. Gerritsen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Older Adult ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Geriatric Assessment ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Implementation Processes ◽

Adult Involvement ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: Goal setting and motivational interviewing (MI) may increase well-being by promoting healthy behavior. Since we failed to show improved well-being in a proactive assessment service for community-dwelling older adults applying these techniques, we studied whether implementation processes could explain this. Methods: Goals set during the comprehensive geriatric assessment were evaluated on their potential for behavior change. MI and goal setting adherence wasassessed by reviewing audiotaped interactions and interviewing care professionals. Results: Among the 280 goals set with 230 frail older adults (mean age 77 ± 6.9 years, 59% women), more than 90% had a low potential for behavior change. Quality thresholds for MI were reached in only one of the 11 interactions. Application was hindered by the context and the limited proficiency of care professionals. Discussion: Implementation was suboptimal for goal setting and MI. This decreased the potential for improved well-being in the participating older adults.

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A journey to a new stable state—further development of the postoperative recovery concept from day surgical perspective: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037755 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. e037755

Author(s):

Ulrica Nilsson ◽

Maria Jaensson ◽

Karin Hugelius ◽

Erebouni Arakelian ◽

Karuna Dahlberg

Keyword(s):

Stable State ◽

Recovery Process ◽

Well Being ◽

Day Surgery ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Postoperative Recovery ◽

Four Dimensions ◽

Adult Participants ◽

Starting Point ◽

Patients Experience

ObjectiveThis study aims to further develop the concept analysis by Allvin et al in 2007 and Lundmark et al in 2016 from the perspective of day-surgery patients. Also, to describe how patients experience postoperative recovery in relation to the identified dimensions and subdimensions and to interpret the findings in order to get a deeper understanding of the concept postoperative recovery.DesignDescriptive qualitative design with a theoretical thematic analysis.SettingSix day-surgery departments in Sweden.ParticipantsThirty-eight adult participants who had undergone day surgery in Sweden. Participants were purposively selected.ResultsFour dimensions—physical, psychological, social and habitual—were confirmed. A total of eight subdimensions were also confirmed, two from Allvin et al’s study and six from Lundmark et al’s study. Recovery included physical symptoms and challenges coping with and regaining control over symptoms and bodily functions. Both positive and negative emotions were present, and strategies on how to handle emotions and achieve well-being were established. Patients became dependent on others. They coped with and adapted to the recovery process and gradually stabilised, reaching a new stable state.ConclusionPostoperative recovery was described as a process with a clear starting point, and as a dynamic and individual process leading to an experience of a new stable state. The recovery process included physical symptoms, emotions and social and habitual consequences that challenges them. To follow-up and measure all four dimensions of postoperative recovery in order to support and understand the process of postoperative recovery is, therefore, recommended.

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