scholarly journals Depression, disability and functional status among community-dwelling older adults in South Africa: evidence from the first South African National Income Dynamics Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1270-1279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Tomita ◽  
Jonathan K. Burns
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
South African ◽  
National Income ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Income Dynamics ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

scholarly journals Is the prevalence of dehydration among community-dwelling older adults really low? Informing current debate over the fluid recommendation for adults aged 70+years

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1275-1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodi Dunmeyer Stookey ◽  
Carl F Pieper ◽  
Harvey Jay Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Plasma Sodium ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Creatinine Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractObjectiveThe fluid recommendation for adults aged 70+ years has been criticised on the basis of a low prevalence of dehydration in community-dwelling older adults. This study explores whether the low prevalence might reflect limitations of individual dehydration indices.DesignCross-sectional data on plasma sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, glucose and potassium were used to classify 1737 participants of the 1992 Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) (70+ years) according to multiple dehydration indices. Associations between dehydration indices, health and functional status were evaluated.ResultsDepending on the indicator used, the prevalence of dehydration ranged from 0.5% for hypotonic hypovolaemia only (plasma tonicity <285 mOsm l−1 with orthostatic hypotension) to 60% with dehydration defined as either plasma sodium ≥145 mEq l−1, BUN/creatinine ratio ≥20, tonicity ≥295 mOsm l−1, or hypotonic hypovolaemia. Elevated tonicity and BUN/creatinine ratio were respectively associated with chronic disease and functional impairment.ConclusionsThe true prevalence of dehydration among community-dwelling adults may be low or high, depending on the indicator(s) used to define dehydration. Before we can pinpoint a generalisable prevalence of dehydration for community-dwelling seniors and draw conclusions about fluid recommendations, validation studies of dehydration indices and longitudinal studies of dehydration, health and functional status are needed.

Multimorbidity and functional status in community-dwelling older adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 610-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Marventano ◽  
Alba Ayala ◽  
Nerea Gonzalez ◽  
Carmen Rodríguez–Blázquez ◽  
Susana Garcia-Gutierrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

An overview of trends in depressive symptoms in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 518-535
Author(s):  
Kinyanjui Mungai ◽  
Amiena Bayat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
South African ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
National Income ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Income Dynamics ◽  
African Context

The relationship between mental health and socioeconomic status is well established in the literature. The socioeconomic standing of a number of South Africans remains poor and slow changing, while the mental health of the most vulnerable remains both an economic and health problem for government. There is, however, a lack of studies that assess depressive symptoms using panel data. There is also a lack of studies that consider factors that influence transitions of adults into and out of Significant Depressive Symptoms, particularly in the South African context. Panel data from the National Income Dynamics Study were used for this study to assess these transitions. The data included information on various socioeconomic and health variables, as well as a section that assesses the emotional health of adults in South Africa. This emotional health section in National Income Dynamics Study was essentially a 10-item version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. The study aimed to investigate how socioeconomic status is associated with the risk of adults transitioning into and out of Significant Depressive Symptoms in the South African context. The study found that the prevalence of adults who exhibited Significant Depressive Symptoms declined significantly in South Africa, despite the recent increase. Moreover, adults with a lower socioeconomic standing were identified as being particularly vulnerable to depression and struggled to transition out of Significant Depressive Symptoms.

Determinants of energy poverty in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaakirah Ismail ◽  
Patrick Khembo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
National Income ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Income Dynamics ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Expenditure Patterns ◽  
Regression Framework ◽  
Individual Household

This paper provides empirical evidence on the determinants of energy poverty in South African households using the National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS, 2012), while controlling for individual, household and demographic characteristics. This is formulated within a logistic regression framework, while defining energy poverty using the expenditure approach consistent with the definition by the Department of Energy (DoE) of South Africa. The model reveals that household expenditure patterns, race, education level, household and dwelling size, location of the household and access to electricity are important factors in explaining the state of energy in South African households. This paper also discusses limitations in defining energy poverty using the expenditure approach. Finally, some recommendations are made for regulators and policy makers.

scholarly journals Self-Selected Walking Speed Is Predictive of Daily Ambulatory Activity in Older Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Addie Middleton ◽  
George D. Fulk ◽  
Michael W. Beets ◽  
Troy M. Herter ◽  
Stacy L. Fritz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Activity Monitoring ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Ambulatory Activity ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Insight Into

Daily ambulatory activity is associated with health and functional status in older adults; however, assessment requires multiple days of activity monitoring. The objective of this study was to determine the relative capabilities of self-selected walking speed (SSWS), maximal walking speed (MWS), and walking speed reserve (WSR) to provide insight into daily ambulatory activity (steps per day) in community-dwelling older adults. Sixty-seven older adults completed testing and activity monitoring (age 80.39 [6.73] years). SSWS (R2 = .51), MWS (R2 = .35), and WSR calculated as a ratio (R2 = .06) were significant predictors of daily ambulatory activity in unadjusted linear regression. Cutpoints for participants achieving < 8,000 steps/day were identified for SSWS (≤ 0.97 m/s, 44.2% sensitivity, 95.7% specificity, 10.28 +LR, 0.58 −LR) and MWS (≤ 1.39 m/s, 60.5% sensitivity, 78.3% specificity, 2.79 +LR, 0.50 −LR). SSWS may be a feasible proxy for assessing and monitoring daily ambulatory activity in older adults.

scholarly journals Incidence of and Risk Factors for Falls Following Hip Fracture in Community-dwelling Older Adults

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (7) ◽  
pp. 648-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Shumway-Cook ◽  
Marcia A Ciol ◽  
William Gruber ◽  
Cynthia Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background and Purpose. Hip fracture is a major medical problem among older adults, leading to impaired balance and gait and loss of functional independence. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for falls 6 months following hospital discharge for a fall-related hip fracture in older adults. Subjects. Ninety of 100 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years of age) hospitalized for a fall-related hip fracture provided data for this study. Methods. An observational cohort study used interviews and medical records to obtain information on demographics, prefracture health, falls, and functional status. Self-report of falls and performance-based measures of balance and mobility were completed 6 months after discharge. Results. A total of 53.3% of patients (48/90) reported 1 or more falls in the 6 months after hospitalization. Older adults who fell following discharge had greater declines in independence in activities of daily living and lower performance on balance and mobility measures. Prefracture fall history and use of a gait device predicted postdischarge falls. Discussion and Conclusion. Falls following hip fracture can be predicted by premorbid functional status.

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