Shared spaces and “throwntogetherness” in later life: A qualitative GIS study of non-migrant and migrant older adults in Singapore

Abstract. Research shows that engagement in leisure activities promotes well-being among older adults. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between subjective well-being (flourishing) and leisure activities (total number of different activities in the previous year) in a sample of older adults in Croatia, thereby considering the variables of sex, marital status, financial status, and self-perceived health. The differences in the examined variables between the groups of older adults who reported to be engaged in new activities with those who did not were also examined. The sample of N = 169 older adults aged 60 years and above was drawn from a convenience sample of adult internet users in Croatia. Participants reported their self-perceived health and the number of leisure activities they engaged in over the previous year as well as completing the Flourishing Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that older adults who were engaged in more various leisure activities, who perceived better financial status, and who were married reported higher levels of flourishing. A comparison of the two groups of older adults with and without engagement in leisure activities showed that those engaged in at least one leisure activity were more likely to be women, reported higher levels of flourishing, and perceived their own financial status as better. This study indicated that engaging in leisure activities in later life might provide beneficial effects for the well-being of older adults.

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Interventions for Mental Health Problems in Later Life

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Psychology ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195366884.013.0036 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 810-837

Author(s):

Jason M. Holland ◽

Dolores Gallagher-Thompson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Later Life ◽

Clinical Psychologist ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Future Directions ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

Worldwide Population ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Post Traumatic

Older adults are increasingly making up a larger segment of the worldwide population, which presents both challenges and opportunities for the clinical psychologist in the 21st century. In this chapter, we address some of the unique aspects of working with this population, focusing on general guidelines for tailoring interventions for older adults, specific treatments for particular problems commonly faced in later life, as well as issues of diversity and how they might impact psychotherapy with older clients. We also outline several areas in geropsychology that are in need of further investigation, namely the use of technology, post-traumatic stress, and family therapy, and offer some recommendations for future directions in this field of study.

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Designing Age-Friendly Communities: Exploring Qualitative Perspectives on Urban Green Spaces and Ageing in Two Indian Megacities

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041491 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1491

Author(s):

Deepti Adlakha ◽

Mina Chandra ◽

Murali Krishna ◽

Lee Smith ◽

Mark A. Tully

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Low Income ◽

Later Life ◽

Healthy Ageing ◽

World Health ◽

Social Resilience ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Urban Green ◽

Activity Promotion

The World Health Organization and the United Nations have increasingly acknowledged the importance of urban green space (UGS) for healthy ageing. However, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India with exponential ageing populations have inadequate UGS. This qualitative study examined the relationships between UGS and healthy ageing in two megacities in India. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling in New Delhi and Chennai and semi-structured interviews were conducted with consenting participants (N = 60, female = 51%; age > 60 years; fluent in English, Hindi, or Tamil). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analysed using inductive and thematic analysis. Benefits of UGS included community building and social capital, improved health and social resilience, physical activity promotion, reduced exposure to noise, air pollution, and heat. Poorly maintained UGS and lack of safe, age-friendly pedestrian infrastructure were identified as barriers to health promotion in later life. Neighbourhood disorder and crime constrained older adults’ use of UGS in low-income neighbourhoods. This study underscores the role of UGS in the design of age-friendly communities in India. The findings highlight the benefits of UGS for older adults, particularly those living in socially disadvantaged or underserved communities, which often have least access to high-quality parks and green areas.

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Profile Groups Based on Lifestyle and Differences in Mental Health and Cognition

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1301 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 404-404

Author(s):

Joseph Kim ◽

Kyuree Kim

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Latent Class ◽

Mail Survey ◽

Later Life ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Final Sample ◽

Group 2 ◽

Mean Differences

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify the profiles of older adults according to lifestyle. Data for the study were from the 2017 Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS). CAMS 2017 is a questionnaire mailed to a sub-sample of respondents from the Health and Retirement Study. Participants were limited to older adults 65 and older, and the final sample consisted of 1136 older adults. The sample included 443 men and 693 women. Caucasians comprised 82.0% of the participants. Lifestyle was measured through items assessing the amount of time spent on activities. Due to high skewness, the items were dichotomized, 0=no time spent on activity and 1=time spent on the activity. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to identify groups based on lifestyle. LCA is a person-centered approach for identifying unobserved subgroups based on similarity in responses to items. Three lifestyle groups were identified. Group 1 was “Outgoing” with 471 individuals. Group 2 was “Adequate” with 229 individuals. Group 3 was “Inactive” with 436 individuals. An ANOVA was then conducted to assess mean differences in self-rated health, cognition, depressive symptoms, and loneliness for the three lifestyle groups. The “Outgoing” and “Adequate” groups had significantly higher scores on self-rated health and cognition, and in addition, significantly lower scores on depressive symptoms and loneliness compared to the “Inactive” group. No significant differences were observed between the “Outgoing” and “Adequate” groups. An implication from this study is the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle in later life for better mental health and cognition.

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Asking Young Adults about Their Attitudes toward and Knowledge of Sex in Later Life

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 870-871

Author(s):

Iulia Fratila ◽

Liza Berdychevsky

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Young Adults ◽

Survey Methods ◽

Leisure Activity ◽

Later Life ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Intercept Survey ◽

Knowledge Practice ◽

Research Questions

Abstract Sexual expression is a lifelong need related to health and wellbeing. However, older adults’ sexuality is often neglected and stigmatized due to societal ageist stereotypes portraying them as asexual. Although baby boomers’ generation resists such portrayals, societal acceptance of sexuality in later life is slow to materialize. The purpose of this study was to explore this acceptance among young adults while focusing on three research questions: (1) How much do young adults know about older adults’ sexuality and how do they feel about it? (2) Do young adults’ knowledge and views of later-life sexuality vary by gender? (3) Do young adults’ views of later-life sexuality vary based on their general attitudes toward sexuality? Data collection included online and intercept survey methods. The sample (N=270) was young (M=21.58 years, SD=4.32) and included 149 women and 113 men. Results revealed that young adults had medium levels of knowledge, yet rather permissive/open-minded attitudes regarding later-life sexuality. Higher levels of knowledge were unrelated to more permissive attitudes. Independent samples t-test revealed no differences by gender in young adults’ knowledge and attitudes. However, multiple regression results indicated that general liberal attitudes toward sexuality (β=.772, t=17.867, p=.000) and viewing sex as leisure activity (β=.147, t=3.338, p=.001) are significant predictors of having more permissive/open-minded attitudes toward older adults’ sexuality (R2=.557, F(3,266)=111.390, p=.000). These findings suggest that socio-psychological (rather than cognitive and demographic) factors drive the acceptance of later-life sexuality among young adults. This study offers valuable insights for knowledge, practice, and advocacy concerning older adults’ sexuality.

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My home in later life: A phenomenographic study of older adults' experience of home

Journal of Aging Studies ◽

10.1016/j.jaging.2021.100935 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 ◽

pp. 100935

Author(s):

Kelli Dendle ◽

Evonne Miller ◽

Laurie Buys ◽

Desley Vine

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Later Life ◽

Phenomenographic Study

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Contributors to and Consequences of Poor Sleep in Older Adults: Biopsychosocial Perspectives

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1923 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 578-578

Author(s):

Adam Spira ◽

Katie Stone

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Later Life ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Older Parents ◽

Use Patterns ◽

Health Related ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Ecological Momentary

Abstract Sleep is a significant contributor to health and wellbeing across the lifespan, especially in later life. Poor sleep is common among older adults and can be both a risk factor for and consequence of numerous physical and mental health-related outcomes. In this symposium, we will present novel results from four studies that will advance understanding of the biological, psychological, and social factors that may contribute to or result from poor sleep in older adults. Specifically, Study 1 will present findings tying objectively measured sleep to performance on cognitive tasks administered using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in the day-to-day lives of older adults with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Study 2 will examine associations of personality dimensions and facets with insomnia symptoms in well-functioning older adults. Study 3 will examine psychological pathways linking parent-child relationships to subjective and objective sleep characteristics among older parents. Finally, study 4 will examine use patterns of cannabis for the treatment of sleep problems in older adults, and the ways in which this might differ from patients using cannabis for other reasons (e.g., pain). Together, this symposium will highlight novel links of an array of factors with sleep health in the aging population and their implications for prevention. Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

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The Relation between Age of Retirement and Frailty in Later Life? A Cross-Sectional Study in Flemish Older Adults

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics ◽

10.1016/j.archger.2021.104473 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104473

Author(s):

Michael C.J. Van der Elst ◽

Birgitte Schoenmakers ◽

Dominique Verté ◽

Liesbeth De Donder ◽

Nico De Witte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Later Life ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Loving Others: The Impact of Compassionate Love on Later-Life Psychological Well-Being

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1554 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 480-481

Author(s):

Eva Kahana ◽

Tirth Bhatta ◽

Boaz Kahana ◽

Nirmala Lekhak

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Compassionate Love ◽

The Impact

Abstract Existing scholarship in social gerontology has surprisingly paid little attention to broader loving emotions, such as compassionate and altruistic love, as potentially meaningful mechanisms for improving later life psychological well-being. This study examined the influence of feeling love toward other persons and experiencing love from others on later life psychological well-being. We conducted a 3-wave longitudinal study of a representative sample of 340 ethnically heterogeneous community dwelling older residents of Miami, Florida. The increase in feeling of being loved (β=-1.53, p<0.001) and love for others (β=-1.43, p<0.001) led to decline in odds of reporting greater level of depressive symptoms over time. The odds of reporting higher level of positive affect were significantly greater for older adults who reported feeling loved by others (β=1.16, p<0.001) and expressed love for other people (β=1.18, p<0.01). Older adults who felt loved had 0.92-point lower ordered log odds of reporting higher negative affect than those who reported lower level of love. The impact of compassionate love on depressive symptoms and negative affect remained statistically significant even after adjustment for altruistic attitudes and emotional support. The influence of loving emotions on positive affect was, however, explained by altruistic attitudes and emotional support. Our findings underscore the powerful influence of both receiving and giving love for the maintenance of later life psychological well-being. We offer support for the expectation that love is a significant force in the lives of older adults that transcends intimate relationships.

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Association between accessibility to elementary school and depression in older Adults: JAGES Study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.108 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Nishida ◽

M Hanazato ◽

K Kondo

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Elementary School ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Local Community ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Later Life ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Intergenerational Exchange ◽

Geographical Accessibility

Abstract Background The connection in a local community has diluted in an aging society, and the importance of intergenerational exchange has increased for older adults' health. Some positive effects of intergenerational exchange have reported. For example, a reciprocal intergenerational exchange contributes to better mental health in later life. However, there is little evidence of the relationship between neighborhood environments causing intergenerational exchange and the health status of older adults. This study investigated the association between geographical accessibility to elementary school, enhancing intergenerational exchange, and depression in older adults. Methods The data were retrieved from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) 2016, a population-based study of independently living people ≥65 years old. The dependent variable is depression evaluated by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS≥5). The geographical accessibility to elementary School is the distance between the representative points of their residences and the nearest elementary school. Logistic regression analysis calculates the odds ratio to determine the association between depression and accessibility to elementary school and compare models to examine the effect of intermediate factors. Results Overall, 20.4% of the participants had depression. Compared with the longest distance from elementary school (≥950m), the odds ratio was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.86, 0.96) for the nearest category (<330m), 0.91 (95% CI = 0.87, 0.96) for the second-nearest (330-490m) and 0.94 (95% CI = 0.89, 0.99) for the third (490-670m) in model 1. After adjusting for intermediate factors, the odds ratio was 0.94 for the first and second-nearest groups. Conclusions Geographical accessibility to elementary school was associated with decreased depression for older adults. The result indicates that older adults' daily meetings with children around elementary schools can result in a positive effect on their mental health. Key messages Geographical accessibility to elementary school was associated with decreased depression for older adults. The neighborhood design enhancing intergenerational exchange might be useful for age-friendly cities.

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