Healthy lifestyle behaviors and transitions in frailty status among independent community-dwelling older adults: The Yabu cohort study

Many older adults do not engage in age-based prevention despite evidence to support reduced health risks and enhanced successful aging. The purpose of this study was to determine whether self-perceived aging (SPA) differed among older adults by age (young-old vs. old-old), participation in healthy lifestyle behaviors, screening, vaccinations, and self-rated health. Community-dwelling older adults (n=204) completed questionnaires reporting their SPA, self-rated health, and participation in recommended preventive healthy lifestyle behaviors, screening, and vaccinations. Our findings indicated that adults who were older and engaged in more preventive health behaviors, yet had lower self-rated health, tended to have better SPA. Prevention was greater in older adults who scored higher on aging well and aging successfully. Old-old (75 years or older) participants scored higher on aging successfully than those who were younger. Self-rated health was inversely related to SPA scores. Reporting poor or fair health did not diminish positive SPA in this sample.

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Prospective Associations of Physical Frailty With Future Falls and Fear of Falling: A 48-Month Cohort Study

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/pzab059 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

K Makino ◽

S Lee ◽

S Bae ◽

I Chiba ◽

K Harada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cardiovascular Health Study ◽

Physical Frailty ◽

Frailty Status ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to examine the prospective associations of physical frailty with future falls and fear of falling (FOF) among community-dwelling older adults. Methods A prospective cohort study with a 48-month follow-up was conducted in a Japanese community. Participants were 2469 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older who completed baseline and follow-up assessments at intervals of 48±2 months. Primary outcomes were recent falls (defined as at least one fall within the past year) and FOF (determined by response to “Are you afraid of falling?”) at follow-up survey. Physical frailty, operationalized by the frailty phenotype (slowness, weakness, exhaustion, weight loss, and low activity) based on the criteria of the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study (J-CHS), was also assessed as a predictor of future falls and FOF. Results Multivariate logistic regression showed that pre-frailty or frailty increase the risk of not only future falls (OR: 1.57; 95%CI = 1.20-2.05) but also FOF (OR: 1.33; 95%CI = 1.05-1.69). In addition, the relationship between baseline frailty status and future falls remained significant after adjusting for baseline FOF (OR: 1.55; 95%CI = 1.19-2.02), and the relationship between baseline frailty status and future FOF also remained significant after adjusting for baseline falls (OR: 1.32; 95%CI = 1.04-1.68). Conclusions Frailty status may predict future falls and FOF among community-dwelling older adults. Strategies to prevent frailty may be beneficial to prevent not only future falls but also future FOF in a community setting. Impact Falls and FOF have a close relationship but a different clinical meaning. Older adults with physical frailty may require monitoring as high-risk not only for falls but also for FOF.

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Self-Management Behaviours and Change in Frailty Status among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A National Longitudinal Population-based Cohort Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1171960/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Thi Lien To ◽

Ching-Pyng Kuo ◽

Chih-Jung Yeh ◽

Wen-Chun Liao ◽

Meng-Chih Lee

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Self Management ◽

Geriatric Syndrome ◽

Frailty Phenotype ◽

Frailty Status ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background: Frailty in older adults is a common geriatric syndrome that can be reversed, thus coping strategies for the aging population are essential. Self-management behaviours may represent cost-effective strategies to reverse physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults. This study aimed to describe the changes in frailty status among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan and investigate the association of self-management behaviours with changes in frailty status over a four-year follow-up period (2007 to 2011).Methods: This data was retrieved from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study of Aging (TLSA), which is a prospective cohort study of 1,283 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older without cognitive impairment. Frailty was assessed based on Fried's frailty phenotype, in which ≥ three criteria indicate frail. Self-management behaviours (maintaining body weight, quitting smoking, drinking less, exercising, diet control, and maintaining a regular lifestyle) were assessed using a questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between self-management behaviours and changes in frailty status.Results: The prevalence of frailty was 8.7% at baseline and 8.1% after four years of follow-up, with 196 (15.3%) deaths. Overall, 74.6% of participants remained in the same state (non-frail or frail), 23.5% worsened (non-frail to frail, including missing data, and frail to death), and only 1.95% improved (frail to non-frail). Being aged ≥ 75-years-old, chronic diseases, and an absence of self-management behaviours were associated with higher risks of frailty at baseline and after follow-up. Exercise was significantly associated with a reversal of frailty in community-dwelling older adults (RR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.95, 4.95) after adjusting for personal and disease covariates, regardless of whether death was coded as frail or not.Conclusions: Self-management behaviours beneficially reverse frailty status; maintaining regular exercise was especially associated with a reversal of frailty in community-dwelling older adults, even among individuals over 75-years-old and with chronic diseases. Older adults should be encouraged to perform adequate physical exercise to prevent the progression of frailty and ameliorate frailty status.

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Impact of Health Literacy on the Progression of Frailty after 4 Years among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19010394 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 394

Author(s):

Yasuyo Yoshizawa ◽

Tomoki Tanaka ◽

Kyo Takahashi ◽

Mahiro Fujisaki-Sueda-Sakai ◽

Bo-kyung Son ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Cognitive Impairments ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Chiba Prefecture ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Health literacy (HL) promotes healthy lifestyle behaviors among older adults, and its relationship with frailty remains unclear. This study examined whether HL is a predictor of frailty progression among community-dwelling older adults. Data from two surveys conducted in 2012 and 2016 involving older residents (mean age, 71.6 ± 4.6 years) of Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan were used. Only healthy individuals without frailty and cognitive impairments participated in the 2012 assessment, where the Kihon Checklist (KCL), HL, and other variables were assessed. Logistic and multiple logistic analyses were used to assess the effects of HL and other factors on frailty between the ‘high HL’ vs. ‘low HL’ groups in 2012 and between the ‘robust’ vs. ‘frailty-progressing’ groups in 2016. Of the 621 robust participants, 154 (25.4%) had progression of frailty in 2016, which was significantly associated with advanced age, higher KCL score, lower HL, poor mental health, and lack of social support. Furthermore, low HL was a predictor of frailty progression. Low HL may be associated with frailty progression. The obtained results suggest that increased health literacy should be effective in preventing frailty for community-dwelling older residents.

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Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Place Attachment for Community-Dwelling Older Adults Scale

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464820907781 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 073346482090778

Author(s):

Shun-Ping Cheng ◽

Tzu-I Tsai ◽

I-Ju Chen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Place Attachment ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Psychometric Evaluation ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Five Factors ◽

Test Retest Reliability ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

This study developed the Place Attachment for Community-Dwelling Older Adults (PACOA) scale and evaluated its psychometric properties. The PACOA was developed through a qualitative study and expert panels. A pilot study confirmed the 19-item PACOA which included five factors (meaning of life, dependency, feeling “in place,” continuity, and social inclusion) were extracted. This model explained 60.803% of the variance. Cronbach’s α of the PACOA and its subscales were .853 and .670 to .863, respectively, whereas the correlations between the PACOA and its subscales were .580 to .725 ( p < .01). The criterion validity and test–retest reliability were .678 ( p < .01) and r = .654 ( p < .01). Our findings suggest that the PACOA is an indicator of the emotional connection between older adults and their places of residence. Future studies should address the older adult–place fit, the future connection characteristics, and the influence of place attachment on older adults’ healthy lifestyle behaviors.

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Effectiveness of Community-Delivered Functional Power Training Program for Frail and Pre-frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Study

Prevention Science ◽

10.1007/s11121-021-01221-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nien Xiang Tou ◽

Shiou-Liang Wee ◽

Wei Ting Seah ◽

Daniella Hui Min Ng ◽

Benedict Wei Jun Pang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Power Training ◽

Frail Older Adults ◽

Frailty Status ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractTranslation of community-based functional training for older adults to reduce frailty is still lacking. We evaluated the effectiveness and implementation of a community-delivered group-based functional power training (FPT) program for frail older adults within their neighborhoods. A two-arm, multicenter assessor-blind stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted at four local senior activity centers in Singapore. Sixty-one community-dwelling older adults with low handgrip strength were randomized to intervention (IG) or control (CG) group. The IG underwent the FPT program (power and balance exercises using simple equipment) delivered by a community service provider. The 12-week program comprised 2 × 60 min sessions/week. CG continued usual activities at the centers. Functional performance, muscle strength, and frailty status were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Program implementation was evaluated using RE-AIM framework. The program was halted due to Coronavirus Disease 2019-related suspension of senior center activities. Results are reported from four centers, which completed the program. IG showed significantly greater improvement in the Short Physical Performance Battery test as compared to CG (p = 0.047). No effects were found for timed up and go test performance, muscle strength, and frailty status. The community program exhibited good reach, effectiveness, adoption, and implementation. Our study demonstrated that FPT was associated with greater improvement in physical function in pre-frail/frail participants as compared to exercise activities offered at local senior activity centers. It is a feasible intervention that can be successfully implemented for frail older adults in their neighborhoods. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04438876. Registered 19 June 2020–retrospectively registered.

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Functional Constipation and Anorexia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115754 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5754

Author(s):

Eunjin Jeong ◽

Jung A Kim ◽

Byung Sung Kim ◽

Chang Kyun Lee ◽

Miji Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Depressed Mood ◽

Mmse Score ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Functional Constipation ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Geriatric Syndrome ◽

Female Sex ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Anorexia is a relevant geriatric syndrome because it accounts for most malnutrition in older adults. Constipation has been suggested as a risk factor for anorexia. This study aimed to examine the association between anorexia and functional constipation in community-dwelling older adults. Data on 899 subjects aged 72–86 years were obtained from a follow-up survey of the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study in 2018. Anorexia was assessed using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), while functional constipation was diagnosed based on Rome IV criteria. Anorexia and functional constipation were present in 30.9% and 19.6% of the participants, respectively. Age, female sex, chewing problems, malnutrition, polypharmacy, low Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score, depressed mood, low serum albumin, and functional constipation were associated with anorexia in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate logistic regression, functional constipation was associated with anorexia (OR 1.478, 95% CI 1.038–2.104) after adjusting for age, female sex, and MMSE score. However, after further adjusting for depressed mood (OR 2.568) and chewing problems (OR 2.196), the relationship was no longer significant. This study showed that functional constipation is associated with anorexia in community-dwelling older adults, but this association is confounded by depressed mood and chewing problems.

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