Associations between living alone, depression, and falls among community-dwelling older adults in the US

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a pattern of physical distancing worldwide, particularly for adults aged 65+. Such distancing can evoke subjective feelings of negative self-perception of aging (SPA) among older adults, but how this pandemic has influenced such SPA is not yet known. This study, therefore, explored SPA at different time phases of the COVID-19 pandemic to explain the pandemic’s impact on SPA among older adults. The analysis employed a sample of 1,990 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 95 (mean age = 72.74 years; 43% female) in Switzerland. Data collection from different older adults within one study occurred both before and after Switzerland’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. The descriptive analysis revealed that negative SPA increased, and positive SPA decreased, after the Swiss government recommended physical distancing. After the Federal Council decided to ease these measures, negative SPA slightly decreased and positive SPA increased. According to the multivariate analysis, individuals interviewed after the lockdown were more likely to report greater levels of negative SPA and lower levels of positive SPA. Age, income, and living alone also correlated with SPA. The results suggest that the pandemic has affected older adults’ subjective views of their own aging, and these findings help illustrate the pandemic’s outcomes.

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Falls Resulting in Traumatic Injury Among Older Adults

AACN Advanced Critical Care ◽

10.4037/nci.0b013e3182157cb3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 161-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dawn Grimm ◽

Lorraine C. Mion

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Critical Care ◽

Care Setting ◽

Traumatic Injury ◽

Critical Care Nurses ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cervical Fractures ◽

Cord Injury ◽

The Us ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Falls among community-dwelling older adults are common and dangerous, often leading to traumatic brain injury, cervical fractures, and spinal cord injury. Physical and physiologic changes with aging, preexisting diseases, and treatments result in increased morbidity and mortality for this population. Trauma critical care nurses can expect to see increasing numbers of older adults in intensive care units as the US population of those older than 65 years increases to 53 million by 2020. Older adults pose additional dilemmas in care. This article reviews falls, mechanism of injury, and nursing care issues of particular significance to this vulnerable population in the critical care setting.

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Association between social participation and cognitive function among community‐dwelling older adults living alone: Analysis of a nationally representative survey

International Journal of Nursing Practice ◽

10.1111/ijn.12841 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

Author(s):

MoonKi Choi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Social Participation ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Living Alone ◽

Representative Survey ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Robotic Pet Use Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbaa119 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 75 (9) ◽

pp. 2018-2028 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Janella Hudson ◽

Rachel Ungar ◽

Laurie Albright ◽

Rifky Tkatch ◽

James Schaeffer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Living Alone ◽

Social Connections ◽

Effective Solution ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Active Lifestyles ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Objective The primary purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of robotic pets in alleviating loneliness for older adults. Method Self-reported lonely individuals with AARP Medicare Supplement plans insured by UnitedHealthcare who participated in a program with a robotic pet (n = 20) were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to provide feedback about their experiences interacting with a robotic pet, their perceptions about the potential impact on loneliness, and recommendations for improving the program. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Constant comparison and consensus-gaining processes were used to develop categories that later formed representative themes. Results Seven themes emerged from analysis: Openness to Adoption of Robotic Pet, Reactions to Pet and its Attributes, Integration of Pet in Daily Life, Strategic Utilization and Forging New Connections, Deriving Comfort and Camaraderie, Advice for Future Users, and Recommendations for Enhancing Ownership Experience. Participants living alone, with fewer social connections and less active lifestyles, derived the most benefit from interacting with their pets. Common responses to pets included cuddling, petting, grooming, and sleeping with them. Some shared or loaned their pets, while others refused to loan their pets to interested peers. Most reported showing their pets to others, which helped some facilitate communication and social connections. Conclusion Robotic pets may be an effective solution for alleviating loneliness in older adults, especially among those who live alone, have fewer social connections, and live less active lifestyles.

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Prevalence of Psychotropic and Opioid Prescription Fills Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Dementia in the US

JAMA ◽

10.1001/jama.2020.8519 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 324 (7) ◽

pp. 706 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Donovan T. Maust ◽

Julie Strominger ◽

Julie P. W. Bynum ◽

Kenneth M. Langa ◽

Lauren B. Gerlach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Opioid Prescription ◽

The Us ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Predictors of self-neglect among community-dwelling older adults living alone in China

Geriatric Nursing ◽

10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.02.002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (5) ◽

pp. 457-462 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mingming Yu ◽

Libin Gu ◽

Wenjuan Jiao ◽

Haozhi Xia ◽

Wenru Wang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Living Alone ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Perceived Social Isolation, Self-Care Behaviors and Health Status among Community Dwelling Older Adults Living Alone

The Bangkok Medical Journal ◽

10.31524/bkkmedj.2016.02.004 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (01) ◽

pp. 17-23

Author(s):

Lithong Phatharapreeyakul ◽

Phachongchit Kraithaworn ◽

Noppawan Piaseu

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Self Care ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Living Alone ◽

Perceived Social Isolation ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Incidence Rates of Disability and Its Associated Factors among Korean Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Iranian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.18502/ijph.v49i9.4091 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Seonho KIM ◽

Myoungsuk KIM ◽

Dallong HAN

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Daily Living ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Health Condition ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Living Alone ◽

Iadl Disability ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: We aimed to identify incidence rates of disability and its associated factors among Korean community-dwelling older adults. Methods: The sample included 1,739 Koreans aged over 65 yr from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016) who reported no limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) at baseline (2006) and had complete data for other covariates. ADL, IADL, socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-condition data were collected and analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. Results: The 10-yr incidence rates of ADL and IADL disability in subjects with no disability at baseline were 11.6% and 21.6%, respectively. After adjusting for socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-condition factors, the incidence of ADL disability was higher in women (odds ratio [OR] =1.418, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.102- 2.613) and increased with age (OR=1.170, 95% CI=1.133-1.208), multi-morbidity (OR=1.194, 95% CI=1.015- 1.406), and obesity (OR=1.563, 95% CI=1.057-2.311). It decreased in subjects living alone (OR=0.531, 95% CI=0.328-0.856). The incidence of IADL disability increased with age (OR=1.131, 95% CI=1.102-1.161), multimorbidity (OR=1.199, 95% CI=1.054-1.365), and cognitive disability (OR=1.422, 95% CI=1.083-1.866) and decreased for subjects living alone (OR=0.484, 95% CI=0.328-0.715) and with overweight (OR=0.725, 95% CI=0.532-0.988). Conclusion: Incidence rates of disability differed considerably based on socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-condition factors. These results suggest the importance of identifying factors that can decrease the risk of disability in this group and of prevention efforts in populations with a higher disability risk.

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