Perceived neighbourhood safety and volunteerism among older adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Erin G. Grinshteyn ◽  
Judith A. Sugar
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Perceptions Of Safety ◽  
Fair Poor ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Previous research shows the benefits of volunteerism to individuals and communities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lower perceived neighbourhood safety is associated with reduced volunteerism and whether this association differs by sex. Data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study in the United States of America were used (N = 13,009 adults 60 years and older). Multivariate logistic regression models were estimated to assess the association between perceived neighbourhood safety and volunteerism while controlling for potential confounders. Perceived neighbourhood safety was associated with volunteering. The odds of volunteering were higher for those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as excellent compared with those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as fair/poor. Those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as very good also had greater odds of volunteering than those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as fair/poor. Results differed somewhat by gender. Men who perceived their neighbourhood safety as excellent had increased odds of volunteering. The association of neighbourhood safety with volunteerism was significant for women rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as excellent or very good. Among men, being married was associated with increased odds of volunteering; being completely or partly retired was associated with increased odds of volunteering among women. Initiatives aimed at improving older adults’ perceptions of safety would help improve volunteerism, which is beneficial to both older adults and communities.

scholarly journals Examining the Association of Pain and Financial Hardship Among Older Men by Race in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 155798832110496
Author(s):  
Chiho Song ◽  
Gillian L. Marshall ◽  
Alyssa Reed ◽  
Tamara A. Baker ◽  
Roland J. Thorpe
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
African American Men ◽  
White Men ◽  
Older Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
Financial Hardship ◽  
Composite Score ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Retirement Study

Pain associated with financial hardship among older men varies by race. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of financial hardship with the presence of pain in men 50 years and older by race. Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2010 wave, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between four financial hardship indicators and total financial hardship as a composite score, and the presence of pain by race. Among White men, the association between the presence of pain and hardship controlling for demographic factors was statistically significant across four indicators and one composite score: ongoing financial hardship (OR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.02, 1.64]), food insecurity (OR = 2.55, 95% CI [1.51, 4.31]), taking less medication due to cost (OR = 2.12, 95% CI [1.40, 3.22]), difficulty paying bills (OR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.07, 1.73]), and total financial hardship (OR = 1.27, 95% CI [1.12, 1.44]). Among African American men, the association between the presence of pain and taking less medication due to cost (OR = 2.99, 95% CI [1.31, 6.85]) was significant. With increasing comorbidities among older adults, particularly African Americans, it is imperative to fully understand the mechanisms of this underexplored area in both the pain and financial hardship literature.

Expanding the Happiness Paradox: Ethnoracial Disparities in Life Satisfaction Among Older Immigrants in the United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-255
Author(s):  
Rocío Calvo ◽  
Dawn C. Carr ◽  
Christina Matz-Costa
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Happiness Paradox ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Lower Life Satisfaction

Objective: This study investigated nativity disparities in life satisfaction among ethnoracial groups of older adults in the United States and the factors associated with such disparities. Method: Cross-sectional data from 7,348 respondents aged 60 and older from the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to estimate linear regression models. Results: Older immigrants experienced higher levels of life satisfaction than comparable native-born individuals. This “happiness advantage” was particularly salient for Hispanic immigrants, who reported the highest levels of life satisfaction of all groups included in the study. With increasing education, life satisfaction increased for White and “Other Race” groups, regardless of nativity. However, for both Black groups and native-born Hispanics, higher levels of education were associated with lower life satisfaction. Discussion: Findings suggest that the “happiness paradox” may not only be a matter of Hispanic ethnicity, but that it may also extend to immigrants from other ethnoracial backgrounds.

scholarly journals Ageing-friendly communities and social inclusion in the United States of America

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREW E. SCHARLACH ◽  
AMANDA J. LEHNING
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Basic Needs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Infrastructure ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The Social

ABSTRACTSynthesising the social capital and ageing-friendly communities literature, this paper describes how efforts to make communities more ageing-friendly can promote social inclusion among older adults. Making existing communities more ageing-friendly involves physical and social infrastructure changes that enable older adults to pursue lifelong activities, meet their basic needs, maintain significant relationships, participate in the community in personally and socially meaningful ways, and develop new interests and sources of fulfilment. Such efforts can enhance bonding, bridging and linking capital, and thereby promote social inclusion. The authors discuss the link between ageing-friendly communities and social inclusion, and provide examples of programmes with potential to change existing communities into ones that promote the social inclusion of older adults.

Correlates of Perceived HIV Prevalence and Associations With HIV Testing Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darcy White ◽  
Rob Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hiv Prevalence ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hiv Testing Behavior

As the rate of HIV infection continues to rise among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, a focus of current prevention efforts is to encourage frequent HIV testing. Although levels of lifetime testing are high, low levels of routine testing among MSM are concerning. Using data from an online sample of 768 MSM, this article explores how perceptions of HIV prevalence are associated with HIV testing behavior. Ordinal logistic regression models were fitted to examine correlates of perceived prevalence, and binary logistic regression models were fitted to assess associations between perceived prevalence and HIV testing. The results indicate that perceptions of higher prevalence among more proximal reference groups such as friends and sex partners are associated with greater odds of HIV testing. Perceptions of HIV prevalence were nonuniform across the sample; these variations point to groups to target with strategic messaging and interventions to increase HIV testing among MSM.

scholarly journals Disseminating the Otago Exercise Program in the United States: Perceived and Actual Physical Performance Improvements From Participants

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany E. Shubert ◽  
Matthew Lee Smith ◽  
Luohua Jiang ◽  
Marcia G. Ory
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Logistic Regression Models

The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is an evidence-based fall prevention program disseminated internationally. Little is known about the implementation or effectiveness of the OEP in the United States. The purposes were to (a) identify characteristics of older adults enrolled in OEP, and (b) examine perceived and actual functional performance changes after participation in 8 weeks of the program. Baseline and 8-week functional and self-report data were collected on 210 older adults from 2013 to 2015. Linear mixed models and general estimating equations logistic regression models adjusted for socio-demographic factors were performed to assess changes. At 8 weeks, scores dramatically improved on self-report and physical performance tests: Timed Up-and-Go ( p < .001), 30-Second Chair Rise ( p < .001), and Four-Stage Balance ( p < .001). Findings support that participation in the U.S. OEP as part of a plan of care can result in significant improvements in objective functional mobility, balance measures, and self-reported ability.

scholarly journals Trends in Peritoneal Dialysis Use in the United States after Medicare Payment Reform

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 1763-1772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline E. Sloan ◽  
Cynthia J. Coffman ◽  
Linda L. Sanders ◽  
Matthew L. Maciejewski ◽  
Shoou-Yih D. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Prospective Payment System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Payment Reform ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Medicare Data ◽  
Dialysis Facility

Background and objectivesPeritoneal dialysis (PD) for ESKD is associated with similar mortality, higher quality of life, and lower costs compared with hemodialysis (HD), but has historically been underused. We assessed the effect of the 2011 Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for dialysis on PD initiation, modality switches, and stable PD use.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsUsing US Renal Data System and Medicare data, we identified all United States patients with ESKD initiating dialysis before (2006–2010) and after (2011–2013) PPS implementation, and observed their modality for up to 2 years after dialysis initiation. Using logistic regression models, we examined the associations between PPS and early PD experience (any PD 1–90 days after initiation), late PD use (any PD 91–730 days after initiation), and modality switches (PD-to-HD or HD-to-PD 91–730 days after initiation). We adjusted for patient, dialysis facility, and regional characteristics.ResultsOverall, 619,126 patients with incident ESKD received dialysis at Medicare-certified facilities, 2006–2013. Observed early PD experience increased from 9.4% before PPS to 12.6% after PPS. Observed late PD use increased from 12.1% to 16.1%. In adjusted analyses, PPS was associated with increased early PD experience (odds ratio [OR], 1.51; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.47 to 1.55; P<0.001) and late PD use (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.45 to 1.50; P<0.001). In subgroup analyses, late PD use increased in part due to an increase in HD-to-PD switches among those without early PD experience (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.52 to 1.66; P<0.001) and a decrease in PD-to-HD switches among those with early PD experience (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.98; P=0.004).ConclusionsMore patients started, stayed on, and switched to PD after dialysis payment reform. This occurred without a substantial increase in transfers to HD.

Characterising older adults’ engagement in age-friendly community initiatives: perspectives from core group leaders in the Northeast United States of America

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Emily A. Greenfield ◽  
Laurent Reyes
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Core Group ◽  
The Core ◽  
Group Members

Abstract Researchers and programme champions alike have identified older adults as key contributors to age-friendly community change efforts. There has been very little scholarship, however, to characterise the nature of older adults’ engagement in age-friendly community initiatives (AFCIs). To help address this gap, we drew on five waves of data from semi-structured interviews with core group members of eight AFCIs in a Northeast region of the United States of America. Interviews were conducted as part of a multi-year, community-engaged study on the development of philanthropically supported AFCIs. We iteratively coded segments of the interviews in which core group members described the involvement of older adults, as well as their efforts to engage older adults in the initiatives. This analysis resulted in an inductive-analytic typology with five qualitatively distinct categories, including older adults as: (a) consumers (receiving information, goods and services through the AFCI), (b) informants (sharing perspectives on ageing in the community with the core group), (c) task assistants (assisting with project-oriented tasks under the direction of the core group), (d) champions (contributing ideas and implementing action on their own initiative), and (e) core group members (holding primary responsibility for driving the work of the AFCI forward). We discuss implications of the typology for research on AFCI implementation and evaluation, as well as opportunities for AFCIs to enhance the engagement of older adults from historically marginalised groups.

Perceptions of inter- and intra-generational communication in the United States of America and the People's Republic of China: Implications for Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Noels ◽  
Howard Giles ◽  
Deborah Cai ◽  
Lisa Turay
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
People’S Republic Of China ◽  
People's Republic Of China ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Chinese Sample ◽  
Republic Of China

ABSTRACTThe present investigation examined older people's views on communication with younger and older adults to determine if older people's perceptions parallel research findings that suggest that young adults view intra-generational communication more positively than inter-generational communication. Additionally, drawing upon the Communication Predicament of Aging model (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci, & Henwood, 1986), it considers how these perceptions relate to psychological health. In a first study, older and younger adults from the United States of America responded to a questionnaire survey about their experiences of talking to older and younger adults. The results of analyses of variance suggested that younger adults have less positive perceptions of inter-generational communication than older adults. Regression analyses examined the link between communication climate and psychological health indices, and suggested that psychological health is related to inter-generational and intra-generational communication variables for older participants. In a second study, variations in older adults' intra- and intergroup perceptions were compared across the United States and the People's Republic of China. Unlike their American peers, intergenerational communication was not a significant correlate of adjustment in the Chinese sample, although intragenerational variables were again implicated.

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