What does Solitude Mean to the Aged?

1988 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-André Delisle
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Affective Needs ◽  
Quebec Literature ◽  
Comprehensive Study

AbstractThis article examines the extent and the meaning of solitude among the aged. A comprehensive study of the foreign, Canadian and Quebec literature was undertaken to prepare this document, but priority was given to the somewhat lesser known investigations originating from Quebec. First, the concepts most often utilized in discussing the phenomena under scrutiny were defined: solitude, social isolation and the feeling of loneliness. Then, the relative importance of each phenomenon was assessed, based on the available data. In order to fully understand the meaning of the facts observed, their causes were also examined. Finally, avenues for future research were proposed. This study suggests that solitude among the elderly is a more complex problem than believed. Even if the isolated and (or) lonely aged are in the minority, this does not mean that all their socio-affective needs are being met. These people spend long periods of time alone and this affects their lives. The problem as such is largely caused by the position the elderly occupy in the society and, in turn, this position probably influences their behaviour. However, gerontologists have scarcely studied this hypothesis. This article then highlights certain aspects of the solitude phenomenon which have so far been overlooked by gerontologists.

Health, Stress, And Social Isolation Among The Elderly In Kuwaiti Society

2018 ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
يعقوب الكندري ◽  
مها مشاري السجاري
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
The Elderly

scholarly journals A Bibliometric Analysis of Human-Machine Interaction Methodology for Electric-Powered Wheelchairs Driving from 1998 to 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7567
Author(s):  
Xiaochen Zhang ◽  
Lanxin Hui ◽  
Linchao Wei ◽  
Fuchuan Song ◽  
Fei Hu
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Human Machine Interaction ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Power Wheelchairs ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Machine Interaction

Electric power wheelchairs (EPWs) enhance the mobility capability of the elderly and the disabled, while the human-machine interaction (HMI) determines how well the human intention will be precisely delivered and how human-machine system cooperation will be efficiently conducted. A bibliometric quantitative analysis of 1154 publications related to this research field, published between 1998 and 2020, was conducted. We identified the development status, contributors, hot topics, and potential future research directions of this field. We believe that the combination of intelligence and humanization of an EPW HMI system based on human-machine collaboration is an emerging trend in EPW HMI methodology research. Particular attention should be paid to evaluating the applicability and benefits of the EPW HMI methodology for the users, as well as how much it contributes to society. This study offers researchers a comprehensive understanding of EPW HMI studies in the past 22 years and latest trends from the evolutionary footprints and forward-thinking insights regarding future research.

Effectiveness of a Modified Version of Airflow Therapy

1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-164
Author(s):  
Glenn L. Falkowski ◽  
Arthur M. Guilford ◽  
Jack Sandler
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Differential Effectiveness ◽  
History Of ◽  
One Year ◽  
Main Components

Utilizing airflow therapy, Schwartz (1976) has claimed an 89% success rate with stutterers following treatment and an 83% success rate at one year follow-up. Such claims have yet to be documented in the scientific literature. The purposes of this study were: (a) to investigate the effectiveness of a modified version of airflow therapy; (b) to examine the relative importance of its two main components—passive airflow and elongation of the first vowel spoken. The speech of two adult male stutterers with a lengthy history of stuttering, was assessed with spontaneous speaking and reading tasks. Results indicated marked improvement in both subjects' speech on the reading task was maintained at follow-up 10 weeks later. For spontaneous speech, results were generally weaker and less durable. Effects of the two treatment components were cumulative and did not allow determination of any differential effectiveness between components. Implications of these findings were considered and directions for future research discussed.

scholarly journals Cumulative Inequality at the End of Life?: Racial Disparities in Impairment in the Time Before Death

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1292-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles G Taylor ◽  
Stella N Min ◽  
Keshia M Reid
Keyword(s):  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Racial Inequalities ◽  
Latent Growth Curves ◽  
The North ◽  
Cumulative Inequality

Abstract Objectives Drawing from cumulative inequality (CI) theory, the current study examined racial disparities in impairment as individuals approached death to determine whether proposed mechanisms hypothesized to fuel or diminish racial disparities at late ages were at work at the end of individualized life spans. Method Black–white disparities were analyzed among decedents using latent growth curves based on the data from the North Carolina Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) (N = 1,926). Results Consistent with previous literature, racial inequalities in functional disparities diminish at late ages. However, significant black–white disparities emerge as older adults approach death, exponentially increasing within the 2 years immediately preceding death. Further, these disparities are not fully mediated by socioeconomic status. Discussion The results confirm that CI in health outcomes is observable in late life among individual life spans, suggesting the years surrounding death may be a particularly vulnerable period for health inequality. Future research should examine how advantaged statuses translate to increased access to health-related resources that aid in maintaining greater functional independence until the last stage of life.

Competition theory — science and application in mixed forest stands: review of experimental and modelling methods and suggestions for future research

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy R. Larocque ◽  
Nancy Luckai ◽  
Shailendra N. Adhikary ◽  
Arthur Groot ◽  
F. Wayne Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Experimental Designs ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Individual Tree

Competition in forest stands has long been of interest to researchers. However, much of the knowledge originates from empirical studies that examined the effects of competition. For instance, many studies were focused on the effects of the presence of herbaceous species on the development of tree seedlings or the decrease in individual tree growth with increases in stand density. Several models that incorporate competitive effects have been developed to predict tree and stand growth, but with simplified representations of competitive interactions. While these studies provided guidance useful for forest management, they contributed only partially to furthering our understanding of competitive mechanisms. Also, most competition studies were conducted in single-species stands. As competitive interactions occurring in mixed stands are characterized by a higher degree of complexity than those in single-species stands, a better understanding of these mechanisms can contribute to developing optimal management scenarios. The dynamics of forest stands with at least two species may be affected not only by competition, but also by facilitation or complementarity mechanisms. Thus, knowledge of the mechanisms may provide insight into the relative importance of intra- versus inter-specific competition and whether competition is symmetric or asymmetric. Special attention to the implementation of field experimental designs is warranted for mixed stands. While traditional spacing trials are appropriate for single-species stands, the examination of competitive interactions in mixed stands requires more complex experimental designs to examine the relative importance of species combinations. Forest productivity models allow resource managers to test different management scenarios, but again most of these models were developed for single-species stands. As competitive interactions are more complex in mixed stands, models developed to predict their dynamics will need to include more mechanistic representations of competition.

scholarly journals Reducing Isolation and Loneliness Through Membership in a Fitness Program for Older Adults: Implications for Health

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Brady ◽  
Lisa A. D’Ambrosio ◽  
Adam Felts ◽  
Elizabeth Y. Rula ◽  
Kenneth P. Kell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Fitness Program ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
Survey Responses

Objectives: To explore the effects of membership in a fitness program for older adults on social isolation, loneliness, and health. Method: Using survey responses from SilverSneakers members and matched nonmembers, regression path analysis was used to examine the influence of SilverSneakers membership on physical activity, social isolation, loneliness, and health, and the interrelationships among these concepts. Results: SilverSneakers membership directly increased physical activity and self-rated health, directly decreased social isolation, and indirectly decreased loneliness. Decreased social isolation and loneliness were associated with better self-rated health: social isolation and loneliness had independent direct effects on health, while social isolation also had an indirect effect on health mediated through loneliness. Discussion: Members of SilverSneakers experienced better health through increased physical activity, reduced social isolation, and reduced loneliness. Future research should explore independent effects of social isolation and loneliness on health and the mechanisms by which membership reduces social isolation and loneliness.

scholarly journals Characterization of the skin microbiota in bullous pemphigoid patients and controls reveals novel microbial indicators of disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meriem Belheouane ◽  
Britt M Hermes ◽  
Nina Van Beek ◽  
Sandrine Benoit ◽  
Philippe Bernard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bullous Pemphigoid ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Skin Microbiota ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Blistering Disease ◽  
Microbe Interactions

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin blistering disease afflicting mostly the elderly and is associated with significantly increased mortality. Here, we conducted the most extensive sampling effort of skin microbiota in BP to date to analyze whether intra-individual, body-site-specific, and/or geographical variation contributes to the emergence of BP. We find marked differences in the skin microbiota of BP patients compared to that of control subjects, and moreover that disease status rather than skin biogeography governs the skin microbiota composition in BP. Our data reveal a discernible transitional stage between normal and diseased skin in BP characterized by a loss of protective microbiota and an increase in sequences matching Staphylococcus aureus, a known inflammation-promoting species. Notably, S. aureus is ubiquitously associated with disease status, suggesting that this taxon is an important indicator of BP. Importantly, differences in a few key indicator taxa are able to reliably discriminate between BP patients and controls, characterized by their opposing abundance patterns. This may serve as valuable information for assessing disease risk and treatment outcomes. Future research will focus on the functional analysis of host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions and the relevance of the host genome for microbiota abundances to identify novel BP treatment approaches.

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