A New Measure of Mobility-Related Behavioral Flexibility and Routines in Old Age

GeroPsych ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 153-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Penger ◽  
Frank Oswald
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Behavioral Flexibility ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Factorial Structure ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Psychological Determinants ◽  
Personal Challenges ◽  
Acceptable Internal Consistency

Abstract. Although daily out-of-home mobility is crucial for well-being in later life, the psychological determinants thereof are not yet fully understood. This study describes attitudes toward daily out-of-home mobility from a person-environment interaction perspective and develops an instrument to measure mobility-related behavioral flexibility and routines in old age. Data were drawn from 265 older adults (aged 65–99). An examination of the factorial structure using exploratory factor analysis revealed three main mobility-related factors: behavioral flexibility with regard to environmental challenges, behavioral flexibility with regard to personal challenges, and a preference for routines. The instrument demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and factorial validity. The study contributes toward a better understanding of the motivational aspects of daily out-of-home mobility in later life.

scholarly journals COMPOSITE MEASURES FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL SOCIAL EXCLUSION: AN APPLICATION TO THE IRISH LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON AGEING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S803-S803
Author(s):  
Sinead Keogh ◽  
Stephen O’ Neill ◽  
Kieran Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Composite Measure ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Linear Aggregation

Abstract The measurement of the complex, multidimensional and dynamic concept of old-age social exclusion has been constrained due to theoretical and methodological challenges as well as a reliance on secondary data sources not designed to collect social exclusion indicators. Limitations in measuring social exclusion in later life hinder the expansion of our empirical and conceptual understanding of social exclusion. In this paper, we seek to address these limitations by developing a composite measure of old-age social exclusion using three methods: 1) normalisation through re-scaling with linear aggregation, 2) a sum-of-scores approach with an applied threshold and, 3) classification and regression trees (CART), a machine learning approach. Using the conceptual framework of old-age exclusion presented by Walsh et al., (2017), these three approaches are applied empirically with data from Wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). The measures are assessed in terms of their ability to explain a validated measure of psychological well-being. Results suggest that despite the challenges associated with secondary data and measurement techniques that implicitly measure social exclusion, the newly proposed composite measure computed using CART performed better than the other two measures which are more prevalent in the literature.

scholarly journals BEING RESPECTED AND ADMIRED IN OLD AGE: DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL STATUS AND AGING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S728-S729
Author(s):  
David Weiss ◽  
Jennifer A Bellingtier ◽  
Manfred Diehl
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Attitudes

Abstract Social status - the standing of a person or group in the social hierarchy - is part and parcel of social life and a significant determinant of cognition and behavior. Status hierarchies are basis of virtually all human and primate societies and assign different roles and privileges to its members. However, the dynamic nature of social status and the underlying mechanisms in old age are not well understood. Therefore, this symposium addresses questions of how social status is influenced by aging-related changes in roles, life events, self-concept, and images of aging and how social status shapes in response personality, subjective age, prosocial behavior, performance, and well-being in old age. Bellingtier and colleagues examined objective and subjective social status and their connections to subjective age, attitudes towards aging, and awareness of age-related changes. Zhang shows paradoxical association between aging stereotypes and prosocial behaviors toward older adults. Barber and Hamel investigated how stereotypes of reduced physical competence in old age affect the gait performance on easy and difficult tasks. Weiss and colleagues take a cross-cultural perspective on the different sources of social status in China, Germany, and the US showing that generations in contrast to age groups represent a source of high social status in later life. Finally, Kornadt investigates the dynamic interplay of changes in social roles and personality in old age. Together, these presentations enlarge our understanding of the dynamics of social status in old age.

scholarly journals Revisiting Happiness and Well-Being in Later Life from Interdisciplinary Age-Studies Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Ieva Stončikaitė
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Demographic Shifts ◽  
Age Studies

Important demographic shifts and the so-called ‘longevity revolution’ have generated profound transformations in social interpretations of old age, an increased interest in age studies and new ideas on how to age well. The majority of current successful ageing models, however, represent rather a prevailing construct in Western societies. Physical and psychosocial well-being and the ability to adjust to the ideals of successful ageing are often seen as an integral part of a good quality in life. Those who do not or cannot follow these lines are often regarded as morally irresponsible and seem to be doomed to have a lonely, unhealthy and unhappy later life. This paper questions the current discourses of successful ageing in terms of healthy and happy living and calls for a reconsideration of more global, integrated and holistic understandings of the process of growing old.

scholarly journals Dinacharya: The Essential Daily Routine for Geriatric Care

AYUSHDHARA ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 3581-3584
Author(s):  
Priya Pathak
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
External Appearance ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Happy Life ◽  
National Statistical Office

The term Geriatrics is made by union of two Greek word first ‘geras’ (old age) and second ‘iatros’ (physician) and derived from Greek root “gergero- geronto” meaning old age or the aged or especially one receiving special care. Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on health promotion and prevention and treatment of disease and disability in later life. In India population of the elderly has been increasing steadily since 1961 as it touched 13.8 crore in 2021, growing faster due to decrease in death rate, according to a study by National Statistical Office (NSO). Ageing is the process in which structural and functional changes occur with passage of time. Thus study of all aspects of ageing including physiological, pathological, psychological, economical and sociological problems is termed as Geriatrics. With advancing age, several changes take place in the body, in the external appearance as well as in Dosha, Dhatu, Mala, Agni, Oja level, also on the mental functions. In Ayurvedic texts, there are many ways given for prevention and promotion of health, one of them is Dinacharya (daily regimen), which is most important part to maintain a healthy and happy life. The importance of appropriate daily routine cannot be underestimated. It set the wheels in motion for entire day, bringing a sense of calm and well-being. It gives the body, mind and spirit the chance to start afresh.

scholarly journals Aging: well being and development in elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-437
Author(s):  
Pallavi ◽  
Tulika Borah
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Aging Well

The aim of the present study is to introduce the well- being and aging development during old age. In old age peoples are not more productive as in early stage of life. They need others support for doing some activities. Sometimes they feel stressed and depressed about that. The current study indicated that physical condition of old age person, sociodemographic factors, social network characteristics, and activity level all seem to affect subjective well-being in later life. In the present study discuss several different forms of well-being that play a vital role in the lives of elderly and it helps them to live longer and safer.

scholarly journals Activity Engagement Patterns Among Older Chinese Immigrants

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 232-232
Author(s):  
Fengyan Tang ◽  
Mary Rauktis
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Chinese Immigrants ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Class Membership ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Older Chinese

Abstract Activity engagement is a major component of well-being in later life. However, very few studies have focused on older immigrants who are often at risk for social isolation and psychological distress. We aim to map the pattern of activity engagement and examine its variations in relation to immigration-related factors and social aspects of neighborhoods in a representative sample of older Chinese immigrants. We used data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE), a population-based epidemiological study of US Chinese older adults that were conducted between 2011 and 2013 (N=3,157). Latent class analysis and multinominal regression analysis were conducted to identify activity engagement patterns and examine the associated factors. Four patterns of activity engagement were identified: restricted (15%), diverse (31%), informal social (32%), and community-based social (21%). Acculturation and family-oriented immigration differentiated the restricted from the diverse class membership. Positive attributes of social environment measured by social network size, positive social support, neighborhood cohesion, and sense of community were associated with the probabilities of class membership relative to the restricted class. Findings point to the importance of positive attributes of social environment in enhancing engagement with life among older Chinese immigrants. Efforts are needed to assist the vulnerable restricted group and recent older immigrants while meeting the demands of older immigrants who are less educated and less acculturated. Creating a supportive environment is important to provide information, access, and resources needed for activity engagement in the marginalized minority aging populations

scholarly journals Morale in Old Age and Its Association with Sociodemographic, Social, and Health-Related Factors in Different Age Groups

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Marina Näsman ◽  
Johan Niklasson ◽  
Jan Saarela ◽  
Mikael Nygård ◽  
Birgitta Olofsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Old People ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Aging Well ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Geriatric Center

Morale can be viewed as a future-oriented optimism or pessimism regarding challenges associated with aging and is closely related to subjective well-being. Promoting morale in old age could be considered to have important implications for aging well, and increased knowledge about morale in different stages of old age is needed. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with morale in different age groups among old people. Data were derived from a survey conducted in 2016, as a part of the Gerontological Regional Database (GERDA). The sample consisted of 9,047 individuals aged between 65 and 86 years from Ostrobothnia and Southern Ostrobothnia in Finland, and Västerbotten in Sweden. Morale was measured with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) and regressed upon a number of sociodemographic, social, and health-related factors using linear regression analyses. The results showed that older age was an independent factor explaining lower level of morale. Additionally, the sociodemographic, social, and health-related variables could explain a large proportion of the variance in morale. Perceived loneliness, having gone through a crisis in life, poor self-rated health, and depression were associated with lower morale, and sleeping well with higher morale, in all age groups. Furthermore, the oldest age groups seem to be more exposed to several risk factors of lower morale identified in this study. Multidimensional interventions targeting especially social and mental health and the oldest-old could therefore be recommended.

Housing and Health in Later Life

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 223-252
Author(s):  
Frank Oswald ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Housing Type ◽  
Neighborhood Conditions ◽  
Health Related

Abstract The goal of this paper is to compile recent data on the housing and health in old age, with special emphasis on geropsychological and gerontological studies. The authors first introduce their understanding of both housing and health. Second, theoretical models that are important to understand better the relation between housing- and health-related outcomes are incorporated into an analytic scheme. Third, data on objective and subjective aspects of housing in old age in relation to healthrelated outcomes are presented. Among the objective functional housing aspects are healthrelevant micro-environmental indicators like housing hazards and amenities, retrofitting and assistive devices, as well as meso- and macroenvironmental indicators like housing type, neighborhood conditions, or urban-rural differences. Relocation is a classic field in environmental gerontology in which drastic environmental change has been linked to health outcomes. Among subjective housing aspects are residential satisfaction, housing-related control beliefs, and meaning of home. Direct health-related outcomes, such as physical and mental diseases and functional limitations, as well as indirect health-related outcomes like satisfaction or well-being receive attention. We conclude with a discussion addressing the environment and health dynamics of aging in the future.

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