scholarly journals Cell phone and technology use by octogenarians

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Astrid Atlas ◽  
Marama Muru-Lanning ◽  
Simon Moyes ◽  
Ngaire Kerse ◽  
Santosh Jatrana
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Chronic Obstructive

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONMany countries, including New Zealand, have an aging population and new technologies such as cell phones may be useful for older people. AIMTo examine cell phone and technology use by octogenarians. METHODSTe Puawaitanga O Nga Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu- Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study In New Zealand (LILACs NZ) cohort study data of Māori (aged 80–90 years, 11-year age band) and non-Māori (aged 85 years, 1-year age band) followed for 3 years was used to describe the prevalence among study participants of the use of the internet, cell phones and watching pay-per-view television. Association of these activities with living arrangement, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive respiratory disease and participants’ cognition were examined. RESULTSTechnology use was relatively low among study octogenarians. Fewer Māori used cell phones and the internet (16% and 6%) than non-Māori (30% and 19%). Māori participants supported only by a pension were less likely to use cell phones than Māori with more income. More men watched pay-per-view television (e.g. SKY) than women. Living alone and having chronic lung disease were associated with not watching pay-per-view television. Participants who used the internet had higher cognition scores than others. Non-Māori women were less likely to watch pay-per-view television and non-Māori on a pension only were less likely to watch pay-per-view television than people on a higher income. Participants who lived alone were less likely to watch pay-per-view. CONCLUSIONRelatively low use of technology may limit potential for health technology innovation for people of advanced age. Socioeconomic and ethnic disparities will amplify this.

Families in a High-Tech Age

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noelle Chesley
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
High Tech ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Over Time

This study analyzes a couple-level ( N = 581), longitudinal data set of employees to provide evidence about technology use over time, the factors that predict use, and the potential for a spouse to influence an individual's use. Although longitudinal usage patterns suggest a trend toward adoption and use of e-mail, the Internet, cell phones, and pagers over time, this trend toward continuing use is stronger for some technologies (e-mail, the Internet) than for others (cell phones, pagers). Furthermore, correlates of use differ by gender and the type of technology used. Last, technology use tends to be an individual-rather than couple-level phenomenon, with one exception. In the case of cell phone or pager use, husbands’ past use influences wives’ use 2 years later.

scholarly journals Older Adults—Potential Users of Technologies

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vita Lesauskaitė ◽  
Gytė Damulevičienė ◽  
Jurgita Knašienė ◽  
Egidijus Kazanavičius ◽  
Agnius Liutkevičius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
University Education ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background and objective: The successful adoption of technology is becoming increasingly important to functional independence and successful ageing in place. A better understanding of technology usage amongst older people may help to direct future interventions aimed at improving their healthcare. We aimed to obtain the first data regarding technology use, including gerontechnologies, represented by fall detectors, from older adults in Lithuania. Material and methods: The research was carried out in the framework of the project Smart Gerontechnology for Healthy Ageing, which involved assessing the use of technologies and the readiness to use gerontechnologies, as represented by fall detectors. A total of 375 individuals that were more than 60 years of age were enrolled in the study. The self-reporting questionnaires were completed by geriatric in-patients, hospitalized in the geriatric department, and also by community-dwelling older adults. Results: Geriatric in-patients’ use of computers and the internet was associated with age (every year of age decreased the probability of computer and internet use by 0.9-times) and a positive attitude towards new technologies—this predictor increased the use of a computer by six-times in comparison with people who did not have such an attitude. Sex and education had no influence on computer use for geriatric in-patients. For community-dwelling older adults, the use of computers and internet was associated with age, education (a university education increased the use of computers and the internet by four times), and a positive attitude towards technologies. Conclusions: Lithuanian older women in the study used computers, the internet, and cell phones equally with men. Increasing age was a strong negative predictor of technology use. A positive attitude to new technologies was a strong positive predictor of technology use. Most geriatric patients and community-dwelling older adults were ready to use technologies that permit ageing in place.

scholarly journals Quality of prescribing predicts hospitalisation in octogenarians: life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristín Ryan ◽  
Ruth Teh ◽  
Simon Moyes ◽  
Tim Wilkinson ◽  
Martin Connolly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medicines ◽  
Prescribing Omissions ◽  
Potential Prescribing Omissions

Abstract Background Prescribing for older people is complex, and many studies have highlighted that appropriate prescribing in this cohort is not always achieved. However, the long-term effect of inappropriate prescribing on outcomes such as hospitalisation and mortality has not been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the level of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) for participants of the Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) study at baseline and examine the association between PIP and hospitalisation and mortality at 12-months follow-up. Methods PIP was determined using STOPP/START. STOPP identified potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) prescribed, START identified potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). STOPP/START were applied to all LiLACS NZ study participants, a longitudinal study of ageing, which includes 421 Māori aged 80–90 years and 516 non-Māori aged 85 years. Participants’ details (e.g. age, sex, living arrangements, socioeconomic status, physical functioning, medical conditions) were gathered by trained interviewers. Some participants completed a core questionnaire only, which did not include medications details. Medical conditions were established from a combination of self-report, review of hospital discharge and general practitioner records. Binary logistic regression, controlled for multiple potential confounders, was conducted to determine if either PIMs or PPOs were associated with hospital admissions and mortality (p < 0.05 was considered significant). Results Full data were obtained for 267 Māori and 404 non-Māori. The mean age for Māori was 82.3(±2.6) years, and 84.6(±0.53) years for non-Māori. 247 potentially inappropriate medicines were identified, affecting 24.3% Māori and 28.0% non-Māori. PIMs were not associated with 12-month mortality or hospitalisation for either cohort (p > 0.05; adjusted models). 590 potential prescribing omissions were identified, affecting 58.1% Māori and 49.0% non-Māori. PPOs were associated with hospitalisation (p = 0.001 for Māori), but were not associated with risk of mortality (p > 0.05) for either cohort within the 12-month follow-up (adjusted models). Conclusion PPOs were more common than PIMs and were associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation for Māori. This study highlights the importance of carefully considering all indicated medicines when deciding what to prescribe. Further follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term effects of PIP on mortality and hospitalisation.

scholarly journals Influence of age on real-life effects of doxycycline for acute exacerbations among COPD outpatients: a population-based cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000535
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Jens H Bos ◽  
H Marike Boezen ◽  
Jan-Willem C Alffenaar ◽  
J F M van Boven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Treatment Failure ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Acute Exacerbations ◽  
Oral Corticosteroids

IntroductionAlthough bacteria contribute significantly to acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), the added value of antibiotics remains controversial, especially in outpatient settings. Age may affect antibiotic effectiveness, but real-world evidence is lacking. We aimed to assess the influence of age on the effectiveness of doxycycline for AECOPD.MethodsA retrospective cohort study among outpatients with the first recorded AECOPD treated with oral corticosteroids was conducted using a large pharmacy dispensing database. The primary outcome was treatment failure within 15–31 days after treatment start. Secondary outcome was time to second exacerbation. All analyses were stratified by age groups.ResultsWe identified 6300 outpatients with the first AECOPD. 2261 (36%) received doxycycline and 4039 (64%) did not receive any antibiotic (reference group). Overall, there was no difference in treatment failure (adjusted OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.12) between two groups. Similarly, no difference in treatment failure was observed in younger groups. However, in patients with advanced age (≥75 years), treatment failure was significantly reduced by doxycycline compared with reference (16% vs 20%, adjusted OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.97). Overall, median time to second exacerbation was 169 days (95% CI: 158 to 182 days) in doxycycline group compared with 180 days (95% CI: 169 to 191 days) in reference group (adjusted HR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.12). Although in older patients there was a trend within 3 months towards longer time of next exacerbation by doxycycline, it did not achieve statistical significance.ConclusionsOur findings showed short-term treatment benefit of doxycycline added to oral corticosteroids for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with advanced age. This value remains unclear for persons aged under 75 years in current primary care. Long-term preventive benefits of doxycycline for the next exacerbation were not observed, irrespective of age.

scholarly journals Falls and depression in octogenarians - life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Atlas ◽  
Ngaire Kerse ◽  
Anna Rolleston ◽  
Ruth Teh ◽  
Catherine Bacon
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Geriatric Depression ◽  
Old People ◽  
Very Old ◽  
Age And Sex

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Falls and injury have the most devastating consequences for very old people. Depression may be a significant cause and consequence of falls. AIM To examine the association between falls and depression in octogenarians. METHODS LiLACS NZ (Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand), cohort study data of Māori (aged 80–90 years, 11-year age band) and non-Māori (aged 85 years, 1-year age band) followed for 3 years was used to describe the incidence and prevalence of falls and depression. Falls by self-report were accumulated over 3 years. Geriatric depression score (GDS) was ascertained at baseline. RESULTS Over 3 years, fewer Māori (47%) than non-Māori (57%) fell; 19% of non-Māori and 20% of Māori scored 5+ (depressed) on the GDS. For non-Māori and Māori, people with depression were more likely to fall than Māori not diagnosed with depression (OR 2.72, CI 1.65–4.48 for non-Māori and OR 2.01, CI 1.25–3.25 for Māori). This remained significant, adjusted for age and sex. Depression was a significant predictor of hospitalisations from falls for Māori (OR 5.59, CI 2.4–12.72, adjusted for age and sex) and non-Māori (OR 4.21, 2.3–7.44, adjusted for sex). CONCLUSION Depression and falls are common and co-exist in octogenarians. GPs thinking about falls should also think about depression and vice versa.

scholarly journals Protein Intake, Distribution and Food Sources in Adults of Advanced Age: Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Ram ◽  
Kerse ◽  
Moyes ◽  
Rolleston ◽  
Wham
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Age Related

Protein intake and its food sources is important to prevent age related loss of muscle mass andstrength. [...]

scholarly journals Testosterone in advance age: a New Zealand longitudinal cohort study: Life and Living in Advanced Age (Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu)

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e016572
Author(s):  
Martin J Connolly ◽  
Ngaire Kerse ◽  
Tim Wilkinson ◽  
Oliver Menzies ◽  
Anna Rolleston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort Study ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort

ObjectivesSerum testosterone (T) levels in men decline with age. Low T levels are associated with sarcopenia and frailty in men aged>80 years. T levels have not previously been directly associated with disability in older men. We explored associations between T levels, frailty and disability in a cohort of octogenarian men.SettingData from all men from Life and Living in Advanced Age Cohort Study in New Zealand, a longitudinal cohort study in community-dwelling older adults.ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling (>80 years) adult men excluding those receiving T treatment or with prostatic carcinoma.Outcomes measuresAssociations between baseline total testosterone (TT) and calculated free testosterone (fT), frailty (Fried scale) and disability (Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale (NEADL)) (baseline and 24 months) were examined using multivariate regression and Wald’s χ2techniques. Subjects with the lowest quartile of baseline TT and fT values were compared with those in the upper three quartiles.ResultsParticipants: 243 men, mean (SD) age 83.7 (2.0) years. Mean (SD) TT=17.6 (6.8) nmol/L and fT=225.3 (85.4) pmol/L. On multivariate analyses, lower TT levels were associated with frailty: β=0.41, p=0.017, coefficient of determination (R2)=0.10 and disability (NEADL) (β=−1.27, p=0.017, R2=0.11), low haemoglobin (β=−7.38, p=0.0016, R2=0.05), high fasting glucose (β=0.38, p=0.038, R2=0.04) and high C reactive protein (CRP) (β=3.57, p=0.01, R2=0.06). Low fT levels were associated with frailty (β=0.39, p=0.024, R2=0.09) but not baseline NEADL (β=−1.29, p=0.09, R2=0.09). Low fT was associated with low haemoglobin (β=−7.83, p=0.0008, R2=0.05) and high CRP (β=2.86, p=0.04, R2=0.05). Relationships between baseline TT and fT, and 24-month outcomes of disability and frailty were not significant.ConclusionsIn men over 80 years, we confirm an association between T levels and baseline frailty scores. The new finding of association between T levels and disability is potentially relevant to debates on T supplementation in older men, though, as associations were not present at 24 months, further work is needed.

scholarly journals Micronutrient intake in advanced age: Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tapuwae Kia ora Tonu, Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (10) ◽  
pp. 1754-1769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Wham ◽  
Ruth Teh ◽  
Simon A. Moyes ◽  
Anna Rolleston ◽  
Marama Muru-Lanning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Nutrient Density

AbstractA high prevalence of undernutrition has previously been reported in indigenous Māori (49 %) and non-Māori (38 %) octogenarians and may be associated with risk of micronutrient deficiencies. We examined vitamin and mineral intakes and the contributing food sources among 216 Māori and 362 non-Māori participating in Life and Living to Advanced age a Cohort Study in New Zealand, using a repeat 24-h multiple-pass recall. More than half of the Māori and non-Māori participants had intakes below the estimated average requirement from food alone for Ca, Mg and Se. Vitamin B6(Māori women only), folate (women only), vitamin E (Māori women; all men) and Zn (men only) were low in these ethnic and sex subgroups. Women had intakes of higher nutrient density in folate, vitamin C, Ca, Mg, K, vitamin A (non-Māori) andβ-carotene (Māori) compared with men (P<0·05). When controlling for age and physical function,β-carotene, folate, vitamin C, Ca and Mg were no longer significantly different, but vitamins B2, B12, E and D, Fe, Na, Se and Zn became significantly different for Māori between men and women. When controlling for age and physical function, vitamins A and C and Ca were no longer significantly different, but vitamin B2, Fe, Na and Zn became significantly different for non-Māori between men and women. For those who took nutritional supplements, Māori were less likely to be deficient in food alone intake of vitamin A, folate and Mg, whereas non-Maori were less likely to be deficient in intakes of Mg, K and Zn, but more likely to be deficient in vitamin B12intake. A lack of harmonisation in nutrient recommendations hinders the interpretation of nutrient adequacy; nonetheless, Ca, Mg and Se are key micronutrients of concern. Milk and cheese were important contributions to Ca intake, whereas bread was a key source of Mg and Se. Examination of dietary intake related to biochemical status and health outcomes will establish the utility of these observations.

Evaluating rates of technology adoption and milking practices on New Zealand dairy farms

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Edwards ◽  
B. T. Dela Rue ◽  
J. G. Jago
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Significant Potential ◽  
Attitudes Towards Technology ◽  
On Farm

This study assessed technology use and evaluated rates of technology adoption and milking practices on New Zealand dairy farms. Industry surveys were conducted in 2008 and 2013, when farmers were asked a series of questions relating to their physical farm details, their role in the business, their attitudes towards technology, the technologies they had on-farm and their levels of satisfaction. In total, 532 and 500 respondents were questioned in the two surveys, respectively, with a similar representation of rotary and herringbone dairies. Questions relating to attitudes towards new technologies were subjected to a cluster analysis using the 2013 dataset. Farmers were classified into two categories, ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ adopters. Fast adopters are more likely to have a rotary, with a larger farm and more cows. The most common technology in herringbone dairies is automatic vat washing and in rotary dairies automatic cluster removers (ACR). Rotary dairies equipped with ACR, automatic drafting and automatic teat spraying achieve greater labour utilisation (cows/labour unit). Around half of farmers with herringbone dairies sometimes or always wait for slow-milking cows to milk out and 85% of farmers do not know the their ACR settings, highlighting significant potential to improve milking efficiency. Overall, technology is associated with greater labour utilisation. However, the benefits of each technology should be scrutinised to ensure appropriate investment decisions are made by farmers.

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