Impact of Religious Participation and Spirituality on the Health of Nigerian Older People: an online survey

The aim of the study was to examine the use of video-based communication and its association with loneliness, mental health and quality of life in older adults (60-69 years versus 70+ years) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Norway, UK, USA and Australia during April/May 2020, and 836 participants in the relevant age groups were included in the analysis. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between use of video-based communication tools and loneliness, mental health and quality of life within age groups, while adjusting by sociodemographic variables. Video-based communication tools were found to be more often used among participants aged 60-69 years (60.1%), compared to participants aged 70 or above (51.8%, p < 0.05). Adjusting for all variables, use of video-based communication was associated with less loneliness (β = -0.12, p < 0.01) and higher quality of life (β = 0.14, p < 0.01) among participants aged 60-69 years, while no associations occurred for participants in the oldest age group. The use of video-based communication tools was therefore associated with favorable psychological outcomes among participants in their sixties, but not among participants in the oldest age group. The study results support the notion that age may influence the association between use of video-based communication tools and psychological outcomes amongst older people.

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19 “Love The Day Job Still;” ”More Job Satisfaction;” “I Will Never Give Up My GeriGP Job;” - Results of the BGS GeriGP Workforce Survey 2018

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz183.19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. i1-i8

Author(s):

K Davies ◽

E Kalmus ◽

M Keeble ◽

L Lawn

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Online Survey ◽

National Policy ◽

Models Of Care ◽

Free Text ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Care Community ◽

Employment Conditions

Abstract Background In 2017, two GPs decided to form the GeriGP group, for BGS GP members with a particular interest in the care of older people. GPs are increasingly using their holistic approach and expertise in new models of care within the community and the acute setting ("GeriGP" roles), and many no longer work in traditional General Practice. Introduction By late 2018, the group had around 100 members. The committee recognised the vital role GeriGPs could play in the development and delivery of innovative models of care for older people, as recommended in the NHS Long Term Plan1 and 2019 GP Contract2. There was no data available about GeriGP roles, which appeared to have arisen in an ad hoc fashion. An online survey was undertaken with the aim of using the results to engage with national policy makers and to identify pathways into these roles to improve recruitment and retention of the GP workforce.3 Methods We are grateful to the BGS who collated 58 questions for the online questionnaire, which was sent to all GeriGP members between October and December 2018. There were five main categories: role and venue; employment conditions; indemnity; appraisal; qualifications and training. Most questions had space for free-text comments. Results 47/100 GeriGP members responded; 68% respondents held GeriGP roles of whom 62% were practising GPs. 60% of all respondents were over 45 years old. 30 job descriptions covered community frailty hubs, intermediate care, community hospitals, care homes, acute front door, visiting services and memory clinics. 60% were community based. Rates of pay and types of contract varied dramatically. GP appraisal was often difficult due to patients having frailty or dementia, with contradictory advice common. 45% had difficulty accessing training and two-thirds of jobs were gained by word-of-mouth. 87% in GeriGP roles were more likely to continue practicing medicine because of this role, yet career development barriers existed at all levels. Many comments concurred with a plea for a ``primary care geriatrics specialty'', and repeatedly the joy of having time for patient-centred care was the driving force behind experienced GPs opting to continue in GeriGP roles. Conclusions The enthusiasm for GeriGP roles should be seized upon to improve healthcare of older people and bolster the GP workforce. GeriGPs plan to use these results to influence policy makers nationally. References 1. NHS Long Term Plan (https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/online-version/overview-and-summary). 2. 2019 GP Contract (https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gp-contract-2019.pdf). 3. GeriGPs. (https://www.bgs.org.uk/gerigps).

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Twitter and Encountering Diversity: The Moderating Role of Network Diversity and Age in the Relationship Between Twitter Use and Crosscutting Exposure

Social Media + Society ◽

10.1177/2056305117717247 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 205630511771724 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chang Sup Park ◽

Barbara K. Kaye

Keyword(s):

South Korea ◽

Older People ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Online Survey ◽

Positive Association ◽

Public Expression ◽

Network Diversity ◽

The Relationship ◽

Moderating Role

This article investigates whether Twitter use motivations relate to exposure to discordant information. To this end, this research conducted an online survey of 1,350 adults of South Korea. The results reveal that using Twitter for information-seeking, public-expression, and leisure-seeking purposes helps users to encounter crosscutting exposure, while the use of Twitter for private expression does not. Offline network diversity has a significant association with crosscutting exposure, and it moderates the relationship between Twitter use for public expression or leisure seeking and crosscutting exposure. The positive association between Twitter use for leisure seeking and crosscutting exposure is stronger among younger people than among older people.

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Benefits, Satisfaction and Limitations Derived from the Performance of Intergenerational Virtual Activities: Data from a General Population Spanish Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19010401 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 401

Author(s):

Alejandro Canedo-García ◽

Jesús-Nicasio García-Sánchez ◽

Deilis-Ivonne Pacheco-Sanz

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Online Survey ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Well Being ◽

Academic Education ◽

Virtual Tools ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Intergenerational Interactions

The growing social gap between people of different generations has led to a greater interest in the study of intergenerational interactions. Digital technologies have become necessary for people of all ages to perform daily activities, increasingly including older people. The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and virtual tools can provide older people with excellent opportunities to connect with other generations, improving their quality of life and well-being. The aim of this study was to examine the benefits, satisfaction, and limitations of intergenerational interactions generated by the use of virtual tools. The participants are subjects of any age and different social groups residing in Spain and have completed an online survey. The analysis of sociodemographic data of the respondents showed that there is a significant correlation between the use of social networks and all the variables analyzed, except for their level of autonomy. Most participants who participated in intergenerational virtual activities reported the benefits of their social participation, relationships, mood, mental health, and academic education. Moreover, most participants were quite or very satisfied with the person with whom they used the virtual tools, especially if the person was a friend, their partner, sibling, another relative, or colleague. Except for grandparents, people who participated in intergenerational virtual activities and who had no limitations or disabilities were more frequently reported by the participants. In conclusion, intergenerational interactions through the use of virtual tools can contribute to improving the social inclusion and relationships of all people involved.

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Correlates of Resilience of Older People in Times of Crisis

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2676 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 723-723

Author(s):

Isabelle Albert ◽

Martine Hoffmann ◽

Elke Murdock ◽

Josepha Nell ◽

Anna Kornadt

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Older People ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Longitudinal Design ◽

Well Being ◽

Risk And Protective Factors ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Secondary Effects ◽

Age Related

Abstract Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts have been made to shield older adults from exposure to the virus due to an age-related higher risk for severe health outcomes. While a reduction of in-person contacts was necessary in particular during the first months of the pandemic, concerns about the immediate and longer-term secondary effects of these measures on subjective well-being were raised. In the present study, we focused on self-reported resilience of older people in a longitudinal design to examine risk and protective factors in dealing with the restrictions. Data from independently living people aged 60+ in Luxembourg were collected via a telephone/online survey after the first lockdown in June (N = 611) and September/October 2020 (N = 523), just before the second pandemic wave made restrictions necessary again. Overall, results showed an increase in life-satisfaction from T1 to T2, although life-satisfaction was still rated slightly lower than before the crisis. Also, about a fifth of participants indicated at T2 difficulties to recover from the crisis. Participants who reported higher resilience to deal with the Covid-19 crisis at T2 showed higher self-efficacy, agreed more strongly with measures taken by the country and felt better informed about the virus. In contrast, participants who reported more difficulties in dealing with the pandemic, indicated reduced social contacts to family and friends at T2, and also felt lonelier. Results will be discussed applying a life-span developmental and systemic perspective on risk and protective factors in dealing with the secondary impacts of the pandemic.

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Face Mask Wearing Behaviors, Depressive Symptoms, and Health Beliefs Among Older People During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.590936 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Rick Yiu Cho Kwan ◽

Paul Hong Lee ◽

Daphne Sze Ki Cheung ◽

Simon Ching Lam

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Older People ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Preventive Measure ◽

Face Mask ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Perceived Severity

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 100 countries. Despite the global shortage of face masks, the public has adopted universal mask wearing as a preventive measure in many Asian countries. The COVID-19 mortality rate is higher among older people, who may find that wearing a face mask protects their physical health but jeopardizes their mental health. This study aimed to explore the associations between depressive symptoms, health beliefs, and face mask wearing behaviors among older people. By means of an online survey conducted between March and April 2020, we assessed depressive symptoms, health beliefs regarding COVID-19, and face mask use and reuse among community-dwelling older people. General linear models were employed to explore the associations among these variables. Of the 355 valid participants, 25.6% experienced depressive symptoms. Health beliefs regarding the perceived severity of disease (p = 0.001) and perceived efficacy of practicing preventive measures (p = 0.005) were positively associated with face mask use. Those who reused face masks (p = 0.008) had a stronger belief in disease severity (p < 0.001), had poorer cues to preventive measures (p = 0.002), and were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. Mask reuse was significantly associated with depression only among those who perceived the disease as serious (p = 0.025) and those who had poorer cues to preventive measures (p = 0.004). In conclusion, health beliefs regarding perceived severity and efficacy contributed to more frequent face mask use, which was unrelated to depressive symptoms. Older people who had a stronger belief in disease severity had less adequate cues to preventive measures and reused face masks experienced greater depressive symptoms. A moderation effect of health beliefs (i.e., disease severity and cues to preventive measures) on face mask reuse and depression was observed.

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Carers’ involvement in telecare provision by local councils for older people in England: perspectives of council telecare managers and stakeholders

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x1900120x ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Nicole Steils ◽

John Woolham ◽

Malcolm Fisk ◽

Jeremy Porteus ◽

Kirsty Forsyth

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Online Survey ◽

Senior Managers ◽

Local Council ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Stakeholder Perspectives ◽

Routine Monitoring ◽

Hands On ◽

Carer Support ◽

Informal Carers

AbstractThis paper explores telecare manager and other ‘stakeholder’ perspectives on the nature, extent and impact of family and other unpaid/informal carers’ involvement in the provision of telecare equipment and services for older people. Data used in the paper are derived from a larger study on telecare provision by local councils in England. The paper aims to add to the growing evidence about carers’ engagement with electronic assistive technology and telecare, and considers this in the context of typologies of professionals’ engagement with carers. How carers are involved in telecare provision is examined primarily from the perspectives of senior managers responsible for telecare services who responded to an online survey and/or were interviewed in 2016 as part of a wider study. The perspectives of three unpaid carers were captured in a separate strand of the main study, which comprised more detailed case study interviews within four selected councils. Thematic and comparative analysis of both qualitative and quantitative survey data revealed the varied involvements and responsibilities that carers assumed during the telecare provision process, the barriers that they needed to overcome and their integration in local council strategies. Findings are discussed in the context of Twigg and Atkin's typology of carer support. They suggest that carers are mainly perceived as ‘resources’ and involvement is largely taken for granted. There are instances in which carers can be seen as ‘co-workers’: this is mainly around responding to alerts generated by the telecare user or by monitored devices, but only in those councils that fund response services. Though some participants felt that telecare devices could replace or ‘supersede’ hands-on care that involved routine monitoring of health and wellbeing, it was also acknowledged that its use might also place new responsibilities on carers. Furthermore, the study found that meeting carers’ own rights as ‘co-clients’ was little acknowledged.

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How to design a hypertension treatment trial that informs care of older people with frailty: a survey of clinicians in Ireland and the UK

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afaa198 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Miriam Veenhuizen ◽

Oliver Todd ◽

Atul Anand ◽

Will Whiteley

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Online Survey ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Treatment Target ◽

Nice Guidelines ◽

Treatment Agent ◽

Blood Pressures ◽

New Treatment ◽

The Uk ◽

Key Aspects

Abstract Introduction At all ages, randomised trials demonstrate lower mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence with blood pressure (BP) lowering. However, this may not generalise to older people with frailty. We aimed to determine the acceptability to clinicians of key aspects of trial designs using different BP targets and strategies to better manage hypertension in the context of frailty. Methods We conducted a multinational survey of clinicians managing hypertension in older people, distributed using an online survey link amongst professional societies and social networks. Questions described case histories of patients who were frail with different systolic blood pressures (SBP), treatment target, strategy and target trial population. Results In total, 114 responses were received (48 primary care, 66 secondary care). A majority would consider recruiting patients to a trial of relaxing treatment in those whose SBP < 130 mm Hg; a majority would consider recruiting to a trial intensifying treatment in patients with SBP > 150 mm Hg. Respondents elected to intensify treatment by: choosing the next step by NICE guidelines, adding a new treatment agent at full dose, or adding two agents at half dose. Conclusion A majority of clinicians surveyed would recruit older people to a trial intensifying treatment where SBP is more than 150 mm Hg and where patients have high cardiovascular risk or to a trial relaxing treatment where the SBP is below 130 mm Hg and where the patient has frailty.

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Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic among expatriate residents in the UAE

Avicenna ◽

10.5339/avi.2021.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Panthayil K Baburajan

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Job Loss ◽

Online Survey ◽

Human Life ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Psychological Wellbeing ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

The World ◽

A Minor

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated people and countries around the world. It has affected every aspect of human life. Despite the discovery of vaccines and widespread immunization drive which is a minor consolation, the consequences of it are likely to prevail for extended periods of time. This study explored the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). An online survey was carried out among a sample of 78 expatriate residents. While most of the respondents recognized and highly valued the measures taken by the UAE government to support and deal with the pandemic, intense stress and uncertainty was reported. It was found that the Asian community was more anxious concerning the negative consequences of the pandemic than Arab or W stern residents. The worry among older people was also found to be more intense. Anxiety over health consequences, fear of job loss, and constraints for international travels were the most overwhelming concerns. The difficulties that the coronavirus has presented continue to devastate the psychological wellbeing of individuals even where an adequate governmental system for prevention and controlling the pandemic is in place.

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Third sector partnerships for older people: insights from live at home schemes in the UK

Working with Older People ◽

10.1108/wwop-03-2018-0008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 148-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Olumide Adisa

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Online Survey ◽

Third Sector ◽

Later Life ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Content Type ◽

Health And Social Care ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Uk ◽

At Home

Purpose While there is a rich literature on the role of partnerships between statutory agencies and third sector organisations for public service delivery in health and social care, the evidence base on, partnerships between community-based groups and charities for older people in the UK is lacking. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data, the purpose of this paper is to examines partnerships within 46 live at home (LAH) schemes. These schemes were specifically designed to tackle isolation and promote independence and wellbeing by providing a wide range of activities, based on the needs of its members. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on an online survey of 46 LAH schemes and face-to-face interviews with seven scheme managers to capture data on the various partnership initiatives within the LAH schemes. Findings Third sector partnerships for older people varied by type – formal, semi-formal and informal. In addition, third sector partnership working fosters the achievement of clear outcomes for older people who LAH and could be a mechanism for building social capital in communities. The study also identified barriers to developing third sector partnerships within this context. Mapping existing partnerships in LAH schemes were considered to be useful in engaging with partners. LAH scheme managers were better able to identify partnerships that could be deepened and broadened, depending on the desired outcomes. Originality/value To the author’s knowledge, there are few studies on third sector partnership working in LAH schemes for older people. According to Age UK, there are 1.2m chronically lonely older people in the UK. Over half of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2015). Loneliness and social isolation in later life are considered to be two of the largest health concerns we face. Scaling up these third sector partnerships may offer a credible way to shore up support for older people who live alone or want to live at home.

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