scholarly journals 62 Engaging Older Adults in Co-Creating a Virtual Coaching Assistant (CAPTAIN) to Support Independent Living at Home

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii1-iii16
Author(s):  
Joanne Carroll ◽  
Louise Hopper
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Technology System ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
System Requirements

Abstract Background As population age increases (CSO, 2016), the CAPTAIN project aims to prevent premature or unnecessary transfer to long-term residential care by offering a safe environment where older adults can retain their autonomy, dignity and independence. CAPTAIN (Coach Assistant via Projected and Tangible Interface) will develop a virtual eCoaching assistant to facilitate independence in the home using augmented reality projections, voice and speech recognition, artificial intelligence and a user interface designed by older adults with their peers in mind. Methods Using Design Thinking and participatory research principles, older adults (n=10), caregivers (n=3) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) (n=2) co-create the CAPTAIN system with the research team. Co-creation occurs in cycles. Two co-design cycles use participatory workshops to identify older adults’ needs through discussion of typical older adult ‘personas’, examine how technology can support these needs and translate these outputs into system requirements. Four co-production cycles will evaluate CAPTAIN prototypes (hardware and software) to determine the effectiveness of personalised recommendations, usability and acceptability. The evaluation (involves additional caregivers, HCPs and stakeholder groups) combines observed CAPTAIN use, system-generated data, self-report measures, participatory group workshops and one-to-one interviews. Results Participants found the personas helpful in terms of generating conversation in the co-design sessions. They confidently described older adult needs, suggested where technology could provide useful support, and features they thought CAPTAIN should offer. Requirements across seven thematic areas (health, nutrition, physical and cognitive activity, accessibility, social interaction, education and safety) have now been sent to technical developers. Data from each cycle will continue to inform the development of CAPTAIN until system completion. Conclusion Participant contributions have ensured the continued development of an accessible, easy-to-use assistive technology system that will facilitate independent living and support older adults “…to do the things they want to do, when they want to do them”.

Talk or Walk? Gait Speed over Self-Report in Association with Cognitive Speed in Healthy Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-52
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Costello ◽  
Shane J. Sizemore ◽  
Kimberly E. O’Brien ◽  
Lydia K. Manning
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Subjective Report ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Relative Value ◽  
Cognitive Speed ◽  
Age Range

Abstract. This study explores the relative value of both subjectively reported cognitive speed and gait speed in association with objectively derived cognitive speed. It also explores how these factors are affected by psychological and physical well-being. A group of 90 cognitively healthy older adults ( M = 73.38, SD = 8.06 years, range = 60–89 years) were tested in a three-task cognitive battery to determine objective cognitive speed as well as measures of gait speed, well-being, and subjective cognitive speed. Analyses indicated that gait speed was associated with objective cognitive speed to a greater degree than was subjective report, the latter being more closely related to well-being than to objective cognitive speed. These results were largely invariant across the 30-year age range of our older adult sample.

scholarly journals Housing, Affordability, and Community-Based Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 690-691
Author(s):  
Samara Scheckler
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Housing Tenure ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Housing Cost ◽  
Home Equity ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Term Care

Abstract The house acts as both an environment of care and a vehicle to financially potentiate long-term community-based support. While housing can empower a diverse set of options for a person-centered aging process, inadequate housing can also impede healthy aging in the community. This symposium teases out the nodes where housing acts to benefit or limit safe community-based aging. The first paper in this symposium, Homeownership Among Older Adults, describes typologies of older adult homeownership and sensitively highlights trends, disparities and important considerations of homeownership in later life. The next two papers take these older adults and explores situations where their housing acts as an asset or as a burden. Identifying Cost Burdened Older Adults acknowledges that housing cost burdens look different for older adults than younger cohorts. A more precise definition of older adult housing cost burden is proposed to help researchers and policymakers better synthesize the complex relationships between older adult housing and their long-term care decisions. The Long-Term Care Financing Challenge then explores the role of home equity in expanding the community-based long-term care choice set for older adults. This paper demonstrates benefits (both realized and unrealized) in home equity and suggests policy implications moving forward. Finally, Cardiometabolic Risk Among Older Renters and Homeowners disentangles the relationship between housing and health by demonstrating health disparities that are associated with housing tenure, conditions and affordability. Taken together, this symposium explores the complex and multidirectional relationships between housing, long-term care and older adult health.

scholarly journals Hospital to Home: Supporting the Transition From Hospital to Home for Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 084456212110443
Author(s):  
Brittany Barber ◽  
Lori Weeks ◽  
Lexie Steeves-Dorey ◽  
Wendy McVeigh ◽  
Susan Stevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Home Care Services ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Hospital To Home

Background An increasing proportion of older adults experience avoidable hospitalizations, and some are potentially entering long-term care homes earlier and often unnecessarily. Older adults often lack adequate support to transition from hospital to home, without access to appropriate health services when they are needed in the community and resources to live safely at home. Purpose This study collaborated with an existing enhanced home care program called Home Again in Nova Scotia, to identify factors that contribute to older adult patients being assessed as requiring long-term care when they could potentially return home with enhanced supports. Methods Using a case study design, this study examined in-depth experiences of multiple stakeholders, from December 2019 to February 2020, through analysis of nine interviews for three focal patient cases including older adult patients, their family or friend caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Results Findings indicate home care services for older adults are being sought too late, after hospital readmission, or a rapid decline in health status when family caregivers are already experiencing caregiver burnout. Limitations in home care services led to barriers preventing family caregivers from continuing to care for older adults at home. Conclusions This study contributes knowledge about gaps within home care and transitional care services, highlighting the importance of investing in additional home care services for rehabilitation and prevention of rapidly deteriorating health.

A psychological pathway from insomnia to depression among older adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1375-1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Sadler ◽  
Suzanne McLaren ◽  
Megan Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Dysfunctional Beliefs ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep

ABSTRACTBackground: Higher levels of insomnia predict greater depression severity among older adults; however, the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. This study tested a path model that explored whether dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and hopelessness mediated the relationship from insomnia to depression. It was hypothesized that insomnia would predict depression, both directly and indirectly, via dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and hopelessness.Methods: A community sample of 218 independent-living Australian older adults aged from 65 to 96 years completed a self-report questionnaire package. From the initial 218 participants, 171 completed a measure of depression three months later.Results: Path analysis demonstrated that maladaptive sleep beliefs and hopelessness partly explained how insomnia influenced depression, irrespective of the presence of obstructive sleep apnea and/or restless legs syndrome.Conclusions: An older adult's beliefs about sleep and sense of hopelessness were important psychological factors that helped explain how insomnia related to depression.

scholarly journals UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY NETWORKS TO SUPPORT SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR PEOPLE AGING WITH DISABILITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S758-S759
Author(s):  
Elena T Remillard ◽  
Wendy Rogers ◽  
Sarah Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Engineering Research

Abstract A growing number of new smart, internet-enabled technologies from smart phone applications, to teleconferencing, to the Internet of Things (IoT), provide great promise and potential to support successful aging-in-place for people with long-term disabilities. This symposium highlights ongoing research at the TechSAge Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center to identify technology needs and develop/adapt new technologies to promote independence, health, and participation of this population. To understand user needs, Harris et al. will present findings from a large-scale interview study with older adults with long-term vision and mobility disabilities (N=120) that explored specific task-based challenges with community activities (e.g., going to entertainment events, volunteering) as well as solutions and strategies to overcome them. Koon et al. will present findings on perceived facilitators and barriers to using digital assistants (e.g., Amazon Alexa) to facilitate a variety of everyday tasks at home, from shopping to communicating with others, among adults aging with mobility disabilities. Levy et al. will discuss findings from research driving the creation of augmented reality tools that can enable individuals to experience how IoT devices, such as smart thermostats and lightbulbs, could be used within the context of one’s own abilities and home. Mitzner et al., will describe the development of a Tele Tai Chi intervention for older adults with long-term mobility disabilities that employs teleconferencing software to translate an in-person, evidence-based class to an online, social experience. TechSAge Program Officer, Sarah Ruiz (National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research), will serve as the discussant.

scholarly journals Developing Predictors of Long-Term Adherence to Exercise Among Older Veterans and Spouses

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 1159-1162
Author(s):  
Candace S. Brown ◽  
Richard Sloane ◽  
Miriam C. Morey
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Change Theory ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Social Barriers ◽  
Inclement Weather ◽  
Behavior Change Theory

Behavior change theory was used to explore predictors of long-term adherence (≥2 years) to exercise. A retrospective analysis of data from participants ( N = 97) who reached a 6-month follow-up, which served as the baseline, was evaluated for completion of yearly follow-up surveys. Variables examined at baseline, which included age, race, gender, body mass index (BMI), and self-report of comorbidities, symptoms, physical function, and a Barriers Specific Self-Efficacy Scale, were examined with significance set at p < .05. Lower BMI (29.1 ± 5.1 vs. 31.6 ± 6.5, p = .047) and higher self-efficacy to overcome environmental barriers ( p = .016) and social isolation ( p = .05) were associated with long-term adherence. Self-efficacy to overcome environmental and social barriers, such as inclement weather, access to exercise site, and opportunities for group-based exercise, should be addressed to promote long-term adherence to exercise among older adults.

Services Available from Providers in the Disability Field to Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
Laurie Buys
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Support Programs ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Past ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

As most older adults with intellectual disabilities reside in community based accommodation, the availability of support programs and services becomes important to the maintenance of independent living. Thirty nine community based organisations in Brisbane, Australia that assist people with intellectual disabilities were surveyed regarding the types of programs offered to older adults with intellectual disabilities. The results showed that 75% of the organisations had provided assistance to an older adult with an intellectual disability in the past 12 months. However, none of the agencies surveyed reported that they provided specialised programs or services to older adults with intellectual disabilities.

scholarly journals Older patients/older donors: choosing wisely

Hematology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Artz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Long Term Survival ◽  
Matched Sibling

Two lingering problems regarding transplantation in older adults have been how to select patients appropriately and whether to use older sibling donors. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) of older patients may result in long-term survival due to GVL, but the data remain observational and mostly restricted to those 50 to 69 years of age. Patients with excellent performance status and low comorbidity have the best long-term survival after HCT. Novel measures of health status such as self-report or performance-based functional measures allow “staging the age” and may inform candidacy for less robust patients. Older matched sibling donors should be preferred over matched unrelated donors (MUDs) because outcomes are equivalent to superior for matched sibling donors compared with MUD. However, MUDs also achieve acceptable outcomes and long-term disease control. An alternative donor can be considered based on institutional protocols and expertise. Very limited information is available in patients or related donors 70 years of age and older. Future efforts to more completely characterize patient health status before transplantation will allow better application of HCT in older adults.

scholarly journals Psychometric Properties of NASA-TLX and Index of Cognitive Activity as Measures of Cognitive Workload in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 994
Author(s):  
Hannes Devos ◽  
Kathleen Gustafson ◽  
Pedram Ahmadnezhad ◽  
Ke Liao ◽  
Jonathan D. Mahnken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cognitive Workload ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nasa Tlx ◽  
Index Of Cognitive Activity

Cognitive workload is increasingly recognized as an important determinant of performance in cognitive tests and daily life activities. Cognitive workload is a measure of physical and mental effort allocation to a task, which can be determined through self-report or physiological measures. However, the reliability and validity of these measures have not been established in older adults with a wide range of cognitive ability. The aim of this study was to establish the test–retest reliability of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Index of Cognitive Activity (ICA), extracted from pupillary size. The convergent validity of these measures against event-related potentials (ERPs) was also investigated. A total of 38 individuals with scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment ranging between 17 and 30 completed a working memory test (n-back) with three levels of difficulty at baseline and at a two-week follow-up. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) values of the NASA-TLX ranged between 0.71 and 0.81, demonstrating good to excellent reliability. The mean ICA scores showed fair to good reliability, with ICCs ranging between 0.56 and 0.73. The mean ICA and NASA-TLX scores showed significant and moderate correlations (Pearson’s r ranging between 0.30 and 0.33) with the third positive peak of the ERP at the midline channels. We conclude that ICA and NASA-TLX are reliable measures of cognitive workload in older adults. Further research is needed in dissecting the subjective and objective constructs of cognitive workload.

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