scholarly journals Volunteering and Cognitive Health Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Friendship

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 415-416
Author(s):  
Changmin Peng ◽  
Jeffrey Burr ◽  
Sae Hwang Han ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Jan Mutchler
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
The United States ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

Abstract We lack knowledge about the underlying mechanisms that link formal volunteering to cognitive health. Friendships can be formed and improved through volunteering. Friendship is also beneficial to cognitive health as it often involves sharing information and promoting social interactions. This study investigated the potential mediating role of friendship (i.e., the number of close friends and the quality of friendships) for the association between volunteering (i.e., volunteering status and volunteering hours) and episodic memory among middle-aged and older adults in the United States, using data from the 2014 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 6,029). Moderated mediation models were employed to test the mediation role of friendship for the association between volunteering and cognition for two age groups, middle-aged adults (age 50-64, n = 2,441) and older adults (age 65+, n = 3,588). The results showed that the quality of friendships, but not the number of close friends, mediated the relationship between volunteering (both status and hours) and episodic memory for middle-aged adults. However, mediation effects of friendship were not discovered for older adults. Our findings emphasize the important role of the quality of friendship in understanding the cognitive benefit of volunteering among middle-aged adults. For older adults, the nonsignificant effects of friendship may be consistent with socioemotional selectivity theory, suggesting that older adults may not use volunteering to expand their social networks. Instead, they may participate in volunteer work for other reasons in the context of shrinking social networks.

scholarly journals The Mediating Role of Vision in the Relationship between Proprioception and Postural Control in Older Adults, as Compared to Teenagers and Younger and Middle-Aged Adults

Healthcare ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Ainhoa Nieto-Guisado ◽  
Monica Solana-Tramunt ◽  
Adrià Marco-Ahulló ◽  
Marta Sevilla-Sánchez ◽  
Cristina Cabrejas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study is to analyze the mediating role of vision in the relationship between conscious lower limb proprioception (dominant knee) and bipedal postural control (with eyes open and closed) in older adults, as compared with teenagers, younger adults and middle-aged adults. Methods: The sample consisted of 119 healthy, physically active participants. Postural control was assessed using the bipedal Romberg test with participants’ eyes open and closed on a force platform. Proprioception was measured through the ability to reposition the knee at 45°, measured with the Goniometer Pro application’s goniometer. Results: The results showed an indirect relationship between proprioception and postural control with closed eyes in all age groups; however, vision did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions: Older adults outperformed only teenagers on the balance test. The group of older adults was the only one that did not display differences with regard to certain variables when the test was done with open or closed eyes. It seems that age does not influence performance on proprioception tests. These findings help us to optimize the design of training programs for older adults and suggest that physical exercise is a protective factor against age-related decline.

Biopsychosocial Patterning of Multimorbidity and Its Consequences

2018 ◽  
pp. 220-236
Author(s):  
Elliot Friedman ◽  
Beth LeBreton ◽  
Lindsay Fuzzell ◽  
Elizabeth Wehrpsann
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chronic Medical Conditions ◽  
Quality Of Life Research ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Over Time

By many estimates the majority of adults over age 65 have two or more chronic medical conditions (multimorbidity) and are consequently at increased risk of adverse functional outcomes. Nonetheless, many older adults with multimorbidity are able to maintain high levels of function and retain good quality of life. Research presented here is designed to understand the influences that help ensure better functional outcomes in these older adults. This chapter presents findings that draw on data from the Midlife in the United States study. The independent and interactive contributions of diverse factors to multimorbidity and changes in multimorbidity over time are reviewed. The degree that multimorbidity increases risk of cognitive impairment and disability is examined. The role of inflammation as a mediator is considered. Multimorbidity is increasingly the norm for older adults, so better understanding of factors contributing to variability in multimorbidity-related outcomes can lead to improved quality of life.

scholarly journals Coping Capacity and Episodic Memory in Older Adults With SMCs: The Mediating Role of Healthy Lifestyle

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 278-279
Author(s):  
Feilong Wang ◽  
Shijie Li ◽  
Kaifa Wang ◽  
Yanni Yang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Coping Capacity ◽  
Memory Decline ◽  
Mediating Role

Abstract Older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are at increased risk for episodic memory decline. Episodic memory decline is an important predictor of objective memory impairment (one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease) and an often-suggested criterion of successful memory aging. Therefore, it is important to explore the determinant factors that influence episodic memory in older adults with SMCs. Roy adaptation model and preliminary evidence suggest that older adults with SMCs undergo a coping and adaptation process, a process influenced by many health-related risks and protective factors. This study aimed to explore the relationship between coping capacity and episodic memory, and the mediating role of healthy lifestyle between coping capacity and episodic memory in a sample of 309 community-dwelling older adults with SMCs. Results from the structural equation modeling showed that coping capacity directly affects episodic memory (r=0.629, p＜0.001), and there is a partial mediating effect (60.5%) of healthy lifestyle among this sample of older adults with SMCs. This study demonstrates that coping capacity and adaptation positively correlate with episodic memory in older adults with SMCs, and that these correlations are mediated by healthy lifestyle. The results suggest that older adults with poor coping capacity should be assessed and monitored regularly, and clear lifestyle-related interventions initiated by healthcare providers that promote healthy lifestyles may effectively improve coping capacity and episodic memory in this population group. Note: First author: Feilong Wang, Co-first author: Shijie li, Corresponding author: Yanni Yang

scholarly journals The Role of Delay of Care in Depression among US Middle-Aged and Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic:: A Secondary Data Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Luo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Delay Of Care ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Univariate Analyses

BACKGROUND The depression level among US adults significantly increased during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and age disparity in depression during the pandemic were reported in recent studies. Delay or avoidance of medical care is one of the collateral damages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and it can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and delay of care among US middle-aged adults and older adults during the pandemic, as well as investigate the role of delay of care in depression among those two age groups. METHODS This cross-sectional study used the 2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) COVID-19 Project (Early, Version 1.0) data. Univariate analyses, bivariate analyses, and binary logistic regression were applied. US adults older than 46 years old were included. Depression was measured by Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form (CIDI-SF). Delay of care were measured by four items: delay of surgery, delay of seeing a doctor, delay of dental care, and delay of other care. Univariate analyses, bivariate analyses, and binary logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS More than half of participants were older than 65 years old (58.23%) and 274 participants (8.75%) had depression during the pandemic. Delay of dental care was positively associated with depression among both middle-aged adults (OR=2.05, 95%CI=1.04-4.03, P<0.05) and older adults (OR=3.08, 95%CI=1.07-8.87, P<0.05). Delay of surgery was positively associated with depression among older adults (OR=3.69, 95%CI=1.06-12.90, P<0.05). Self-reported pain was positively related to depression among both age groups. Middle-aged adults who reported higher education level (some college of above) or worse self-reported health had higher likelihood to have depression. While perceived more loneliness was positively associated with depression among older adults, financial difficulty was positively associated with depression among middle-aged adults. CONCLUSIONS This study found that depression among middle-aged and older adults during the pandemic was also prevalent. The study highlighted the collateral damage of the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying the effect of delay of surgery and dental care on depression during the pandemic. Although surgery and dental care cannot be delivered by telehealth, telehealth services can still be provided to address patients’ concern on delay of surgery and dental care. Moreover, the implementation of tele-mental health services is also needed to address mental health symptoms among US middle-aged and older adults during the pandemic. Future research that uses more comprehensive CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals Relationships between the Older Adult’s Cognitive Decline and Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of the Assistive Mobile Health Applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Murtaja Ali Saare ◽  
Azham Hussain ◽  
Wong Seng Yue
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Mobile Health Applications ◽  
Conceptual Explanation ◽  
Health Applications

This article examines the link between the older adult’s cognitive decline, and Assistive Mobile Health Applications in terms of quality of life as researcher has found scarcity in explaining the mediating role of assistive mobile health applications towards the quality of life of older adults with cognitive decline. Researchers have identified the importance of using assistive mobile health applications in connection of the older adult’s cognitive decline. However, it remained unaddressed in the explaining the mediating role of assistive mobile health application. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an insight that the adoption of assistive m-health applications will provide this population with potential solution to their challenging aging life, hence, enhancing their quality of life. In addition, this paper is only a conceptual explanation, as it aims to identify the possible reasons that influence their Smartphone adoption. Factors were identified using a systematic literature review on relevant peer reviewed papers. The study summarized the empirical evidences which were used to support the conceptual explanation. It is expected that this work will lead towards the empirical findings on the explanation of the mediating role of the assistive mobile health applications to address the relationship of older adult’s cognitive decline and quality of life. This paper providesdirections for future studies in improving the quality of life of older adults.

Age differences in attitudes about older adults with dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Christie Newton ◽  
Thomas Hadjistavropoulos ◽  
Natasha L. Gallant ◽  
Ying C. MacNab
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Care Giver ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

AbstractDementia, a term that describes a variety of brain conditions marked by gradual, persistent and progressive cognitive decline, affects a significant proportion of older adults. Older adults with dementia are sometimes perceived less favourably than those without dementia. Furthermore, compared to persons without dementia, those with dementia are often perceived by others as having reduced personhood. This study was aimed at investigating whether differences in attitudes towards dementia and personhood perceptions vary as a function of age group, care-giver status, attitudes towards ageing, dementia knowledge, gender and education. In total 196 younger, middle-aged and older adults were recruited. Findings revealed that being a care-giver as well as having less ageist attitudes were predictive of being more comfortable around persons with dementia, having more knowledge about dementia and ascribing greater personhood to people with dementia. Those with more dementia knowledge (prior to the study) were less comfortable around people with dementia. Finally, when controlling this prior dementia knowledge, older adults were more comfortable around people with dementia compared to younger and middle-aged adults. Gender and education were not associated with any of the variables under study. Findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of age- and care-giver-related factors in the determination of attitudes towards dementia.

The Effects of Animation on the Guessability of Universal Healthcare Symbols for Middle-Aged and Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 001872082110609
Author(s):  
Hao Chen ◽  
Chao Liu ◽  
Szu-Erh Hsu ◽  
Ding-Hau Huang ◽  
Chia-Yi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Universal Healthcare ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Symbol Comprehension ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Better Than

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate whether animation can help to improve the comprehension of universal healthcare symbols for middle-aged and older adults. Background The Hablamos Juntos (HJ) healthcare symbol system is a set of widely used universal healthcare symbols that were developed in the United States. Some studies indicated that HJ healthcare symbols are not well-understood by users in non-English-speaking areas. Other studies found that animations can improve users’ comprehension of complex symbols. Thus, we wanted to test whether animation could help to improve users’ comprehension of HJ symbols. Methods The participants included 40 middle-aged and 40 older adults in Taiwan. We redesigned the 12 HJ symbols into three visual formats—static, basic animation, and detailed animation—and compared them to find which best improved the participants’ guessability scores. Results (1) Middle-aged adults’ comprehension of static and basic animated symbols was significantly better than that of older adults, but there was no significant difference in the guessability scores between the two age groups in terms of detailed animated symbols; (2) In general, both basic animation and detailed animation significantly improved the guessability score, but the effect with detailed animation was significantly greater than that with basic animation; (3) Older women were more receptive to detailed animation and showed better guessing performance. Conclusion Detailed animation contains more details and provides a more complete explanation of the concept of the static symbols, helping to improve the comprehension of HJ symbols for middle-aged and older adult users. Application Our findings provide a reference for the possibility of new style symbol design in the digital and aging era, which can be applied to improve symbol comprehension.

The quality of self, social, and directive memories

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 395-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Alea ◽  
Mary Jane Arneaud ◽  
Sideeka Ali
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Social Function ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Directive Function ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

The quality of functional autobiographical memories was examined in young, middle-aged, and older adult Trinidadians ( N = 245). Participants wrote about an event that served a self, social, and directive function, and reported on the memory’s quality (e.g., significance, vividness, valence, etc.). Across age groups, directive memories were the most negative, and social function memories were the most positive. Social function memories were also talked about most. Compared to younger adults, older adults’ functional memories, regardless of the type of function, were positive and talked about often, and middle-aged adults’ memories were significant and vivid. The discussion encourages researchers to continue to simultaneously consider both why humans remember so much of their life, and what they remember when doing so.

scholarly journals Age Differences in the Influence of Residential Environment and Behavior on the Life Quality of Older Adults: The Transfer from Physical-Environment to Social-Behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 895
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Zheng ◽  
Hong Chen ◽  
Junling Gao
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Residential Environment ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Residential Environments ◽  
Neighborhood Interaction

With the development of the concept of “ageing-friendly communities”, increasing attention has been paid to the effect of residential environments on the life quality of older adults. However, the logical relationship between residential environment, individual behavior and life quality of older adults has not been clearly revealed. Based on data in Shanghai, China, this study explored the relationships between residential environments and the life quality of older adults in different age groups, and analyzed the mediating role of individual behaviors (neighborhood interaction and outdoor exercise). The findings confirmed that residential environment, neighborhood interactions and outdoor exercise have significant positive effects on the life quality of older adults. Meanwhile, the impact of residential environment on the life quality of older adults is exclusively realized through the mediating role of individual behavior. However, there were significant differences in the model paths among various age groups. With ageing, the positive effects of residential environment on the quality of life gradually weakened, while that of neighborhood interaction gradually improved. The findings prove that the influencing factors on the quality of life of older adults tend to shift from residential environment to neighborhood interaction as the age of residents advances. This knowledge is crucial with regard to the differentiated and accurate design of older communities.

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