scholarly journals Friendships Forged in Fitness: An Ethnographic Exploration of Older Women’s Social Experiences in Water Aerobics

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 470-470
Author(s):  
Britteny Howell ◽  
Samantha Wanner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Social Supports ◽  
Thick Description ◽  
Fitness Centers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Water Based

Abstract Research shows that participants, especially older women, are more likely to adhere to a fitness program when they have social supports. Gerontology research also demonstrates that the social relationships forged by older women at community and fitness centers can be long-lasting and provide a variety of supportive functions. Older adults respond well to pool- or water-based aerobic exercises that are safe on the joints and provide a comfortable environment away from the intimidating nature of the gym. Therefore, water-based classes provided at community fitness centers are well positioned to provide ample social opportunities to further reinforce continued physical activity for older women, resulting in health and quality-of-life improvements. This project is a 5-month ethnographic exploration of the social relationships created and maintained in the context of water-based fitness classes (water aerobics) at a local community center (YMCA) that is attended by a culturally diverse group of older adults. The friendships forged by women in the pool at the YMCA provide a variety of social supports that help to maintain healthy aging outcomes among participants. Drawing on components of Activity Theory and Social Support Theory, this presentation utilizes participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires (N=35) to provide an anthropological “thick description” of the important role that fitness center friendships can form in the social lives of older women in the U.S.

scholarly journals Explorative healthy aging approaches fostering social innovation: thematizing life course narratives of older women participating in a documentary film

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susie Riva-Mossman ◽  
Henk Verloo
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Relational Networks ◽  
Important Concern ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Learning Processes

The transformative process of investigating life stories and their impact on healthy aging has only recently been explored. The relationship between hope and individual healthy aging strategies is still an under-researched area. This study contributes to filling the knowledgeability gap. The authors examine senior stories of hope and the experience of self-determination and well-being. The study documents the social learning processes of older people as they narratively search for solutions and imagine a hopeful future of healthy aging. A group of four older women participated in a semi-structured filmed interview, questioned by an academic expert. Healthy aging emerged as an important concern among all participants, confirming the need to actively learn how to age well. This exploratory research brought forth thematic clusters, orienting shared value solutions to demographic change. Qualitative research methods reinforce lifelong, collaborative learning processes that not only produce scientific literature, but also put in place relational networks that can grow and endure over time, generating social innovation. The film documented the role of hope and resilience in healthy aging.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Resilience Among Older Taiwanese Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deleon Fergus ◽  
Yi-Hua Chen ◽  
Ying-Chih Chuang ◽  
Ai-Hsuan Ma ◽  
Kun-Yang Chuang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Traditional Gender Roles ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Behavioural Factors ◽  
Gender Impacts

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether gender impacts potential associations between social relationships, sociodemographic, health and behavioural factors with resilience among older Taiwanese adults. Methods High and low resilience of older adults was determined based on the median value of the Friborg’s Resilience Scale. An independent sample t-test, χ2, and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine predictors for resilience which were then stratified by gender. Results Older women were less likely to be resilient than older men. Marital status, age, financial stress, and satisfaction with one's living environment were only significant in women. Traditional gender roles in the wider Taiwanese context can be attributed to these differences. Conclusions The relationships between gender, sociodemographics, health, and social and behavioural factors with resilience provide unique insights into how culture shapes trends in data.

scholarly journals Quality of life among older adults resident in long-stay care facilities

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1186-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Magalhães Vitorino ◽  
Lisiane Manganelli Girardi Paskulin ◽  
Lucila Amaral Carneiro Vianna
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Epidemiological Study ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Social ◽  
Care Facilities

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the older adults' perceptions of their quality of life (QoL) in two long-stay care facilities in Pouso Alegre and Santa Rita in Sapucaí, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil , and to identify the sociodemographic and health variables which interfere in this perception. METHOD: a cross-sectional epidemiological study of 77 older adults resident in institutions. The instruments used were: personal characterization; WHOQOL-bref and WHOQOL OLD. RESULT: the highest average obtained in the instruments was: the "Social Relationships" domain in the WHOQOL-bref (68%) and the "Sensory abilities" aspect in the WHOQOL-OLD (73.7%). The variables age, sex, physical activity and level of schooling have a significant correlation with the WHOQOL-bref and the variables sex and leisure have the same with the WHOQOL OLD. CONCLUSION: older adults who are younger, with higher levels of schooling and who undertake physical and leisure activity have, on average, better perceptions of their QoL. The older adults' QoL in this study had higher rates than that reported in the literature and was similar to that in the community. The results suggest the need to train those involved with older adults in institutions so that they may develop strategies which promote the adaptation, adjustment and maintenance of QoL.

scholarly journals Mental Health Issues in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island: Findings From the Healthy Aging Data Reports

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 95-95
Author(s):  
Taylor Jansen ◽  
Richard Chunga ◽  
Chae Man Lee ◽  
Shuangshuang Wang ◽  
Haowei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Abstract Mental health issues in older adults are prevalent, yet often undetected or untreated and can contribute to poor physical health, increased disability, and higher mortality rates. The current study describes state and local community rates of mental health indicators of older adults 65+ in MA, NH, and RI. Data sources used to calculate rates were: the American Community Survey (2009-2013 RI, 2012-2016 MA and NH), the Medicare Current Beneficiary Summary File (2012-2013 RI, 2015 MA and NH), and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2012-2014 RI, 2013-2015 MA, and 2014-2016 NH). Small area estimation techniques were used to calculate age-sex adjusted community rates for more than 150 health indicators. This research examines disparities in rates for 3 mental health indicators depression, self-reported poor mental health, and self-reported poor/fair health status. Depression rates: MA 31.5% (19.91-48.82%), RI 30% (19.7-38.5%), and NH 28.8% (18.26-40.56%). Self-reported poor mental health: RI 7.5% (4.8-12.5%), MA 7.0% (2.10-16.59%), and NH 6.9% (3.42-10.13%). Self-reported fair/poor health: RI 20.4% (8.6-38.8%), MA 18.0%, (7.2-34.38%), and NH 16.5% (13.31-21.60%). Results showed variability in rates across states. MA had the highest rates of depression, the greatest differences in rates, and access to the most mental health providers. RI had the highest community rates for poor physical and mental health, and the highest percentage of residents age 85+. Understanding the distribution of community rates makes disparities evident, and may help practitioners and policymakers to allocate resources to areas of highest need. Research funded by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

scholarly journals Eye and Visual Health in New England: Findings from the Healthy Aging Data Reports

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 879-879
Author(s):  
Shu Xu ◽  
Taylor Jansen ◽  
Chae Man Lee ◽  
Maki Karakida ◽  
Frank Porell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Visual Health

Abstract Eye and visual health issues in older adults are prevalent, often undetected and untreated, but can contribute to poor physical and mental health issues, and higher mortality rates. The study describes state and local community rates of eye and visual health indicators (cataract, glaucoma, self-reported vision difficulty, and clinical diagnosis of blindness or visual impairment) of older adults 65+ in MA, NH, RI, and CT. Data sources used to calculate rates were: the American Community Survey (2014-2018 RI, 2012-2016 MA and NH, 2014-2018 CT) and the Medicare Current Beneficiary Summary File (2016-2017 RI, 2015 MA and NH, 2016-2017 CT). Small area estimation techniques were used to calculate age-sex adjusted community rates for more than 150 health indicators (https://healthyagingdatareports.org/). Disparities in rates were examined for 4 eye and visual health indicators: cataract, glaucoma, self-reported vision difficulty, and clinical diagnosis of blindness or visual impairment. Results showed variability in rates across states. MA had the highest rates of self-reported vision difficulty (5.8%) and blindness or visual impairment (1.5%), and the greatest differences in rates of self-reported vision difficulty (0.00-40.91%). CT had the highest rates of glaucoma (28.3%), and the greatest differences in rates of glaucoma (19.51-41.91%) and blindness or visual impairment (0.44-4.39%). RI had the highest rates of cataract (67.5%). Understanding the distribution of community rates makes disparities evident, and may help practitioners and policymakers to allocate resources to areas of highest need.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic Correlates of Healthy Aging Among Older Cambodians

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 398-399
Author(s):  
Kakada Kuy ◽  
Yuekang Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Financial Conditions ◽  
The Social

Abstract Healthy aging is one of the most critical goals to attain on the World Health Organization’s global aging agenda for developing countries. However, healthy aging has not been widely studied among the many older adults living in those nations. For example, most of the Cambodia’s economically deprived older adults earn less than a dollar a day, while little scientific evidence is known about their healthy aging situation and their support system. Our study aimed to examine socioeconomic correlates of healthy aging among older Cambodians in three provinces. Data of a sample of older Cambodians ages 60 and above (N=210) from 12 districts were collected. Healthy aging was measured using the Healthy Ageing Index developed based on a Southeast Asian context. We measured social support using the Social Network and Social Support scale. Financial conditions were measured by an index derived from subjective and objective measurements. Multilevel mixed-effects models showed that better social supports from friends and family members, better financial conditions and education were associated with improved health aging among older Cambodians. Supports from friends had a stronger relationship than supports from family members. As one of the first studies examine the social determinants of health among older Cambodians, this study adds to the literature by substantiating the important roles of financial conditions and social support in determining their health and well-being. Findings point to the importance of improving living standard and maintaining social support of the older population in the country.

scholarly journals “Not as Bad as I Thought”: Undergraduate Students’ Perspectives on Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Nasreen Sadeq
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Course Completion ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Positive Aging ◽  
The Social ◽  
Upper Level

Abstract Ageism remains prevalent in our society and negatively affects older adults. Undergraduate education could be a potential avenue for combating ageism among individuals moving into the workforce. The current investigation is a pilot study in which students enrolled in an upper-level undergraduate course were asked to reflect on how their perspectives on aging had changed following the completion of the course. The course, Psychology of Aging, provides students with an overview of the psychological aspects of aging, including cognitive, physical, and social changes. Consensual qualitative methods were used to explore student responses (N=150) and analyzed using Atlas.ti 7. The results indicated that majority of students had a more positive view of aging following course completion. The three most common themes that emerged were 1) positive aging, 2) living arrangements, and 3) social relationships. For the positive aging theme, students recognized the positive aspects of aging, with many commenting that aging was not as bad as they originally thought. Nearly all the responses in the living arrangements theme reflected students’ previous assumptions that most older adults live in nursing homes. In the social relationships theme, students realized that aging does not make people value social connection any less. The findings suggest that providing students with accurate information about aging has the potential to correct their negative views of aging, and highlight the importance of gerontology coursework in higher education, particularly for those pursuing careers in which they will regularly interact with older adults.

scholarly journals Attendants’ experience with the Personalized citizen assistance for social participation (APIC)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karine Gagnon ◽  
Mélanie Levasseur
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Withdrawn Behavior ◽  
The Social ◽  
Self Knowledge ◽  
Meaningful Relationships

Abstract Background To promote healthy aging, the social participation needs of older adults must be better met. Previous studies have shown the benefits of the Personalized citizen assistance for social participation (APIC), but few explored its influence on attendants. This study explored the assistance experience of attendants when providing the APIC to older adults with disabilities. Methods A qualitative design inspired by a phenomenological approach was used with six female attendants who participated in individual interviews. Results The APIC attendants felt useful, developed meaningful relationships with their older adults, and improved their self-knowledge. Attendants had the opportunity to reflect on their lives and self-aging. They contributed to older adults’ functional independence, motivation, and participation in social activities. Attendants encountered challenges related to withdrawn behavior in older adults, such as refusing to participate in activities. Conclusions Considering the identified benefits of the APIC for attendants, further studies should explore personalized assistance to preserve older adults’ health.

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