scholarly journals It Protects Them From Me: Reasons Older Adult Black Women Engage in Living-Apart-Together Relationships

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 517-517
Author(s):  
Nytasia Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Living Apart Together ◽  
Relationship Types ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
Caregiving Roles

Abstract The preference for living-apart-together (LAT) relationships, where individuals are committed to one another but reside in separate households, has increased among older adults. Despite the growing trend to LAT in later life, there is a dearth of literature on living-apart-together exploring the experiences of minority older adult sub-groups. Particularly, few studies have explored motivations for living-apart-together among minority older adult sub-groups. In this study, using a qualitative descriptive approach, reasons older adult Black women engage in living-apart-together relationships were explored. As part of a larger study, thirteen black women ages 59-74 (married and unmarried) completed two semi-structured phone interviews about their motivations for living-apart-together and how decisions, or lack thereof, to LAT were made. Inductive thematic analytic methods revealed three major motivations for LAT among this sub-group. Motivations included: (1) to protect freedom and self-governance; (2) to maintain current living arrangements with live-in family members; and (3) to maximize healthy relationship characteristics (e.g. individuality). Participants reflected that reasons to engage in LAT were influenced by the distance between living-apart-together partners, current caregiving roles, and level of commitment. As to how older adult black women decided to engage in living-apart-together relationships, Participants reported that LAT happened by coincidence or because of a partner’s preference to maintain separate households. Boundary reinforcement regarding role strain was also identified as a core concept. Findings point to the need for applications to variations in relationship types among older adults regarding living arrangements, to professionals supporting aging families, and to further studies of family gerontology.

scholarly journals LIVING-APART-TOGETHER RELATIONSHIPS: EXPLORING OLDER ADULT BLACK WOMEN’S PERSPECTIVES ON CAREGIVING EXCHANGES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S911-S912
Author(s):  
Nytasia Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Future Expectations ◽  
Spousal Caregiving ◽  
Physical Support ◽  
Living Apart Together ◽  
Core Concepts ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

Abstract Recent research suggests that the preference for living-apart-together (LAT) relationships, where individuals are committed to one another but reside in separate households, has increased among older adults. However, older adult LAT couples prefer not to exchange care to maintain autonomy. In this study, we examine future expectations of spousal caregiving exchanges among older adult black women in LAT relationships. Eleven black women ages 60-74 (married and unmarried) completed two semi-structured phone interviews about future spousal caregiving expectations as to receiving and providing emotional, financial, and physical support. Regarding providing spousal care, findings from this qualitative descriptive study suggest that participants were consistent in their intent to provide emotional support, yet divided in visualizing themselves providing both financial and physical support for a spouse. As to receiving care from a spouse, participants envisioned their spouses providing emotional support, but responses were inconsistent on the expectation of spouses providing financial and physical support. Participants anticipate receiving emotional and physical support from their adult children and/or close family members instead of spouses. Autonomy, level of commitment, and the exchange of health information were also identified as core concepts. This study has implications for applications to different intimate relationships regarding living arrangements, to professionals supporting caregiving families, and to further studies of family gerontology.

Moving Through COVID-19: Perspectives of Older Adults in the Getting Older Adults Outdoors Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Kristina Marie Kokorelias ◽  
Jacquie Ripat ◽  
C. Allyson Jones ◽  
Nancy E. Mayo ◽  
Nancy M. Salbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
Safety Guidelines

Safety guidelines resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic may reduce physical activity participation of older adults, particularly prefrail and frail individuals. The objective was to explore older adults’ experiences with physical activity during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, interviews were conducted with 16 older adults. Data were analyzed thematically. Two themes emerged: (a) coming to a standstill and (b) small steps. Participants described that imposed provincial and federal recommendations caused them to reduce their physical activity with negative consequences. As time progressed, participants used emerging public health knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 to safely increase physical activity. Many participants developed strategies to remain active during the pandemic (e.g., wearing a pedometer, walking outdoors at particular times of day). Findings from this study can better inform the development of programs, clinical practice, and policy for physical activity promotion in older adults during periods of physical distancing and isolation.

scholarly journals Network size and support in old age: differentials by socio-economic status in childhood and adulthood

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARJOLEIN I. BROESE VAN GROENOU ◽  
THEO VAN TILBURG
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Occupational Prestige ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the impact of childhood and adulthood socio-economic status (SES) on personal network characteristics in later life. Data are derived from 2,285 married older adults (born between 1903 and 1937) who participated in face-to-face interviews for the Dutch survey on ‘Living arrangements and social networks of older adults’ conducted in 1992. Childhood and adulthood SES were indicated by the father's and own level of education and occupation. Multivariate analyses showed that SES in adulthood has more impact on network features in old age than father's SES. People with low lifetime SES or with downward SES mobility had small networks, low instrumental and emotional support from non-kin, but high instrumental support from kin, when compared with the upwardly mobile or those with high lifetime SES. The level of education was a better indicator of network differences than occupational prestige. It is concluded that obtaining a high SES during life pays off in terms of having more supportive non-kin relationships in old age. The small networks and less supportive non-kin relationships of low-status older adults make them more vulnerable to situations in which kin are unavailable or less willing to provide support. This study underscores the distinction between types of support and types of relationships in the SES–network association. Further research on the social pathways of socio-economic inequality in health and wellbeing should take these distinctions into account.

scholarly journals Childhood Trauma and Adult Psychological Adjustment: Resilience in Older Adult Survivors of Institutional Abuse

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 465-466
Author(s):  
Shauna Mc Gee ◽  
Andreas Maercker ◽  
Alan Carr ◽  
Myriam Thoma
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Collective Identity ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Institutional Abuse

Abstract Several international cohorts of older adults share past experiences of welfare-related adversity. In Ireland, reports of childhood maltreatment, neglect, and abuse within institutional welfare settings included a harsh regime, childhood labour, and physical and sexual assault. Preliminary research with these Irish survivors revealed a high prevalence of psychological disorders in adulthood. A pathological perspective of aging is often applied to such older adults, due to the long-term health consequences associated with childhood trauma. However, little is known about later life resilience or resilience mechanisms in this population. Therefore, using conceptual models of resilience, this qualitative study aimed to investigate factors associated with resilience in older adult survivors of childhood institutional abuse. Participants were 17 Irish older adults, 50-77 years of age, with experiences of childhood abuse in institutional care settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, lasting 60-120 minutes. Transcribed interviews were analysed using the Framework Analysis method. Nine themes were derived from the data, including core, internal, and external resilience factors: Individual characteristics, personality characteristics, support systems, goal attainment, adaptive belief systems, processing, influential events and experiences, recognition and collective identity, and access to services. Results suggest that resilience can be understood not only as an inherent trait, but also as a learnable set of behaviours, thoughts, and attitudes, which can be supported by external resources in an older adults’ environment. The identification of personal and contextual factors underpinning resilience in older adults with trauma experiences may help foster a more positive, strengths-based approach to aging in psychological research and practice.

scholarly journals Moderating Effects of Loneliness on COVID-19-Related Stress and Anxiety in Middle and Later Life in South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 141-141
Author(s):  
Sukyung Yoon ◽  
Soo Chan Choi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Many people have suffered from psychological distress in the form of stress, loneliness, and anxiety resulting from the COVID-19 epidemic (Havnen et al., 2020; Luchetti et al., 2020). Along with these factors, physical health (hereafter health), resilience, and living arrangements as protective factors were examined. The research aims were to investigate 1) factors affecting the association between COVID-19-related stress (hereafter stress) and anxiety, and 2) moderating effects of loneliness on this association. Data was collected on 450 middle-aged and older adults (ages 45 through 76) living in South Korea during COVID-19. A multi-group path analysis was employed. Measurement invariance was examined by comparing unconstrained and fully constrained models. Both models fit. Moderating effects of loneliness existed. Stress was negatively associated with health and living arrangements for people with both higher and lower levels of loneliness. Health was positively associated with resilience for both groups. Resilience was negatively associated with anxiety for both groups. For people with higher levels of loneliness only, stress and health were negatively associated with resilience and anxiety, respectively. The association between stress and anxiety was significant for both groups. However, the impact of stress on anxiety was significantly larger for people with higher levels of loneliness than for people with lower levels of loneliness. Health practitioners and service providers should develop programs to maintain and promote resilience, social support, and good health among middle-aged and older adults in South Korea to mitigate negative mental health consequences during the pandemic.

Older adult recovery: “What are we working towards?”

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Rankin ◽  
Stephanie Petty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Mental Health Setting ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inpatient Mental Health

Purpose – The perspectives of frontline clinical staff working with individuals in later life within an inpatient mental health setting, of their role in recovery, have not yet been explored. The purpose of this paper is to understand what recovery means within an inpatient mental health setting for older adults. The authors address clear implications for clinical practice. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 multidisciplinary participants across two specialist older adult recovery units at an independent hospital in the UK. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcripts. Findings – Three main themes were identified: participants identified their normative task as the promotion of “moving on” (clinical recovery) and their existential task as personal recovery. The context in which recovery happens was highlighted as the third theme. These represented competing workplace goals of clinical and personal recovery. This highlights the need to give permission to personal recovery as the process that enables mental health recovery in older adults. Originality/value – Staff working in a inpatient mental health service for older adults discussed the meaning of recovery and their role in enabling recovery. This has implications for sustainable clinical practice in this setting. Recovery-orientated practice in this setting is required but the detail is not yet understood.

Non-opiate pharmacotherapy options for the management of pain in older adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nakia A. Duncan ◽  
Rebecca J. Mahan ◽  
Sarah J. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Treatment Goals ◽  
Opioid Medication ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Pharmacologic Therapies

Abstract Pain is highly prevalent, costly, and disabling in later life, especially when undertreated. In this article, we aim to describe the risks and benefits of non-opioid medication options for the management of pain in adults aged 65 years and older in order to provide additional options in a practitioner's tool box when designing a pain management regimen for an older adult. Non-opiate pharmacologic therapies, such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, topicals, and antidepressants have an important role in pain management of older adults. When designing a pain regimen, taking an individualized approach that considers the patient's functional status, comorbidities, and treatment goals will maximize pain management.

scholarly journals Are the Attitudes of Exercise Instructors Who Work With Older Adults Influenced by Training and Personal Characteristics?

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Hawley ◽  
Dawn A. Skelton ◽  
Malcolm Campbell ◽  
Chris Todd
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Clinical Background ◽  
Exercise Classes ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Effect

Little is known about the relationship between attitudes and characteristics of instructors and uptake and adherence of older people to exercise classes. This article explores these issues.Methods:The authors surveyed 731 UK exercise instructors with specialist older adult exercise qualifications. A questionnaire investigated instructors’ characteristics and attitudes toward older adults’ participation in exercise.Results:For mostly seated classes, EXTEND qualification (B = 0.36, p = .005) had a positive effect on instructors’ attitudes. Later Life Training qualification (B = −2.80, p = .003), clinical background (B = −3.99, p = .005), and delivering classes in National Health Services (B = −3.12, p < .001), leisure centers (B = −2.75, p = .002), or nursing homes (B = −2.29, p = .005) had a negative effect on attitudes. For mostly standing classes, experience (B = 0.20, p = .003) and delivering in leisure centers (B = 0.46, p = .032) had a positive and clinical background (B = −1.78, p = .018) had a negative effect on instructors’ attitudes.Conclusions:Most instructors have positive attitudes, but training and work context can influence attitudes toward older people’s participation in exercise classes both positively and negatively.

scholarly journals Health Literacy and Health Conditions at the Intersections of Gender and Race in Later Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 871-871
Author(s):  
Takashi Yamashita ◽  
Darren Liu ◽  
Betty Burston ◽  
Jennifer Keene
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
White Women ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Abstract The benefits of health literacy are well-documented. Health literacy is a set of skills to locate, understand, and use health-related information to make optimal health decisions. However, relatively less is known about the long-term relationship between health literacy and overall health conditions among older adults. Additionally, health literacy and health at the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity, rather than gender and race separately, are yet to be investigated. This study analyzed sub-samples (n = 1,260 adults age 50+) of the 2010 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) health literacy module data, and the 2012, 2014, and 2016 HRS data to examine the trajectories of health based on eight physical and mental conditions (0-8 points: better-worse) among older adults. Latent growth curve mixture models were used to investigate the changes in health and six groups defined by gender (women and men) and race/ethnicity (White, Black, and Hispanic). Results showed that overall health deteriorated over time (latent-slope = 0.19, p &lt; 0.001) but the trajectories were diverse (latent-slope variance = 0.06, p &lt; 0.001). Greater health literacy (0-5 points: worse-best scaling), which was measured with a validated scale, was associated with better overall health only among White women and men. Notably, White women received the baseline health benefits (b = -0.20, p &lt; 0.05) from health literacy whereas Black women (b = 0.09, p &gt; 0.05) did not [Δb = 0.09 -(-0.20) = 0.29, p &lt; 0.05]. Other detailed comparisons, theoretical explanations, and public health policy implications for diverse older populations were evaluated.

scholarly journals Factors Contributing to Older Adults Living Alone and Thereby at Risk of Poor Health and Adverse Health Outcomes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikki Shipley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Living Child ◽  
Living Alone

Introduction: Extensive research demonstrates that older adults living alone tend to be less healthy, have poorer health outcomes and are at greater risk of dying. While many investigators have explored various aspects of aging, there has been limited work assessing factors that increase the chances of an older adult to live alone. This study examines the association between demographic characteristics; current health status; and social, cultural, and environmental factors among older adults (65 years of age and older) and the likelihood they will live alone Methods: Secondary analyses is conducted of survey data from the Americans' Changing Lives (ACL) cohort study initiated in 1986 (Wave 1) and continued through 2012, with four follow-up surveys conducted in 1989 (Wave II), 1994 (Wave III), 2001/02 (Wave IV), and 2011/12 (Wave V). All ACL participants 65 years and older at time of survey (Wave I – V) are included for this study (N=7,020). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) that included demographics, health status, and social support factors is employed to determine the relationship of these variables to an older adult reporting living alone. Additionally, the Cox proportional hazards model is used for survival analysis to predict the expected age at onset of living alone. Results: Four critical factors reduce the probability of an older adult living alone: 1) marital status (married), 2) gender (male), 3) presence of at least one living child, and 4) willingness to spend time in the garden (physical activity). An older female adult who is currently single and without a living child is most likely to report living alone (p<.001). Conclusions: Older adults living alone are at higher risk of poor health and health outcomes. The influx of baby boomers whose life expectancy is longer than the past, will cause a dramatic increase in senior adults living alone. This research suggests a guideline to public health professionals for identifying those at risk of being negatively impacted by living alone so that they can intervene and provide alternative living arrangements and support services, as necessary. Keywords: living alone, older adults, health outcomes

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