scholarly journals Aging in Context: The Importance of Comparative Studies for Understanding the Lives of Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 561-561
Author(s):  
Allen Glicksman ◽  
Lauren Ring ◽  
Norah Keating
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Older Migrants ◽  
Migrant Populations ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Aging Services ◽  
Place Of Origin ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Policies And Programs

Abstract Access and use patterns of both formal and informal services for older migrants are often examined in a dyadic framework where one group of older persons (or their caregivers) is studied in relation to their use of a program or service. A comparative approach, that might also examine the reasons that some persons may (or may not) use a service, may yield important findings that place the dyadic studies within a larger social and policy context. By using a comparative approach, we can also consider influences of the culture of origin for older adults and their caregivers, as well as the policies and programs offered in the destination country. The four papers on this panel explore these issues. The first paper will frame the discussion, and the remaining three will focus on informal care, formal care, and the point of contact between aging services professionals and older immigrants. The first paper (Torres) takes a broad look at social exclusion mechanisms that bar access to services due to racism in the host societies. The second presentation (Diederich, et. al.) examines how place of origin can influence caregiving behavior. The third paper, (Thiamwong) examines a single program that is used to serve multiple ethnic minority/immigrant groups. Finally, (Ring et. al.,) will examine trust or its absence in the attitudes of older migrants toward use of formal aging services in two migrant populations. The four papers also demonstrate how different research methods (qualitative, quantitative, scoping review) can be used to illuminate these issues. International Aging and Migration Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

scholarly journals Trust and Language as Predictors of Service Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 561-561
Author(s):  
Lauren Ring ◽  
Allen Glicksman ◽  
Michael Liebman ◽  
Misha Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Service Use ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Native Spanish Speakers ◽  
Older Migrants ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Barrier To Care

Abstract Research on older migrants often starts with a set of assumptions- including the importance of language as a barrier to care. A comparative approach allows us to examine these assumptions as they impact access to services for older migrants. Our study compared two groups of older migrants – Mandarin speaking Chinese and Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico. Through a series of focus groups we learned that although language can be a barrier to service access, the more important element in reducing disparities for older migrants is the level of trust between older adult and provider. For the older Chinese participants, the presence of a native speaker whom they trust is contrasted with a lack of trusted native Spanish speakers available to Puerto Rican elders, who must often rely on translators from various providers. We will use this example to help explain the differences in service use by these two communities. Part of a symposium sponsored by the International Aging and Migration Interest Group.

Precarity, migration and ageing

2020 ◽  
pp. 115-146
Author(s):  
Karen Kobayashi ◽  
Mushira Mohsin Khan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Political Economy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Care Policies ◽  
Significant Life ◽  
Global North ◽  
And Migration

The profile of older adults in the Global North is changing rapidly with increasing proportions of foreign-born ageing populations. Despite their demographic significance, very little research has been conducted on the complex and varied experiences of ageing, risk, and insecurity in this group, particularly with regard to significant life course events such as migration. Using the conceptual lens of precarity, this chapter presents a nuanced analysis of risk and vulnerability in the context of ageing and migration. We begin with a brief overview of the key economic, psychosocial, and cultural markers of precarity in older immigrants. Next, we highlight the ‘politics of precarity’ inherent in the larger political economy of immigration and the invisibility of racialized older immigrants in health and social care policies. We conclude with a discussion on the challenges to understanding precarity in the context of migration, and provide suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals Contributors to and Consequences of Poor Sleep in Older Adults: Biopsychosocial Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 578-578
Author(s):  
Adam Spira ◽  
Katie Stone
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Ecological Momentary

Abstract Sleep is a significant contributor to health and wellbeing across the lifespan, especially in later life. Poor sleep is common among older adults and can be both a risk factor for and consequence of numerous physical and mental health-related outcomes. In this symposium, we will present novel results from four studies that will advance understanding of the biological, psychological, and social factors that may contribute to or result from poor sleep in older adults. Specifically, Study 1 will present findings tying objectively measured sleep to performance on cognitive tasks administered using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in the day-to-day lives of older adults with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Study 2 will examine associations of personality dimensions and facets with insomnia symptoms in well-functioning older adults. Study 3 will examine psychological pathways linking parent-child relationships to subjective and objective sleep characteristics among older parents. Finally, study 4 will examine use patterns of cannabis for the treatment of sleep problems in older adults, and the ways in which this might differ from patients using cannabis for other reasons (e.g., pain). Together, this symposium will highlight novel links of an array of factors with sleep health in the aging population and their implications for prevention. Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

scholarly journals Age-Cohort Differences in Longitudinal Associations Between the Rate of Internet Use and Memory Functioning

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 410-410
Author(s):  
Vineet Raichur ◽  
Lindsay Ryan ◽  
Richard Gonzalez ◽  
Jacqui Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Complexity ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Cross-sectional analyses of internet use patterns among older adults find that the rate of internet use is less with greater physical and memory difficulties. It is not clear, however, how age-cohorts differ in their internet use as physical and memory difficulties increase over time. In addition to factors such as increasing accessibility (cost) and social influences, the expansion and cognitive complexity of functions performed by the internet-enabled devices over time could influence internet use patterns. In this study, we investigate how the association between internet use and episodic memory difficulties over time varies between cohorts. We analyzed longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 15,703 in 2002; Aged 51 and older) between years 2002-2016 using mixed effects logistic regression models. Immediate and delayed word recall measures were used to assess episodic memory. Rate of internet use in the sample increased from 30% in 2002 to 53% in 2016. Rate of internet use among younger age groups was significantly higher in the baseline year. Younger age groups also showed a significantly higher rate of increase in internet use over time. In general, internet use decreased with episodic memory impairment. In addition to these effects, the effect of episodic memory on the rate of increase in internet use over time is lower in younger cohorts. These results indicate that younger cohorts of older adults are more likely to maintain internet use as they continue to age and therefore could better utilize technology for communication, social interactions and health interventions.

scholarly journals Changes in Tobacco Use Patterns during COVID-19 and Their Correlates among Older Adults in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1779
Author(s):  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
Armm Mehrab Ali ◽  
Md. Ashfikur Rahman ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Bhawna Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The present study explored the changes in tobacco use patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic and their correlates among older adults in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1032 older adults aged ≥60 years in Bangladesh through telephone interviews in October 2020. Participants’ characteristics and COVID-19-related information were gathered using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Participants were asked if they noted any change in their tobacco use patterns (smoking or smokeless tobacco) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic (6 months prior to the survey). Nearly half of the participants (45.6%) were current tobacco users, of whom 15.9% reported increased tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic and all others had no change in their tobacco use patterns. Tobacco use was significantly increased among the participants from rural areas, who had reduced communications during COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic (OR = 2.76, 95%CI:1.51–5.03). Participants who were aged ≥70 years (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.77), widowed (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.13–1.00), had pre-existing, non-communicable, and/or chronic conditions (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.78), and felt themselves at the highest risk of COVID-19 (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.62), had significantly lower odds of increased tobacco use. Policy makers and practitioners need to focus on strengthening awareness and raising initiatives to avoid tobacco use during such a crisis period.

scholarly journals Too Long to Wait: South Asian Migrants’ Experiences of Accessing Health Services in Australia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manju Adhikari ◽  
Sabitra Kaphle ◽  
Yamuna Dhakal ◽  
Sabina Duwadi ◽  
Rajan Subedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Migrant Populations ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Waiting Periods

Abstract Background: Migrants settling in a new country experience multiple complexity to navigate health systems and ways of living. In South Asia, migrating to developed countries for better life opportunities has been the ongoing trend and migration to Australia has significantly increased in recent years. The lower utilisation services and higher risks of chronic diseases among South Asian migrants has been an ongoing challenge for the health system to tackle and little is known why these groups of population do not access services. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing experiences of accessing health services by South Asian migrants in Australia. Methods: Using mixed method design, 62 online surveys and 14 in-depth interviews were conducted with participants from four countries of South Asia - Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Participants were recruited using a purposive snowball sampling approach following the standard ethical process. Survey data were analysed descriptively in SPSS to derive relationships between variables. Interview data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. Results: South Asian migrants experienced various complexities while accessing health services in Australia. Experiences of accessing health services highlighted a number of factors; long waiting periods to access public health services, expensive nature of private health services and communication problems due to socio-cultural differences. While these migrants have comparatively better experiences about the services in Australia than in their home country, they have expectations for affordable, timely, respectful, and culturally friendly services. South Asian migrants shared the possibility of making services accessible to them by investing more resources in the health sectors, so they can receive the expected quality of care in public settings. Conclusions: Limited evidence is available to understand the factors leading to lower utilisation of services and higher risks of chronic diseases among South Asian migrants. So, this study highlighted numbers of social, cultural, financial, and institutional factors that are critical to design appropriate health service strategies. This study recommended incorporating a collaborative and culturally competent model of care to increase access to services which can further help to reduce existing disparities in health outcomes among migrant populations.

Smartphone and Digital Home Assistant Use Among Older Adults: Understanding Adoption and Learning Preferences

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 742-746
Author(s):  
Maurita T. Harris ◽  
Kenneth A. Blocker ◽  
Wendy A. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
Digital Home ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Smart Technologies

Smart technologies have increased dramatically within the last decade. Their availability has improved opportunities for productivity, health, and entertainment, and this is especially true for technologies that act as central hubs to link other devices and applications that expand their capabilities (e.g., smartphones and digital home assistants). Older adults may significantly benefit from integrating these devices into their lives to mitigate the various challenges they face with increasing age (e.g., cognitive, mobility changes). To understand the potential of these technologies for this population, we investigated use patterns, learning preferences, and other perceptions related to the adoption of these devices. Seventy older adult participants responded to an online survey regarding their use and preferences with smartphones and digital home assistants. The results informed our understanding of current adoption rates as well as provided key perspectives to inform their design for older adults.

Migrations in Late Mesoamerica

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-40
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Beekman
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Human Movement ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
Migrant Populations ◽  
Terminal Classic ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Political Economic

This chapter addresses recent research that identifies migration as a specific form of human movement in which social groups move into new social contexts. Migration is inherently disruptive to people’s lives, and it occurs embedded within political, economic, or social processes that make it highly context-specific. I discuss the history of theory in migration research, including recent shifts away from a concern with ethnicity in favour of communities of practice. Late Mesoamerica is a data-rich environment for the study of migration within its social context. The Classic period saw regional political systems that extended their reach economically or militarily and frequently had a demographic component. The widespread disruption of the Epiclassic or Terminal Classic periods included environmental change, political collapse, and a major reorganization of the social landscape. The Postclassic witnessed the re-emergence of complex societies claiming descent from migrant populations. The contributions to this volume come from many different disciplines and assess the timing, causes, perceptions, and impacts of migrations across a variety of social contexts. Political disruption, environmental change, and migration are frequently interrelated in ways reminiscent of our world today.

15. The Rise of Anti-Establishment Parties

2020 ◽  
pp. 307-326
Author(s):  
Mara Morini
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Approach ◽  
European Politics ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
New Parties ◽  
And Migration ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Nationalist Parties ◽  
Extreme Right Parties

This chapter examines the rise of radical right-wing nationalist parties and radical anti-globalization, anti-austerity left-wing parties in Europe. Anti-establishment parties are not new; they have always been a feature of European politics. The ground was not seeded for their development and expansion, however, until social and cultural changes that began in the 1960s combined with the economic and migration crises of the 2000s. The chapter discusses historic anti-establishment parties and the new parties that have emerged over the last two decades. It discusses the nature of anti-establishment parties and describes contemporary radical-left and extreme-right parties. The label of ‘populism’ as applied to these parties is analysed. Using a comparative approach, the chapter examines why there has been a growth of support for anti-establishment parties and attitudes in the last decades, focusing on the development of a ‘populist moment’ in contemporary representative democracies.

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