scholarly journals Vaccination to Promote Healthy Aging: The Five Ws

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 806-806
Author(s):  
Leonard Friedland ◽  
Leonard Friedland
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Abstract This symposium addresses the role of vaccination to promote healthy aging and the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age. Adults age 65 and over are at increased risk of certain infectious diseases due to immunosenescence. Therefore, immunization of older adults against targeted infectious diseases, including pertussis, shingles, influenza, and pneumococcal disease, can help to reduce morbidity and premature mortality. Vaccines in development to protect against additional infectious diseases causing significant morbidity and mortality in older adults, such as respiratory syncytial virus, can further promote healthy aging. The population of older adults in the US is projected to grow significantly over the next 30 years, with a corresponding increase in the incidence and economic costs of vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization of older adults is a proven, cost-effective strategy that is critical for reducing the public health impact and societal costs in an aging US population. Implementation of evidence-based recommended vaccines for older adults presents challenges, including financial barriers, addressing disparities and inequities in health care delivery for older adults, and overcoming vaccine hesitancy. We plan to review these topics and present data we have generated to support the value of vaccination in adults age 65 and over. Health Behavior Change Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

scholarly journals Vaccination in Older Adults: The Who and What

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 806-806
Author(s):  
Leonard Friedland
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Haemophilus Influenzae Type ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Vaccine Recommendations ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Aging brings increased impact of infectious disease in terms of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. This increased susceptibility to infection results from immunosenescence, age-related changes in the immune system, anatomic and functional changes, and environmental exposure to infections. Adults age 65 and over are at increased risk of pertussis, shingles, influenza and pneumococcal disease, and evidence-based recommendations for vaccination are protect older adults against these diseases. Underlying medical conditions including end stage renal disease, chronic lung, heart and liver disease, diabetes and immunocompromised place adults age 65 and over at increased risk of infectious diseases, therefore evidence-based vaccine recommendations in older adults with additional risk factors are in place to protect against varicella, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Investigational vaccines are developed to protect against infectious diseases causing significant morbidity and mortality in older adults, for example, respiratory syncytial virus, to further promote healthy aging. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Health Behavior Change Interest Group.

scholarly journals Understanding the perspectives of older adults and elderly regarding vaccination; a snapshot in four European countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Timen ◽  
R Eilers ◽  
S Lockhart ◽  
R Gavioli ◽  
S Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Abstract Prevention of infectious diseases in elderly by immunization is a prerequisite to ensuring healthy ageing. However, in order for the vaccine programs to be effective, these need to be provided by health care professionals who have up-to-date knowledge and high motivation. Furthermore, the knowledge and attitudes towards vaccination in the targeted age groups needs to be fully understood. When focusing on the information provision, it is important to know from whom or which institution older adults and elderly would like to receive and in which form. In January 2019, an international project called the VITAL (The Vaccines and InfecTious diseases in the Ageing population) project was started, within the framework of IMI (Innovative Medicines Initiatives). One of the goals of the VITAL project is to develop strategies to educate and train health care professionals (HCPs) and to promote awareness among stakeholders involved in elderly care management. We briefly focus on the results of studies undertaken in four European countries (Italy, France, The Netherlands and Hungary), which reveal the perspective of older adults and elderly regarding influenza, pneumococcal, herpes zoster vaccination and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as generic characteristics of the vaccines and diseases. We will show how attitudes towards vaccination are represented in our study population and which determinants influence the decision-making process of accepting vaccination. Furthermore, we shall elaborate on how the decision-making process towards vaccination takes place and which additional information is needed. In the second part of the session, we shall invite the audience to reflect on the findings and identify the factors they consider most important for setting up a training and education programme on vaccination.

Community-Based Aging Services

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Ivery
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Limited Mobility ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Aging Services ◽  
Community Based Services

As individuals age, their physical community continues to be a primary entry point of intervention because of their attachment to place, social connections, and limited mobility to travel as far and as often as they would like or desire. The environment provides a context for understanding an older adult’s social interactions and the availability of and access to supportive services that reduce isolation and increased risk for reduced health status. When individuals age in place, social workers need to understand how community-based services can work with older adults in their community where they have lived for some time and have developed social networks. This knowledge will better assist social workers in their ability to effectively connect clients with appropriate resources. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for an older adult’s environment to not reflect or adapt to their changing health status and physical mobility. Healthy aging (also referred to as age-friendly) and NORC (naturally occurring retirement communities) initiatives have emerged as examples of how to provide supportive, community-based services that will enable older adults to remain engaged in their community as they experience changes in their health status, mobility, and financial security. These community-level interventions emphasize the adaptability to an older adult’s changing lifestyle factors that influence how they navigate their community. These initiatives engage older adults in planning and implementing strategies to connect older adults with services and activities that promote aging in place. Social workers play a very important role in the provision of community-based aging services because they can serve as a bridge between older adults and the local, state, and federal level programs that may be available to them.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Determinants of Undernutrition in A Sample of Dutch Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from Two Online Screening Tools

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jos W. Borkent ◽  
Elke Naumann ◽  
Emmelyne Vasse ◽  
Ellen van der Heijden ◽  
Marian A. E. de van der Schueren
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
General Information ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Nutritional Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Screen Ii

To stimulate undernutrition screening among Dutch community-dwelling adults, a website was developed with general information on healthy eating for healthy aging and self-tests. Based on cross-sectional data obtained from the self-tests, we studied nutritional risk factors (early determinants) as well as risk of undernutrition (late symptoms). SCREEN II (n = 2470) was used to asses nutritional risk factors. This tool consists of 16 items regarding nutritional intake, perception of body weight, appetite, oral health and meal preparation. An adjusted SNAQ65+ (n = 687) was used to assess risk of undernutrition. This four-item tool contains questions on weight loss, appetite, walking stairs and body mass index. Differences between age-groups (65–74, 75–84, ≥85) were tested by logistic regression. Overall prevalence of nutritional risk factors was 84.1%, and increased risk of undernutrition was 56.8%. Participants aged ≥85 scored worst on almost all items of the SCREEN II and the SNAQ65+. In conclusion: A large proportion of older adults reported early determinants for increased nutrition risk, while a smaller, yet remarkable proportion scored positive on undernutrition risk. Internet screening may be a useful, contemporary, and easy, accessible way to reach older adults who are at nutritional risk and may thus contribute to early identification and prevention of undernutrition.

scholarly journals “In Our Corner”: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Patient Engagement in a Community-Based Care Coordination Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine S. Sefcik ◽  
Darina Petrovsky ◽  
Megan Streur ◽  
Mark Toles ◽  
Melissa O’Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Care Coordination ◽  
Patient Engagement ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

The purpose of this study was to explore participants’ experience in the Health Quality Partners (HQP) Care Coordination Program that contributed to their continued engagement. Older adults with multiple chronic conditions often have limited engagement in health care services and face fragmented health care delivery. This can lead to increased risk for disability, mortality, poor quality of life, and increased health care utilization. A qualitative descriptive design with two focus groups was conducted with a total of 20 older adults enrolled in HQP’s Care Coordination Program. Conventional content analysis was the analytical technique. The overarching theme resulting from the analysis was “in our corner,” with subthemes “opportunities to learn and socialize” and “dedicated nurses,” suggesting that these are the primary contributing factors to engagement in HQP’s Care Coordination Program. Study findings suggest that nurses play an integral role in patient engagement among older adults enrolled in a care coordination program.

scholarly journals Dietary Sodium and Blood Pressure in Older Adults

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-46
Author(s):  
Courtney B. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Urinary Sodium ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Major Food ◽  
Increased Risk

Given the proportion of older adults who are hypertensive and the population of older adults who are at risk for hypertension, the U.S. must mobilize public health efforts aimed at prevention. Scientific evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of sodium reduction to lower blood pressure. Translating this evidence into practice involves knowledge about the food sources of sodium so effective interventions can be designed and implemented. The purpose of this essay was to examine major food group sources of sodium in a cohort of older adults, with and without high blood pressure, in an urban community in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The University of Pittsburgh's "Center for Healthy Aging" promotes healthy aging in the community with the "10 Keys to Healthy Aging" campaign. One of the keys aims to lower systolic blood pressure to ≤140 mmHg. A low sodium intervention was implemented by the CHA project in hypertensive individuals. The sodium intake of the 521 community volunteers, mean age 74.5 years, 60% male, 94.1% white, who completed a FFQ, was compared to a sub-sample of hypertensives (n=214) who, in addition, collected one 24-hour urinary sodium. Mean baseline dietary sodium for the entire cohort was 1,796 mg per day compared to 1,821 mg per day in hypertensives. Urinary sodium was 1.8 times higher (141 mmol/24 hrs [3,240 mg]) than self-reported intake and decreased to 130 mmol/24 hrs (2,990 mg) at 6-months. The correlation between dietary and urinary sodium at baseline was weak (r=0.16) and remained weak (0.23) at 6-months. Major food sources of sodium were soups, breads, tomato sauce, salad dressings, and prepared cereals. Data indicate that the sodium intake of the group exceeds the 2005 Dietary Guidelines of ≤1500 mg per day by approximately 200% for individuals at increased risk using urinary sodium values. Even the most successful dietary interventions to reduce sodium intake to the recommended levels would be ineffective without the food industry’s help in reducing sodium added to foods during processing. This prevention strategy, in combination with stronger public health messages, would help to reduce the sodium intake in the population and help to achieve reductions in blood pressures.

scholarly journals Associations of Loneliness and Social Isolation with Healthspan and Lifespan in the US Health and Retirement Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L Crowe ◽  
Benjamin W Domingue ◽  
Gloria Hu ◽  
Katherine M Keyes ◽  
Dayoon Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Biological Aging ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Us ◽  
Retirement Study

Background. Loneliness and social isolation are emerging public health challenges for aging populations. Methods. We followed N=11,305 US Health and Retirement Study (HRS) participants aged 50-95 from 2006-2014 to measure persistence of exposure to loneliness and social isolation. We tested associations of longitudinal loneliness and social-isolation phenotypes with disability, morbidity, mortality, and biological aging through 2018. Results. During follow-up, 18% of older adults met criteria for loneliness and, for 6%, symptoms persisted across two or more follow-up assessments. For social isolation, these fractions were 21% and 8%. HRS participants who experienced loneliness and social isolation were at increased risk for disease, disability, and mortality. Older adults experiencing persistent loneliness were at a 59% increased hazard of mortality compared to those who were never lonely. For social isolation, the increase was 28%. Effect-sizes were somewhat larger for counts of prevalent activity limitations and somewhat smaller for counts of prevalent chronic diseases. Covariate adjustment for socioeconomic and psychological risks attenuated but did not fully explain associations. Older adults who experienced loneliness and social isolation also exhibited physiological indications of advanced biological aging (Cohen's-d for persistent loneliness and social isolation=0.26 and 0.21, respectively). For loneliness, but not social isolation, persistence of symptoms was associated with increased risk. Conclusion. Deficits in social connectedness prevalent in a national sample of older adults in the US were associated with morbidity, disability, and mortality and with more advanced biological aging. Bolstering social connection to interrupt experiences of loneliness may promote healthy aging.

scholarly journals The Occupational Therapy Approach to Addressing Food Insecurity among Older Adults with Chronic Disease

Geriatrics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Lisa Juckett ◽  
Monica Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Productive Aging ◽  
Increased Risk

The older adult population is one of the fastest growing age groups in the United States. Various components influence productive aging, and current research has identified nutrition and healthy eating as key factors that impact older adults’ overall health status. While consumption of nutritious meals can help minimize the risk of health decline, the growing rate of food insecurity inhibits older adults’ abilities to access healthy food regularly. Additionally, the high prevalence of chronic disease and disability in older adults can also limit independent participation in food-related activities, such as shopping, self-feeding, and meal preparation. A lack of food access and difficulties engaging in food-related activities place older adults with chronic disease at an increased risk of malnutrition, disability, and losing independence, thereby threatening social participation, healthy aging, and quality of life. Due to their expertise in promoting health and independent living, occupational therapy practitioners may be uniquely positioned to enhance older adults’ healthy eating behaviors through the use of client-centered interventions tailored to food-related activities. This position paper reviews the scope of the occupational therapy profession, the consequences of food insecurity among older adults with chronic conditions, and strategies to enhance food-related activity participation in later life.

scholarly journals THE SEARCH STUDY: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY INTO DIVERSE STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTHY AGING ACROSS CHICAGOLAND

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S961-S961
Author(s):  
Mushira Khan ◽  
Karen Graham ◽  
Tarisha Washington ◽  
Abigail Kim ◽  
Raj C Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African American ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Diverse Communities

Abstract Older adults face increased risk of chronic diseases of aging such as Alzheimer’s dementia and other adverse age-related outcomes. However, the conceptualization of healthy aging and how age-related issues are addressed in community-based structures, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities, remain poorly understood, especially from the Stakeholder perspective. Stakeholders, such as faith leaders and members of community-based organizations, engage in regular negotiations to advance health equity in their communities by partnering and collaborating with older adults and their families as well as other local and federal organizations. The Stakeholder Engagement in Aging Research and Community Health (SEARCH) Study employs multiple research methods to illuminate Stakeholders’ perspectives on barriers and facilitators to healthy aging in diverse communities. This presentation highlights findings from in-depth, qualitative interviews with Stakeholders (N=37) serving African American, Latinx, and South Asian older adults. Emergent themes suggest that systemic racism, stigmatization, limited health literacy, and cultural beliefs serve as barriers to healthy aging across groups. Within groups, Stakeholders report precarious immigration status and fragile and fragmented life situations as barriers among Latinx older adults, while acculturative stress presents a challenge to healthy aging in South Asian older adults. Food insecurity and neighborhood factors such as exposure to violence and socio-economic disadvantages act as barriers among African American older adults. Conversely, religious faith and spirituality, familial support, and culturally-congruent care serve as facilitators across groups. The findings from this study underscore the continued need for intersectional, inclusive, and culturally-informed approaches to supporting healthy aging within diverse communities.

scholarly journals High Anemia Prevalence in Korean Older Adults, an Urgent Healthcare Problem: 2007-2016 KNHANES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee won Chueh ◽  
Hye Lim Jung ◽  
Ye Jee Shim ◽  
Hyoung Soo Choi ◽  
Jin Yeong Han
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
The Difference

Abstract BACKGROUND: Anemia is associated with high morbidity and mortality in older people. However, anemia in older individuals is not fully understood, and national data on the prevalence and characteristics of anemia in Korean older people are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of anemia in older adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) , which is the nation-wide cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted by Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. METHODS: Data from the total of 62,825 participants of the 2007-2016 KNHANES were merged and analyzed to investigate differences in participant characteristics and potential risk factors for anemia. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia was higher in the population aged ≥65 years (older adults) than in the younger population. Anemia was also more prevalent among females than among males, but the difference was not statistically significant in people aged >85 years. Being underweight, receiving a social allowance, living alone, and having comorbidities such as hypertension, arthritis, diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, cancer, and chronic renal failure (CRF) were more prevalent in older adults with anemia than in the group without anemia. In the univariate and multivariate analyses, older age, female sex, underweight, and comorbidities including arthritis, DM, CVD, stroke, cancer, and CRF were associated with an increased risk of anemia. Furthermore, the prevalence data were significantly higher in this study than in previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that age, female sex, underweight, and the presence of comorbidities such as arthritis, DM, CVD, stroke, cancer, and CRF were associated with an increased risk of anemia in Korean older adults. Our findings may be useful in developing interventions and programs aimed at healthy aging. Further study on causal relationships between anemia and other variables in the older population is necessary.

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