scholarly journals Older adult maintaining and improving health self-management through peer supported SMART goal setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 611-611
Author(s):  
Mary Hynes ◽  
Nicole Anderson ◽  
Monika Kastner ◽  
Arlene Astell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Smart Goals ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Non-medical interventions to address risk factors (such as reducing smoking, increasing physical activity, and tackling limited social interaction) are needed to help tackle escalating social and financial health costs. Peer supported interventions have been used successfully to support persons’ health self-management; however, there is limited evidence for group interventions facilitated by older adults. A proof-of-concept study by the first author demonstrated the potential of older adults meeting in groups to each create and follow through with a single SMART goal for any area of health over one-month. This study extends SMART goal setting to enhancing health management over six months. Older adult participants from across Ontario will attend virtual SMART goal setting group sessions followed by six monthly support group meetings where they are free to choose any goal, whether a mitigation or a new behavior. Each month the facilitator will assist participants to continue, modify, or set a new goal. At the end participants will complete surveys about their satisfaction with the method, their results and their desire to continue with SMART goals. They will also be asked if they would like to facilitate new groups to continue the spread of peer-supported SMART goal groups. This study is designed to empower older adults to maintain or improve management of their physical, psychological, and/or social health. It will reveal the impact of an older adult created and guided group health intervention on feelings of self-efficacy and well-being.

scholarly journals Increasing Older Adult Involvement in Geriatric Assessment: A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432199332
Author(s):  
Wanda Rietkerk ◽  
Jannet de Jonge-de Haan ◽  
Joris P. J. Slaets ◽  
Sytse U. Zuidema ◽  
Debby L. Gerritsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Geriatric Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Adult Involvement ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: Goal setting and motivational interviewing (MI) may increase well-being by promoting healthy behavior. Since we failed to show improved well-being in a proactive assessment service for community-dwelling older adults applying these techniques, we studied whether implementation processes could explain this. Methods: Goals set during the comprehensive geriatric assessment were evaluated on their potential for behavior change. MI and goal setting adherence wasassessed by reviewing audiotaped interactions and interviewing care professionals. Results: Among the 280 goals set with 230 frail older adults (mean age 77 ± 6.9 years, 59% women), more than 90% had a low potential for behavior change. Quality thresholds for MI were reached in only one of the 11 interactions. Application was hindered by the context and the limited proficiency of care professionals. Discussion: Implementation was suboptimal for goal setting and MI. This decreased the potential for improved well-being in the participating older adults.

scholarly journals AN ELDERLY’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE IMPACT OF SPIRITUALITY TOWARDS DEATH ACCEPTANCE

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 212-217
Author(s):  
Minnie Besin Mamauag
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Spiritual Beliefs ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Old Adult ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Death Acceptance

Objective: This study explored the religious or spiritual beliefs and behaviors of the elderly that could somehow translate to their level of death acceptance or lack thereof.Methods: A total of four (4) elderly participants, ages 60 and above whom meet the criteria set for this study was interviewed to assess their spiritual upbringing and experiences that resulted to their death acceptance. The study involves qualitative approach using thematic analysis. The narrative testimony of the old adult participants in this study which includes cases of older adult that believes in God, older adult having shifted from one religious organization to another, and older adults’ instilled spirituality comes from religious imprint from family members during childhood describes the three important patterns in the religious or spiritual standing of the participants.Results: The themes signified that (1) older adults are inherently religious and this nature is a subsequent factor in (2) their faith in God basing on their life experiences and life’s meaning. Furthermore, this (3) belief or faith in God offers them a sense of security and hope in the afterlife.Conclusion: These themes explain the pattern in the creation of a religious/ spiritual standing that leads to death acceptance among participants as evident in their interview results.

The Impact of Natural Hazards on Older Adult Health: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L. Andrade ◽  
Megan Jula ◽  
Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz ◽  
Lauren Lapointe ◽  
Mark C. Edberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Natural Hazard ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: With natural hazards increasing in frequency and severity and global population aging, preparedness efforts must evolve to address older adults’ risks in disasters. This study elucidates potential contributors to the elevated older adult mortality risk following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico through an examination of community stakeholder preparedness, response, and recovery experiences. Methods: In April 2018, qualitative interviews (n = 22) were conducted with stakeholders in 7 Puerto Rican municipalities. Interview transcripts were deductively and inductively coded and analyzed to identify salient topics and themes representing participant response patterns. Results: The hurricane’s detrimental impact on older adult health emerged as a prominent finding. Through 6 months post-hurricane, many older adults experienced unmet needs that contributed to declining physical and emotional health, inadequate non-communicable disease management, social isolation, financial strain, and excess morbidity and mortality. These needs were predominantly consequences of lengthy public service gaps, unsafe living conditions, interrupted health care, and the incongruence between preparedness and event severity. Conclusions: In a landscape of increasing natural hazard frequency and magnitude, a pattern of older adult risk has become increasingly clear. Study findings compel practitioners to engage in natural hazard preparedness planning, research, and policy-making that considers the multiple facets of older adult well-being.

Intergenerational science programming: A catalyst for motivation in older adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Ila Schepisi, MTS, CTRS-Specialization in Geriatrics ◽  
Caitlin Faas, MS
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Service Intervention ◽  
Related Science

The purpose of this study was to determine if increased use of science processing skills would in turn increase motivation in older adults. There were three complimentary curricular topics that informed this project: intergenerational (IG) programming, natural motivation, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum. For this study, a facilitator in-service intervention was developed to specifically focus on STEM practices in IG programming. Overall, increasing use of science processing skills in the context of an IG program engaged certain natural motivators in older adults. Following the training, the same older adult participants experienced improved life satisfaction with trends in decreasing depression. Increased use of communication-related science processing skills is an effective method to improve well-being among older adults with dementia.

Driving, transportation, and mobility in the older adult

2017 ◽  
pp. 1303-1310
Author(s):  
Benjamin M. Shapiro ◽  
L. Jaime Fitten
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Driving Safety ◽  
Crash Risk ◽  
Accident Risk ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Crash Rates ◽  
Normal Ageing ◽  
The Impact

Older adults drive more miles than prior generations and have mobility and transportation needs that are central to independence and well-being. While older adult crash rates have decreased due to safety improvements, those aged 80 years and older have higher morbidity and mortality from crashes due to physical vulnerabilities. Normal ageing is associated with cognitive, motor, and sensory changes that prompt healthy older adults to modify their driving. Older adults use a wide range of potentially driver-impairing medications that increase accident risk. Glaucoma, visual field changes from strokes, and other impairments assessed in the Useful Field of View test can significantly increase crash risk. Moderate and advanced dementia results in unsafe driving due to the impact on ‘process skills’, resulting in the prevailing opinion that they should not drive. However, there is no appropriate screening instrument to assess driving safety among older adults.

scholarly journals Caring for the caregiver: a systematic review characterising the experience of caregivers of older adults with advanced cancers

ESMO Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. e000862
Author(s):  
Jacob J Adashek ◽  
Ishwaria M Subbiah
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Personal Connection ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Cancer Caregiving ◽  
The Impact

The steady advances in oncology bring a host of therapeutic options for older adults (≤65 years old) with cancer. As these patients experience this proliferation of anticancer therapies, their caregivers too have witnessed their role rapidly expanding and evolving as they care for these individuals. To better understand the caregiver experience, a review of the current literature on informal caregiving and cancer caregiving was conducted. These informal caregivers are often individuals with a strong personal connection to the person with advanced cancer, such as a close relative, spouse/partner or friend. Caregivers provide a broad range of assistance with most aspects of day-to-day life. However, we have limited knowledge of the impact of this role on the caregivers themselves, particularly in the context of an older adult patient and their unique needs. Here, we explore the data on caregiver experience when caring for a person with advanced cancers—specifically, we characterise the symptom burden and effects on the caregiver well-being with emphasis on the care of older adults with cancer.

scholarly journals OLDER ADULT WOMEN’S MULTIDIMENSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN SKIPPED GENERATION HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGERIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S37-S37
Author(s):  
Mojirayo Afolabi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Proper Design ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies

Abstract This contribution studies the roles of grandparents in caring for grandchildren in skipped generation households, from gender perspective. Historical studies often focus on health and economic status of older adults generally, without distinguishing older adult women whose responsibilities are often undervalued. Such assessments assume that both grandparents engage in caring for grandchildren, being the joy of old age. Highlighting women’s roles will ensure proper design and implementation of policies to enhance improvement in overall well-being of skipped generation households in Nigeria. The economic value of this is high. Using detailed data from three major states in Nigeria, - Imo, Lagos and Kano (representing each of the major ethnic groups) this study provides a detailed picture of the areas of women’s responsibilities in skipped generation households, using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The quantitative study employed structured questionnaire to collect primary data while the qualitative technique employed the use of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The older adult participants are grouped into three; less than sixty five years, between sixty five and eighty and those above eighty years of age. The study reveals that social norms and expectations impact the lives of older adults, ensuring that responsibilities sharing in skipped generation households are strongly impacted by gender roles. The paper concludes that in order to ameliorate the difficulties and challenges faced in performing these roles, governments and other organizations need to put the realities in the skipped generation households into consideration during planning processes.

The Impact of Epidemic Outbreak

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S.F. Yip ◽  
Y.T. Cheung ◽  
P.H. Chau ◽  
Y.W. Law
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Completed Suicide ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Previous studies revealed that there was a significant increase in suicide deaths among those aged 65 and over in 2003. The peak coincided with the majority of SARS cases being reported in April 2003. Aims: In this paper we examine the mechanism of how the SARS outbreak resulted in a higher completed suicide rate especially among older adults in Hong Kong. Methods: We used Qualitative data analysis to uncover the association between the occurrence of SARS and older adult suicide. Furthermore, we used a qualitative study based on the Coroner Court reports to provide empirical evidence about the relationship between SARS and the excessive number of suicide deaths among the elderly. Results: SARS-related older adult suicide victims were more likely to be afraid of contracting the disease and had fears of disconnection. The suicide motives among SARS-related suicide deaths were more closely associated with stress over fears of being a burden to their families during the negative impact of the epidemic. Social disengagement, mental stress, and anxiety at the time of the SARS epidemic among a certain group of older adults resulted in an exceptionally high rate of suicide deaths. Conclusions: We recommend that the mental and psychological well-being of the community, in particular older adults, be taken into careful account when developing epidemic control measures to combat the future outbreak of diseases in the community. In addition, it is important to alert family members to vulnerable individuals who are at potential risk because of their illnesses or anxieties.

Do Loneliness and Social Connectedness Improve in Older Adults Through Mobile Technology?

2020 ◽  
pp. 221-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochell R. McWhorter ◽  
Julie A. Delello ◽  
Christine S. Gipson ◽  
Beth Mastel-Smith ◽  
Kleanthe Caruso
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Information And Communication

About one-fifth of the population in the United States in 2015 will be age 65 or older in 2050 and loneliness may be a contributing factor that inhibits their well-being and overall health. As the number of older adults continues to escalate, information and communication technologies such as smartphones and computers may create an increase in social connectedness leading to a decline in loneliness and social isolation. Results from this pilot study suggest that the older adult participants demonstrated some degree of loneliness. As the older adults used social media to connect with friends, family, and other information of interest, there was an increase in social connectedness for many of the participants, but the intensive iPad intervention was not significant in terms of reducing loneliness for either group over time.

scholarly journals Older Adult Technology Use During a Global Pandemic: A Study of Mental Health, Social Supports, and Resiliency

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 219-220
Author(s):  
Geunhye Park ◽  
Erin Robinson ◽  
Gashaye M Tefera
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Video Interface ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older adults have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led many to isolate during this time. Technology enables people to remain connected, however little is known about how older adults have used technology and the impact it has had on their mental health and connectedness. This study was to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced older adult mental health and social connectedness, with a particular emphasis on how technology has played a role. One-on-one interviews (N=29) were conducted with adults aged 65+ (Mean age=71.5; 86% female) via phone/Zoom. Participants were asked open-ended questions about the impact social distancing has had on their quality of life, health, and social connectedness as well as their technology use to remain connected. Findings highlight the mental health stressors experienced by older adults during the pandemic, as well as much resiliency and innovation. In speaking of the isolation and its effect on her mental health, one participant said, “I thought fighting cancer was bad, but this is worse.” Nearly all of the participants had used technology in some form to remain connected to others, which the most common being a smart phone to call, text, and video-interface. One participant commented, “You can’t beat an iPhone. How in the world could we ever live without an iPhone?” Many participants had learned a new technology during the pandemic, such as Zoom. Our findings raise the possibility that technology may be a good strategy for enhancing well-being of aging population amid the pandemic.

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