scholarly journals Development of Online Child Support Activities by Older Adults; An Action Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 843-843
Author(s):  
Mai Takase ◽  
Ryogo Ogino ◽  
Ryoichi Nitanai ◽  
Jun Goto
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Child Support ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Online Activity ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Activity Survey

Abstract Japanese communities have been attempting a novel type of childcare support, wherein community-dwelling older adults form a specialized group (support group) that aims to provide child support activities. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the group gathered children and mothers in community spaces and conducted events. However, on-site support had to be halted due to the pandemic. In this study, we report a case of action research aimed at shifting the activities online. First, a suitable online support plan was explored by hosting several discussions with child-rearing mothers. A questionnaire survey was then conducted to determine the most-sought intervention contents (N=19). Finally, based on the results, an intervention was conducted. As a result of the discussions, the hosting of online programs was set as the main goal. Out of the ten activities studied, the three most popular activities were programming (n=17), English conversation (n=16), and science workshop (n=15). Based on the results, an online science workshop that built a Bottleium, a small aquarium using a bottle, was hosted. Eight children participated in the event. A post-activity survey revealed that all participants attended the online activity for the first time, and the parents were happy to have joined the activity that entertained their child during the quarantine period. Furthermore, focus group interviews were conducted with the support group; they reported being satisfied with the outcome and recognized the importance of their role as member of support group. The results suggest the positive effect of this project on both older adults and the children.

scholarly journals Perspectives on Active Transportation in a Mid-Sized Age-Friendly City: “You Stay Home”

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 4916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irmina Klicnik ◽  
Shilpa Dogra
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Active Transportation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Task Constraints ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Diverse Groups

Background: Active transportation is an affordable and accessible form of transportation that facilitates the mobility of older adults in their communities. Age-friendly cities encourage and support physical activity and social participation among older adults; however, they often do not adequately address active transportation. Our goal was to identify and understand the constraints to active transportation that older adults experience in order to inform the development of viable solutions. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted with community dwelling older adults (n = 52) living in the City of Oshawa in Ontario, Canada; each focus group targeted a specific demographic to ensure a diverse range of perspectives were represented. Data were analyzed to identify themes; sub-group analyses were conducted to understand the experience of those from low socioeconomic status and culturally diverse groups. Results: Themes pertaining to environmental, individual, and task constraints, as well as their interactions, were identified. Of particular novelty, seemingly non-modifiable constraints (e.g., weather and personal health) interacted with modifiable constraints (e.g., urban design). Culturally diverse and lower socioeconomic groups had more favorable perspectives of their neighborhoods. Conclusion: While constraints to active transportation interact to exacerbate one another, there is an opportunity to minimize or remove constraints by implementing age-friendly policies and practices.

scholarly journals PROTOTYPE OF A VIRTUAL REALITY APPROACH TO INTEGRATE MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS GERONTOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S513-S513
Author(s):  
Daniel Velez Ortiz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Puerto Rican ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Persuasive Communication ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Literacy Curriculum ◽  
Culturally Grounded ◽  
Depression Literacy ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Background: Puerto Ricans have the highest likelihood of psychiatric disorders among Latinos. This study developed and evaluated a prototype depression literacy curriculum; culturally grounded with perspectives and narratives of Puerto Rican older adults. The way a person determines need for services and decides to seek help has been found to be influenced by their perceptions of services and providers. McGuire (1989) presents the Communication Persuasion Model (CPM) that takes into account how persuasive communication changes attitudes and behaviors of consumers. Using the CPM as a theoretical foundation, this study presented a culturally grounded story through a Virtual Reality (VR) platform. Methods: A script was developed based on narratives of Puerto Rican older adults about depression. Filmed in 360° format and enhanced with supporting imagery, participants were presented two versions of the video, one with a VR headset and the other with a smartphone. Two focus group interviews were conducted with community-dwelling Puerto Rican older adults (n=14) in Orlando, FL. Results: Participants preferred the VR headset and found it was beneficial to educate about depression because it felt more immersive and encouraged an environment conducive to identifying their own experiences about depression. They noted that presenting the material with a case narrative was more culturally sensitive for the population. All participants needed minor assistance with operating technology. Conclusions and Implications: A narrative approach to depression literacy may be effective in personalizing messages. Assisted VR technology with supporting imagery may be efficacious and standardize positive messages to underrepresented and low resource populations.

scholarly journals Interpreting the Need for Initial Support to Perform Tandem Stance Tests of Balance

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (10) ◽  
pp. 1316-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth S. Hile ◽  
Jennifer S. Brach ◽  
Subashan Perera ◽  
David M. Wert ◽  
Jessie M. VanSwearingen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Hold Time ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Initial Support ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background Geriatric rehabilitation reimbursement increasingly requires documented deficits on standardized measures. Tandem stance performance can characterize balance, but protocols are not standardized. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of: (1) initial support to stabilize in position and (2) maximum hold time on tandem stance tests of balance in older adults. Design A cross-sectional secondary analysis of observational cohort data was conducted. Methods One hundred seventeen community-dwelling older adults (71% female, 12% black) were assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on the need for initial support to perform tandem stance: (1) unable even with support, (2) able only with support, and (3) able without support. The able without support group was further stratified on hold time in seconds: (1) <10 (low), (2) 10 to 29, (medium), and (3) 30 (high). Groups were compared on primary outcomes (gait speed, Timed “Up & Go” Test performance, and balance confidence) using analysis of variance. Results Twelve participants were unable to perform tandem stance, 14 performed tandem stance only with support, and 91 performed tandem stance without support. Compared with the able without support group, the able with support group had statistically or clinically worse performance and balance confidence. No significant differences were found between the able with support group and the unable even with support group on these same measures. Extending the hold time to 30 seconds in a protocol without initial support eliminated ceiling effects for 16% of the study sample. Limitations Small comparison groups, use of a secondary analysis, and lack of generalizability of results were limitations of the study. Conclusions Requiring initial support to stabilize in tandem stance appears to reflect meaningful deficits in balance-related mobility measures, so failing to consider support may inflate balance estimates and confound hold time comparisons. Additionally, 10-second maximum hold times limit discrimination of balance in adults with a higher level of function. For community-dwelling older adults, we recommend timing for at least 30 seconds and documenting initial support for consideration when interpreting performance.

Elder Mistreatment Among Older Chinese Americans: The Role of Family Cohesion

2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Gao ◽  
Fei Sun ◽  
Flavio F. Marsiglia ◽  
Xinqi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Family Cohesion ◽  
Chinese Americans ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Elder Mistreatment ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Older Chinese Americans

Cultural values are believed to influence perceptions of and solutions to elder mistreatment (EM) perpetrated by family members. This study aimed to understand the influence of family cohesion on EM reported by community-dwelling older Chinese Americans. A mixed-method approach consisting of a quantitative survey built on focus group interviews was utilized. Focus group interviews were conducted to ensure subsequent survey questions about EM were culturally and linguistically appropriate. The revised survey questionnaires were then administered to 266 Chinese American older adults to assess estimated EM prevalence and the effects of family cohesion. Survey findings indicate that 1 in 10 reported at least one occurrence of EM in the past year. Depressed Chinese older adults (OR= 1.14) and those reporting low levels of family cohesion (OR = .82) were more likely to experience EM. Multigenerational family interventions can be designed to reduce older adults’ depression levels and promote family cohesion.

Perceived Voice Disorders in Older Adults and Impact on Social Interactions

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Connie K. Porcaro ◽  
Clare Singer ◽  
Boris Djokic ◽  
Ali A. Danesh ◽  
Ruth Tappen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Voice Disorders ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Cross Sectional

Purpose Many aging individuals, even those who are healthy, report voice changes that can impact their ability to communicate as they once did. While this is commonly reported, most do not seek evaluation or management for this issue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and differences in voice disorders in older adults, along with the effect of fatigue on their social interactions. Method This is a cross-sectional investigation of a community-dwelling sample of individuals aged 60 years or older. Participants completed the Questionnaire on Vocal Performance, the Social Engagement Index subset “Engagement in Social or Leisure Activities,” and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Results Results indicated 32.5% of the 332 participants reported symptoms of voice problems with no difference found between male and female respondents. A slight increase in report of voice problems was noted with each year of age. Participants who self-reported voice problems indicated less interaction in social activities involving communication than those who did not. Finally, as severity of self-reported voice problems increased, an increase was reported by the same individuals for signs of fatigue. Conclusions Voice problems and resulting decreased social interaction are commonly experienced by older individuals. Voice symptoms in older adults have been found to benefit from evidence-based treatment strategies. It is critical to provide education to encourage older individuals to seek appropriate evaluation and management for voice issues through a speech-language pathologist or medical professional.

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