scholarly journals Evaluation of a Web-Based Wellness Program to Reduce Loneliness Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 920-920
Author(s):  
Catherine Zaidel ◽  
Lizi Wu ◽  
Rifky Tkatch ◽  
Laurie Albright ◽  
Charlotte Yeh
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Insurance Company ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Psychosocial Wellbeing

Abstract Background Loneliness has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased mortality risk. Interventions aimed at addressing maladaptive social cognition have documented efficacy in reducing loneliness among older adults. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a web-based wellness program in reducing loneliness and improving psychosocial health among older adults with an AARP® Medicare Supplement plan insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. Methods Eligible individuals were 65 years and older, who self-identified as lonely on a prior survey, and indicated that they had access to the internet through a computer or smartphone. Participants completed up to eight online modules comprised of a short lesson on an aspect of maladaptive social cognition, followed by a comprehension quiz, selection of a short-term goal, and a phone or text chat with a program coach. Four surveys were administered to assess the effects of program participation: (1) prior to the start of the program, (2) after completion of four online modules, (3) after completion of all eight modules, and (4) 30-60 days later. Results Attrition was high. Overall, 220 (42%) program participants completed both T1/T2 surveys, 193 also completed a T3 survey, and 177 also completed a T4 survey. Post-survey data indicated that loneliness and perceived stress decreased while mental wellbeing, resilience, and perception of aging improved. Conclusion Digital interventions aimed at addressing maladaptive social cognition offer potential to reach lonely older adults and support psychosocial wellbeing through reduced loneliness.

scholarly journals The Effect of Neighborhood Experiences on Positive Mental Health Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 436-436
Author(s):  
Daniel R Y Gan ◽  
Grand H-L Cheng ◽  
Tze Pin Ng ◽  
John Chye Fung ◽  
Im Sik Cho
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Psychosocial Wellbeing

Abstract Given reduced life spaces, the neighborhood often functions as a social venue for older adults. Yet how these everyday social spaces affect older adults’ psychosocial wellbeing remains largely unknown. Drawing on the GRP-CARE Survey data, this paper examined the relation between neighborhood experiences and positive mental health. Participants were 601 community-dwelling Singaporeans aged 50+ who lived in public housing neighborhoods. Neighborhood experiences were measured using the four-factorial, 16-item OpenX scale (Gan, Fung, Cho, 2019); positive mental health was measured using a six-factorial, 19-item scale (Vaingankar et al., 2011). Both scales have good psychometric properties and had been validated. Path analysis between relevant factors of both scales was conducted using Stata, within a theorized model of causation from neighborhood environment to social factors to psychosocial health. Age, education, ethnicity and sex were controlled for. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a strong, positive association between neighborhood experiences and mental health (p=0.000) even after controlling for personal traits (operationalized as depressive symptoms, GDS) in addition to sociodemographic variables. Path analysis showed that two distinct neighborhood health processes mediated this association. These were (1) the potential for a sense of community in the neighborhood improved emotional support, and (2) having better neighborly friendships improved interpersonal skills. These neighborhood health processes provide us with new lenses to understand older adults’ everyday experiences of their neighborhoods. Community-based interventions to improve older adults’ psychosocial wellbeing may be developed to facilitate these processes. Spatial and programmatic implications will be discussed in relation to age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC).

Regulation of Experienced and Anticipated Regret for Daily Decisions in Younger and Older Adults in a Swedish One-Week Diary Study

GeroPsych ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 233-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pär Bjälkebring ◽  
Daniel Västfjäll ◽  
Boo Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Diary Study ◽  
Anticipated Regret ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Decision Regret ◽  
Diary Method ◽  
Regulation Strategies

Regret and regret regulation were studied using a weeklong web-based diary method. 108 participants aged 19 to 89 years reported regret for a decision made and a decision to be made. They also reported the extent to which they used strategies to prevent or regulate decision regret. Older adults reported both less experienced and anticipated regret compared to younger adults. The lower level of experienced regret in older adults was mediated by reappraisal of the decision. The lower level of anticipated regret was mediated by delaying the decision, and expecting regret in older adults. It is suggested that the lower level of regret observed in older adults is partly explained by regret prevention and regulation strategies.

scholarly journals The Nordic @geing Online project: Co-creating a social application together with older adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Nordmyr ◽  
A K Forsman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Online Services ◽  
Online Application ◽  
Development Fund

Abstract Background Online resources present various possibilities for health promotion, also in the growing older adult population. Tailored online services aiming to support social participation among users could potentially promote older adults’ psychosocial health. In the @geing Online project an online application is developed, focusing on access to meaningful social activities among older adults in rural areas in Finland and Sweden. The innovation project (2017-2020) is funded by the Interreg Botnia-Atlantica programme (European Regional Development Fund). Methods A collaborative, user-centred design approach is applied when developing the online application, allowing older potential users and personnel groups from the social and health care sector to evaluate application features in a step-wise process. The inclusion of personnel groups allows for the exploration of the feasibility of introducing the tool in home care services and similar relevant contexts from an organizational perspective. Further, the inclusion of regional IT-companies presents opportunities for them to develop their competence regarding eHealth tools and older adults as a target group. Results An advanced prototype of the application and its core features is presented. Promising approaches and outcomes regarding the co-creation methods applied to ensure the involvement of stakeholders in the development process are elaborated upon. Challenging issues related to the project theme, such as stereotypical and negative views of older adults’ competences and motivation related to application use are also discussed. Conclusions The project highlights possibilities - but also challenges - when co-creating a social application together with older adults, some of whom have no experience in internet use. The gathered project outcomes will provide lessons on the potential of new technologies for delivering health promotion initiatives among older adults. Key messages Tailored online services aiming to support social participation among users provide possibilities for promoting psychosocial health in the growing population of older adults. Application development utilizing a user-centered design approach can be implemented even if the end-users are not familiar with the internet or application use.

Life Satisfaction and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERIC S. KIM ◽  
SCOTT W. DELANEY ◽  
LOUIS TAY ◽  
YING CHEN ◽  
ED DIENER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Psychosocial Health

scholarly journals The Framingham risk score is associated with incident frailty, or is it?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Shi ◽  
Mei-Ling Ge ◽  
Birong Dong ◽  
Qian-Li Xue
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Frailty Phenotype ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Comorbidity Burden

Abstract Backgrounds Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are individually associated with frailty. This study examined whether Framingham CVD risk score (FRS) as an aggregate measure of CVD risk is associated with incident frailty among Chinese older adults. Methods This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A sample of 3,618 participants aged 60 to 95 years and without CVD at baseline were followed for four years. FRS was calculated at baseline. Frailty status was defined as not-frail (0–2 criteria) or frail (3–5 criteria) based on the physical frailty phenotype consisting of five binary criteria (weakness, slowness, exhaustion, low activity level, and weight loss). After excluding subjects who were frail (n = 248) at baseline, discrete-time Cox regression was used to evaluate the relationship between FRS and incident frailty. Results During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 323 (8 %) participants developed CVD and 318 (11 %) subjects had frailty onset. Higher FRS was associated with greater risk of incident frailty (HR: 1.03, 95 % CI: 1.00 to 1.06) after adjusting for education, marital status, obesity, comorbidity burden, and cognitive function. This association however was no longer significant (HR: 1.00, 95 % CI: 0.97 to 1.03) after additionally adjusting for age. These findings remained essentially unchanged after excluding subjects with depression (n = 590) at baseline or incident CVD (n = 323) during the 4-year follow-up. Conclusions The FRS was not independently associated with incident frailty after adjusting for chronological age. More research is needed to assess the clinical utility of the FRS in predicting adverse health outcomes other than CVD in older adults.

scholarly journals Sleep in Normal Aging, Homeostatic and Circadian Regulation and Vulnerability to Sleep Deprivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1003
Author(s):  
Jacques Taillard ◽  
Claude Gronfier ◽  
Stéphanie Bioulac ◽  
Pierre Philip ◽  
Patricia Sagaspe
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Subcortical Structures ◽  
Wake Time ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Neurobehavioral Function ◽  
Age Related

In the context of geriatric research, a growing body of evidence links normal age-related changes in sleep with many adverse health outcomes, especially a decline in cognition in older adults. The most important sleep alterations that continue to worsen after 60 years involve sleep timing, (especially early wake time, phase advance), sleep maintenance (continuity of sleep interrupted by numerous awakenings) and reduced amount of sigma activity (during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep) associated with modifications of sleep spindle characteristics (density, amplitude, frequency) and spindle–Slow Wave coupling. After 60 years, there is a very clear gender-dependent deterioration in sleep. Even if there are degradations of sleep after 60 years, daytime wake level and especially daytime sleepiness is not modified with age. On the other hand, under sleep deprivation condition, older adults show smaller cognitive impairments than younger adults, suggesting an age-related lower vulnerability to extended wakefulness. These sleep and cognitive age-related modifications would be due to a reduced homeostatic drive and consequently a reduced sleep need, an attenuation of circadian drive (reduction of sleep forbidden zone in late afternoon and wake forbidden zone in early morning), a modification of the interaction of the circadian and homeostatic processes and/or an alteration of subcortical structures involved in generation of circadian and homeostatic drive, or connections to the cerebral cortex with age. The modifications and interactions of these two processes with age are still uncertain, and still require further investigation. The understanding of the respective contribution of circadian and homeostatic processes in the regulation of neurobehavioral function with aging present a challenge for improving health, management of cognitive decline and potential early chronobiological or sleep-wake interventions.

scholarly journals Partnerships Connecting Healthcare and Community-Based Organizations in Virginia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 545-545
Author(s):  
Patricia Slattum ◽  
Pamela Parsons ◽  
Mary Rubino ◽  
Leland Waters
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Organizations ◽  
Eastern Virginia Medical School ◽  
Geriatric Education ◽  
Student Training ◽  
Virginia Commonwealth University

Abstract The Virginia Geriatric Education Center (VGEC)’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) partners with two programs, Senior Strong at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA and the Richmond Health and Wellness Program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond VA to support their age-friendly initiatives. These programs enhance primary care for an older population experiencing adverse social determinants of health by providing screening around the 4Ms pillars of age-friendly healthcare and connecting participants with healthcare and community-based organizations. These programs offer a rich learning environment for interprofessional students. The VGEC GWEP strengthens these programs by developing faculty and student training in collaboration with the programs and facilitating program participation in the GWEP-CC Age-Friendly Action Community to develop and refine age-friendly practice workflows, referral pathways and documentation.

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