scholarly journals Intergenerational connections to improve social well-being of older adults with ADRD: A research protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1018-1018
Author(s):  
Ling Xu ◽  
Noelle Fields ◽  
Kathryn Daniel ◽  
Brooke Troutman ◽  
Daisha Cipher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Research Protocol ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
The Social ◽  
Matched Data

Abstract There is growing concern about social isolation, loneliness, and diminished emotional well-being among persons with ADRD who live in the community. Research suggests that reminiscence strategies, especially with the production of a digital story book, combined with an intergenerational approach may yield significant benefits for older adults. Reminiscence approaches are typically implemented by trained professionals. However, the use of trained volunteers is of growing interest due to the costs associated with reminiscence programs. This research protocol describes the development and testing of an intergenerational, telephone-based reminiscence program offered by trained, young adult volunteers that includes the use of digital storytelling (DST). Specifically, the study addresses three aims: 1) Quantitatively test the effectiveness in improving social and emotional well-being of older adults with ADRD; 2) Quantitatively test attitudes towards aging and knowledge and awareness of ADRD disease among the young adults; and (3) Qualitatively evaluate the usefulness of this intervention from perspectives of the dyads. A randomized control trial is used to assess the effects of the intervention using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. The older and younger participants (n = 92 dyads) are randomly assigned to intervention (reminiscence) or sham (social visit) group, and then randomly matched. Data are collected at baseline, mid-intervention, post- intervention, 3 months-post intervention and through qualitative interviews (selected dyads). The proposed evaluation activities will allow us to determine the applicability of intergenerational reminiscence with DST as an effective intervention for supporting the social and emotional needs of persons with ADRD.

scholarly journals ICT as an instrument for social and emotional ageing. A qualitative study with older adults with cognitive impairments

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Older Person ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Perception Of Control ◽  
The Social ◽  
Insight Into

Inspired by theories from the field of social and emotional aging, we studied the use of ICTs by older adults with cognitive impairments. By means of qualitative interviews (N=30) with older adults with cognitive impairments and their relatives, we got a detailed picture of the role of ICTs in their daily lives. First, our data showed that older adults with cognitive impairments used ICTs to enhance their social and emotional wellbeing. This involved social interaction, feelings of belongingness, and engagement in hobbies and regular daily activities. Second, our research provided insight into the strategies applied when ICT use became too difficult, with a considerable role for the social network. When the network offered help upon request or proactively encouraged the older person, this increased the perception of control. This also applied to the indirect use of ICTs, when someone from the social network operated the devices. Denying the older person the use of ICTs undermined the perception of control. The findings provide insight into how the potential of ICT can be exploited for this target group. We end the paper with practical recommendations.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19: Perspectives of Recreational Therapists Working with Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 732-732
Author(s):  
Betsy Kemeny ◽  
Dawn DeVries
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Consensus Method ◽  
Role Changes ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Levels Of Care ◽  
The Social ◽  
Meaningful Engagement ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study explored the perspectives of recreational therapists (RT) from Pennsylvania and Michigan and how COVID-19 has impacted older adults and their roles in various settings. COVID-19 safety restrictions limiting social interaction with both peers and families had the potential for negatively impacting the social and emotional well-being of older adults (Van Orden et al., 2020) and the roles of therapists who work with them. Because peer socialization and physical activity programs prevent falls (Cameron et al., 2018) and improve depressive symptoms (Harvey et al., 2015), a better understanding of COVID-19 impact is significant. From a qualitative viewpoint, 14 RTs from various levels of care were interviewed to better understand their perspective on the impacts of COVID on older adults and their own practice. Hour long interviews conducted via zoom focused on organizational changes, role changes, and impact on older adults. After recordings were transcribed, multiple researchers classified, summarized, and tabulated the data. A consensus method determined common themes. From the RT’s perspective, older adults have not only been negatively impacted in the social domain. While many older adults showed resilience, others were impacted physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Moreover, an increased importance on meaningful engagement, recreation, and leisure emerged. Technology became an essential tool in interpersonal connection. Teamwork, personal self-care, and coping were integral to providing effective care. Post pandemic, RTs are concerned about the challenge of reengaging older adults in groups but are certain that technology will continue to be used in a more expansive way in programs.

scholarly journals Convoys of social support in Mexico

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather R. Fuller-Iglesias ◽  
Toni Antonucci
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Frequent Contact ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
The Social

The Convoy Model suggests that at different stages of the lifespan the makeup of the social support network varies in step with developmental and contextual needs. Cultural norms may shape the makeup of social convoys as well as denote socio-demographic differences in social support. This study examines the social convoys of adults in Mexico. Specifically, it examines whether social network structure varies by age, gender, and education level, thus addressing the paucity of research on interpersonal relations in Mexico. A sample of 1,202 adults (18–99 years of age) was drawn from the Study of Social Relations and Well-being in Mexico. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated older adults had larger, more geographically proximate networks with a greater proportion of kin but less frequent contact. Women had larger, less geographically proximate networks with less frequent contact. Less educated individuals had smaller, more geographically proximate networks with more frequent contact and a greater proportion of kin. Age moderated gender and education effects indicated that younger women have more diverse networks and less educated older adults have weaker social ties. This study highlights socio-demographic variation in social convoys within the Mexican context, and suggests implications for fostering intergenerational relationships, policy, and interventions. Future research on Mexican convoys should further explore sources of support, and specifically address implications for well-being.

scholarly journals Effects of Participation in Social Activities on Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Korea

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jongnam Hwang ◽  
Sangmin Park ◽  
Sujin Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Gender Groups

Cognitive function is a critical health issue in later life, the decline of which disrupts well-being and daily life function. Cognitive decline in older ages can also be understood in the context of the social environment such as social connectedness and engagement in personal life. This study aimed to examine: (1) whether participation in social activities contributes to preventing cognitive decline, and (2) what type of social activities are beneficial to maintaining cognitive function. Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLOSA) 2006–2014, a longitudinal survey of the household-dwelling population aged 45 and older in Korea were used. The results revealed that Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores decreased with increasing age, at a rate of approximately 0.18 units across all age-gender groups, and the decrease was steeper for adults aged 65 and over. Participation in social gatherings was likely to delay the decline in cognitive function after the age of 65. In a gender-stratified model, social activity may not have an impact on the decline of cognitive function for men, whereas participation in social gatherings was negatively related to the decline of MMSE scores in women. This study suggests the need for a gender-stratified policy for preventing the decline of cognitive function while promoting engagement in social activities in Korean older adults.

Rising above It: Status Ambivalence in Older Adults

Gerontology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 576-588
Author(s):  
Deirdre A. Robertson ◽  
David Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Social ◽  
Implicit And Explicit

Background: Social status is the standing of a person or group in the social hierarchy, and is perceived to change across the life span from low social status in early life, to peak in midlife, and to a decline thereafter. As threats to subjective social status are known to be detrimental to individuals’ health, it is important to better understand how older adults perceive themselves and others in terms of age-related social status. Objective: We examined status ambivalence – the potential discrepancy between how older adults’ perceive social status for themselves compared to older adults in general. Method: Study 1 used qualitative data from 37 semi-structured interviews with older adults to assess perceptions of social status. Study 2 used quantitative survey data from 114 older adults who completed explicit and implicit measures of social status. Results: Study 1 (n = 37, meanage = 71.72, SDage = 5.69; 81.1% women) provided preliminary evidence for status ambivalence such that older adults reported unequivocal low social status for other older adults but a more ambivalent perception of their own social status. Study 2 (n = 114, meanage = 64.32, SDage = 8.98, 57.9% women) compared implicit and explicit measures of social status revealing that older adults consistently perceive older adults to have low social status but again show a more ambivalent perception of their own social status. Conclusion: We discuss status ambivalence as a potential protective mechanism in the context of negative societal perceptions of age-related social status that may be important for well-being in later life.

scholarly journals WHEN NETWORKS FAIL: ISOLATION AND INDEPENDENCE AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S180-S180
Author(s):  
Brooke Wagen ◽  
Whitney Williams ◽  
Jan Bennett ◽  
Elizabeth A Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Public Housing ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Cultural Perceptions ◽  
Health Aging ◽  
Problematic Experiences

Abstract In the coming decades, the population of adults over 65 in the US will increase dramatically. Many older adults live at or below the poverty level, and the growing lack of affordable housing combined with fixed incomes promises to increase the number of older adults facing combined housing and health challenges. Despite their vulnerability, little is known about the lived experiences of older adults aging in place in public housing. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 27 older adults at two public housing sites in Austin, Texas to gain an understanding of their thoughts on health, aging, home, community, and problem solving. We conducted interviews in Spanish (n=10) and English (n=17) with 16 female and 11 male interviewees with a mean age of 71.7 years (range 65-85 years). We systematically coded transcribed interviews and used grounded theory to analyze the data. Participants described feeling isolated due to language barriers, cultural perceptions about neighbors, and previous problematic experiences with neighbors leading to intentional isolation for safety. Some, however, spoke of how they acted as community connectors or responded to connectors in the community in ways that reduced their isolation. Participants framed individual problem-solving and personal choices as central to health and wellness. Our findings suggest a way forward for housing authorities, communities, and health systems working together to provide services to these adults. Incorporating their points of view and even co-creating interventions to enhance their health and well-being will make these interventions more successful and welcome.

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