scholarly journals SLEEP IN LATE LIFE: RECENT RESEARCH ON PSYCHIATRIC CORRELATES AND TREATMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S44-S44
Author(s):  
Mary E Dozier

Abstract Sleep is an often overlooked health factor, particularly in older adults. Sleep disturbance is associated with increased functional impairment as well as poorer cognitive, mental, and physical health trajectories. Understanding the clinical impact of disturbed sleep, and the optimal targets for intervention, is critical for the promotion of health and well-being in older adults. This symposium will highlight recent findings that advance the extant knowledge on the interplay of sleep disturbance and physical and psychiatric co-morbidities in older adults across a variety of settings. Darina V. Petrovsky will discuss the impact of medical, demographic, and contextual factors on excessive daytime sleepiness in older adults receiving long-term services and supports. Kathi L. Heffner will present data on a recent study examining change in slow wave sleep, and subsequent change in osteoarthritis pain, following insomnia treatment. Courtney Bolstad will discuss the differential impact of onset, maintenance, and terminal insomnia on anxiety and depression symptoms in community-dwelling older adults. Eliza Davidson will present research on the association between sleep disturbance and hoarding symptoms in older adults engaged in behavioral interventions for hoarding disorder. Finally, Christina McCrae will discuss the relationship between sleep and cognition in older adults with insomnia.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S752-S752
Author(s):  
Debra J Sheets ◽  
Stuart W MacDonald ◽  
Andre Smith ◽  
Mary Kennedy

Abstract Informal caregivers provide 80% of the care needed to support community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Over time caregivers often face adverse effects on their health, quality of life and well-being; particularly those caring for someone with dementia. This study examines the impact of participation in the Voices in Motion (ViM) choir on caregiver burden, mood and quality of life. A measurement burst approach was used to investigate intraindividual variability on key psychosocial and health indicators. Results indicate that choir participation significantly improves caregiver well-being (e.g. mood, burden) and quality of life. Findings suggest that choirs offer significant caregiver support and respite. The discussion focuses the public policy and on the potential economic implications which suggests a shift is needed in the services available to older adults with dementia and their caregivers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Ming ◽  
Aleksandra Zecevic

The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize information about the impact different classes of medications and polypharmacy have on recurrent falls, defined as two or more falls in a 12-month period, in community-dwelling older adults. After adjustment for confounders such as age, gender, weight or depression symptoms, the reviewed studies suggested that older adults who use antidepressants, sedatives or hypnotics and anti-epileptics were more likely to experience recurrent falls than non-users. Polypharmacy (use of four or more prescription medications daily) caused 1.5–2 times higher possibility of recurrent falls in older adults. As a high-risk group, recurrent fallers require meaningful intervention. Medications are believed to be a modifiable risk factor in falls prevention; hence, special consideration should be taken to balance the benefit and harm in initiating, continuing or increasing certain classes of medications in elderly recurrent fallers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S368-S369
Author(s):  
Bonnie Jeffery ◽  
Tom McIntosh ◽  
Nuelle Novik

Abstract This presentation will focus on a unique undertaking where three provincial organizations in Saskatchewan, Canada implemented nine projects to address social isolation for rural and urban older adults across a geography that encompasses one-half of the province. A survey of older adults was conducted to assess their level of social isolation in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the experiences of social isolation among community dwelling older adults. Key variables of interest included: older adult access to services and supports, participation in activities, feelings of being valued by others, barriers to supports and services, and the overall isolation experienced by older adults. The responses from 1,719 urban and rural older adults indicate that 24.1% of respondents felt that they lack support, 17.2% feel less connected to family and friends, and 16.8% of respondents do not feel valued by their friends and family. Overall, almost one-quarter (23.9%) of the survey respondents score ‘high’ or ‘medium’ on a Social Isolation Index. One-third of respondents report they experience barriers to participation in activities outside the home. Several key categories of barriers were identified: health, personal, environmental, social, transportation and systemic. Respondents identified accommodation, services, practices, and activities as areas where their community could assist in participation of community activities outside of the home. Social isolation can have serious health consequences for older adults. The results of this survey highlight several key areas that older adults identify as important for reducing their feelings of isolation and enhancing their overall health and well-being.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 36-37
Author(s):  
Emily Bower ◽  
Aurora Newman ◽  
Paige Reohr ◽  
Kimberly Vandorden

Abstract Social connections are important for maintaining health and well-being with age. Behavioral interventions to promote connectedness hold promise, but there is limited evidence to guide effective modifications in the context of physical distancing or quarantine restrictions, such as those required during the COVID-19 pandemic. We present evidence for a brief (1-2 session) social connection intervention, “Connections Planning,” to enhance social connectedness for older adults. We first describe a cognitive-behavioral model of loneliness, which served as the framework for developing the intervention. We then present two case examples to demonstrate the application of the intervention with older adults in a community mental health clinic during physical distancing restrictions. Finally, we present initial findings from a pilot study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention delivered remotely with up to 10 community-dwelling older adults who endorse clinically significant loneliness. Recommendations for adapting the intervention during physical distancing restrictions are provided.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S168-S168
Author(s):  
Robin L Chilton

Abstract Community Intergenerational Action (CIA) was a four-week pilot program designed to bring community dwelling older adults and fourth-grade students together to engage in meaningful activities within a supportive group context under the facilitation of Robin Chilton, MBA, OTR/L, and four Master of Occupational Therapy Students from Cleveland State University. A phenomenological, qualitative research design study was conducted to explore the impact and meaning of this intergenerational occupational therapy programming on the social and emotional well-being of older adults. Participant observation, journaling, and in-depth interviews were used to determine the meaning of the program to the participants. CIA was conducted using ten female elders, and fifteen children ages nine to ten years old. Each week a new theme was introduced to assist the participants in solving a mystery and included an occupation-based activity such as horticulture and crafts. The CIA program was developed in a way that would allow it to be replicated in other intergenerational settings. Students involved in this study identified helping and cooperating with the older adults throughout the program as very important to them. The students began to feel a sense of empathy and increased self-awareness after spending time with the older adults. The program allowed the older adults to reminisce about their past, and feel a sense of generativity, or contribution to the younger generation. Findings provide an opportunity for others to use similar programs to engage older adults and children in meaningful occupation that will contribute to their overall sense of social and emotional well-being.


Author(s):  
Eva Kahana ◽  
Tirth R Bhatta ◽  
Boaz Kahana ◽  
Nirmala Lekhak

Abstract Objectives Existing scholarship in social gerontology has paid relatively little attention to broader loving emotions, such as compassionate and altruistic love, as potentially meaningful mechanisms for improving later-life psychological well-being outside a family framework. Method Drawing from a 3-wave longitudinal survey of community-dwelling older residents (n = 334) of Miami, Florida, we utilized generalized estimating equation models to examine the influence of changes in compassionate love (i.e., feeling love toward other persons and experiencing love from others) on depressive symptoms over time. We also explored cross-sectional relationship between compassionate love and positive and negative affects. Results An increase in the feeling of being loved (β = −0.77, p < .001) and feeling love for others (β = −0.78, p < .001) led to a decline in odds of reporting greater levels of depressive symptoms over time. The odds of reporting higher level of positive affect were significantly greater for older adults who reported feeling loved by others (β = .63, p < .001) and expressed love for other people (β = 0.43, p < .05). Older adults who felt loved and expressed love for other people, respectively, had 0.71 and 0.54-point lower ordered log odds of reporting higher negative affect than those who reported lower levels of love. The statistically significant impact of feeling loved on all well-being outcomes was maintained even after adjustment for altruistic attitudes and emotional support. Except for depressive symptoms, such adjustments explained the positive influence of love for others on well-being outcomes. Discussion Our findings underscore the powerful influence of both receiving and giving loving emotions for the maintenance of later-life psychological well-being.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 226-227
Author(s):  
Irma Díaz ◽  
Neyda Ma Mendoza- Ruvalcaba ◽  
Elva Dolores Arias ◽  
Julio Diaz

Abstract Objective: Associate the impact of oral health with quality of life and subjective well-being in the community-dwelling older adults in Mexico. Methods: Non-random sample; 326 subjects: age collected (60-69 / ≥ 70); gender (male / female); marital status (couple / no partner); schooling (0-6 years / ≥7); income for basic needs (yes / no); no depression (GDS-15), no cognitive impairment (MMSE) and comorbidity (no disease / ≥ 1 disease) to control biases. Oral conditions; Caries index (ICPOD) WHO criteria: Very low-Low; Moderate and High. Need for dental prostheses (WHO Manual): No prostheses needed (27-28 natural teeth or fixed / removable / total combination; Need prosthesis: 2-28 tooth without replacement. Xerostomia (Thomson Inventory); moderate to severe xerostomia > 17 points. Dependent variables: Quality of Life Related to Oral Health (GOHAI); 57-60 points: High perception. Subjective well-being: Moral Scale of the Geriatric Center of Philadelphia (PGCMS): Low score (0-11). Results: Age: 71.84 ± 7,278; female / male (70.9 / 29.1%). Controlling confounding factors, multiple logistic regression showed that the need for multi-unit or total prostheses; high CPOD index; severe xerostomia; and low perception of well-being subjective, were associated with low GOHAI scores: P = 0.000; P = 0.004; P = 0.003; P = 0.02 respectively. Subjective well-being only was associated with severe xerostomia and low CVRSO perception: P = 0.0 1; P = 0.02 respectively. Conclusion: Taking into account various confounding factors, the Quality of Life related to Oral Health was the most affected by the deterioration of oral health.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. e013226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Claire Hornby-Turner ◽  
Nancye May Peel ◽  
Ruth Eleanor Hubbard

BackgroundFinding ways to optimise health in older age is key to reducing the impact of population ageing on health and social care systems. A salutogenic approach takes into account an individual’s health assets—internal or external strengths or accessible resources which improve and preserve physical, social and mental wellness, independence and quality of life. The aim of this narrative systematic review was to provide a summary and appraisal of the evidence for factors that act as health assets within personal, social, economic and environmental domains.MethodsSystematic searches of databases were conducted for literature published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2000 and November 2016. Selection criteria included community dwelling populations aged 65 years and over and publications written in English. Data on study population, design, measures of health status, factors within the four previously stated domains and results were extracted. Study quality was independently assessed using an appraisal instrument.ResultsTwenty-three publications, including 78 422 participants, from more than 13 different countries were identified for inclusion in this review. There was strong evidence that higher scores of self-rated health, psychological well-being and life satisfaction were associated with better health in older age. Social network and contact with family and friends, and engagement in leisure and social activities were important support mechanisms. Education and financial resources consistently proved to be key economic health assets for older adults.ConclusionsImplementing an asset-based approach to health promotion uncovers the skills, knowledge, connections and potential of the individual and the community. This approach is an ideal opportunity for government health bodies and their partners to respond to the challenges faced by global ageing.Factors are often interdependent and cumulative, suggesting the potential for an instrument to measure the accumulated effect of health assets on health status in older adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 295-295
Author(s):  
Suzanne Marmo ◽  
Manoj Pardasani ◽  
David Vincent

Abstract Upon the outbreak of COVID-19, recommendations to cease all non-essential in-person social services were mandated across the United States to prevent transmission to non-infected individuals. As a result, approximately 96% of all senior centers in the United States were closed to in-person programming (National Council on Aging, 2020). LGBT older adults in particular were at higher risk of isolation and declines in overall health as they were more likely to live alone, experience loneliness or have less immediate family support systems when compared to non-LGBT older adults (Yang, Chu & Salmon, 2017). The purpose of this presentation is to explore how LGBT older adult participants in senior centers transitioned to virtual programming during the pandemic. Using a risk-resiliency theory framework, the purpose of this presentation is to share the impact of virtual programming on the health and well-being of LGBT community-dwelling older adults. An exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online survey to understand their needs, concerns and experiences. Participants reported a relatively easy adaptation to technology, steady participation in programs and services, satisfaction with virtual senior center programming and a consistent sense of engagement with their peers. Higher levels of engagement with senior center programs were associated with greater perceptions of social support. Additionally, stronger perceptions of social support and participation in exercise and fitness programming were associated with higher life satisfaction and lesser symptoms of depression and anxiety. Strategies for outreach, engagement and service provision will be presented.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document