scholarly journals “WITH AGE COMES WISDOM:” A QUALITATIVE REVIEW OF ELDER PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTHY AGING IN THE CIRCUMPOLAR NORTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S838-S839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britteny M Howell ◽  
Jennifer R Peterson

Abstract Cross-cultural research has shown marked variation in health outcomes across the world’s older adult populations. Indeed, older adults in the Circumpolar North experience a variety of health disparities. Because aging is a biological process rooted in sociocultural context, there exists great variation in the ways older adults define and experience healthy, or “successful,” aging in their communities. The aim of this analysis was to synthesize qualitative research among older residents (aged 50+ years) in the Circumpolar North to identify a definition of healthy aging common in the region. A thorough review was conducted across a variety of academic search databases for peer-reviewed, qualitative studies conducted among community-dwelling older adults. The search strategy initially identified 194 articles; 23 articles met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were coded and analyzed using Grounded Theory to examine underlying themes of healthy aging in the Circumpolar North. The findings reveal the importance older adults place on respect, their relationship to the land, and psychosocial resilience into multidimensional models of healthy aging. We present a complex concept map demonstrating how healthy aging perspectives fit together into a multidimensional model of health in the Circumpolar North. This research also highlights the need for increased translational research with populations in the Circumpolar North that are under-represented in the literature.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S264-S265
Author(s):  
Britteny M Howell ◽  
Jennifer R Peterson

Abstract Cross-cultural research has shown marked variation in health outcomes across the world’s older adult populations. Indeed, older adults in the Circumpolar North experience a variety of health disparities. Because aging is a biological process rooted in sociocultural context, there exists great variation in the ways older adults define and experience healthy, or “successful,” aging in their communities. The aim of this analysis was to synthesize qualitative research among older residents (aged 50+ years) in the Circumpolar North to identify a definition of healthy aging common in the region. The Circumpolar North is defined as the Arctic and subarctic regions of Canada, Finland, Denmark, Greenland & the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. A thorough review was conducted across a variety of academic search databases for peer-reviewed, qualitative studies conducted among community-dwelling older adults. The search strategy initially identified 194 articles; 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were coded and analyzed using Grounded Theory to examine underlying themes of healthy aging in the Circumpolar North. The findings reveal the importance older adults place on incorporating social, environmental, and personal resilience factors into multidimensional models of healthy aging. This research also highlights the need for increased translational research with populations in the Circumpolar North that are under-represented in the gerontological literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 215-216
Author(s):  
Edwin K H Chung ◽  
Dannii Yeung

Abstract Inspiring by Martinson and Berridge’s (2015) systematic review, the current definition of successful aging (SA) fails to acknowledge the laypeople’s conceptualization of SA. Adopting a mixed-method approach, two studies were conducted with the aim of soliciting older adults’ perceptions of SA and to develop a multidimensional instrument for assessing SA. Study 1 was a qualitative study and 27 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=68.07 years, SD=7.10, range=60–83; 56.3% females) were interviewed. Interview transcripts were analyzed, and seven themes were emerged. An initial item pool for the Successful Aging Scale (SAS) was then established based on these themes as well as those in the SA literature, such as acceptance and independence. Study 2 was a survey study which was conducted among 414 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=64.50 years, SD=4.01, range=60–82; 55.3% females) to identify optimal items for constitution of the SAS. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 12-factor solution, accounting for 62% of the variance. The 12 factors are adequate health, perceived constraints, flexible attitudes toward life, acceptance of age-related change, life embracement, active engagement, harmonious family, supportive friendship, civic awareness, social contribution, living independently, and adaptive coping strategies. The 12 factors exhibit similar strength of associations with most of the well-being measures, but certain factors show stronger correlation with depressive symptoms and social relationship, suggesting the uniqueness of each factor. Overall, the SAS demonstrates promising psychometric properties. These findings disclose that the older adults’ perceptions of SA could cover broader dimensions than those in Rowe and Kahn’s model (1997).


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260550
Author(s):  
Yi-Hsuan Lin ◽  
Jeng-Min Chiou ◽  
Ta-Fu Chen ◽  
Liang-Chuan Lai ◽  
Jen-Hau Chen ◽  
...  

Objectives To examine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and successful aging among community-dwelling older adults. Methods Adults aged ≥ 65 years who participated in the senior health checkup program at National Taiwan University Hospital during 2011–2013 were recruited (N = 467 at baseline). The participants were followed after 4 years and 6 years. MetS was assessed at baseline. Successful aging was evaluated at baseline, 4-year follow-up, and 6-year follow-up. We adopted an extended definition of successful aging, which was defined as three major domains: physiological, psychological, and sociological and economic domains. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the association between MetS and successful aging adjusting for time (follow-up years), age, sex, years of education, alcohol consumption and MetS×time interaction term. Results The mean age of the study population was 72.9 (SD 5.5) years. The absence of baseline MetS had a positive effect on the probability of successful aging over six years. The absences of abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertension were associated with the physiological successful aging. The absence of hypertension was the most significant predictor of physiological successful aging [aOR (95% CI) = 2.76 (1.67–4.58), p<0.001]. Significant increased trend was found in the overall and physiological successful aging across MetS status (No MetS, pre MetS, MetS; Ptrend <0.001). Conclusions We found that MetS is a risk factor of successful aging among community-dwelling older adults. Public health policy should aim at avoidance of MetS in order to facilitate successful aging in older population.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Ienca ◽  
Christophe Schneble ◽  
Reto Kressig ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo

Abstract BackgroundDigital health technologies are being increasingly developed with the aim of allowing older adults to maintain functional independence throughout the old age, a process known as healthy ageing. Such digital health technologies for healthy ageing are expected to mitigate the socio-economic effects of population ageing and improve the quality of life of older people. However, little is known regarding the views and needs of older people regarding these technologies. AimThe aim of this study is to explore the views, needs and perceptions of community-dwelling older adults regarding the use of digital health technologies for healthy ageing. MethodFace-to-face, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with community-dwelling older adults (median age 79.6 years). The interview process involved both abstract reflections and practical demonstrations. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed according to inductive content analysis. ResultsThree main themes and twelve sub-themes emerged. The three main themes revolved around the following thematic areas: favorable views and perceptions on technology-assisted living, usability evaluations and ethical considerations. ConclusionsOur study reveals a generally positive attitude towards digital health technologies as participants believed digital tools could positively contribute to improving their overall wellbeing, especially if designed in a patient-centered manner. Safety concerns and ethical issues related to privacy, empowerment and lack of human contact also emerged as key considerations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 910-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miji Kim ◽  
Chang Won Won

Abstract Background in October 2018, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) updated their original definition of sarcopenia to reflect the scientific and clinical evidence that has accumulated over the last decade. Objective to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in a large group of community-dwelling older adults using the EWGSOP2 definition and algorithm. Design a cross-sectional study. Setting the nationwide Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS). Subjects a total of 2,099 ambulatory community-dwelling older adults, aged 70–84 years (mean age, 75.9 ± 4.0 years; 49.8% women) who were enrolled in the KFACS. Methods physical function was assessed by handgrip strength, usual gait speed, the five-times-sit-to-stand test, the timed up-and-go test, and the Short Physical Performance Battery. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results according to the criteria of the EWGSOP2, the sarcopenia indicators of combined low muscle strength and low muscle quantity were present in 4.6–14.5% of men and 6.7–14.4% of women. The severe sarcopenia indicators of combined low muscle strength, low muscle quantity and low physical performance were present in 0.3–2.2% of men and 0.2–6.2% of women. Using the clinical algorithm with SARC-F as a screening tool, the prevalence of probable sarcopenia (2.2%), confirmed sarcopenia (1.4%) and severe sarcopenia (0.8%) was low. Conclusions the prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older individuals varied depending on which components of the revised EWGSOP2 definition were used, such as the tools used to measure muscle strength and the ASM indicators for low muscle mass.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Friedmann ◽  
Nancy R. Gee ◽  
Eleanor M. Simonsick ◽  
Stephanie Studenski ◽  
Barbara Resnick ◽  
...  

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