scholarly journals AGING STRONG 2020: INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE LONELINESS AMONG OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S184-S184
Author(s):  
Charlotte Yeh ◽  
Daniel Russell ◽  
James Schaeffer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New York ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Insurance Company ◽  
Holistic Model ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
Socially Isolated

Abstract Research confirms serious and concerning health implications for lonely and socially isolated older adults. Studies consistently demonstrate that older adults who are lonely or socially isolated have higher rates of depression, more health conditions, and greater mortality. AARP Services, Inc. (ASI) and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) are committed to the health and well-being of insureds in AARP® Medicare Supplement Plans insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (for New York certificate holders, UnitedHealthcare of New York), recognizing that health and wellness should be promoted on a holistic level to ensure successful aging. As part of this commitment, a research initiative entitled Aging Strong 2020 has been developed. Its purpose is to impact insureds’ personal and social investments in their well-being Thus a related series of interventions are aiming to increase resilience by focusing on enhanced purpose in life, social connectedness, and optimism. This symposium will specifically discuss these efforts related to social connectedness and how they have improved well-being among lonely older adults. First discussed is the prevalence and outcomes of loneliness in a large national survey. Interventions include use of animatronic pets, a telephonic reminiscent memory program, and an online self-compassion mindfulness program. Findings from these initiatives demonstrate that interventions designed to improve loneliness and well-being among lonely older adults can contribute to the holistic model of health.

scholarly journals Social Isolation and Well-Being Among Middle-Age and Older Adults: Before and During the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 38-38
Author(s):  
Lydia Li
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Physical Isolation ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Aging And Health ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This symposium brings together five studies that examined the relationship between social isolation and well-being. Two used pre-COVID data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). One aimed to identify patterns of social isolation trajectory in a 9-year period, where social isolation was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct. It identified four distinct patterns, and the pattern had a gradient relationship with health outcomes. Another examined the association between self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and social well-being among older adults. It found that positive SPA predicted increased social connectedness and reduced loneliness in four years. Two other studies were based on a longitudinal survey (COVID-19 Coping Survey) that began in April 2020. One reports that adults 55+ with comorbidity at pandemic onset had persistently elevated depressive symptoms in a 6-month period, regardless of their social isolation level. Another paper suggests that physical isolation at pandemic onset was associated with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness throughout the following six months. The fifth paper was based on two-wave data—2019 survey and 2020 COVID supplement—from the National Aging and Health Trend Study (NAHTS). It found that older adults who were very socially isolated and completely homebound before the pandemic experienced less psychological distress during the outbreak than those who were very socially integrated and not homebound. The five studies highlight the multiple dimensions of social isolation, their antecedents and development over time, and their role in shaping mental health in a pandemic context.

scholarly journals Age-Friendly as Tranquilo Ambiente: How Socio-Cultural Perspectives Shape Older Latinos’ Lived Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 237-238
Author(s):  
Melanie Plasencia
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New York ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Latino Older Adults

Abstract Researchers have increasingly considered the importance of age-friendly communities to improve the health and well-being of older adults. Studies have primarily focused on the built environment, such as community infrastructure, older adult behavior, and environmental expectations. Less attention, however, has been given to the role of cultural characteristics in shaping perceptions of age-friendly environments for Latinos. Using an ethnographic methodological approach, including participant observation in a Latino community near New York City and 72 semi-structured interviews, this study provides empirical insights into how older Latinos characterize age-friendly communities. Latino older adults described their community as age-friendly using Tranquilo Ambiente (TA), which translates to a calm or peaceful environment. According to older adults, a TA possesses the following: 1) a sense of personal safety, including protection of their body, 2) ethnic, social connectedness, including networks with other Latinos and important social and cultural events; and 3) a comparative understanding of their communities treatment of seniors versus other geographical and spatial locations. While much has been written on the role of the built and social environment in developing and implementing age-friendly communities, more research on the cultural significance and understanding of place among marginalized older adults is necessary. TA and its characteristics demonstrate that cultivating an age-friendly setting requires adapting structures and services to promote Latino older adults' social and cultural support and engagement.

scholarly journals Aging Strong: Promoting Resilience Through Optimism, Purpose, and Social Connections

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 182-182
Author(s):  
Ellen Wicker ◽  
James Schaeffer
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Holistic Model ◽  
Participant Experience ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Resilience is defined as the ability to adapt and cope with circumstances in a way that empowers one to emerge stronger, thrive, and incorporate lessons learned. Resilience as a trait can be learned and modified and have a significant impact on healthy aging. UnitedHealthcare (UHC) and AARP Services, Inc. (ASI) are committed to the health and well-being of participants in UHC’s Medicare Supplement insurance plans, recognizing that health and wellness need to be promoted on a holistic level to ensure successful aging. In this effort, an initiative titled Aging Strong 2020 was developed to promote health, well-being, and increase resilience by focusing on the key individual pillars of enhanced purpose in life, social connectedness, and optimism. To accomplish this goal, a series of eight interventions over three years were created and delivered, with a focus on the key pillars in order to improve clinical and psychological health outcomes and participants’ satisfaction with health care. This symposium will specifically discuss efforts related to the Aging Strong 2020 program. First, we will describe the prevalence and outcomes of the pillars in a large national survey. Next, key challenges and successes in recruitment and retention for the various interventions will be highlighted, followed by overall findings from the eight interventions targeting the pillars. Finally, qualitative findings on participant experience as a result of participation will be discussed. Results from these initiatives demonstrate that interventions designed to improve well-being among older adults contribute to the holistic model of health.

scholarly journals Improving Resilience, Optimism, Purpose, and Loneliness Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 182-183
Author(s):  
Lizi Wu ◽  
Laurie Albright ◽  
Rachel Ungar ◽  
Catherine Zaidel ◽  
Yan Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Program ◽  
Holistic Model ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Net Promoter ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Aging Strong 2020 was developed to promote health and well-being and increase resilience by focusing on the pillars of enhanced purpose in life, social connectedness, and optimism. A series of eight interventions over three years tested the feasibility of enhancing these pillars. Interventions included: 1) An expressive writing program, 2) Animatronic pets, 3) A telephonic reminiscent program, 4) An online self-compassion mindfulness program, 5) A technology-based behavior change tool, 6) An online and workbook tool for purpose, 7) An online happiness program, and 8) A peer-to-peer support program. Each program demonstrated efficacy dependent on the pillar targeted and the population sampled. Overall, some improvement was found among participants in resilience (47%), purpose (49%), optimism (44%), and loneliness (48%). Further, participant satisfaction improved in each program with Net Promoter Scores increasing between 7-19 points. Results demonstrate that Aging Strong 2020 was successful, contributing to a holistic model of healthy aging.

Age-friendly as Tranquilo Ambiente: How Socio-Cultural Perspectives Shape the Lived Environment of Latinx Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Z Plasencia
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New York ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Adult Behavior ◽  
Cultural Perspectives ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Researchers have increasingly considered the importance of age-friendly communities to improve the health and well-being of older adults. Studies have primarily focused on the built environment, such as community infrastructure, older adult behavior, and environmental expectations. Less is known about the role of cultural characteristics in shaping perceptions of age-friendly environments, especially among racial and ethnic minorities. Research Design and Methods Using an ethnographic methodological approach, including participant observation in a Latinx community near New York City and 72 semi-structured interviews, this study examines how older Latinxs characterize age-friendly communities. Results Latinx older adults described their community as age-friendly by way of the concept Tranquilo Ambiente, translated as calm or peaceful environment. More specifically, TA includes: 1) a sense of perceived personal safety, 2) ethnic and social connectedness, and 3) spatial and cultural accessibility. Discussion and Implications This study extends prior research that has largely considered structural or economic components to show how culture may also influence the well-being of older Latinxs, even if living in an under-resourced area. The concept of Tranquilo Ambiente demonstrates that both structural and cultural environmental factors influence older Latinxs understandings of age-friendly communities. By utilizing a socio-cultural lens, this research highlights how Latinx older adults benefit from an environment that supports their physical (e.g., well-lit and newly paved streets), social (e.g., city hall senior center), and cultural (e.g., events and programs that promote cultural heritage) needs.

“There Was No ‘That’s Not My Job’”: New York Area Agencies on Aging Approaches to Supporting Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482199102
Author(s):  
Claire Pendergrast
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New York ◽  
New York State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Contextual Influences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Priority Needs

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many older adults’ traditional sources of formal and informal supports, increasing demand for Area Agency on Aging services (AAAs). This study examines strategies used by AAAs to support older adults’ health and well-being during COVID-19 and identifies contextual influences on AAA pandemic response activities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of 20 AAAs in New York State. A combined inductive and deductive approach was used to code and thematically analyze the data. AAAs rapidly expanded capacity and dramatically modified program offerings, communications activities, and service delivery protocols to address emergent needs and minimize COVID-19 exposure risk for clients. AAAs’ trusted relationships with older adults and community partners improved their capacity to identify priority needs and coordinate appropriate supports. Policymakers should ensure that AAAs receive sustained financial and technical support to ensure critical community-based services are available for older adults throughout pandemic response and recovery.

scholarly journals PHYSIOLOGY OF SUCCESSFUL AGING: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S434-S434
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Mantantzis ◽  
Denis Gerstorf ◽  
Thomas M Hess
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Empathic Accuracy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Relationship Factors

Abstract Research into peripheral physiology and its association with cognition, emotionality, and social/physical functioning has received considerable attention over the years. However, many of the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this symposium, we have compiled a set of four empirical projects that showcase current and future endeavors to address some of the long-standing questions about when, how, and why physiology shapes and is shaped by key psychosocial resources. Hawkley et al. make use of data from the NSHAP and HRS longitudinal studies to investigate whether social relationships such as number of friends predicts risk of diabetes among older adults. Wilson et al. use dyadic data from young and middle-aged couples to examine cardiometabolic similarity among spouses, and how such concordance is shaped by key relationship factors such as emotional closeness. Pauly et al. use data from two daily-life studies of older couples to investigate how physiological synchrony in cortisol is modulated by partner interactions, empathy, and empathic accuracy. Finally, Mantantzis et al. make use of multi-year longitudinal data from the Berlin Aging Study II to examine the role of glucose regulation capacity for trajectories of subjective well-being among older adults. Thomas Hess will discuss the importance of these papers, discuss strengths and weaknesses of the approaches chosen, and consider implications for future research.

scholarly journals Older HIV+ and HIV− Adults Provide Similar Definitions of Successful Aging: A Mixed-Methods Examination

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pariya L Fazeli ◽  
Jessica L Montoya ◽  
Chastity N McDavid ◽  
David J Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
General Health ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Neurocognitive Impairment ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Demographic Correlates ◽  
Biological Health ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objective As HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals age, there is a need to understand successful aging (SA) from the patient perspective. This study compared SA definitions between HIV+ and HIV-uninfected (HIV−) older adults and then examined correlates of SA categories. Research Design and Methods Ninety-three HIV+ and 46 HIV− older (aged 50+) adults provided brief definitions of SA, which was examined using content analysis. We then compared the frequency of SA categories by serostatus and examined the correlates of SA categories within both groups. Results Seven SA categories emerged: General Health, Cognitive Health & Ability, Physical/Biological Health & Ability, Social Relationships, Attitudes, Psychological, & Emotional Well-Being, Proactive & Engaged Lifestyle, and Independence. While no significant differences emerged, HIV− older adults were more likely to report General Health and the subcategory of Longevity/Survival, while HIV+ older adults were more likely to report subcategories of Enjoying Life & Fulfillment and Maintaining Balance. Few demographic correlates of SA categories emerged. Mood and HIV characteristics were not associated with SA categories. In both groups, those without neurocognitive impairment were significantly more likely to endorse General Health than those with neurocognitive impairment. Discussion and Implications HIV+ and HIV− older individuals may generally perceive SA similarly, and their definitions parallel with existing models of SA. Yet, living with a chronic illness may cause HIV+ older adults to place greater value on quality of life and life satisfaction than physical health and chronological age. Observational and intervention studies may use similar approaches in evaluating and maximizing SA.

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.

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