scholarly journals Cognition, Health, and Social Support of Formerly Homeless Older Adults in Permanent Supportive Housing

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita M Souza ◽  
Jenny Hsin-Chin Tsai ◽  
Kenneth C Pike ◽  
Francesca Martin ◽  
Susan M McCurry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Formerly Homeless

Abstract Background and Objectives Formerly homeless older adults residing in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) represent an invisible subsector of two distinct, yet related populations: the homeless population and the elderly population. Little research is focused on the complex health concerns facing this aging population within the homelessness response system. Of particular concern is the identification and support of individuals with cognitive impairment and co-occurring chronic conditions. We collaborated with a leading housing services provider to develop a systematic screening system for case managers to capture the cognitive, physical, and psychosocial health of older adults served within homeless housing programs. Research Design and Methods PSH residents aged ≥50 years in four sites screened as being without cognitive impairment on the Mini-Cog were enrolled. A brief demographic survey and selected PROMIS measures were used to characterize participants’ demographics, cognition, global physical and mental health, physical functioning, self-efficacy for social interactions, and instrumental support. PSH case managers were trained to recruit participants and collect data. PROMIS scales were scored using the Health Measures Scoring Service. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and one sample t-tests were performed. Results Fifty-three residents (mean age = 60.8 years, range 50–76 years) participated. The majority self-identified as male and were military veterans; 60% reported having a history of two or more episodes of homelessness. All PROMIS scores were significantly (p < .05) lower than reference U.S. population means, with global mental health and cognition having the lowest scores. Discussion and Implications Self-reported cognitive functioning and global mental health were residents’ greatest concerns. Strengthening housing case manager capacity to assess residents’ cognitive and health status could increase support for older adults in PSH. It is feasible to train PSH staff to conduct structured interviews to identify resident cognitive and health needs to help support this “invisible” population to successfully age in place.

scholarly journals Geriatric Conditions Among Formerly Homeless Older Adults Living in Permanent Supportive Housing

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 802-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin F. Henwood ◽  
John Lahey ◽  
Harmony Rhoades ◽  
Deborah B. Pitts ◽  
Jon Pynoos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Geriatric Conditions ◽  
Formerly Homeless

scholarly journals Examining fall risk among formerly homeless older adults living in permanent supportive housing

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 842-849
Author(s):  
Benjamin F. Henwood ◽  
Harmony Rhoades ◽  
John Lahey ◽  
Jon Pynoos ◽  
Deborah B. Pitts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Formerly Homeless

scholarly journals Eliciting Life Priorities of Older Adults Living in Permanent Supportive Housing

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah K Padgett ◽  
Lynden Bond ◽  
Kristen Gurdak ◽  
Benjamin F Henwood
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Card Sort ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Background and Objectives Adults who have experienced chronic homelessness are considered to be “old” by age 50 due to accelerated aging. While permanent supportive housing (PSH) has been found effective for these individuals, there is limited focus on the needs of adults “aging in place” in PSH. This study examined (1) how older adults in PSH identify and rank their life priorities, (2) how they describe these priorities in their own words, and (3) how life course adversity deepens an understanding of these priorities. Research Design and Methods A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used in which qualitative case study analyses informed by a life course perspective provided a deeper understanding of how 14 older residents of PSH viewed their life priorities using quantitative card-sort rankings of 12 life domains. Results Housing, family, mental health, physical health, and partner were the most frequently endorsed life priorities. Four themes emerged from the cross-case analyses: “aging in, aging out,” “carefully restoring relationships,” “life goes on,” and “housing is fundamental.” Convergent findings indicated that life adversity—social losses and interrupted lives—influenced both the high- and low-ranked card-sort priorities. Discussion and Implications This study demonstrated that participants were aware of their advancing years yet they sought to overcome adversity and losses through maintaining mental health and sobriety, improving physical health, and cautiously rebuilding relationships. As the numbers of older homeless rise, the inclusion of age-related services will be an important component of PSH services for residents as they age.

Cognition and adaptive functioning in older people attending drug and alcohol services

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 815-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.A. Monds ◽  
N.J. Ridley ◽  
C. Rivas ◽  
A. Withall ◽  
B. Draper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Drug And Alcohol

ABSTRACTBackground:Substance use disorders in older adults are expected to increase dramatically in the coming years. Given the increased susceptibility to cognitive deficits in older substance users (defined here as aged 50+ years due to the accelerated health decline observed in this population), it is important to consider the functional correlates of cognitive impairment in these older adults. This study details the cognitive status of older individuals attending outpatient drug and alcohol (D&A) treatment services and seeks to determine of the association of cognitive impairment to self-reported daily functioning.Methods:Ninety nine clients aged 50 years or over attending outpatient D&A treatment services in Sydney, Australia participated. Cognition was assessed using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination – Revised (ACE-R). Recent substance use (Australian Treatment Outcome Profile), physical and mental health (SF12, Geriatric Depression Scale), social isolation (Lubben Social Network Scale), and activities of daily living (Bayer ADL Scale) were also assessed.Results:Nearly two-thirds of participants screened positive for cognitive impairment on the ACE-R; 41% and 65% of clients met the cut-off scores for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and more severe cognitive impairment, respectively. Self-reported seizure history was a predictor of cognitive impairment.Conclusions:The results suggest that cognitive impairment in this group is common. The assessment of cognitive status for this older group of patients should not only include the identification of cognitive impairment but also encompass mental health and social functioning. A greater understanding of the needs of this cohort will also enable better co-ordination with other health and welfare services tailored to this population.

scholarly journals Physical Inactivity in Older Adult Couples: A Dyadic Analysis Using Continuous In-Home Monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 412-412
Author(s):  
Chao-Yi Wu ◽  
Lyndsey Miller ◽  
Rachel Wall ◽  
Zachary Beattie ◽  
Jeffrey Kaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Home Monitoring ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Dyadic Analysis ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Aging Research

Abstract Many older adults remain inactive despite the known positive health implications of physical activity (e.g. improved mood, reduced mortality risk). Physical inactivity is a known interdependent phenomenon in couples, but the majority of research identifies determinants of physical inactivity at the individual level. We estimated the average amount of physical inactivity for older adult couples and, using dyadic analysis, identified physical and mental health determinants thereof. Forty-eight heterosexual older adult couples (mean age=70.6, SD=6.63) from the Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 cohort of the Collaborative Aging Research using Technology (CART) initiative were included in this study. Both dyad members wore actigraph devices for a month. The average number per day of inactive periods (defined as no movement or sleep activity for ≥ 30 minutes) was estimated. Multilevel modeling revealed that, within couples, there was no difference between partners in the average number of inactive periods, but on average across couples, males had more inactive periods per day (13.4, SD=4.43) than females (12.3, SD=4.87). For males, older age was the only variable associated with more inactive periods (β=0.13, p=.013). For females, more depressive symptoms in men were associated with fewer inactive periods (β=-0.37, p=.002), and more dependence in completing their own IADLs predicted more inactive periods (β=2.80, p<.001). All models were adjusted for covariates. Viewing couples’ activity as a unit, rather than as separate individuals, provides a novel approach to identifying pathways to reduce inactivity in older adults, especially when focusing on mental health issues and decreased independence within the couple.

scholarly journals The Sense of Smell and Aging: What We Have Learned From Population Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 810-811
Author(s):  
Jayant Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Sensory Function ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Sense Of Smell ◽  
Health Aging

Abstract Decline of the sense of smell with age causes a marked impact on older adults, markedly reducing quality of life. Olfactory dysfunction impairs nutrition, decreases the ability to experience pleasure, and results in depression, among other burdens. Large-scale population studies have identified impaired olfaction as a key heath indicator that predicts the development of decreased physical and mental health, reduced physical activity, weight loss, mild cognitive impairment and dementia, and mortality itself. These data have been generated via analyses of data from several aging cohorts, including the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP); the Beaver Dam cohort; the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities project; the Rush Memory and Aging Project; the Health, Aging, and Body Composition project; the Washington Heights/Inwood Columbia Aging Project; among others. In this presentation, we will review the close connection between olfaction, health, aging, including discussion of insights from these studies. We will also discuss emerging data from NSHAP on the effects of sensory function on cognition, mental health, and social interaction, which demonstrate that sensory function plays a vital role in the lives of older adults. Part of a symposium sponsored by Sensory Health Interest Group.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document