Hallucinations in Older Adults: A Practical Review

Abstract Older adults experience hallucinations in a variety of social, physical, and mental health contexts. Not everyone is open about these experiences, as hallucinations are surrounded with stigma. Hence, hallucinatory experiences in older individuals are often under-recognized. They are also commonly misunderstood by service providers, suggesting that there is significant scope for improvement in the training and practice of professionals working with this age group. The aim of the present article is to increase knowledge about hallucinations in older adults and provide a practical resource for the health and aged-care workforce. Specifically, we provide a concise narrative review and critique of (1) workforce competency and training issues, (2) assessment tools, and (3) current treatments and management guidelines. We conclude with a brief summary including suggestions for service and training providers and future research.

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The economic recession and subjective well-being in older adults in the Republic of Ireland

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2016.21 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 99-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. M. Duffy ◽

K. Mullin ◽

S. O’Dwyer ◽

M. Wrigley ◽

B. D. Kelly

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older People ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Economic Recession ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Future Health

ObjectiveSubjective well-being in older people is strongly associated with emotional, physical and mental health. This study investigates subjective well-being in older adults in Ireland before and after the economic recession that commenced in 2008.MethodsCross-sectional data from the biennial European Social Survey (2002–2012) were analysed for two separate groups of older adults: one sampled before the recession and one after. Stratification and linear regression modelling were used to analyse the association between subjective well-being, the recession and multiple potential confounders and effect modifiers.ResultsData were analysed on 2013 individuals. Overall, subjective well-being among older adults was 1.30 points lower after the recession compared with before the recession (s.e. 0.16; 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.61; p<0.001) [pre-recession: 16.1, out of a possible 20 (s.d. 3.24); post-recession:14.8 (s.d. 3.72)]. Among these older adults, the pre- and post-recession difference was especially marked in women, those with poor health and those living in urban areas.ConclusionsSubjective well-being was significantly lower in older adults after the recession compared with before the recession, especially in women with poor health in urban areas. Policy-makers need proactively to protect these vulnerable cohorts in future health and social policy. Future research could usefully focus on older people on fixed incomes whose diminished ability to alter their economic situation might make them more vulnerable to reduced subjective well-being during a recession.

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Loneliness and Health in Older Adults: A Mini-Review and Synthesis

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000441651 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 62 (4) ◽

pp. 443-449 ◽

Cited By ~ 158

Author(s):

Anthony D. Ong ◽

Bert N. Uchino ◽

Elaine Wethington

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Later Life ◽

Future Research ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Key Concepts ◽

The Status ◽

Perceived Social Isolation

Increasing evidence suggests that perceived social isolation or loneliness is a major risk factor for physical and mental illness in later life. This review assesses the status of research on loneliness and health in older adults. Key concepts and definitions of loneliness are identified, and the prevalence, correlates, and health effects of loneliness in older individuals are reviewed. Theoretical mechanisms that underlie the association between loneliness and health are also described, and illustrative studies examining these mechanisms are summarized. Intervention approaches to reduce loneliness in old age are highlighted, and priority recommendations for future research are presented.

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Longitudinal Examination of the Functional Status of Older Adults: Successful Aging Within a Representative Canadian Sample

Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement ◽

10.1017/s0714980800012459 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 441-455 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Norm O'Rourke ◽

Richard MacLennan ◽

Thomas Hadjistavropoulos ◽

Holly Tuokko

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Functional Status ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Empirical Test ◽

Basic Structure ◽

Future Research ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Study Support ◽

Socio Economic Variables ◽

Longitudinal Examination

ABSTRACTPalmore, Nowlin, and Wang (1985) posit a theoretical framework in which to predict the health status of older adults over time as a function of social, economic, physical and mental health variables. The current study provides the first independent, empirical test of this model based upon longitudinal data derived from a representative sample of older British Columbians. The results of this study support the basic structure of the Palmore model; however, various revisions were required to improve the fit of data. Findings indicate that demographic and socio-economic variables have a direct effect upon functional status at baseline. Results further suggest significant consistency in the functional status of older adults over a two-year interval. Directions for future research as well as limitations of the current study are discussed.

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A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN TRUST

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1775 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S477-S477

Author(s):

Phoebe E Bailey ◽

Tarren Leon

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Young Adults ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Self Report ◽

Future Research ◽

Age Group ◽

Age Related ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Effect Of Age

Abstract This systematic review and meta-analysis quantifies the magnitude and breadth of age-related differences in trust. Thirty-eight independent data sets met criteria for inclusion. Overall, there was a moderate effect of age group on trust (g = 0.22), whereby older adults were more trusting than young adults. Three additional meta-analyses assessed age-related differences in trust in response to varying degrees of trustworthiness. This revealed that older adults were more trusting than young adults in response to neutral (g = 0.31) and negative (g = 0.33), but not positive (g = 0.15), indicators of trustworthiness. The effect of age group on trust in response to positive and neutral cues was moderated by type of trust (financial vs. non-financial) and type of responding (self-report vs. behavioral). Older adults were more trusting than young adults in response to positive and neutral indicators of trustworthiness when trust was expressed non-financially, but not financially. There was also an age-related increase in self-reported, but not behavioral, trust in response to neutral cues. Older adults were more trusting than young adults in response to negative indicators of trustworthiness regardless of the type of trust or type of responding. The reliability of information about trustworthiness (superficial vs. genuine cues) did not moderate any effects of age on trust. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

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Healthy, Active Aging for People and Dogs

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.655191 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Sandra McCune ◽

Daniel Promislow

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Evidence Base ◽

World Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Active Aging ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Physical Support ◽

Companion Dogs ◽

The Us

Dogs act as companions who provide us with emotional and physical support. Their shorter lifespans compel us to learn about the challenges and gifts of caring for older individuals. Our companion dogs can be exemplars of healthy or unhealthy aging, and sentinels of environmental factors that might increase or decrease our own healthy lifespan. In recent years, the field of aging has emphasized not just lifespan, but healthspan—the period of healthy, active lifespan. This focus on healthy, active aging is reflected in the World Health Organization's current focus on healthy aging for the next decade and the 2016 Healthy Aging in Action initiative in the US. This paper explores the current research into aging in both people and companion dogs, and in particular, how the relationship between older adults and dogs impacts healthy, active aging for both parties. The human-dog relationship faces many challenges as dogs, and people, age. We discuss potential solutions to these challenges, including suggestions for ways to continue contact with dogs if dog ownership is no longer possible for an older person. Future research directions are outlined in order to encourage the building of a stronger evidence base for the role of dogs in the lives of older adults.

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Coping with the Subjective Impact of COVID-19 among Older Adults in Puerto Rico

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3675 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1037-1037

Author(s):

David Camacho ◽

Yamile Marti ◽

Sunghwan Cho ◽

Thomas Buckley ◽

Julia Vazquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Cohesion ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Future Research ◽

Grief And Loss ◽

Positive Thinking ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Poverty Level ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

And Coping

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic poses serious physical and mental health risks for older adults worldwide. To develop culturally and contextually congruent services to mitigate these risks requires understanding their stress and coping processes, which remain understudied in Latin America. This study examines qualitative data from 51 adults aged 60 and over who participated in an ongoing study of older Puerto Ricans’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices about COVID-19. Trained interviewers collected the data by telephone from January to August, 2021. Two-thirds of participants were female, 60% had less than high school education and 90% had poverty-level incomes. Drawing on Lazarus and Folkman’s Stress and Coping Theory, we conducted a thematic analysis of responses to open-ended questions about the nature and extent of COVID-related stressors, stress management, and meanings and guidance they had gleaned from their experience. Participants perceived the pandemic as an added threat to ongoing chronic stressors (e.g., Hurricane Maria, poverty, political instability); disruptions in daily routines, family cohesion, and grief and loss processes; and increased isolation and loneliness. They reported using cognitive, behavioral, socioemotional and spiritual coping, including positive thinking, keeping occupied, relaxation, religious practices and, in a few cases, social media. Participants highlighted a revitalized appreciation for emotional qualities of relationships, freedom and life in general. Consistent with our guiding theory, cultural, contextual, religious, and socio-political factors shaped their appraisals of stress and their coping strategies. Future research should examine how these practices relate to health outcomes and quality of life and how they can inform effective, appropriate interventions.

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Characteristics of Financial Exploitation in a Sample of Israeli Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2827 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 770-770

Author(s):

Gali Weissberger ◽

S Duke Han ◽

Amit Shrira

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Age Differences ◽

Service Providers ◽

Subjective Age ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Older Adulthood ◽

Financial Exploitation ◽

History Of

Abstract Financial exploitation (FE) negatively affects wellbeing in older adulthood. However, characteristics of FE and its health correlates remain poorly understood. In this study, 138 Israeli older adults answered questions regarding FE history, and completed physical and mental health questionnaires. Of 138 participants, 23 reported a history of FE. FE participants were older (M birth year = 1950.35; sd = 9.65) than non-FE participants (M birth year = 1953.79; sd = 6.06; p = 0.028) and reported lower household income (p=0.001). Groups did not differ in education level or sex breakdown. The FE group reported older subjective age (p = 0.022), worse subjective cognition (p = 0.007), more depressive symptoms (p=0.002), and marginally higher anxiety symptoms (p = 0.099) than the non-FE group. Groups did not differ in reported levels of social support or number of medical conditions. When covarying for age, differences between groups in subjective cognition and depressive symptoms remained significant (ps ≤0.022), while subjective age differences became marginal (p = 0.07). The FE group responded to follow-up questions regarding FE experiences. Reported perpetrators included companies/businesses (most commonly reported, 30%), strangers, friends/neighbors, service providers, and family. Eleven reported losing 100 NIS to 10,000 NIS, and 10 reported losing 10,001 to over 100,000 NIS. Additionally, six FE participants reported that the FE is ongoing, and two reported additional FE experiences. Findings suggest that FE is related to mental and physical health of older adults. Findings also provide preliminary information regarding characteristics of FE in a sample of Israeli older adults.

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Fostering Intergenerational Connections in the time of Covid-19: A Friendly Caller Program

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 867-867

Author(s):

Maria Claver ◽

Alexandra Wilkinson ◽

Tatia Clark ◽

Chan Park

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Student Perceptions ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Older Adult ◽

Online Survey ◽

Premature Death ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Future Research ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Self Assessment

Abstract Social isolation affects one in five older adults, significantly increases the risk of premature death from all causes and is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. Covid-19 has exacerbated social isolation, including among older adults that reside in senior apartments. In response, a Friendly Caller Program was developed to foster intergenerational social connections among university students and residents in a large housing community that serves older adults aged 62 and older who have limited income and have mobility impairments. This study aimed to evaluate the Friendly Caller Program from the perspective of the older adult. An online survey includes questions about the participants’ demographic characteristics, physical and mental health self-assessment, social support, and ways in which the Friendly Caller Program has affected these areas of their life. An open-ended question assesses older adult participant expectations of the Friendly Caller Program. Results describe the population currently being served by this program and indicate that the program has a positive influence on participants’ feelings of safety, support and ability to function. Suggestions for future research include assessing university student perceptions about the benefits of participation as callers in the program and creating a toolkit that can guide other universities to create similar programs in partnership with housing communities that serve older adults.

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Approach to the Geriatric Patient

10.2310/psych.1398 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Tia Kostas ◽

Mark Simone ◽

James L Rudolph

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Geriatric Assessment ◽

Task Force ◽

Functional Dependence ◽

Geriatric Care ◽

Assessment Process ◽

Age Group ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Geriatric Population ◽

General Internists

As of 2012, over one in eight Americans is over the age of 65, and this number is rising, particularly in the 85+ age group. This segment of the population has a rate of hospitalization three times higher than that for persons of all ages. General internists and family medicine physicians provide a large portion of care for this age group and should therefore be comfortable using a comprehensive approach to geriatric assessment. This review describes general considerations regarding geriatric care, including the process of taking a functional history and clinical implications of geriatric care. The geriatric assessment process is discussed in terms of physical, cognitive, social, and medical domains. The benefits of geriatric assessment in primary care, specialty care, and hospitalized patients are described. Tables outline activities of daily living, sensory changes with aging, major causes of visual impairment in the geriatric population, major neurocognitive disorder diagnostic criteria, medications to avoid or use with caution based on Beers criteria and Screening Tool of Older individuals’ Potentially inappropriate Prescriptions criteria, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force–recommended services relevant to older adults, and vaccinations in older adults. Figures illustrate the key vulnerabilities of older adults; outcomes linked to functional dependence; common disorders associated with cognitive concerns; domains of cognition and examples of impairment in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition; the social and medical domains of geriatric assessment; barriers to medication adherence in older patients; and resources for medication appropriateness in older adults. This review contains 8 highly rendered figures, 8 tables, 110 references, and 5 MCQs.

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Approach to the Geriatric Patient

10.2310/tywc.1398 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Tia Kostas ◽

Mark Simone ◽

James L Rudolph

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Geriatric Assessment ◽

Task Force ◽

Functional Dependence ◽

Geriatric Care ◽

Assessment Process ◽

Age Group ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Geriatric Population ◽

General Internists

As of 2012, over one in eight Americans is over the age of 65, and this number is rising, particularly in the 85+ age group. This segment of the population has a rate of hospitalization three times higher than that for persons of all ages. General internists and family medicine physicians provide a large portion of care for this age group and should therefore be comfortable using a comprehensive approach to geriatric assessment. This review describes general considerations regarding geriatric care, including the process of taking a functional history and clinical implications of geriatric care. The geriatric assessment process is discussed in terms of physical, cognitive, social, and medical domains. The benefits of geriatric assessment in primary care, specialty care, and hospitalized patients are described. Tables outline activities of daily living, sensory changes with aging, major causes of visual impairment in the geriatric population, major neurocognitive disorder diagnostic criteria, medications to avoid or use with caution based on Beers criteria and Screening Tool of Older individuals’ Potentially inappropriate Prescriptions criteria, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force–recommended services relevant to older adults, and vaccinations in older adults. Figures illustrate the key vulnerabilities of older adults; outcomes linked to functional dependence; common disorders associated with cognitive concerns; domains of cognition and examples of impairment in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition; the social and medical domains of geriatric assessment; barriers to medication adherence in older patients; and resources for medication appropriateness in older adults. This review contains 8 highly rendered figures, 8 tables, 110 references, and 5 MCQs.

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