Social Support and Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults Using Home Healthcare Services

Abstract This study examines longitudinal associations between time-varying insomnia symptoms (including difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early-morning awakenings, and nonrestorative sleep) and all-cause healthcare services utilization (HSU; overnight hospital stays, nursing home stays, and home healthcare services) among middle-aged and older adults. Data were obtained from 2002 through 2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study in the US for a population-representative sample of 13,168 adults (aged ≥50 years; mean [SD] age= 66.8±9.4; females= 57.7%; ≥2 comorbid medical conditions= 52.5%). A marginal structural modeling approach and generalized estimating equations were implemented to capture time-varying biological, psycho-cognitive, lifestyle, or behavioral health factors and to adjust for selection bias due to differential loss to follow-up. At baseline, 38.9% of respondents reported experiencing at least one insomnia symptom. During the 16-year follow-up, 72.9%, 17.9%, and 35.1% reported overnight hospital stays, nursing home stays, and home healthcare services utilization, respectively. Higher numbers of insomnia symptoms on a cumulative scale were associated with more overnight hospital stays, nursing home stays, and home healthcare services utilization. Further, experiencing each of difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, and nonrestorative sleep, as standalone symptoms, was associated with a higher likelihood of HSU compared to those not experiencing any of these symptoms. Independent associations of early-morning awakening with nursing home stays and home healthcare utilization were not significant. The results emphasize the roles of screening and addressing symptoms of insomnia among middle-aged and older adults or those prone to sleep disorders to reduce avoidable HSU. Future investigations should focus on the underlying causes and health systems pathways linking insomnia symptoms to HSU.

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Caregiver Knowledge of Long-Term Services and Supports: Effects of Rurality and Support

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1146 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 356-356

Author(s):

Lauren Stratton ◽

Nichole Richter ◽

Mack Shelley ◽

Jennifer Margrett

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Regression Model ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Home Healthcare ◽

Care Recipient ◽

Median Income ◽

County Level ◽

Services And Supports

Abstract Caregivers often lack knowledge regarding available long-term services and supports (LTSS). Certain barriers, such as rurality and levels of social support, may contribute to a lack of knowledge and accessibility of LTSS. The Caregiver Beginnings Workshop, held in 12 communities throughout 11 counties in Iowa, was a one-time educational session created to increase knowledge and awareness of LTSS. Data were collected from pre- and post-tests completed during the workshop (N = 98). To assess caregivers’ initial knowledge of LTSS, a hierarchical regression model was estimated to examine knowledge of LTSS in caregivers as predicted by caregiver education, number of health problems in care recipient, relationship type, feelings of social support, and rurality. Results showed that rurality (β = 0.33, p = 0.047) and infrequent or no support (β = -0.30, p = 0.02) were significant predictors (R2 = 0.21), indicating that caregivers living in rural areas reported higher knowledge of LTSS and those who reported infrequent or no support reported less knowledge. Additional analyses examined county-level data to better understand the availability of community resources in rural areas. County-level variables (e.g., number of home healthcare services, education level, income, health status) were included in a regression model to predict knowledge of LTSS. The results indicated that median income (β = -0.32, p = 0.002) and an educational attainment of an associate’s level degree or higher (β = -0.30, p = 0.004) were significant predictors. Discussion focuses on the importance of support and accessible resources for caregivers in all geographic areas.

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Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South Korea

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03423-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bum Jung KIM ◽

Taesuk KIHL

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

South Korea ◽

Depression Scale ◽

The Elderly ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Gyeonggi Province ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background This study examined the effect of depression on suicidal ideation among older adults in South Korea. Furthermore, this study investigated how social support, as a factor that reduces depression among older adults, mediates the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Methods Based on a survey of 260 older adults in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, suicidal ideation, depression, and social support were evaluated using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Measurement of Social Support in the Elderly, respectively. Results A multiple regression analysis confirmed that depression and social support were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Based on path analysis, we found that social support mediated the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Conclusions Therefore, this study provides concrete insights for policymakers and social workers about how suicidal ideation among older adults may be diminished. Particularly, the role of depression and social support in suicidal ideation is a matter of concern for older adults in South Korea.

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Quality of life and associated factors amongst older adults in a remote community, Nepal

Journal of Health Research ◽

10.1108/jhr-01-2020-0023 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Saurav Chandra Acharya Samadarshi ◽

Pimsurang Taechaboonsermsak ◽

Mathuros Tipayamongkholgul ◽

Korravarn Yodmai

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

The Elderly ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Remote Community ◽

Content Type ◽

The Government

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to assess the quality of life (QOL) of older adults and explore factors associated with it.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted in a remote community in Nepal. A total of 671 older adults aged 60 years were enrolled in the study. QOL was measured by WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.FindingsMost participants were female (53.0%), illiterate (70.6%), married (64.2%) and living with family (59.3%). Among participants, 82.4% had fair QOL, and the autonomy domain received the lowest score (average = 10.98). After adjusting the model, the elderly aged <70 years had 11.07 times better QOL (aOR = 11.070; 95% CI = 2.546–48.123), elderly with high sufficient income had 2.73 times better QOL (aOR = 2.738; 95% CI = 1.183–6.337) and elderly free from depression had 9.45 times better QOL (aOR = 9.452; 95% CI = 3.466–25.773) compared to their counterparts. The elderly receiving social support had 9.97 times better QOL than those who did not (aOR = 9.976; 95% CI = 3.152–31.574), and those able to afford healthcare services had 4.69 times better QOL than those who could not afford it (aOR = 4.694; 95% CI = 1.046–21.063).Originality/valueThe five predictors – age, income sufficiency, depression, social support and healthcare service affordability – were found to significantly affect QOL. This study suggests special care strategies for vulnerable older adults addressing the issues that affect geriatric depression. This article provides relevant information to the government to consider increment of income, encourage family and community for social support and make health services affordable for older adults.

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The associations between social support and negative social interaction with suicidal ideation in US Chinese older adults

Aging & Mental Health ◽

10.1080/13607863.2019.1680953 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 94-98

Author(s):

Xinqi Dong ◽

Stephanie Bergren ◽

Bei Wang ◽

Elissa Kozlov

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Interaction ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Chinese Older Adults

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SOCIAL TIES AND SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS REFERRED FOR A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EVALUATION

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.997 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S268-S268

Author(s):

Shahrzad Mavandadi ◽

Erin Ingram ◽

Johanna Klaus ◽

David Oslin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Primary Care ◽

Substance Use ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Social Integration ◽

Social Ties ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Suicide Screening

Abstract The association between the quality and nature of social relationships and suicidal outcomes across the lifespan is well established. However, social ties are rarely assessed in primary care and other clinical settings where older adults at high risk for suicide-related outcomes are seen. This study examined the unique associations between three indices of social ties (i.e., perceived social support, frequency of negative social exchanges, and degree of social integration) and death/suicidal ideation among 3,261 older veterans (aged 65+) who completed a clinical mental health/substance use (MH/SU) assessment upon referral to a Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. Data on sociodemographics, MH/SU conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, and substance use), perceived health, the three indices of social ties, and death/suicidal ideation were extracted from clinical interviews. Veterans were on average 70.8 years old (+6.5 years) and primarily male. Approximately half were married and 60.3% were non-Hispanic white. Forty percent reported death ideation or suicidal ideation, as measured by the Paykel Suicide Scale. Logistic regression analyses revealed that, adjusting for covariates, while perceived social support was associated with a greater risk of reporting death ideation relative to no ideation, both social support and frequency of negative exchanges were uniquely associated with greater risk of reporting suicidal ideation relative to no ideation. Social integration was unrelated to odds of death or suicidal ideation. Findings underscore the value of integrating assessments of multiple aspects of social ties into routine PCMHI practice, as doing so has the potential to enhance suicide screening and intervention efforts.

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It Gets Better Videos for Suicide Prevention in LGBTIQ+ Adolescents

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000691 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stefanie Kirchner ◽

Benedikt Till ◽

Martin Plöderl ◽

Thomas Niederkrotenthaler

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Gay Men ◽

Suicide Prevention ◽

Coming Out ◽

German Language ◽

Professional Help ◽

Characteristics Method ◽

Sexual Orientations ◽

It Gets Better Project

Abstract. Background: The It Gets Better project aims to help prevent suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) adolescents. It features personal video narratives portraying how life gets better when struggling with adversities. Research on the contents of messages is scarce. Aims: We aimed to explore the content of videos in the Austrian It Gets Better project regarding the representation of various LGBTIQ+ groups and selected content characteristics. Method: A content analysis of all German-language videos was conducted ( N = 192). Messages related to coming out, stressors experienced, suicidal ideation/behavior, and on how things get better were coded. Results: Representation was strong for gay men ( n = 45; 41.7%). Coming out to others was mainly positively framed ( n = 31; 46.3%) and seen as a tool to make things better ( n = 27; 37.5%). Social support ( n = 42; 62.7%) and self-acceptance ( n = 37; 55.2%) were prevalent topics. Common stressors included a conservative setting ( n = 18, 26.9%), and fear of outing ( n = 17; 25.4%). Suicidality ( n = 9; 4.7%) and options to get professional help ( n = 7; 8.2%) were rarely addressed. Limitations: Only aspects explicitly brought up in the videos were codeable. Conclusion: Videos do not fully represent gender identities and sexual orientations. Messaging on suicidality and professional help require strengthening to tailor them better for suicide prevention.

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