Oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy of Australian rural older adults

Background: There is a need for interventions to promote health management of older adults with pre-frailty and frailty. Technology poses promising solutions, but questions exist about effective delivery. Objectives: We present the results of a mixed-methods pilot evaluation of Virtual Online Communities for Older Adults (VOCALE), an 8-week intervention conducted in the northwestern United States, in which participants shared health-related experiences and applied problem solving skills in a Facebook group. Methods: We performed a mixed-methods process evaluation, integrating quantitative and qualitative data, to characterize the intervention and its effects. We focus on four areas: health-related measures (health literacy and self-efficacy), participation, problem solving skills enacted, and subjective feedback. Results: Eight older adults with pre-frailty and frailty (age = 82.7 ± 6.6 years) completed the study. There was an upward trend in health literacy and health self-efficacy post-intervention. Participants posted at least two times per week. Content analysis of 210 posts showed participants were able to apply the problem solving skills taught, and exit interviews showed participants’ increased awareness of the need to manage health, and enjoyment in learning about others. Conclusion: This mixed-methods evaluation provides insight into feasibility and design considerations for online interventions to promote health management among vulnerable older adults.

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Relationship between the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and the Self-Efficacy Scale among Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare8030269 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 269

Author(s):

Yuhei Matsuda ◽

Masaaki Karino ◽

Takahiro Kanno

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Oral Intake ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Self ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Related ◽

Functional Oral Intake Scale

A few studies have provided detailed reports suggesting that subjective swallowing disorders may be related to dysphagia. Therefore, we verified the relationship between oral health-related self-efficacy and dysphagia severity in cancer treatment using a cross-sectional study. Participants included patients undergoing treatment for cancer at Shimane University Hospital in Shimane, Japan, and those receiving outpatient treatment at the hospital’s Oral Care Center between August 2018 and April 2019. In all, 203 participants enrolled in the study and completed the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Self-efficacy Scale for Advanced Cancer (SEAC), and the Oral Health-related Self-Efficacy Scale for Patients with Cancer (OSEC). Multivariate analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between the low FOIS score and the SEAC subscales of Activities of Daily Living Self-efficacy (ADE) (odds ratio 1.04, 95% [CI] 1.00–1.07) and Symptom Coping Self-efficacy (SCE) (odds ratio 0.61, 95% [CI] 0.42–0.88). Based on the Jonckheere-Terpstra test, the SEAC and the OSEC tended to increase as the category of the FOIS progressed. To conclude, self-efficacy played an important role in dysphagia and may affect the severity of dysphagia in cancer patients.

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Impact of Seniors Centers on oral health-related quality of life of older adults

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054001648 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

Fernanda W. Machado Luz ◽

Alexandre Emídio Ribeiro Silva ◽

Ana Paula Perroni ◽

Marília L. Goettems ◽

Noéli Boscato

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Oral Health ◽

Family Income ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Clinical Factors ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of older adults participating or not in Seniors Centers (SC). METHODS: Two independent samples were compared: older adults who participate in SC (n = 124) and older adults who visited Primary Healthcare Centers (PHC) and do not participate in SC (n = 164). The data collected consisted of sociodemographic (sex, age, educational level, marital status, family income) and psychosocial characteristics—Sense of Coherence (SOC), anxiety and depression using HADS, happiness—, and oral clinical evaluation—use and need of dental prosthesis and decayed (D), missing (M), or filled (F) teeth. The resulting OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess the associations between the independent variables and the OHIP-14. Poisson regression models were also used in the analyses (α=0.05). RESULTS: In the PHC, of the 270 individuals invited to participate in the study, 164 (60.7%) were interviewed and clinically examined; while in the SC, of the 166 individuals invited to participate in the study, 124 (74.7%) were interviewed and clinically examined. After adjustments for sociodemographic, psychosocial and clinical factors, we found that the impact on OHRQoL was 2.8 times higher (95%CI 2.0–4.2) for older adults who did not participate in SC. CONCLUSION: Older adults who participated in SC showed better perception on OHRQoL, independently of sociodemographic, psychosocial and clinical factors.

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IMMIGRATION, RESILIENCE, AND ORAL-HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG CHINESE AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS IN HAWAII

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2188 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S590-S590

Author(s):

Bei Wu ◽

Yaolin Pei ◽

Wei Zhang

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Immigrant Status ◽

Foreign Born ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Very few studies have compared oral health status between the US-born and foreign-born immigrant older adults. Using data collected among 430 Chinese older adults age 55+ residing in Hawai’i, we examined the association between immigrant status and oral health related quality of life (OHQoL) and the moderating role of resilience in linking the association. Controlling for some key covariates, our study results show that US-born Chinese immigrant older adults had better OHQoL than their foreign born counterparts. Factors such as higher level of education (graduate degree or higher), better self-reported health status and no significant tooth loss were related to better OHQoL. The association between immigrant status and OHQoL was moderated by resilience. Specially, resilience was positively and significantly associated with OHQoL among U.S.-born older adults but not among the foreign-born ones. Our findings indicate the importance of immigration and resilience in shaping oral health outcomes among older Chinese Americans.

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Psychosocial Resources for Hedonic Balance, Life Satisfaction and Happiness in the Elderly: A Path Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165684 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5684

Author(s):

Raquel Lara ◽

Mᵃ Luisa Vázquez ◽

Adelaida Ogallar ◽

Débora Godoy-Izquierdo

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Psychosocial Resources ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

We explored possible paths from physical and mental health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, optimism, and social support to happiness in older adults, considering hedonic balance and life satisfaction as mediators. A total of 154 Spanish male and female (50%) older adults (65–96 years old, M = 77.44, SD = 8.03; 64% noninstitutionalized elderly) voluntarily participated in this correlational, cross-sectional study. The participants completed self-reports on their perceived health status, self-efficacy, social support, optimism, and global subjective well-being (SWB) as well as its dimensions. Path analysis was used to examine direct and indirect relationships. The final model had an excellent fit with the data (χ2(10) = 11.837, p = 0.296, χ2/df = 1.184; SRMR = 0.050, CFI = 0.994, RMSEA = 0.035), revealing the unique causal effects of all the included predictors on happiness. With the exception of self-efficacy, the psychosocial resources predicted older adults’ current happiness, and this relationship was fully mediated by hedonic balance and life satisfaction, which were found to be putative intermediary factors for SWB. Self-efficacy in turn predicted the remaining psychosocial resources. Our findings extend the existing evidence on the influences of health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, optimism, and social support on SWB. Furthermore, they support the proposal of hedonic balance and life satisfaction as dimensions of SWB, thus supporting the tripartite hierarchical model of happiness. These results may inform future interventions seeking to improve happiness in late adulthood.

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Removable Partial Dentures for Older Adults

Primary Dental Journal ◽

10.1177/2050168420943435 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 34-39

Author(s):

Tim Friel ◽

Sarah Waia

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Oral Health ◽

Acrylic Resin ◽

Population Replacement ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Natural Teeth ◽

Partially Dentate

Improvements in oral health including increased retention of natural teeth have given rise to a partially dentate older population. Replacement of missing natural teeth is important to improve function, aesthetics and quality of life for this patient group. A variety of options are available to replace missing teeth in partially dentate older adults, including fixed, removable and implant retained prostheses. This article will discuss the provision of removable partial dentures including treatment planning and denture design. When planning removable partial dentures, careful attention must be paid to stabilising the patient prior to delivering any prosthesis. Partial dentures should be designed to minimise the potential for plaque accumulation with carefully designed metal based frameworks. Acrylic resin can also be utilised with attention to detail to minimise the risk of damage to delicate supporting tissues. Removable dentures have the advantage that they can be readily added to in the event of further tooth loss which may be particularly relevant for older adults. Partial dentures which optimise support, retention and stability can function very successfully and significantly improve patients’ oral health related quality of life.

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