Low‐income homebound older adults receiving home‐delivered meals: Physical and mental health conditions, incidence of falls and hospitalisations

While there is emerging evidence on the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions among autistic adults, less is known about this population’s needs during older adulthood (aged 65+). We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study of 2016–2017 Medicare data to compare the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in a national sample of autistic older adults (N = 4685) to a matched population comparison (N = 46,850) cohort. Autistic older adults had significantly greater odds of nearly all physical health conditions including epilepsy (odds ratio = 18.9; 95% confidence interval = 17.2–20.7), Parkinson’s disease (odds ratio = 6.1; 95% confidence interval = 5.3–7.0), and gastrointestinal conditions (odds ratio = 5.2; 95% confidence interval = 4.9–5.5). Most mental health conditions were more common among autistic older adults, including schizophrenia and psychotic disorders (odds ratio = 25.3; 95% confidence interval = 22.4–28.7), attention deficit disorders (odds ratio = 24.4; 95% confidence interval = 16.2–31.0), personality disorders (odds ratio = 24.1; 95% confidence interval = 17.8–32.5), and suicidality or self-inflicted injury (odds ratio = 11.1; 95% confidence interval = 8.9–13.8). Health conditions commonly associated with advanced age in the general population (e.g. osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, osteoarthritis) were also significantly more common among autistic older adults. By highlighting the significant physical and mental health needs for which autistic older adults require care, our findings can inform healthcare systems, healthcare providers, and public health initiatives seeking to promote well-being in this growing population.

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The Prevalence of Chronic Physical and Mental Health Conditions in Older Adults Across South Australia and Their Independent Effects on General Practitioner Visits

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/07334648211049709 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 073346482110497

Author(s):

Dennis Asante ◽

Craig S. McLachlan ◽

Vivian Isaac

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

General Practitioner ◽

South Australia ◽

Health Resources ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Independent Effect ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Mental Health Conditions

Rural older adults (≥60), compared to their urban counterparts, are identified as higher users of general practitioner (GP) services. However, whether this pattern of health seeking is influenced more so by physical or mental conditions is unclear. We explore the independent effect of chronic physical and mental health conditions on GP use in Australia. Datasets on population health was available from the South Australia’s Department of health in 2013–2017 ( n = 20,522). We examined prevalence of common physical and mental conditions and GP use by the Modified Monash Model of remoteness. Physical and mental health burden was similar across South Australia. General practitioner visits with suicidal ideation for rural and remote locations were 4.7 (95% CI, 1.6–13.6) and 4.8 (95% CI, 1.9–11.7), respectively, compared to urban Adelaide 1.5 (95% CI, 1.0–2.3). While there is equal burden of mental health across South Australia, access to mental health resources for nonurban Australians remains a significant challenge.

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Epidemiology of Suicide in Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2130 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 625-625

Author(s):

Jane Pearson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Healthcare Access ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Limited Mobility ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Loss Of Spouse

Abstract This individual symposium abstract will focus on the epidemiology of suicide in older adults, with particular focus on risk factors, changing demographics, and population shifts with the baby-boomers aging. Epidemiologically, older men aged 75 and older have a suicide rate of 39.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2017, compared to the general population of 14.0 deaths per 100,000. Risk factors for suicide in older adults include functional disability, multiple chronic physical conditions, and social isolation. In addition, older adults often face stressors such as relationship issues, life crises (loss of spouse), and social factors (employment and financial challenges, housing stress, and legal issues). Limited mobility, physical and mental health conditions, and lack of social support can affect healthcare access and utilization. Many older adults do not routinely seek behavioral health treatment, with reported under-detection of mental health conditions such as depression, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation.

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Adverse childhood experiences: association with physical and mental health conditions among older adults in Bhutan

Public Health ◽

10.1016/j.puhe.2020.02.013 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 182 ◽

pp. 173-178

Author(s):

N. Dorji ◽

M. Dunne ◽

S. Deb

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Adverse Childhood

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Older Adult Peer Specialists’ Role in Reducing Loneliness Among People With Mental Health Conditions

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2288 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 662-662

Author(s):

Karen Fortuna ◽

George Mois ◽

Jessica Brooks ◽

Amanda Myers ◽

Cynthia Bianco

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Real World ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Self Management ◽

Potential Effectiveness ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Management Intervention

Abstract PeerTECH is a peer-delivered and technology-support integrated medical and psychiatric self-management intervention developed by peers. A pre/post trial by our group has shown PeerTECH is associated with statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy for managing chronic disease and psychiatric self-management skills. This presentation will discuss the feasibility and potential effectiveness of using ecological momentary assessments (EMA) with older adults with mental health conditions to allow us to recognize early signs of loneliness and intervene as early as possible in real-world settings. EMA involves repeated sampling of an individual’s behaviors and experiences in real time, real-world environments on the smartphone application. Then, we will discuss the main and interactive effects of loneliness and factors linked to mortality. In conclusion, we will discuss potential effectiveness of PeerTECH with older adults with SMI.

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PHP35: AN ANALYSIS OF THE HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY COST BURDEN OF THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AFFECTING SIX LARGE CORPORATIONS IN 1999

Value in Health ◽

10.1016/s1098-3015(10)63882-x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 211

Author(s):

RZ Goetzel ◽

K Hawkins ◽

RJ Ozminkowski ◽

S Wang

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Cost Burden ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Productivity Cost ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Large Corporations

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Learning to Fly

Fly Until You Die ◽

10.1093/oso/9780190622145.003.0004 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 52-72

Author(s):

Chia Youyee Vang

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Training Program ◽

External Factors ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Pilot Training ◽

Water Pump ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Academic Background ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Internal And External Factors

Once selected for pilot training, most participants entered the CIA’s covert Project Water Pump with much excitement, but chapter 3 reveals that they subsequently went through a tumultuous process. Surviving pilots identified internal and external factors that influenced how well they progressed through the aviation program. Academic background helped some to perform well in ground school, especially in learning English. Their narratives, however, suggest that academic abilities alone did not determine who would succeed in learning to fly. Physical and mental health conditions often impacted their training experiences. Surviving pilots describe the obstacles they confronted when interacting with instructors and recall that trainees and instructors generally did not socialize together because of language barriers, as well as a culture of Americans and Lao regarding Hmong as inferior. Instructor pilot narratives unveiled an unorthodox training program that required flexibility from all involved.

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