Factors that influence the emotional impact of memory problems in older adults: A qualitative descriptive study

Author(s):  
Nikki L. Hill ◽  
Emily Bratlee‐Whitaker ◽  
Rachel K. Wion ◽  
Caroline Madrigal ◽  
Sakshi Bhargava ◽  
...  
JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/11975 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. e11975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trinidad Valenzuela ◽  
Husna Razee ◽  
Daniel Schoene ◽  
Stephen Ronald Lord ◽  
Kim Delbaere

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 698-698
Author(s):  
Emily Bratlee-Whitaker ◽  
Nikki Hill ◽  
Jacqueline Mogle ◽  
Rachel Wion ◽  
Caroline Madrigal ◽  
...  

Abstract Older adults’ experiences with memory problems may be an important indicator of current and future well-being; however, these experiences and their impacts are poorly characterized, particularly in those with co-occurring affective symptoms. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine how the experience of memory problems influences emotional well-being in older adults without dementia, and whether this differs based on cognitive status and current depressive symptoms or anxiety symptoms. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used in which quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously, analyzed separately, and then integrated to determine how participants’ experiences differed. Community-dwelling older adults (n=49, Mage = 74.5, 63% female) without severe cognitive impairment completed study questionnaires and two individual, semi-structured interviews. Five themes were identified that described the influence of memory problems on emotional well-being: Evoking Emotions, Fearing Future, Undermining Self, Normalizing Problems, and Adjusting Thinking. The extent to which memory problems impacted emotional well-being depended on multiple factors including current affective symptoms (primarily anxiety), characteristics of the experience (such as judgments of its importance), as well as personal experience with dementia. Notably, there were no thematic differences in the emotional impact of memory problems between older adults with normal cognition and those with evidence of mild cognitive impairment. Our findings suggest that thorough assessment of reports of memory problems, regardless of cognitive testing outcomes, should consider co-occurring subsyndromal affective disorders as well as older adults’ evaluations of how memory problems influence their daily lives and well-being.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine S. Sefcik ◽  
Ashley Z. Ritter ◽  
Emilia J. Flores ◽  
Rebecca H. Nock ◽  
Jo-Ana D. Chase ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S950-S950
Author(s):  
Pamela Z Cacchione ◽  
Le'Roi L Gill ◽  
Justine Sefcik

Abstract Our previous study, African American Preferences Around End of Life, identified that AA Elders wanted to talk to their family about their preferences, but their family tended to avoid discussing end of life topics. We found that African American families often have a difficult time broaching the subject of end of life for a variety of emotional, cultural and religious reasons. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was: To better understand the challenges and facilitators that influenced end of life conversations within the African American family. Methods: In this qualitative descriptive study, we interviewed 15 AA family caregivers of older adults. Participants were family members of older adults enrolled in an urban Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. Individual interviews lasted on average 50 minutes. Data analysis was completed using conventional content analysis. Results: The majority of participants were between 55 - 65 years of age and adult children of the AA older adult. Two themes emerged for challenges: I’m not comfortable and We just don’t talk about it. For facilitators again, two themes emerged: Another person took the initiative (e.g. health care provider led the conversation) and participants’ previous experience with death led them to initiate EOL conversations. In addition, three participants reported that after participating in the interview they planned to talk to their loved one to find out their end of life preferences. The results of this study provide insight into how health care providers can facilitate these important end of life preferences conversations.


Author(s):  
Shlomit Rotenberg ◽  
Julie S. Oreper ◽  
Yael Bar ◽  
Naomi Davids-Brumer ◽  
Ifah Arbel ◽  
...  

Abstract This qualitative descriptive study presents the experience of an abrupt disruption of daily activities among community-dwelling older adults during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixteen older adults (age: 71 ± 6.4) were interviewed in April–June, 2020. Five themes were identified: (1) Understanding and applying COVID-19 guidelines: guidelines were clear and participants adhered closely to them, motivated mainly by fear; ageing-specific guidelines are needed. (2) Daily life during lockdown: the abrupt occupational disruption was managed by transitioning to virtual activities, and/or performing more activities at home. New daily activities were generally more sedentary and less meaningful. (3) Social context: family assistance aroused mixed feelings, as it compromised independence; limited compliance at the community level created stress. (4) Mood and affect: mood often fluctuated, and participants employed various coping strategies. (5) Aging: participants became more aware of their age and were concerned about negative health implications of adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine S. Sefcik ◽  
Michelle J. Johnson ◽  
Mark Yim ◽  
Tessa Lau ◽  
Nicholas Vivio ◽  
...  

Creative solutions are needed to support community-dwelling older adults residing in a variety of settings including their house, apartment, or Supportive Apartment Living (SAL) to promote independence and reduce the risk of nursing home replacement. The objective of this study was to gain an understanding of older adults’ needs for physical, mental, and social activities to support the design and functionality of a low-cost mobile assistive robot. A qualitative descriptive study was designed which included three stakeholder focus groups (caregivers, clinicians, and older adults). We held three focus groups with a total of 19 participants: one with paid caregivers ( n = 6), one with interdisciplinary clinicians ( n = 8), and one with older adults residing in SAL ( n = 5). Conventional content analysis was the analytical technique. Four themes emerged: (a) Accomplishing Everyday Tasks: activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were important from the perspectives of all three groups for the older adults to accomplish daily, as well as the “use it or lose it” attitude of the older adults; (b) Personal Connections and Meaningful Activities: for the older adults, it was important for them to engage in socialization and leisure activities, and for the caregivers and clinicians, they work to build personal relationships with the older adults; (c) Cognitive Interventions: the clinicians provided cognitive tools (including reminders, routine and designing interventions) to older adults so they can remain as safe and independent as possible in the SAL; and (d) Safety Measures: encompassed clinicians addressing safety and injury prevention and the caregivers checking in on the older adults in their SAL apartments. This work contributed to the design and functionality specifications for an autonomous low-cost mobile robot for deployment to increase the independence of older adults.


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