Community Leader Perceptions of the Health Needs of Older Adults

Losing the capacity to drive due to age-related cognitive decline can have a detrimental impact on the daily life functioning of older adults living alone and in remote areas. Semi-autonomous vehicles (SAVs) could have the potential to preserve driving independence of this population with high health needs. This paper explores if SAVs could be used as a cognitive assistive device for older aging drivers with cognitive challenges. We illustrate the impact of age-related changes of cognitive functions on driving capacity. Furthermore, following an overview on the current state of SAVs, we propose a model for connecting cognitive health needs of older drivers to SAVs. The model demonstrates the connections between cognitive changes experienced by aging drivers, their impact on actual driving, car sensors’ features, and vehicle automation. Finally, we present challenges that should be considered when using the constantly changing smart vehicle technology, adapting it to aging drivers and vice versa. This paper sheds light on age-related cognitive characteristics that should be considered when developing future SAVs manufacturing policies which may potentially help decrease the impact of cognitive change on older adult drivers.

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“Too Grey To Be True?” Sexual Violence in Older Adults: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of Evidence

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17114117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 4117

Author(s):

Anne Nobels ◽

Christophe Vandeviver ◽

Marie Beaulieu ◽

Adina Cismaru Inescu ◽

Laurent Nisen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Old Age ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Health Needs ◽

Second Phase

Sexual violence (SV) is an important public health issue with a major impact on victims and their peers, offspring and community. However, SV in older adults is under-researched. This paper aims to establish the prevalence and nature of SV in older adults in Europe, link this with existing policies and health care workers’ response to sexual health needs in older age, and critically revise the currently used frameworks in public health research. To fill this gap in the literature, we applied a Critical Interpretative Synthesis (CIS) approach. The CIS approach uses techniques from grounded theory and processes from systematic review. It allows to critically interpret key findings from both academic as well as grey literature, engendering theory refining. In the first phase of purposive sampling, we conducted a systematic review of academic sources and included 14 references. The cut-off age used to define old age varied between 60 and 70 years old among the included studies. Subsequently we added another 14 references in the second phase of theoretical sampling. We ultimately included 16 peer-reviewed articles and 12 documents from the grey literature. The CIS results demonstrate that knowledge of SV in older adults is still limited. The current research suggests that SV in older adults rarely occurs, however, prevalence rates are likely to be underestimated because of methodological shortcomings. The complexity of SV in older adults is not acknowledged in ongoing research due to the conflation of SV with other types of violence. Information on specific risk factors and about assailants committing SV in old age is absent. Policy documents dealing with sexual and reproductive health, rights and ageing make no mention of SV in older adults. In clinical practice, the sexual health needs of older adults often remain unmet. In conclusion, our findings suggest that older adults are forgotten in prevention and response to SV. Greater awareness about this topic could contribute to a revision of current policies and health care practices, leading to more tailored care for older victims of SV.

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BRIDGING SERVICE GAPS FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS THROUGH A MODEL TRAINING PROGRAM

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnv201.05 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 55 (Suppl_2) ◽

pp. 479-480

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Training Program ◽

Behavioral Health ◽

Health Needs ◽

Model Training

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Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Lived Experiences of Older Adults Regarding Their Functional Activities in Ghana

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/2150132720931110 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 215013272093111 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kofi Awuviry-Newton ◽

Meredith Tavener ◽

Kylie Wales ◽

Julie Byles

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Interview Data ◽

Health Needs ◽

World Health ◽

International Classification Of Functioning ◽

Functional Activities

Introduction: Research on disability largely draws on epidemiological data, often conducted in more developed countries. To date, there is little research related to older adults in Ghana, Africa. The purpose of this study was to strengthen understanding of how older adults in Ghana perform functional activities, referenced against the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO-ICF) framework. Methods: Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of semistructured interview data was employed as the methodological approach. Using purposive criterion sampling, 8 older adults admitted to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana, presenting with any identified health condition and/or frailty were recruited. Results: Analysis of interview data identified 5 interrelated themes: (1) feeling anxious, (2) feeling restricted, (3) understanding and admitting difficulty, (4) striving to be healthy and being productive, and (5) managing functional difficulty. These concerns were classified and related to the WHO-ICF, particularly the contextual factors. Discussion: This study examined in detail experiences of older adults performing functional activities. Our study highlights the relevance of the WHO-ICF framework for understanding the health needs of older adults, emphasizing the functional, social, and environmental factors influencing the functional status of older adults. The findings offer unique insight into the health needs of older adults, drawing attention to the implications for policy and care.

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Editorial of Meeting the mental health needs of older adults with intellectual disabilities

Aging & Mental Health ◽

10.1080/13607860310001594646 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 411-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S.-A. Cooper

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Health Needs ◽

Mental Health Needs ◽

Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

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Assessing the Health Needs of Chinese Older Adults: Findings from a Community-Based Participatory Research Study in Chicago's Chinatown

Journal of Aging Research ◽

10.4061/2010/124246 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

XinQi Dong ◽

E-Shien Chang ◽

Esther Wong ◽

Bernarda Wong ◽

Kimberly A. Skarupski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Participatory Research ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Community Based Participatory Research ◽

Health Sciences ◽

Health Needs ◽

Community Based ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Care Services

The objective of this study is to examine the cultural views of healthy aging, knowledge and barriers to services, and perception of health sciences research among community-dwelling Chinese older adults in Chicago's Chinatown. This qualitative study is guided by the Precede-Proceed conceptual model with community-based participatory research design. Data analysis is based on eight focus group interviews with Chinese older (age60+) adults (n=78). We used a grounded theory framework to systematically guide the thematic structure of our data. Findings show participants described cultural conception of health in terms of physical function, psychological well-being, social support, and cognitive function. The availability, affordability, and cultural barriers towards health care services were major negative enabling factors that inhibit participants from fulfilling health needs. Perception and knowledge of health sciences research were also discussed. This study has implications for the delivery of culturally appropriate health care services to the Chinese aging population.

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Managing Behavioral Health Needs of Older Adults in the Emergency Department

American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.jagp.2018.01.088 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. S55

Author(s):

Rebecca M. Radue ◽

Laurel J. Bessey ◽

Manish N. Shah ◽

Lisa L. Boyle

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Behavioral Health ◽

Health Needs

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