The 6-Month Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS) among Older Adults: Validity and Reliability of the PTSS Scale

Objective: To document the 6-month prevalence of posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) in the older adult population and the validity of a PTSS Scale in an epidemiologic setting. Method: Data came from the Enquête sur la santé des aînés et l'utilisation des services de santé (ESA Services Study) conducted during 2012–2013 using a probability sample of older adults seeking medical services in primary health clinics. Results: Results showed that a first-order PTSS measurement model consisting of 3 indicators—the number of lifetime traumatic events, the frequency of reactions and symptoms of distress associated with the traumatic events, and the presence of consequences on the social functioning—was plausible. Reliability of the PTSS was 0.82. According to the PTSS, 11.1% of the older adult patients presented with PTSS, but only 21.7% of them reported an impact of their symptoms on their social functioning. The prevalence of older adults meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria for full posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reached 1.8%, and 1.8% of older adults reached criteria for partial PTSD. Our results also showed that women were more at risk to report PTSS than men and that older adults aged 75 years and older were less likely to report these symptoms than those aged between 65 and 74 years. Conclusions: PTSS is a common mental health problem among adults aged 65 and older and seeking health services in the general medical sector.

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Psychometrics of Persian Version of the Ageism Survey Among an Iranian Older Adult Population During COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.683291 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Hamid Sharif Nia ◽

Long She ◽

Ratneswary Rasiah ◽

Fatemeh Khoshnavay Fomani ◽

Omolhoda Kaveh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Construct Validity ◽

Older Adult ◽

Adult Population ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Cronbach’S Alpha ◽

Cronbach's Alpha ◽

Persian Version ◽

Older Adult Population

Background: Studies have revealed an increase in discrimination, neglect, and abuse among the older adult population during this period. This study assessed the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the ageism survey instrument tested on a sample of the Iranian older adult population during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. An important move in counteracting ageism is to classify the ageism scale comprehensively by employing adequate psychometrics.Methods: The Persian version of the ageism scale was developed using a two-step procedure. The first step involved translating and revising the original scale to develop a Persian version of the ageism scale. The second step involved assessing the psychometric features of the newly adapted scale using construct validity through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and thereafter assessing the reliability through the average inter-item correlation (AIC), Cronbach's alpha. The sample consisted of 400 older adults (age 65 and older), who were recruited through online data collection, with samples for EFA and CFA randomly selected from the total samples.Results: The Persian version of the ageism survey has three factors: age-related deprivation with five items, dignity with three items, and employment with three items; all of which explained 57.02% of the total variance. The outcome of the EFA was verified by the CFA, with internal consistency reliability being excellent (Cronbach's alpha was 0.725, 0.698, and 0.708 for the three factors).Conclusion: This study specifically offers a restructured three factors Persian version of the ageism survey for Iranian older adults with acceptable construct validity and reliability.

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Ageism

10.1093/med/9780190665340.003.0007 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Kenneth F. Ferraro

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older People ◽

Social Functioning ◽

Older Adult ◽

Aging Process ◽

Adult Population ◽

Creative Potential ◽

Unfair Treatment ◽

Older Adult Population ◽

Creative Endeavor

Negative views of aging are pervasive and pernicious, and arise, in part, from a failure to recognize the heterogeneity of the older adult population. Many people, at various ages, view the aging process pejoratively, thereby exaggerating the declines associated with growing older, Ageism also may entail unfair treatment toward older people, often manifest as neglect and exclusion. The consequences of ageism are notable, including accelerated declines in biological, psychological, and social functioning as well as ignoring or minimizing the intellectual and creative potential of older adults. To counter negative views of growing older, examples of late life genius and creative endeavor are profiled.

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The Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas in the Relationship between Childhood Traumatic Events and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Older Adults (>64 Years)

Journal of Loss and Trauma ◽

10.1080/15325024.2019.1661598 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 141-158

Author(s):

Eleni Vasilopoulou ◽

Thanos Karatzias ◽

Philip Hyland ◽

Hannah Wallace ◽

Azucena Guzman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

Early Maladaptive Schemas ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms ◽

The Relationship

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COLAEVA: Visual Analytics and Data Mining Web-Based Tool for Virtual Coaching of Older Adult Populations

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21237991 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (23) ◽

pp. 7991

Author(s):

Jon Kerexeta Sarriegi ◽

Andoni Beristain Iraola ◽

Roberto Álvarez Sánchez ◽

Manuel Graña ◽

Kristin May Rebescher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Visual Analytics ◽

Web Application ◽

Adult Population ◽

Research Area ◽

Web Based ◽

Virtual Coaching ◽

Evolution Analysis ◽

Older Adult Population

The global population is aging in an unprecedented manner and the challenges for improving the lives of older adults are currently both a strong priority in the political and healthcare arena. In this sense, preventive measures and telemedicine have the potential to play an important role in improving the number of healthy years older adults may experience and virtual coaching is a promising research area to support this process. This paper presents COLAEVA, an interactive web application for older adult population clustering and evolution analysis. Its objective is to support caregivers in the design, validation and refinement of coaching plans adapted to specific population groups. COLAEVA enables coaching caregivers to interactively group similar older adults based on preliminary assessment data, using AI features, and to evaluate the influence of coaching plans once the final assessment is carried out for a baseline comparison. To evaluate COLAEVA, a usability test was carried out with 9 test participants obtaining an average SUS score of 71.1. Moreover, COLAEVA is available online to use and explore.

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Communicating with the Older Adult Cancer Patient

Psycho-Oncology ◽

10.1093/med/9780190097653.003.0085 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 678-684

Author(s):

Patricia A. Parker ◽

Smita C. Banerjee ◽

Beatriz Korc-Grodzicki

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Older Adult ◽

Adult Population ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Multiple Morbidity ◽

Older Adult Population

The older adult population continues to increase. Among all known risk factors for developing cancer, the most important is growing old. Thus, caring for older adults with cancer is of increasing importance. This chapter describes important considerations involved in communicating with cancer patients including sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, multiple morbidity, polypharmacy, and psychological distress. It also describes how stereotyping and ageism affect communication with older adults with cancer. Finally, the chapter discusses ways to facilitate communication with older adult cancer patients and their families and provides an example of a training program that was created specifically to enhance communication between healthcare providers and older adult cancer patients and their families.

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Developing a model of resilience in older adulthood: a qualitative meta-synthesis

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x20000112 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-23

Author(s):

Claire A. Wilson ◽

Deanna Walker ◽

Donald H. Saklofske

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Older Adult ◽

Factor Model ◽

Adult Population ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Older Adulthood ◽

Older Adult Population ◽

Qualitative Literature

Abstract The study of resilience in an older adult population is expanding rapidly. However, most theoretical models of resilience have been developed with children or young to middle-aged adults. The objective of the present study was to review systematically the qualitative literature examining resilience in older adults, and to develop a comprehensive model of resilience in older adulthood. A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted to review the qualitative literature examining resilience from older adults’ perspectives. An exhaustive search of the literature revealed 1,752 articles. From these articles, 34 studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. Across the 34 studies analysed, eight themes were revealed as important for achieving resilience later in life: perseverance and determination, self-efficacy and independence, purpose and meaning, positive perspective, social support, faith and prayer, previous experience and being proactive. These themes can be organised into a four-factor model: (a) Intrapersonal Protective Factors; (b) Interpersonal Protective Factors; (c) Spiritual Protective Factors; and (d) Experiential Protective Factors. This study presents a new model of resilience in older adulthood that is grounded in qualitative literature and is relevant and appropriate for an older adult population. This research may be useful for clinicians, support workers and researchers working with older individuals through improving our understanding of what contributes to resilience later in life.

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Somatoform dissociation and posttraumatic stress syndrome – two sides of the same medal? A comparison of symptom profiles, trauma history and altered affect regulation between patients with functional neurological symptoms and patients with PTSD

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-017-1414-z ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Johanna Kienle ◽

Brigitte Rockstroh ◽

Martin Bohus ◽

Johanna Fiess ◽

Silke Huffziger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Affect Regulation ◽

Neurological Symptoms ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome ◽

Trauma History ◽

Somatoform Dissociation ◽

Symptom Profiles ◽

Stress Syndrome ◽

Two Sides ◽

Functional Neurological Symptoms

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Relationship Between Dietary Lutein and Cognition in an Older Adult Population (P14-030-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz052.p14-030-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Krystle Zuniga ◽

Alexandria Turner ◽

Nicholas Bishop

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Older Adult ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Adult Population ◽

Panel Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Cognitive Domain ◽

Word Recall

Abstract Objectives The dietary carotenoid lutein accumulates in the brain, and lutein supplementation has been demonstrated to improve cognitive function in older adults. The purpose of the study was to examine the association between dietary lutein intake and cognitive function in a recent and representative sample of the older adult U.S. population. Additionally, we aimed to identify the major contributors to dietary lutein intake in older adults. Methods Observations were drawn from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally-representative panel study of older U.S. adults, and the 2013 Health Care and Nutrition Study (HCNS), which assessed dietary intake via food frequency questionnaire in a subsample of HRS respondents. The analytic sample included 7045 respondents age 50 and older. Cognitive function was evaluated on the cognitive domain of episodic verbal memory, assessed using immediate word recall (IWR) and delayed word recall (DWR). Quartiles of lutein intake were calculated then used to compare IWR and DWR scores in 2012. Descriptive statistics and bivariate comparisons were adjusted for the complex survey design of the HRS and HCNS with results representative of community-dwelling older Americans in 2013. Results The average age of the sample was 65.6 ± 10.3 years old. Leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, dark yellow vegetables, eggs, fruit and other vegetables were significant predictors of dietary lutein intake. Lutein intake was significantly different between quartiles (P < 0.001) with lutein intakes of 720 ± 231 ug/day (Q1), 1468 ± 229 ug/day (Q2), 2394 ± 324 ug/day (Q3), and 5632 ± 3029 ug/day (Q4). Quartiles 3 and 4 had significantly higher IWR and DWR scores than quartiles 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). Conclusions Older adults may benefit from higher lutein intake through consumption of various vegetables, fruits, and eggs, as lutein may specifically protect episodic memory. Further research is needed to identify the mechanism of lutein's cognitive benefits. Funding Sources American Egg Board/Egg Nutrition Center.

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Creating an Age-Friendly Public Health System

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz044 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anne De Biasi ◽

Megan Wolfe ◽

Jane Carmody ◽

Terry Fulmer ◽

John Auerbach

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health System ◽

Older Adult ◽

Public Health System ◽

Adult Population ◽

Public Health Practice ◽

State Level ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Departments

Abstract Background and Objectives The public health system in America—at all levels—has relatively few specialized initiatives that prioritize the health and well-being of older adults. And when public health does address the needs of older adults, it is often as an afterthought. In consultation with leaders in public health, health care, and aging, an innovative Framework for an Age-Friendly Public Health System (Framework) was developed outlining roles that public health could fulfill, in collaboration with aging services, to address the challenges and opportunities of an aging society. Research Design and Methods With leadership from Trust for America’s Health and The John A. Hartford Foundation, the Florida Departments of Health and Elder Affairs are piloting the implementation of this Framework within Florida’s county health departments and at the state level. The county health departments are expanding data collection efforts to identify older adult needs, creating new alliances with aging sector partners, coordinating with other agencies and community organizations to implement evidence-based programs and policies that address priority needs, and aligning efforts with the age-friendly communities and age-friendly health systems movements. Results, and Discussion and Implications The county health departments in Florida participating in the pilot are leveraging the Framework to expand public health practice, programs, and policies that address health services and health behaviors, social, and economic factors and environmental conditions that allow older adults to age in place and live healthier and more productive lives. The model being piloted in Florida can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each community and their older adult population.

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