scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Perception of Aging Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142199932
Author(s):  
Alexander Seifert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Subjective Views ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a pattern of physical distancing worldwide, particularly for adults aged 65+. Such distancing can evoke subjective feelings of negative self-perception of aging (SPA) among older adults, but how this pandemic has influenced such SPA is not yet known. This study, therefore, explored SPA at different time phases of the COVID-19 pandemic to explain the pandemic’s impact on SPA among older adults. The analysis employed a sample of 1,990 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 95 (mean age = 72.74 years; 43% female) in Switzerland. Data collection from different older adults within one study occurred both before and after Switzerland’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. The descriptive analysis revealed that negative SPA increased, and positive SPA decreased, after the Swiss government recommended physical distancing. After the Federal Council decided to ease these measures, negative SPA slightly decreased and positive SPA increased. According to the multivariate analysis, individuals interviewed after the lockdown were more likely to report greater levels of negative SPA and lower levels of positive SPA. Age, income, and living alone also correlated with SPA. The results suggest that the pandemic has affected older adults’ subjective views of their own aging, and these findings help illustrate the pandemic’s outcomes.

scholarly journals Robotic Pet Use Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 2018-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janella Hudson ◽  
Rachel Ungar ◽  
Laurie Albright ◽  
Rifky Tkatch ◽  
James Schaeffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Effective Solution ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Active Lifestyles ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Objective The primary purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of robotic pets in alleviating loneliness for older adults. Method Self-reported lonely individuals with AARP Medicare Supplement plans insured by UnitedHealthcare who participated in a program with a robotic pet (n = 20) were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to provide feedback about their experiences interacting with a robotic pet, their perceptions about the potential impact on loneliness, and recommendations for improving the program. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Constant comparison and consensus-gaining processes were used to develop categories that later formed representative themes. Results Seven themes emerged from analysis: Openness to Adoption of Robotic Pet, Reactions to Pet and its Attributes, Integration of Pet in Daily Life, Strategic Utilization and Forging New Connections, Deriving Comfort and Camaraderie, Advice for Future Users, and Recommendations for Enhancing Ownership Experience. Participants living alone, with fewer social connections and less active lifestyles, derived the most benefit from interacting with their pets. Common responses to pets included cuddling, petting, grooming, and sleeping with them. Some shared or loaned their pets, while others refused to loan their pets to interested peers. Most reported showing their pets to others, which helped some facilitate communication and social connections. Conclusion Robotic pets may be an effective solution for alleviating loneliness in older adults, especially among those who live alone, have fewer social connections, and live less active lifestyles.

scholarly journals The Association of Falls with Instability: An Analysis of Perceptions and Expectations toward the Use of Fall Detection Devices Among Older Adults in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kawthar Abdul Rahman ◽  
Siti Anom Ahmad ◽  
Azura Che Soh ◽  
Asmidawati Ashari ◽  
Chikamune Wada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Fall Detection ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Perceptions And Expectations ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: Falls are a significant incident among older adults affecting one in every three individuals aged 65 and over. Fall risk increases with age and other factors, namely instability. Recent studies on the use of fall detection devices in the Malaysian community are scarce, despite the necessity to use them. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the prevalence of falls with instability. This study also presents a survey that explores older adults' perceptions and expectations toward fall detection devices.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 336 community-dwelling older adults aged 50 years and older; based on randomly selected participants. Data were analyzed using quantitative descriptive analysis. Chi-square test was conducted to investigate the associations between self-reported falls with instability, demographic and walking characteristics. Additionally, older adults' perceptions and expectations concerning the use of fall detection devices in their daily lives were explored.Results: The prevalence of falls was 28.9%, where one-quarter of older adults fell at least once in the past 6 months. Participants aged 70 years and older have a higher fall percentage than other groups. The prevalence of falls was significantly associated with instability, age, and walking characteristics. Around 70% of the participants reported having instability issues, of which over half of them fell at least once within 6 months. Almost 65% of the participants have a definite interest in using a fall detection device. Survey results revealed that the most expected features for a fall detection device include: user-friendly, followed by affordably priced, and accurate.Conclusions: The prevalence of falls in community-dwelling older adults is significantly associated with instability. Positive perceptions and informative expectations will be used to develop an enhanced fall detection incorporating balance monitoring system. Our findings demonstrate the need to extend the fall detection device features aiming for fall prevention intervention.

Predictors of self-neglect among community-dwelling older adults living alone in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 457-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingming Yu ◽  
Libin Gu ◽  
Wenjuan Jiao ◽  
Haozhi Xia ◽  
Wenru Wang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

scholarly journals Development of a Compensation-aware Virtual Rehabilitation System for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Stroke

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Luo ◽  
Audrey Ei-Ping Lim ◽  
Ponraj Durairaj ◽  
Kim Kiow Tan ◽  
Verawaty Verawaty
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Virtual Rehabilitation ◽  
Motor Practice ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rehabilitation System ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Upper Extremity Rehabilitation ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background: Compensatory movements are commonly observed in older adults with stroke when they take motor practice for rehabilitation, which could limit their motor recovery.Aim: This study aims to develop one virtual rehabilitation system (VRS) that can detect and reduce compensatory movements to improve the quality of upper extremity (UE) movements and hence the outcome of rehabilitation in community-dwelling older adults with stroke. Method: To design and validate the algorithm of compensation detection equipped in VRS, a study was first conducted to recruit 17 healthy and 6 stroke participants to identify and quantify compensatory movements when they played rehabilitation games provided by the VRS. Then a pilot study was conducted to test the feasibility and efficacy of the VRS deployed in community, where 18 stroke participants were assigned to either virtual reality (VR) group or conventional treatment (CT) group, and each participant underwent 10 sessions of an additional 6 minutes of VR games or CT respectively, on top of their usual rehabilitation programme. Participants were assessed before and after interventions using Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test(WMFT), Stroke Rehabilitation Motivation Scale (SRMS), Range of Motion (ROM) measurements and the number of compensatory movements.Results: VR group demonstrated a trend in reduction of trunk and upper-extremity compensations, increased intrinsic motivation scores, and statistically significant improvements in FMA-UE (p=0.045) and WMFT (p=0.009, p=0.0355) scores. There was, however, no significant difference in all outcome measures between two groups. Conclusion: The compensation-aware VRS demonstrates a trend towards reduced compensation and higher motivation level, which could be an effective adjunct to the conventional therapy with less supervision from a therapist as well as be potentially deployed in a community center or at an elder adult’s home.

scholarly journals Incidence Rates of Disability and Its Associated Factors among Korean Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seonho KIM ◽  
Myoungsuk KIM ◽  
Dallong HAN
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Iadl Disability ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: We aimed to identify incidence rates of disability and its associated factors among Korean community-dwelling older adults. Methods: The sample included 1,739 Koreans aged over 65 yr from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016) who reported no limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) at baseline (2006) and had complete data for other covariates. ADL, IADL, socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-condition data were collected and analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. Results: The 10-yr incidence rates of ADL and IADL disability in subjects with no disability at baseline were 11.6% and 21.6%, respectively. After adjusting for socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-condition factors, the incidence of ADL disability was higher in women (odds ratio [OR] =1.418, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.102- 2.613) and increased with age (OR=1.170, 95% CI=1.133-1.208), multi-morbidity (OR=1.194, 95% CI=1.015- 1.406), and obesity (OR=1.563, 95% CI=1.057-2.311). It decreased in subjects living alone (OR=0.531, 95% CI=0.328-0.856). The incidence of IADL disability increased with age (OR=1.131, 95% CI=1.102-1.161), multimorbidity (OR=1.199, 95% CI=1.054-1.365), and cognitive disability (OR=1.422, 95% CI=1.083-1.866) and decreased for subjects living alone (OR=0.484, 95% CI=0.328-0.715) and with overweight (OR=0.725, 95% CI=0.532-0.988). Conclusion: Incidence rates of disability differed considerably based on socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-condition factors. These results suggest the importance of identifying factors that can decrease the risk of disability in this group and of prevention efforts in populations with a higher disability risk.

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