Do major life events influence physical activity among older adults: the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

We aimed to compare self-reported adherence to the physical activity recommendation with accelerometry in older adults and to identify determinants of misperception. The sample included 138 adults age 65–75 yr old participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Participants completed a lifestyle questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for one week. More than half (56.8%) of the participants reported to adhere to the physical activity recommendation (in 5-min bouts), however, based on accelerometry, this percentage was only 24.6%. Of those who reported to adhere, 65.3% did not do so based on accelerometry. The misperceivers were older (p< .009), more often female (p= .007), had a poorer walking performance (p= .02), reported a lower social support (p= .04), and tended to have a lower self-efficacy (p= .09) compared with those who correctly perceived their adherence to the recommendation. These results suggest that misperception of adherence to the physical activity recommendation is highly prevalent among specific subgroups of older adults.

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Older adults report cancellation or avoidance of medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

European Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1007/s41999-021-00514-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Noah A. Schuster ◽

Sascha de Breij ◽

Laura A. Schaap ◽

Natasja M. van Schoor ◽

Mike J. L. Peters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Primary Care ◽

Medical Care ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽

Hospital Outpatient ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

Abstract Purpose Delay of routine medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic may have serious consequences for the health and functioning of older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate whether older adults reported cancellation or avoidance of medical care during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore associations with health and socio-demographic characteristics. Methods Cross-sectional data of 880 older adults aged ≥ 62 years (mean age 73.4 years, 50.3% female) were used from the COVID-19 questionnaire of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, a cohort study among community-dwelling older adults in the Netherlands. Cancellation and avoidance of care were assessed by self-report, and covered questions on cancellation of primary care (general practitioner), cancellation of hospital outpatient care, and postponed help-seeking. Respondent characteristics included age, sex, educational level, loneliness, depression, anxiety, frailty, multimorbidity and information on quarantine. Results 35% of the sample reported cancellations due to the COVID-19 situation, either initiated by the respondent (12%) or by healthcare professionals (29%). Postponed help-seeking was reported by 8% of the sample. Multimorbidity was associated with healthcare-initiated cancellations (primary care OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.09–3.50; hospital OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.28–2.74) and respondent-initiated hospital outpatient cancellations (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.04–4.12). Depressive symptoms were associated with postponed help-seeking (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.06–1.24). Conclusion About one third of the study sample reported cancellation or avoidance of medical care during the first months of the pandemic, and this was more common among those with multiple chronic conditions. How this impacts outcomes in the long term should be investigated in future research.

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Social network size, loneliness, physical functioning and depressive symptoms among older adults: examining reciprocal associations in four waves of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA)

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry ◽

10.1002/gps.5560 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joan Domènech‐Abella ◽

Jordi Mundó ◽

Lise Switsers ◽

Theo van Tilburg ◽

Daniel Fernández ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Network ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Physical Functioning ◽

Network Size ◽

Social Network Size ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study ◽

Reciprocal Associations

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Predictors in starting and stopping Internet use between 2002 and 2012 by Dutch adults 65 years and older

Health Informatics Journal ◽

10.1177/1460458217720398 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 715-730 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jessica Berner ◽

Marja Aartsen ◽

Dorly Deeg

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Internet Use ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Demographic Predictors ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study ◽

Normal Cognition ◽

High Sense

Research has indicated the need to consider the ageing process with technology adoption by older adults. This study examined psychological, health, social and demographic predictors with starting and stopping Internet use by older adults (2002–2012). Data were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, and Cox regression analyses were done to test predictors over time with starting or stopping Internet use. The results indicated that older adults starting to use the Internet (11.6%) outnumbered those who stopped (3.1%). Psychological, health, social and demographic predictors separately predicted starting and stopping Internet use. Starting use was predicted by lower age, higher education, normal cognition and living alone. The predictors in stopping use were being younger, having a high sense of mastery and being higher educated. The results need to be interpreted as indicative due to the small number of stoppers. Suggestions are made on how to improve usability.

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Environment and ageing biology

Oxford Textbook of Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780198701590.003.0043 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 317-322

Author(s):

Arun S. Karlamangla ◽

Teresa E. Seeman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Functional Status ◽

Life Events ◽

Allostatic Load ◽

The Body ◽

Major Life Events ◽

Major Life ◽

The Life Course ◽

The Impact

Psychosocial factors over the life course and major life events are associated with the health, functional status, and survival of older adults. This chapter discusses the biological mechanisms through which these influences are thought to operate, and how life stresses might accelerate the usual ageing of biological systems. It starts with a brief description of psychosocial determinants of health and functioning before elaborating on the allostatic mechanisms by which the body adapts its internal physiological milieu in response to perceived stressors. The price paid for frequent and recurring adaptation is eventual dysregulation of the mediators of allostasis, or allostatic load. We close with a brief discussion of allostatic load links to health outcomes in older adults and potential interventions that might ameliorate the impact of psychosocial adversities on health.

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TRENDS IN LIFESTYLE AMONG 3 GENERATIONS OF OLDER ADULTS; THE LONGITUDINAL AGING STUDY AMSTERDAM

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnw162.1818 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 56 (Suppl_3) ◽

pp. 455-455

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

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Self-Reported Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviour in Dutch Older Adults Living Independently

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12123708 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 3708 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marjolein Visser ◽

Laura A. Schaap ◽

Hanneke A. H. Wijnhoven

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Physical Activity Behaviour ◽

Household Composition ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

Activity Behaviour

The aim was to explore the self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition and physical activity behaviour in Dutch older adults and to identify subgroups most susceptible to this impact. Participants (N = 1119, aged 62–98 y, 52.8% female) of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam living independently completed a COVID-19 questionnaire. Questions on diagnosis, quarantine and hospitalization were asked, as well as impact of the pandemic on ten nutrition and physical activity behaviours. Associations of pre-COVID-19 assessed characteristics (age, sex, region, household composition, self-rated health, BMI, physical activity, functional limitations) with reported impact were tested using logistic regression analyses. About half of the sample (48.3–54.3%) reported a decrease in physical activity and exercise due to the pandemic. An impact on nutritional behaviour predisposing to overnutrition (e.g., snacking more) was reported by 20.3–32.4%. In contrast, 6.9–15.1% reported an impact on behaviour predisposing to undernutrition (e.g., skipping warm meals). Those who had been in quarantine (n = 123) more often reported a negative impact. Subgroups with higher risk of impact could be identified. This study shows a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition and physical activity behaviour of many older adults, which may increase their risk of malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia and disability.

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Adverse effects of frailty on social functioning in older adults: Results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

Maturitas ◽

10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.09.002 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 83 ◽

pp. 45-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Emiel O. Hoogendijk ◽

Bianca Suanet ◽

Elsa Dent ◽

Dorly J.H. Deeg ◽

Marja J. Aartsen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Social Functioning ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

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Prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in older adults in the Netherlands

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.111.101196 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 201 (4) ◽

pp. 298-305 ◽

Cited By ~ 103

Author(s):

Marieke Michielsen ◽

Evert Semeijn ◽

Hannie C. Comijs ◽

Peter van de Ven ◽

Aartjan T. F. Beekman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Diagnostic Interview ◽

Elderly Adults ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

BackgroundLittle is known about the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among older adults.AimsTo estimate the prevalence of the syndromatic and symptomatic DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis in older adults in The Netherlands.MethodData were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). At baseline, 1494 participants were screened with an ADHD questionnaire and in 231 respondents a structured diagnostic interview was administered. The weighted prevalence of ADHD was calculated.ResultsThe estimated prevalence rate of syndromatic ADHD in older adults was 2.8%; for symptomatic ADHD the rate was 4.2%. Younger elderly adults (60–70 years) reported significantly more ADHD symptoms than older elderly adults (71–94 years).ConclusionsThis is the first epidemiological study on ADHD in older persons. With a prevalence of 2.8% the study demonstrates that ADHD does not fade or disappear in adulthood and that it is a topic very much worthy of further study.

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