Exploring the beliefs and experiences of older Irish adults and family carers during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: A qualitative study protocol

Background: In December 2019 a novel human coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified in Wuhan, China (Wu et al, 2020). The virus subsequently spread to most countries worldwide and the World Health Organisation characterised the outbreak a pandemic on March 11th 2020 (WHO, 2020a). Older age is associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 (Chen et al., 2020). In March 2020, the Irish Government introduced 'cocooning' as a measure for those over 70 years of age to minimise interactions with others by not leaving their homes (Dept. of Health, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique threats to the health and well-being of older adults. This study aims to explore the longitudinal experiences and beliefs of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings will be important for tailoring supports, interventions and public health information for this population. Methods: A longitudinal exploratory qualitative study will be conducted using repeated semi-structured telephone interviews with a convenient sample of older adults recruited from participants of an older adult and family carer stakeholder panel for health services research established by the Ageing Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Limerick and through known older adult contacts of ARC academic members. Interviews will be audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a reflexive approach to thematic analysis. Participants will have the opportunity to review and discuss preliminary analysis of the interview data and to co-write / design dissemination materials. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted by the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences University of Limerick, Research Ethics Committee (2020_03_51_EHS (ER)). Findings will be disseminated through open access journal publications and distribution of lay summaries, a press release and an infographic to organisations of and for older people in Ireland, broadcast and print media.

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Quality of life in older adults receiving hemodialysis: a qualitative study

Quality of Life Research ◽

10.1007/s11136-019-02349-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 655-663 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rasheeda K. Hall ◽

Michael P. Cary ◽

Tiffany R. Washington ◽

Cathleen S. Colón-Emeric

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Symptom Control ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health ◽

World Health Organization Quality ◽

Frailty Status

Abstract Purpose Patient priorities for quality of life change with age. We conducted a qualitative study to identify quality of life themes of importance to older adults receiving dialysis and the extent to which these are represented in existing quality of life instruments. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 adults aged ≥ 75 years receiving hemodialysis to elicit participant perspectives on what matters most to them in life. We used framework analysis methodology to process interview transcripts (coding, charting, and mapping), identify major themes, and compare these themes by participant frailty status. We examined for representation of our study’s subthemes in the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life for Older Adults (WHOQOL-OLD) instruments. Results Among the 12 participants, average age was 81 (4.2) years, 7 African-American, 6 women, and 6 met frailty criteria. We identified two major quality of life themes: (1) having physical well-being (subthemes: being able to do things independently, having symptom control, maintaining physical health, and being alive) and (2) having social support (subthemes: having practical social support, emotional social support, and socialization). Perspectives on the subthemes often varied by frailty status. For example, being alive meant surviving from day-to-day for frail participants, but included a desire for new life experiences for non-frail participants. The majority of the subthemes did not correspond with domains in the KDQOL-36 and WHOQOL-OLD instruments. Conclusion Novel instruments are likely needed to elicit the dominant themes of having physical well-being and having social support identified by older adults receiving dialysis.

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Self-reported hearing difficulty, subjective well-being and social relationships among older adults in Ghana

Second Edition in 2020 of the HSI Journal Volume 1 Issue 2 Publication - Health Sciences Investigations Journal ◽

10.46829/hsijournal.2020.6.1.1.16-23 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 16-23

Author(s):

Alfred E Yawson ◽

John Tetteh ◽

Isaac Adomako ◽

Phaedra Yamson ◽

Kafui Searyoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Older Adult ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Social Relationship ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽

Hearing Difficulty

Background: Hearing difficulty negatively impacts individual relationships with family and friends and other social relationships. Objective:This research was conducted to determine the factors significantly influencing self-reported hearing difficulty (SHD) and further to assess the influence of SHD on social relationship among older adults in Ghana. Methods: World Health Organization’s Studyon Global AGEing and Adult Health Ghana dataset for older adults 50 yr. and above was used for this study. Social relationship and hearing difficulty were the primary and secondary outcomes respectively. A modified Poisson with Mahalanobis distance matching within propensity caliper was employed to determine the different influences on social relationships by SHD. All analysis was performed using the statistical software Stata Version 15 and with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Results: The prevalence of SHD among older adults in Ghana was 19.5% (95%CI=16.9-22.3). Rao-Scott test of association showed that all covariates (demographic characteristics, self-rated health, quality of life, life satisfaction and unhealthy lifestyle) were significantly associated with SHD (p<0.05). Sensitivity analysis showed that, SHD predicted a significantly decreased probability count of social relationship among older adults with SHD [adjusted prevalence ratio(95%CI)=-0.08(-0.15-0.02)]. Binary and ordinal outcomes showed that among the older adults with SHD, only 35% and 70% respectively were likely to have a good social relationship [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95%CI)=0.65(0.46-0.90) and aOR (95%CI)=0.70(0.51-0.96)respectively]. Conclusion: Overall, the prevalence of hearing loss in older adults in Ghana was 19.5%, and was higher among older adult females. This high prevalence of SHD had significant negative effect on social relationships among the older adults. In line with global efforts to reduce effect of hearing loss, it is imperative that, clinical assessment of hearing loss should always consider the social characteristics of the older adult.

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Self-reported hearing difficulty, subjective well-being and social relationships among older adults in Ghana

Second Edition in 2020 of the HSI Journal Volume 1 Issue 2 Publication - Health Sciences Investigations Journal ◽

10.46829//hsijournal.2020.6.1.1.16-23 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 16-23

Author(s):

Alfred E Yawson ◽

John Tetteh ◽

Isaac Adomako ◽

Phaedra Yamson ◽

Kafui Searyoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Older Adult ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Social Relationship ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽

Hearing Difficulty

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Organized Learning as a Factor of Stimulation and Satisfaction in the Life of Older Adults

Lifelong Learning ◽

10.11118/lifele20190903023 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 23-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oldřich Čepelka

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older People ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health Organisation ◽

Self Esteem ◽

World Health ◽

Active Ageing ◽

Third Age ◽

Knowledge And Skills ◽

The Third

The aim of this article is to point to other than the cognitive effects of older adults’ learning that is organized in courses. The number of older people in the Czech Republic grows, and this is accommodated by universities as well as by other institutions. Nonetheless, only few representative surveys are devoted to the education of older adults, and the literature places little emphasis on satisfactory and stimulating effects of participation in organized learning. In fact, education of older adults, in general, does not only expand their knowledge and skills; it also influences their mental health (supporting mental hygiene), social status and quality of life. Among those effects, the satisfaction of important psychogenic and sociogenic needs has a special position and value. The analysis of the educational provision of 22 Czech universities of the third age indicates that courses primarily focus on helping older people how to “spend their time”, realize their hobbies and satisfy their curiosity. Themes of public interest, like media literacy or first aid, are missing. On the contrary, courses organized by other institutions (like academies of the third age, older people’s clubs, community centres etc.) are more centred upon the practical needs of older people. The motivations of older adults for organized learning are dominated by needs and related interests. The most important needs are those from the categories of belonging, esteem and self-esteem, and self-actualization and understanding (in terms of A. H. Maslow’s theory). Learning and self-learning of older adults is a part of the active ageing policy proposed by the World Health Organisation in 2002. It is based on the theory of active ageing which builds on the assumption that an adult person’s needs continue to exist till old age though they partly change. These include, among others, the inclinations to activity, self-fulfilment, self-esteem (to reach a sense of competence and usefulness). Educational activities contribute to feelings of dignity, self-esteem and well-being and help consolidate mental and physical health by mobilizing intellectual, cognitive and motoric capacities and functions. Therefore, organized learning is not only a matter of growth of knowledge and skills but also a matter of social ties and their cultivation. Simultaneously, organized learning both satisfies individual needs and interests of older people and stimulates the attainment of their life values.

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The Effects of Intuitive Movement Reembodiment on the Quality of Life of Older Adults With Dementia: A Pilot Study

American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® ◽

10.1177/1533317519860331 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 ◽

pp. 153331751986033

Author(s):

Ting Choo ◽

Yoram Barak ◽

Ali East

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Study Groups ◽

World Health Organisation ◽

World Health ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Group 2

Background: The creative use of reminiscent music and natural movements were reported to have positive effects on the well-being of older adults with cognitive impairment. Objectives: To explore the effects of the intuitive movement reembodiment (IMR) program on the quality of life (QoL) of older adults with dementia. Methods: Data collected from 22 participants were analyzed: group 1 (mild dementia), group 2 (moderate dementia), group 3 (advanced dementia). All study groups participated in 10 weekly sessions. Self-reported QoL ratings were gathered through using the World Health Organisation (WHO)-5 questionnaire, alongside qualitative evidence recorded through onsite observation. Results: Statistically significant improvement in QoL was demonstrated after session 6. The qualitative analysis showed that the IMR sessions provided a sense of humor, imagination, and intuition that motivated the participants to dance and interact with joy. Conclusion: These preliminary positive findings need to be replicated in a larger randomized controlled trial.

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Talk or Walk? Gait Speed over Self-Report in Association with Cognitive Speed in Healthy Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000202 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 41-52

Author(s):

Matthew C. Costello ◽

Shane J. Sizemore ◽

Kimberly E. O’Brien ◽

Lydia K. Manning

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Subjective Report ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Relative Value ◽

Cognitive Speed ◽

Age Range

Abstract. This study explores the relative value of both subjectively reported cognitive speed and gait speed in association with objectively derived cognitive speed. It also explores how these factors are affected by psychological and physical well-being. A group of 90 cognitively healthy older adults ( M = 73.38, SD = 8.06 years, range = 60–89 years) were tested in a three-task cognitive battery to determine objective cognitive speed as well as measures of gait speed, well-being, and subjective cognitive speed. Analyses indicated that gait speed was associated with objective cognitive speed to a greater degree than was subjective report, the latter being more closely related to well-being than to objective cognitive speed. These results were largely invariant across the 30-year age range of our older adult sample.

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Sex Difference in Self-Reported Sexual Functioning Among Frail Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 313-313

Author(s):

Brianne Olivieri-Mui ◽

Sandra Shi ◽

Ellen McCarthy ◽

Dae Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Older Adult ◽

Sexual Functioning ◽

Social Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Adult Males ◽

Males And Females

Abstract Frailty may differentially impact how older adult males and females perceive sexual functioning, an important part of well-being. We assessed the level of frailty (robust, pre-frail, frail) for anyone with data on 11 sexual functioning questions asked in wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, 2010-2011 (n=2060). Questions covered five domains: overall sexual function (OSF), sexual function anxiety (SFA), changes in sexual function (CSF), erectile/vaginal dysfunction (EVD), and masturbation. Logistic regression identified sex differences in frailty and reporting worse sexual functioning. Linear regression predicted the number of domains reported as worse. Among males (n=1057), pre-frailty meant higher odds of reporting SFA (OR 1.8 95%CI 1.2-6.6), CSF (OR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.7), and EVD (OR 1.5 95%CI 1.0-2.2). Among females (n=1003), there was no difference in reporting by frailty. Females were more likely to report worse OSF (Robust: OR 7.4, 95%CI 4.8-11.4; Pre-frail: OR 6.2, 95%CI 3.9-9.9; Frail: OR 3.4 95%CI 1.7-6.6), but less likely to report SFA (Robust OR .3, 95%CI .2-.5; Pre-frail OR .2, 95%CI .1-.3; Frail OR .2 95%CI .1-.3). Pre-frail and frail females reported fewer domains as worse (Pre-frail coefficient -0.21 SE 0.09, Frail -0.43 SE 0.14). As frailty worsened, males reported more domains as worse (Pre-frail 0.24 SE 0.07, Frail 0.29 SE 0.08). Self-reported sexual functioning differs by sex at all levels of frailty, and reporting by males, but not females, changes with frailty. Providers should be aware that sexual functioning is of importance to both sexes despite varying degrees of frailty.

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Association of self-perceived income sufficiency with cognitive impairment among older adults: a population-based study in India

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03257-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

T. Muhammad ◽

Shobhit Srivastava ◽

T. V. Sekher

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Daily Living ◽

Basic Needs ◽

Well Being ◽

Asset Ownership ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Greater cognitive performance has been shown to be associated with better mental and physical health and lower mortality. The present study contributes to the existing literature on the linkages of self-perceived income sufficiency and cognitive impairment. Study also provides additional insights on other socioeconomic and health-related variables that are associated with cognitive impairment in older ages. Methods Data for this study is derived from the 'Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India'. The final sample size for the analysis after removing missing cases was 9176 older adults. Descriptive along with bivariate analyses were presented to show the plausible associations of cognitive impairment with potential risk factors using the chi-square test. Also, binary logistic regression analysis was performed to provide the relationship between cognitive impairment and risk factors. The software used was STATA 14. Results About 43% of older adults reported that they had no source of income and 7.2% had income but not sufficient to fulfil their basic needs. Older adults with income but partially sufficient to fulfil their basic needs had 39% significantly higher likelihood to suffer from cognitive impairment than older adults who had sufficient income [OR: 1.39; OR: 1.21–1.59]. Likelihood of cognitive impairment was low among older adults with asset ownership than older adults with no asset ownership [OR: 0.83; CI: 0.72–0.95]. Again, older adults who work by compulsion (73.3%) or felt mental or physical stress due to work (57.6%) had highest percentage of cognitive impairment. Moreover, older adults with poor self-rated health, low instrumental activities of daily living, low activities of daily living, low subjective well-being and low psychological health were at increased risk for cognitive impairment. Conclusion The study highlights the pressing need for care and support and especially financial incentives in the old age to preserve cognitive health. Further, while planning geriatric health care for older adults in India, priority must be given to financially backward, with no asset ownership, with poor health status, older-older, widowed, and illiterate older individuals, as they are more vulnerable to cognitive impairment.

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A qualitative study on the multi-level process of resilience development for adults recovering from eating disorders

Journal of Eating Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40337-021-00422-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katie Grogan ◽

Hannah O’Daly ◽

Jessica Bramham ◽

Mary Scriven ◽

Caroline Maher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Well Being ◽

Fundamental Aspect ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Resilience Process ◽

Multi Level ◽

Level Process

Abstract Background Resilience research to date has been criticised for its consideration of resilience as a personal trait instead of a process, and for identifying individual factors related to resilience with no consideration of the ecological context. The overall aim of the current study was to explore the multi-level process through which adults recovering from EDs develop resilience, from the perspectives of clients and clinicians. The objective of this research was to outline the stages involved in the process of developing resilience, which might help to inform families and services in how best to support adults with EDs during their recovery. Method Thirty participants (15 clients; 15 clinicians) took part in semi-structured interviews, and responded to questions relating to factors associated with resilience. Using an inductive approach, data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results The overarching theme which described the process of developing resilience was ‘Bouncing back to being me’, which involved three stages: ‘Who am I without my ED?’, ‘My eating disorder does not define me’, and ‘I no longer need my eating disorder’. Twenty sub-themes were identified as being involved in this resilience process, thirteen of which required multi-level involvement. Conclusion This qualitative study provided a multi-level resilience framework for adults recovering from eating disorders, that is based on the experiences of adults with eating disorders and their treating clinicians. This framework provided empirical evidence that resilience is an ecological process involving an interaction between internal and external factors occurring between adults with eating disorder and their most immediate environments (i.e. family and social). Plain English summary Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder demonstrate high rates of symptom persistence across time and poor prognosis for a significant proportion of individuals affected by these disorders, including health complications and increased risk of mortality. Many researchers have attempted to explore how to improve recovery outcomes for this population. Eating disorder experts have emphasised the need to focus not only on the weight indicators and eating behaviours that sustain the eating disorder during recovery, but also on the psychological well-being of the person recovering. One way to achieve this is to focus on resilience, which was identified as a fundamental aspect of eating disorder recovery in previous research. This study conceptualises resilience as a dynamic process that is influenced not only at a personal level but also through the environment in which the person lives. This study gathered data from adults with eating disorders and their treating clinicians, to devise a framework for resilience development for adults recovering from eating disorders. The paper discussed ways in which these findings and the framework identified can be easily implemented in clinical practice to facilitate a better understanding of eating disorder resilience and to enhance recovery outcomes.

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Increasing Older Adult Involvement in Geriatric Assessment: A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264321993321 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089826432199332

Author(s):

Wanda Rietkerk ◽

Jannet de Jonge-de Haan ◽

Joris P. J. Slaets ◽

Sytse U. Zuidema ◽

Debby L. Gerritsen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Older Adult ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Geriatric Assessment ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Implementation Processes ◽

Adult Involvement ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: Goal setting and motivational interviewing (MI) may increase well-being by promoting healthy behavior. Since we failed to show improved well-being in a proactive assessment service for community-dwelling older adults applying these techniques, we studied whether implementation processes could explain this. Methods: Goals set during the comprehensive geriatric assessment were evaluated on their potential for behavior change. MI and goal setting adherence wasassessed by reviewing audiotaped interactions and interviewing care professionals. Results: Among the 280 goals set with 230 frail older adults (mean age 77 ± 6.9 years, 59% women), more than 90% had a low potential for behavior change. Quality thresholds for MI were reached in only one of the 11 interactions. Application was hindered by the context and the limited proficiency of care professionals. Discussion: Implementation was suboptimal for goal setting and MI. This decreased the potential for improved well-being in the participating older adults.

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