Formal versus informal volunteering and wellbeing: does volunteering type matter for older adults?

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-336
Author(s):  
Allison R. Russell ◽  
Eunhae Kim ◽  
Femida Handy ◽  
Zvi Gellis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Formal Volunteering ◽  
Informal Volunteering ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Volunteer Engagement

Although the literature on volunteering and wellbeing among older adults is extensive, it tends to focus on this relationship within spaces of formal volunteering, such as non-profit organisations. However, informal volunteering and other forms of civic engagement may also promote improved wellbeing outcomes for this age group; likewise, these behaviours may be linked to the practice of formal volunteering with an organisation. Drawing on data from the Delaware subsample of the Successful Aging Survey, this article examines whether differences in volunteer engagement influence the relationship between volunteering and wellbeing outcomes among older adults.

scholarly journals Age-Related Changes in the 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Versus Parathyroid Hormone Relationship Suggest a Different Reason Why Older Adults Require More Vitamin D

2003 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinhold Vieth ◽  
Yasmin Ladak ◽  
Paul G. Walfish
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Age Related ◽  
25 Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
The Relationship

Vitamin D requirements are thought to vary with age, but there is little comparative evidence for this. One goal in establishing a vitamin D requirement is to avoid secondary hyperparathyroidism. We studied 1741 euthyroid, thyroid clinic outpatients without evidence of calcium abnormalities, ranging in age from 19 to 97 yr, whose serum and urine had been analyzed for calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid status. We found no effect of age on the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration associated with specific vitamin D intakes, and there was no relationship between 25(OH)D and 1,25hydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]. In every age group, serum 1,25(OH)2D declined with increasing creatinine (P < 0.001). What changed with age included creatinine, which correlated with 25(OH)D (r = 0.146, P < 0.001) only in the youngest age group (19–50 yr) but not in the older age groups (P > 0.1). Creatinine did not correlate with PTH in the youngest age group, but the relationship became significant as age increased (e.g. for the elderly, r = 0.365, P < 0.001). Linear regression of log PTH vs. log 25(OH)D agreed with the natural shape of the relationship observed with scatterplot smoothing, and this showed no plateau in PTH as 25(OH)D increased. We compared PTH concentrations among age groups, based on 20 nmol/liter increments in 25(OH)D. Mean PTH in adults older than 70 yr was consistently higher than in adults younger than 50 yr (P < 0.05 by ANOVA and Dunnett’s t test). PTH levels of the elderly who had 25(OH)D concentrations greater than 100 nmol/liter matched PTH of younger adults having 25(OH)D concentrations near 70 nmol/liter. This study shows that all age groups exhibit a high prevalence of 25(OH)D insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Older adults are just as efficient in maintaining 25(OH)D, but they need more vitamin D to produce the higher 25(OH)D concentrations required to overcome the hyperparathyroidism associated with their diminishing renal function.

Money and happiness: does age make a difference?

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1289-1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHANG-MING HSIEH
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Social Surveys ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTAlthough the factors that influence people's perception of happiness have long been a focus for scholars, research to date has not offered conclusive findings on the relationships between income, age and happiness. This study examined the relationship between money and happiness across age groups. Analysing data from United States General Social Surveys from 1972 to 2006, this study finds that even after controlling for all the major socio-demographic variables, income (whether household income or personal equivalised income) had a significant positive association with happiness for young and middle-age adults, but it was not the same case with older adults. After controlling for the major socio-demographic variables, there was no evidence of a significant relationship between income (whichever definition) and happiness for older adults. The results also showed that the effect of household income on happiness was significantly smaller for older adults than for young or middle-age adults in the model controlling for major socio-demographic variables. The relationship between household income and happiness no longer differed significantly across age groups after social comparison variables were included. The relationship between equivalised income and happiness did not vary significantly by age group after controlling for the major socio-demographic variables.

scholarly journals Successful Aging: Perceptions of Adults Aged between 70 and 101 Years

2003 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tess Knight ◽  
Lina A. Ricciardelli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Aging Perceptions

In this research, content analysis was employed to investigate older adults' perceptions of successful aging and the relationship of these perceptions to definitions given in the literature to date. Participants were 18 males and 42 females between the ages of 70 and 101 years. Analyses revealed older adults mentioned only 1 or 2 criteria of successful aging if asked for a definition; however, when prompted, they rated almost all the criteria emerging from the literature as highly important. Participants reported adjusting to the situations they were in by compensating for losses that occurred and selecting activities that best suited their capabilities. Overall, older adults' perceptions of successful aging were similar to aspects identified in the literature. Not all aspects, however, were seen as important by all participants, and only low to moderate correlations were found between some aspects of successful aging.

Invisible Civic Engagement among Older Adults: Valuing the Contributions of Informal Volunteering

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iveris L. Martinez ◽  
Donneth Crooks ◽  
Kristen S. Kim ◽  
Elizabeth Tanner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Informal Volunteering

scholarly journals Informal Volunteering Helps Older Adults Stay Put Too! But, Does Gender Matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 50-50
Author(s):  
Huei-wern Shen ◽  
Tam Perry
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Charitable Organizations ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Informal Volunteering ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Out Of Area

Abstract Many older adults desire to remain in one’s home for as long as possible, and many factors have been identified to be helpful, such as formal volunteering (doing unpaid work for religious, educational, health-related or other charitable organizations). While many older adults volunteer formally, many others volunteer informally (providing unpaid help to friends, neighbors, or relatives who did not co-reside). However, less is known about the relationship between informal volunteering and relocation. Guided by the social and material convoy framework, the present study explores the intersection of gender, informal volunteering, and relocation (no move, move within area, and move out of area). Utilizing data from 2008 and 2010 Health and Retirement Study, 8,361 older adults who were 65 and above in 2008 were included. When older people’s financial resources, health, environment, and demographics were controlled, findings from multinomial logistic regression showed that older adults who volunteered informally were less likely to move within area two years later. When stratified by gender, it was found that female (n=4,832) volunteered informally in 2008 were less likely to move within area within two years, too; whereas for male (n=3,529), those who informal volunteered in 2008 were less likely to move out of area in 2010. According to the findings, informal volunteering helps older adults stay put. Future research is needed to understand why informal volunteering helps reduce short distance moves for women but helps reduce long distance moves for men.

scholarly journals Aging With Vision Loss: A Framework for Assessing the Impact of Visual Impairment on Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 989-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnielin K Swenor ◽  
Moon J Lee ◽  
Varshini Varadaraj ◽  
Heather E Whitson ◽  
Pradeep Y Ramulu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Negative Health Outcomes ◽  
Multiple Intervention

Abstract There is limited research examining the impact of visual impairment (VI) on older adults while considering the complexities of aging, leaving gaps in our understanding of how health consequences of VI might be averted. We created a framework integrating concepts from disability, geriatrics, and ophthalmology that conceptualizes how VI challenges successful aging. Here, VI influences multiple functional domains, and increases the risk of negative health outcomes. This model acknowledges that common causes, such as risk factors that affect eyes and other systems simultaneously, may also drive the relationship between VI and health outcomes. Finally, the model highlights how the impact of VI on aging outcomes can be addressed at multiple intervention points.

scholarly journals The Effect of Social Activities on the Life Satisfaction of Korean Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 498-498
Author(s):  
Meeryoung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Old Adults ◽  
Group Involvement

Abstract As life expectancy increases, older adults need to find ways to occupy their time for 20-30 years. For Korean older adults, social activities such as having relationships with others as well as, involvement in organizations and volunteer work, are important for their social identity. Social activities are one of the categories of Rowe and Kahn’s successful aging, this study examined the effect of having relationships, involvement in organizations and volunteering on the life satisfaction of older adults. This study used the 6th additional wave of the Korean Retirement and Income Study (2016). The target population was older adults (50~59, 60~74, 75+). The sample size was 1,921, 2,344 and 962 respectively. For data analysis, ANOVA and multiple regressions were used. The demographic variables were controlled. As for independent variables, having relationships, involvement in organizations, and volunteering were used. For the dependent variable, life satisfaction was used. Having relationships, involvement in organizations and volunteering were significantly different by age group. For each age group, the factors affecting life satisfaction differ. For the middle aged group, involvement in organizations and volunteering were significant factors affecting life satisfaction. For young-old adults, volunteering had the most significant effect on life satisfaction. Finally, for old-old adults, both having human relations and involvement in organizations were significant. These findings imply that social activities differ by age group. Also, the kind of activities affecting life satisfaction differ by age group. These findings imply that it is important for older adults to be involved in society, in various ways.

scholarly journals Successful Aging Among LGBT Older Adults: Physical and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life by Age Group

2014 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen I. Fredriksen-Goldsen ◽  
Hyun-Jun Kim ◽  
Chengshi Shiu ◽  
Jayn Goldsen ◽  
Charles A. Emlet
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

scholarly journals The relationship between education level, retirement status, and civic engagement among older adults in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
I Komang Winata
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Old People ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Indonesian Population ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Education Needs ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Retirement Status

The Indonesian population is aging very rapidly and as the number of old people increases, the number of retirees increases as well. Many scholars have argued the benefits of civic engagement in old age, but there is lack of empirical evidence of the factors associated with civic engagement in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between education levels, retirement status, and civic engagement among older adults in Indonesia. The study used data from the fifth wave of the Indonesia Family and Life Survey which was held in late 2014 and early 2015. The study included participants aged 56 years and older, the mandatory age for retirement in 2014 in Indonesia.  Multiple regression was modelled for data analysis. The main results revealed that those who completed junior and senior high school and high education exhibited more civic engagement than those who completed only primary education. Moreover, the study found that those who were retired were less engaged in civic activities than those still in labor force. These relationships held true even after controlling for gender, age, marital status, personality traits, religiosity, and self-rated health variables. To strengthen democracy and growth, education needs to be re-emphasized and there is need for further investigation concerning retirement and civic engagement in Indonesia.

scholarly journals Education as A Moderator in the Effect of Successful Aging on Mortality Risk in Different Genders of Elderly Chinese: a National Longitudinal Study (2011-2016)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peiya Cao ◽  
Huiqiang Luo ◽  
Jijie Li ◽  
Xiaohui Ren
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Cognitive Function ◽  
Lower Education ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Plenty of evidence has found that successful aging and its components were significantly associated with older adults’ health, their achievement has a positive effect on reducing mortality rates. However, it is unclear whether education could modify the effect of successful aging on morality risk. Numerous literatures from worldwide were cross-sectional and previous studies on the association between successful aging and mortality in China were quite few. Methods Using four waves (2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016) of a large nationally representative survey in China derived from CHARLS (China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study) with 4,824 older adults aged 60 and older, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of successful aging and each of its components on mortality risk of different gender of older adults in China, we further discussed whether education was a moderator in this effect and investigated differences in results among males and females. Successful aging was measured by absence of major diseases, freedom from disability, high cognitive function, no depressive symptoms, and active social engagement in life. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate the education's moderate effect on the relationship between successful aging and mortality after controlling a rich set of covariates that included demographics, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors.Results We found that 15.18% (n=367) for males and 15.74% (n=379) for females were defined as successful aging and the mortality were 2.61% (n=63) for males and 3.45% (n=83) for females during the survey. The overall prevalence of successful aging in both genders were12.5% (n=603) and the overall mortality rate was 3.03% (n=146).It is the first longitudinal study using national cohort data to research the educational effects on the association between mortality and successful aging, our study showed that the effect only existed in females aged 65-74 years old group with lower education.Conclusions Education has the significant effect on the relationship between successful aging and mortality. Physical health is significantly associated with the achieving of successful aging among young older. More measures should be paid on improving mental health among the young female older with lower education to achieve successful aging and to against mortality and live longevity.

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