scholarly journals Sex with robots: A not-so-niche market for disabled and older persons

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 228-232
Author(s):  
Adamantios Koumpis ◽  
Thomas Gees
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Deep Roots ◽  
Value System ◽  
Sex Robots ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Sex Toys

AbstractIn this article, we present our experiences from research into the healthy ageing and well-being of older people and we report on our personal opinions of robots that may help the elderly to have sex and to cope with isolation and loneliness. However, and while there is a growing industry for sex robots and other sex toys and gadgets, there is also a growing concern about the ethics of such an industry. As is the case with pornography, the concept of sex robots may be criticized, yet it has deep roots in human civilization, with erotic depictions that date back to the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Ages. So the need for an artefact that would offer sexually relevant functionality is not new at all. But what might be new and worrying is the potential for using artificial intelligence in sex robots in ways that might cause a repositioning of our entire value system. Such a threat is not related to the proliferation of sex robots per se but to the use of robots in general and in a variety of other fields of application.

scholarly journals Being treated like ‘waste’ during the ‘golden years’: Practical-theological perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petria M. Theron
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
South African ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The South ◽  
The Status ◽  
African Context ◽  
Practical Theological

The South African Government published the Older Persons Act no. 13 of 2006. The objectives of the Act are inter alia to maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older persons, to maintain and protect their rights and to combat abuse of older persons. This act is indispensable, as the elderly (people of 65 and older) form a growing segment of the South African population (4.767% in 1996 − 5.019% in 2011). They are in many regards extremely vulnerable, as they often face negative views regarding older people, experience discrimination, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Many atrocities are committed against them and one hears horror stories of older people who are abused and/or neglected by their own children and/or other people. One could almost say that these people, during their so-called ‘golden years’, are treated like ‘human waste’. I will investigate this phenomenon and attempt to interpret it within the South African context. I will then identify certain biblical guidelines to orientate one’s attitude towards old age and the elderly. To conclude, I will propose strategies to prevent elder abuse and restore human dignity to them.

scholarly journals Threats to Health and Well-Being Perceived by Older People in Poland and Portugal

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria da Piedade Moreira Brandão ◽  
Laura Martins ◽  
Marlena Szewczyczak ◽  
Dorota Talarska ◽  
Ian Philp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Joint Project ◽  
Health And Well Being

Introduction: According to the OECD, Portugal and Poland rank below average in several well-being measures such as income and wealth, and health status. Investigating how people perceive the threats to health in these two countries, is an important issue to address priority needs. To meet this need, the objective of this paper was to compare the perceptions of the threats to the health and well-being among the Polish and Portuguese older persons and explore differences between the countries in respect of patterns of self-rated health.Material and Methods: A Cross-sectional study with two convenience samples from primary health care services of Poland and Portugal was conducted; 480 adults aged 65 and over (247 Portuguese) were included. The EASYCare standard assessment of 2010 was applied under a joint project of both countries. The association between ‘self-rated unhealthy’ and socio-demographic and threats to health variables was examined using logistic regression.Results: In both countries about two thirds of the older persons self-rated their health as unhealthy. Having more than enough finances was associated with a significant lower odds of being unhealthy compared with those without enough finances at the end of the month (Portugal: OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.63; Poland: OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.88). Visual problems, bodily pain, memory loss, feeling bored or lonely and reporting shortness of breath during normal activities was consistently associated with fair or poor self-rated health.Discussion: These findings provide important information regarding the health profile of older people which can help in the development of people-centred health systems where their lives and well-being can be improved. Conclusion: The unhealthy perception of older people was consistently associated with indicators of major health threats.

scholarly journals An Association of Quality of Life and Ageing Perceptions Among Community Dwelling Older Adults in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Louise -Onoria ◽  
Raymond Odokonyero ◽  
Bruno Giordani ◽  
Dickens Akena ◽  
Emmanuel Mwesiga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Positive Perception

Abstract Background: Uganda’s population, though, largely characterized by young people, has seen the number of people aged 60 and over grow from 686,000 twenty years ago, to 1,433,596 in 2014. Effective caring for the well-being of this population requires strategic and deliberate planning that involves quality of life (QoL) assessments. QoL assessments among the elderly are important in evaluating the efficacy of strategies, such as health interventions, welfare programs, health care, and well-being of the elderly. However, elderly in Uganda face several challenges, ranging from loneliness, poor housing, lack of social and financial support, and poor health. These may negatively affect older persons’ quality of life and consequently their perceptions and attitudes towards aging. Methods: The study was carried out in 2019 in the communities of Nansana and Busukuma town councils in Wakiso district, Uganda. The participants were 380 people 60 years and older. To establish the association between perceptions of ageing and QoL, this study utilized a locally adapted version of the Older Person’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL) and the Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ). The OPQOL assesses three domains of QoL: Health QoL (HQoL); Social economic QoL (SQoL); and Psychosocial QoL (PQoL). The B-APQ assesses perceptions about physical age, participation in social activities, and perceptions about ability to regulate emotions as one ages. Pearson’s Chi-square tests were used to characterize the relationship between the perceptions and quality of life.Results: The majority of the respondents, 61% (95%CI 56.7-64.8), had negative perceptions towards ageing. Eighty six percent had poor HQoL, 90% poor SQoL and 83% poor PQoL. There was a significant association between good HQoL and positive perception about participation in social activities (X2 = 7.3670, P = 0.007) as well as with positive perception on regulation of emotions (X2 = 18.1803, P<0.001). There was a significant association between good SQoL and positive perception about participation in social activities (X2 = 5.3472, P = 0.021), as well with positive perception on regulation of emotions (X2 = 10.5128, P<0.001). A significant association between good PQoL and positive perception on regulation of emotions (X2 = 9.2414, P= 0.002).Conclusion: Positive perceptions of ageing are associated with good QoL. Directly addressing perceptions of ageing could be a low cost and effective strategy to improve the QoL of older persons in SSA

Self-determination among frail older persons – a desirable goal older persons’ conceptions of self-determination

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Ekelund ◽  
Lena Mårtensson ◽  
Kajsa Eklund
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Legal Rights ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Frail Older Persons ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
People First

Purpose – Self-determination is governed by ethical and legal rights in western society. In spite of that, older people are still restricted by others in their decision-making processes. The purpose of this paper is to explore older persons’ different conceptions of self-determination. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative phenomenographic interview study on frail older persons (n=15). Findings – Three categories emerged, showing the variations of conception of self-determination as experienced by frail older people: first, self-determination changes throughout life; second, self-determination is being an agent in one's own life; and third, self-determination is conditional. In summary, while self-determination is changeable throughout life, and older persons want to be their own agents, and struggle to be that, certain conditions must be met to make it possible for them to be able to exercise self-determination. Practical implications – Suggestions for supporting and strengthening frail older persons’ self-determination, and indirectly their well-being and health: to have a person-centered approach, treat them with dignity and respect and give them opportunities to influence and to feel involved; to improve their health literacy by, for example, supporting them with enough knowledge to be able to exercise self-determination; to make them feel safe and secure in relationships, such as with family and caregivers. Originality/value – This study explores frail older persons’ own conceptions of self-determination to be able to gain knowledge of how professionals can support them so that they may experience self-determination in life.

Features of Rural Communities in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa That Influence Well-Being of Older Persons

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 420-421
Author(s):  
Andrew Banda ◽  
Norah Keating ◽  
Jaco Hoffman ◽  
Jose Parodi ◽  
Nereide Curreri
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Older People ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract In their recent volume, Critical Rural Gerontology, Skinner et al (2021) challenge us to set aside unidimensional notions of rural communities as bypassed vs very supportive; and to identify the elements of rurality that empower or exclude older people and how these differ across cultures and settings. Covid-19 has highlighted the need for safe and inclusive communities. Given that LMIC will be home to the majority of older adults (Gonzales et al. 2015), we undertook a scoping review of features of rural communities that influence wellbeing of older people in countries across Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. The review included literature in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, using search engines MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PsycInfo, SocINDEX, SciELO, AJOL (Africa Journals Online), LILACS, Redalyc, LatinIndex and Clacso. Findings illustrate diversity in how community features including remoteness, infrastructure and belonging influence material, social and subjective wellbeing of older residents.

Social Well-Being of the Elderly During the Period of Self-Isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
D.A. Bistiakina ◽  
◽  
T.V. Soloveva ◽  
E.G. Pankova ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
War Veterans ◽  
Social Organizations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Scientific Project ◽  
Coronavirus Infection

the article presents the results of the author’s research carried out within the framework of the scientific project “Transforming the social well-being of war veterans in the context of Russian transformations at the regional level”, analyzing the social well-being of older people during the period of the introduction of the forced self-isolation regime due to the danger of the spread of coronavirus infection. The role of state and public social organizations in mitigating the consequences of forced self-isolation of older people is revealed.

Assessment of Cognitively Stimulating Activity in a Spanish Population

Assessment ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1310-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Morales Ortiz ◽  
Aaron Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Effect Of Age

Theoretical models of active ageing and cognitive reserve emphasize the importance of leading an active life to delay age-related cognitive deterioration and maintain good levels of well-being and personal satisfaction in the elderly. The objective of this research was to construct a scale to measure cognitively stimulating activities (CSA) in the Spanish language. The sample consisted of a total of 453 older persons. The scale was constructed from a list of 28 items and validated using structural equation models. The scale obtained showed a negative correlation with age and a positive correlation with education and physical activity. Using hierarchical regression models, CSAs were found to have a significant effect on attention when controlling for the effect of age and education. Likewise, a significant interaction between age and CSA was found on the measure of episodic memory. The validated CSA scale will enable the relationships between changes in cognitive functions and stimulating activities to be studied.

scholarly journals How Much Is One Life Worth? The Right to Equity Healthcare for Improving Older Patients’ Health Infected by COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6848
Author(s):  
Guiomar Merodio ◽  
Mimar Ramis-Salas ◽  
Diana Valero ◽  
Adriana Aubert
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Old Patients

Ageism has a tremendous negative impact on elderly persons and society. Discrimination against the elderly is a driver of health and social inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed new social and health challenges regarding resource scarcity and shortfalls. Under these difficult circumstances, discourses excluding, and discrimination against, older people have aroused. This article gathers evidence on hospital healthcare experiences of older people infected by COVID-19 during the pandemic outbreak in Spain and it analyzes elements that have positively influenced older patients’ perceived health and well-being. We conducted nine qualitative in-depth interviews in Madrid—one of the regions of Spain most affected by COVID-19—with older people that were hospitalized and recovered from COVID-19, family members of old patients infected with COVID-19, and nurses that attended infected older patients. Findings show the challenging experiences faced by older people who were hospitalized due to COVID-19, on the one hand, and the relevance of transformative aspects related to family relationships, solidarity actions, and humanized care that overcame age discrimination, favoring social and equity healthcare for the elderly on the other hand.

scholarly journals Social activities and subjective well-being among older persons in Japan

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirotaka Nakamura ◽  
Chiyoe Murata ◽  
Yoshihiko Yamazaki
Keyword(s):  
Older Persons ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Aging Societies ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire ◽  
Young Old ◽  
Evaluation Project

Objectives: In today’s aging societies, subjective well-being is an important determinant of quality of life among older persons. The association between better health and better subjective well-being is well known. However, the kinds of social activities associated with subjective well-being are largely unknown. This study aimed to assess such relationships, taking into account the type of social activities involved among community living older persons aged 65 and over.Method: We used self-administered questionnaire data (N = 2,652) from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Project (JAGES) 2016. We conducted a poisson regression analyses stratified by age group to elucidate the association between social activities and better subjective well-being.Results: After adjusting for sex, family composition, household income, number of illnesses and depression, we found that activities to teach skills or passing on experiences to others were significantly related to higher subjective well-being both among the young-old (65-74) and the old-old (75 and over) population.Conclusion: Altruistic activities such as teaching skills or conveying knowledge to others appear to be related to higher subjective well-being. Promoting social activities has the potential to enhance subjective well-being among the elderly population.

Age Identification in the Elderly: Some Theoretical Considerations

1984 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven K. Baum
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Labeling Theory ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
New Model ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

Gerontologists have long noted the discrepancy between chronological age and a person's perception of age. Labeling theory suggests that older people who “feel young” are denying their age because of the stigma attached to the label “old.” When the empirical literature is reviewed, however, there is little actual evidence to support this notion. More apparent are the data that suggest “younger age feeling” represents various dimensions of physical, psychological, and social well-being. Gerontologists would do well to reconsider their earlier notions of age identification and construct a new model based upon the subjective expression of wellness in later years.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document