Loneliness in senescence and its relationship with depressive symptoms: an integrative review

Abstract The increase in life expectancy and the percentage increase in the older population are related to the reduction in quality of life and social life due to the biopsychosocial changes inherent to the aging process. The present study aimed to verify scientific evidence on the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms among older adults. An integrative review was carried out using the following databases: SCOPUS, PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL and PyscINFO, applying the descriptors indexed in the Mesh Terms and DeCS “aged”, “loneliness”, “depression”. The PICOS strategy was used to prepare the title and guiding question and the PRISMA methodological guidelines were used to write the report of this review. A total of 827 articles were identified, of which 23 were selected, 16 from the database and seven through a reverse search. Loneliness and depression have some characteristics in common, so that when one of these conditions develops in older adults, another is stimulated. Thus, loneliness is a major risk factor for the development of depression, just as depression is an aggravating factor for loneliness in older adults.

Download Full-text

Educational level as a protective factor against the influence of depressive symptoms on cognition in older adults: implications for functional independence during a 10-year follow-up

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610221000272 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Irene Cano-López ◽

Marta Aliño ◽

Aránzazu Duque ◽

Paula Martínez ◽

Mercedes Almela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Educational Level ◽

Social Life ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Face To Face ◽

Proposed Model ◽

The Relationship

ABSTRACT Objectives: To examine whether the educational level moderates the relationship between baseline depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning at 5- and 10-year follow-ups in older adults, considering the association between cognitive functioning and difficulty with activities of daily living (ADL). Design: Using a prospective design, a path analysis was performed. Setting: In-home, face-to-face interviews and self-administered questionnaires, within the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Participants: In total, 1,461 participants (mean age = 66.62) were followed up from Wave 1 (baseline) to Wave 2 (at 5 years) and Wave 3 (at 10 years). Measurements: Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline. Cognitive functioning and difficulty with ADL were assessed at baseline and at 5 and 10 years. Results: Educational level moderates the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning at 5 years (β = 0.07, SE = 0.03, p = 0.04, Cohen’s f2 = 0.02), being depressive symptoms related to poor cognitive functioning only at low educational levels. Cognitive functioning predicts difficulty with ADL at 5 and 10 years (β = −0.08, SE = 0.03, p = 0.008, Cohen’s f2 = 0.01; β = −0.09, SE = 0.03, p = 0.006, Cohen’s f2 = 0.02). The proposed model yielded excellent fit (CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.0001, 90% CI 0.0001–0.03, SRMR = 0.004, and χ2(8) = 7.16, p = 0.52). Conclusions: Cognitive reserve may act as a protective factor against the effect of depressive symptoms on cognition in older adults, which, in turn, is relevant to their functional independence.

Download Full-text

Frailty & Depression: Mediators of Fear of Falling and Quality of Life in Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3344 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 909-909

Author(s):

Michelle McKay ◽

Christina Whitehouse ◽

Janell Mensinger

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Indirect Effect ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Mediation Effects ◽

Health Related ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Fear of falling is a known predictor for decreased health-related quality of life (QoL) in older adults, including among high risk frail community-dwelling older adults with multiple comorbidities including depression. The study aimed to examine the sequential explanatory roles of frailty and depressive symptoms in the relationship between fear of falling (FoF) and QoL in a program for all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE). This was a retrospective single cohort study that included 84 older adults in a PACE program located in the Northeastern United States. Participants were cognitively intact older adults ≥55 years (M=70.33; SD=6.46). FoF was assessed with the Falls Efficacy Scale-International; frailty was measured with the Edmonton Frail Scale; QoL was measured with the Short Form 12v2 which includes both physical and mental domains. Using the Process Macro (model 6) in SPSS, path models were constructed hypothesizing frailty and depressive symptoms as serial mediators of the relationship between FoF and QoL while controlling for race, gender, age and comorbidities. Frailty and depressive symptoms serially mediated the FoF and mental QoL relationship (Indirect Effect = -0.10; 95% CI= -0.19, -0.03). Serial mediation effects of frailty and depressive symptoms were not replicated for the association between FoF and physical QoL (Indirect Effect = 0.00; 95% CI= -0.04, 0.05). Understanding the roles of frailty and depressive symptoms in explaining the association between FoF and mental health-related QoL can delineate targeted areas for intervention development not typically considered when attempting to reduce the influence of FoF on QoL in older adults.

Download Full-text

Poor Acceptance of the Past is Related to Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 246-251

Author(s):

Gozde Cetinkol ◽

Gulbahar Bastug ◽

E. Tugba Ozel Kizil

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Death Anxiety ◽

Geriatric Depression ◽

Ego Integrity ◽

The Past ◽

Depressed Group ◽

Total Death ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Depression in older adults can be explained by Erikson’s theory on the conflict of ego integrity versus hopelessness. The study investigated the relationship between past acceptance, hopelessness, death anxiety, and depressive symptoms in 100 older (≥50 years) adults. The total Beck Hopelessness (BHS), Geriatric Depression (GDS), and Accepting the Past (ACPAST) subscale scores of the depressed group were higher, while the total Death Anxiety (DAS) and Reminiscing the Past (REM) subscale scores of both groups were similar. A regression analysis revealed that the BHS, DAS, and ACPAST predicted the GDS. Past acceptance seems to be important for ego integrity in older adults.

Download Full-text

The Role of Niacin Intake in the Relationship between Household Income and Depressive Symptoms among Korean Older Adults: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey

Korea Gerontological Society ◽

10.31888/jkgs.2019.39.4.847 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 847-859

Author(s):

Uimi Jang ◽

Giyeon Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

National Health ◽

Household Income ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Relationship

Download Full-text

Supporting Caregivers of Older Adults Through Education in Mindful Gratitude Practice

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.053 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 16-16

Author(s):

Sungsim Lee

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Mindfulness Practice ◽

Practice Research ◽

Relevant Research ◽

Won Buddhism ◽

The Relationship

Abstract This presentation describes a supportive mindfulness practice for caregivers of older adults based on the principles of Won Buddhism (an integrative, a modernized Buddhism). As the aging population grows, there is a significant increase in recognition of the negative impact of caregiver stress on older adults’ quality of life. The ability for caregivers to deal compassionately with stress is essential, as caring for older adults can awaken feelings about one’s own vulnerability and mortality. The ‘Mindful Gratitude Practice’ offers a way to cope with stress, cultivate self-care, and improve the care of others. Relevant research will be summarized, which shows mindfulness and gratitude practice respectively benefit positive influence in both physical and emotional well-being. Mindful Gratitude Practice as a spiritual approach that fosters caregivers' emotional stability, reduces their stress and improves the relationship between older adults and their caregivers. In this presentation, three processes of Mindful Gratitude Practice will be described: 1. Understanding a mindfulness practice by establishing intention, attention, and attitude, 2. Learning the principles of a gratitude practice and implementation, and 3. Incorporating mindfulness into a gratitude practice. Research results have demonstrated that through this learning process, caregivers have acquired the concept of interconnectedness, experience grateful moments, and a deep feeling of appreciation in their caregiving relationships. The presenter will guide participants in a short experience of Mindfulness Gratitude Practice. Further readings and resources will be provided for those who are interested.

Download Full-text

Last Place of Care and End-of-Life Quality of Life in the United States: Evidence From a National Representative Data Set

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 17-17

Author(s):

Yifan Lou ◽

Nan Jiang ◽

Katherine Ornstein

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

End Of Life ◽

End Of Life Care ◽

The United States ◽

Life Care ◽

Person Centered Care ◽

Centered Care ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background: Quality of life (QoL) during last stage of life has raised expanded interests as an important aspect of person-centered care. Last place of care (LPC), refer to the last place decedents received their formal end-of-life care (EOLC), has been identified as a key indicator of older adults’ end-of-life QoL, but the relationship was understudied. This study explores the association between LPC and end-of-life QoL among American older adults. Methods: Data used seven waves of Last Month of Life data with a total sample of 3068 Medicare decedents in NHATS. Outcome is end-of-life QoL assessed by eleven measures on four domains: pain and symptoms management (SP), quality of healthcare encounter (HE), person-centered care (PC), and overall quality of care (QC). LPC was categorized into home, hospital, nursing home, and residential hospice. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship with covariates. Results: LPC varied by most demographic characteristics, except immigration status and education. Older adults whose LPC is hospital, compared to those who had home-care, were less likely to have great experiences on HE, PC, and QC. People dying at nursing homes are more likely to receive care meeting their dyspnea and spiritual needs. Residential hospice is negatively related to respected care, clear coordination, and keeping family informed, but are more likely to provide PS and spiritual care. Discussion: Home-based end-of-life care has certain advantages but still has room to improve on SP and religious concerns. Hospitals should keep reforming their service delivery structure to improve patients’ QoL.

Download Full-text

Depressive Symptoms in Comorbid Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Insomnia: An Integrative Review

Western Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0193945921989656 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 019394592198965

Author(s):

Bomin Jeon ◽

Faith S. Luyster ◽

Judith A. Callan ◽

Eileen R. Chasens

Keyword(s):

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Control Design ◽

Case Control ◽

Integrative Review ◽

Study Quality ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

The Relationship

The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize evidence concerning the relationship between comorbid obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia (OSA+I), and depressive symptoms. OSA and insomnia are common sleep disorders, recently comorbid OSA+I has been recognized as prevalent in adults. Although each sleep disorder increases the risk and severity of depressive symptoms, the effect of comorbid OSA+I on depressive symptoms remains unclear. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO identified 15 data-based studies. All the studies were observational with either a cross-sectional (n = 14) or a case-control design (n = 1). Study quality was assessed. Most of the studies (n = 14) indicated that comorbid OSA+I had an additive role on depressive symptoms. Insomnia appeared to have a more important role than OSA in increasing the severity of depressive symptoms in persons with comorbid OSA+I.

Download Full-text

Cognitive Functioning and Late-Life Depression

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617714000198 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 461-467 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Aaron M. Koenig ◽

Rishi K. Bhalla ◽

Meryl A. Butters

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Neuropsychological Assessment ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Late Life ◽

Cognitive Outcomes ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

The Relationship

AbstractThis brief report provides an introduction to the topic of cognitive functioning in late-life depression (LLD). In addition to providing a review of the literature, we present a framework for understanding the heterogeneity of cognitive outcomes in this highly prevalent disorder. In addition, we discuss the relationship between LLD and dementia, and highlight the importance of regularly assessing cognitive functioning in older adults who present with depressive symptoms. If cognitive deficits are discovered during a neuropsychological assessment, we recommend referral to a geriatric psychiatrist or cognitive neurologist, for evaluation and treatment of the patient’s symptoms. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–7)

Download Full-text