THE EFFECTS OF COGNITION AND FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE ON CORE STABILITY IN THE ELDERLY POPULATION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

The researches indicate that core stability may play a substantial role in reducing fall risk in the elders. Nevertheless, cognition and functional performance has been identified with fall risks as well. The impact of functional performance elements and/or cognition on core stability, to complement the intervention programs for seniors in the future, has not been fully studied. This study aimed to assess the effects of leg strength, static balance, walking speed and cognition on the core stability scores. In a cross-sectional design study a sample of 62 participants were eligible for the study. Elderly aged 60 or older living in Social care centers or autonomous were recruited. Independent variables included static balance, walking speed, leg strength measured by Short Physical Performance Battery, cognition (alertness, divided attention, selective attention, and working memory) evaluated with the Rehacom screening software and age. Dependent variable core stability (the ability to maintain appropriate contraction of muscle transversus abdominis) was assessed performing Prone test with Chattanooga Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback. A hierarchical multiple regression was used for statistical analysis. Static balance and cognition presented greater effects significantly explaining 18% and 13% of the variability of core stability, whereas no significant effects of walking speed and leg strength were found on core stability. Exercise programs where static balance and cognition tasks are implemented to complement core stability performance might be worth investigating and compare with other intervention methods to reduce the risk of falling in the elderly population.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on Anxiety in the Elderly population: a cross sectional study

Archives of Psychiatry Research ◽

10.20471/dec.2021.57.02.02 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 139-146

Author(s):

Abhinav Garg ◽

Vikas Gaur ◽

Deepak Salvi ◽

Aparna Garg

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

The Elderly ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

P Value ◽

Medical Illness ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Background: The coronavirus pandemic is an epidemiological and psychological crisis. The elderly population is considered to be high risk for potential complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and this fact can also potentially lead to anxiety symptoms amongst the elderly. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the anxiety symptoms in elderly living in few major cities of Rajasthan state in India. Methods: The study was conducted from April 2020 to May 2020 using an online questionnaire which measured the levels of anxiety amongst the elderly population (age ≥ 65 years) living in the community via the GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7) scale. Responses were received from 162 participants. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and logistic regression. The level of statistical significance was kept at p value < 0.05. Results: Around 69.14% of the participants belonged to the age group of 65 -74 years; 61.72% of whom were male. Moreover, up to 82.72% of the participants were suffering from one or more chronic medical illnesses. Based on the GAD-7 scores, 30.25%, 12.35%, and 6.17% of the respondents were suffering from mild, moderate, and severe forms of anxiety, respectively. After applying a ≥ 5 score as a cut off score for the GAD-7 scale, 48.77% of the elderly participants were experiencing anxiety symptoms indicating further assessment. In those respondents with anxiety symptoms, significant association was observed with age (p = 0.00), sex (p = 0.04), and the zone of residence (p = 0.00). On the other hand, no significant association was observed with the presence of chronic medical illness such as Diabetes, Hypertension, COPD, etc. with anxiety symptoms (p = 0.77). Conclusion: This study has revealed a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms among the elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down. We recommend that a pre-planned strategy should be prepared for early identification of vulnerable elderly in the community who are at a greater risk of suffering from anxiety disorder under this stressful period.

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The Impact of Welfare Facilities on Happiness of the Elderly: Evidence from Seoul, Korea

Journal of Planning Education and Research ◽

10.1177/0739456x19874112 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 0739456X1987411 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Danya Kim ◽

Jangik Jin

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Time Specific ◽

The Impact ◽

The City ◽

Positive Effect

Across the world, there are growing concerns about how to care for an increasingly large elderly population. We explore how elderly welfare facilities influence seniors’ subjective well-being, focusing on the city of Seoul, Korea, using the 2005–2015 Seoul Survey data. Through pooled cross-sectional data analysis with time-specific and location-specific fixed-effects, we estimate the effect of the number of local welfare facilities on elderly subjective well-being. Our results show that elderly welfare facilities have a positive effect on elderly subjective well-being after controlling for endogeneity, but these facilities are more important for the more aged elderly and lower income elderly.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Emergency on Life Activities and Delivery of Healthcare Services in the Elderly Population

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10184089 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (18) ◽

pp. 4089

Author(s):

Siddarth Agrawal ◽

Sebastian Makuch ◽

Mateusz Dróżdż ◽

Bartłomiej Strzelec ◽

Małgorzata Sobieszczańska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Elderly Population ◽

The Elderly ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Delivery Of Healthcare ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Professional Activities ◽

Most Significant Change ◽

The Impact

Due to the prevailing pandemic of the coronavirus disease COVID-19, we are experiencing emotional and social isolation, which negatively affects mental and physical health, particularly among the elderly population. In this study, we performed a cross-sectional analysis based on computer-assisted telephone interviews of 500 Polish adults aged 60 years or older in order to determine the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the older population’s behavior, life activity, and delivery of healthcare services. According to our study, COVID-19 infection entailed a substantial change in older people’s behavior. Over 50%, nearly 80%, and more than 25% of the surveyed participants reduced their social, recreational, and professional activities, respectively. The most significant change in senior’s behavior due to the fear of COVID-19 infection was observed in patients (1) with cardiac and pulmonary problems, (2) being on multi-drug therapy, (3) vaccinated against influenza, and (4) with several mental difficulties including loneliness, social isolation, and depression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that 10% of participants canceled planned hospitalization due to the fear of COVID-19 infection. This was observed primarily in patients suffering from chronic heart and lung diseases, vaccinated against influenza, exhibiting the reluctance to carry out more complex daily activities, and with a higher level of anxiety, social loneliness, and malnutrition. Thus, these groups of seniors require more attention; hence, we propose telemedicine as a strategy directed to them that provides clinical healthcare and information regarding measurements, control, and protection against SARS-CoV-2 during the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. We believe this strategy may improve treatment outcomes, reduce comorbidities-related complications and unnecessary hospitalizations.

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Prevalence of disabilities and non-communicable diseases in an elderly population in the Telangana state, India: a population-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041755 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e041755

Author(s):

Srinivas Marmamula ◽

Satya Brahmanandam Modepalli ◽

Thirupathi Reddy Kumbham ◽

Rajesh Challa ◽

Jill E Keeffe

Keyword(s):

Elderly Population ◽

Self Care ◽

The Elderly ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Self Report ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of disabilities (vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care and communication) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the elderly population in two districts in Telangana, India.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study using a cluster random sampling method to select the study clusters.SettingElderly population in Khammam and Warangal districts were recruited. Detailed interviews were conducted by trained community health workers. Personal and demographic information such as age, gender, level of education and a self-report of NCDs was collected. The Washington Disability Questionnaire was administered to assess the presence of disabilities.Participants1821 participants aged ≥60 years, 54.5% were women, and 73.3% had no education.Primary outcome measurePrevalence of disabilities and NCDs.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of at least disability was 20.3% (95% CI 16.3 to 24.9). The prevalence of self- reported disabilities were: seeing (5.9%; 95% CI 4.4 to 7.8), mobility (12.8%; 95% CI 9.7 to 16.8), hearing (3.6%; 95% CI 2.7 to 4.8), cognition (4.8%; 95% CI 3.5 to 6.7), self-care (3.3%; 95% CI 2.3 to 4.7) and communication (1.8%; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6). Overall, the prevalence of at least one NCD was 34.2% (95% CI 30.9 to 37.7). Hypertension was the most common systemic condition (25.4%; 95% CI 22.4 to 28.7), followed by diabetes (9.0%; 95% CI 7.3 to 11.0), and body pains (muscle-skeletal) (9.9%; 95% CI 8.1 to 12.2).ConclusionEvery fifth elderly person in the districts of Khammam and Warangal in Telangana had at least one self-reported disability. Besides, a third of the elderly had at least one NCD. There is a definite need to develop comprehensive public health strategies to address disabilities and NCDs in Telangana.

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Health risk assessment and countermeasure analysis of the elderly population exposed to PM2.5 microenvironment

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-205361 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Yan Xu ◽

Wantian Cui

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Risk ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Negative Impact ◽

The Elderly ◽

Exposure Concentration ◽

Physical Diseases ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: China’s atmospheric PM2.5 pollution is serious, and PM2.5 exerts a negative impact on the human respiratory system, cardiovascular, and mental health, and even more serious health risk for the elderly with weak immunity. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to analyse the impacts of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure on the health of the elderly and provide corresponding countermeasures. METHODS: The survey subjects are 118 retired elderly people in the community. PM2.5 exposure concentrations are monitored in summer (June 10 ∼ July 10, 2019) and winter (November 25 ∼ December 25, 2019). RESULTS: The exposure concentration in winter is higher than that in summer, with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Under the impact of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure, smoking in the elderly can increase the concentration of PM2.5, and long-term exposure to PM2.5 in the elderly can cause mental health problems. CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure of the elderly to the PM2.5 microenvironment leads to physical diseases and even psychological problems, which requires attention.

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A comparative study of the voice-related quality of life among Egyptian elderly with and without voice complaints

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology ◽

10.1186/s43163-020-00051-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nesreen Fathi Mahmoud ◽

Huda Zahran ◽

Sherif Abdelmonam

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Life Quality ◽

Voice Disorders ◽

The Elderly ◽

Different Types ◽

Related Quality ◽

The Impact ◽

The Voice

Abstract Background This study focuses on the self-perception of the voice in the elderly as assessed by the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) questionnaire. This work aimed to compare differences in the voice-related quality of life outcomes between (1) elderly with and without voice disorders, (2) female and male elderly with voice disorders, and (3) different types of voice disorders, and to explore the correlation between the V-RQOL and perceptual analysis done by the clinician. Forty-three dysphonic and 44 non-dysphonic elderly filled out the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) protocol that analyzes the impact of dysphonia on life quality. Vocal perceptual assessment of each subject with dysphonia was made by three voice therapists, followed by a flexible nasofibrolaryngoscope. Results A significant statistical difference was found between the means of total V-RQOL scores and its subdomains for each group (dysphonic and non-dysphonic). No significant differences were found between male and female elderly with dysphonia. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation with the vocal assessment made by the clinicians and the V-RQOL self-assessment made by the subjects. Conclusions This study provides valuable information regarding the risk factors that contribute to vocal quality in the elderly population. Our results revealed that different types of voice disorders are common among the elderly population with significant negative effects on quality of life. It was observed that the poorest score on the V-RQOL was for functional voice disorders, followed by neoplastic lesions, whereas MAPLs had the best score on the V-RQOL.

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Abstract WMP57: Declining Blood Pressure is Associated with Subcortical Microinfarcts in Older Adults

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.wmp57 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mekala R Raman ◽

Jonathan Graff-Radford ◽

Scott A Przybelski ◽

Timothy G Lesnick ◽

Michelle M Mielke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Older Adults ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Adult Population ◽

Blood Pressure Measurement ◽

The Elderly ◽

Pressure Measurements ◽

Autopsy Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Blood Pressures

Hypertension is highly prevalent in the elderly population and microinfarcts are the most common vascular brain pathology identified in older adults at autopsy. We investigated the associations between systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured antemortem and the presence of microinfarcts at autopsy. Study subjects (n=302; age range=71-95) were participants in the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging autopsy study, who had blood pressure measurements recorded during life. We investigated both cross-sectional systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements at the baseline visit and the change in blood pressure (slope). Presence and location (subcortical or cortical) of chronic microinfarcts was abstracted from the autopsy reports. Of the 302 study subjects, 47 (16%) had cerebral microinfarcts, and, of those, 18 (38%) had subcortical microinfarcts and 29 (62%) had only cortical microinfarcts. The baseline blood pressures were not different between subjects with no microinfarcts, subcortical microinfarcts, and only cortical microinfarcts. In a logistic regression model including time between last blood pressure measurement and death, a greater decline in systolic [OR= 1.06 (1.01, 1.11); p=0.02]) and greater decline in diastolic [OR= 1.11 (1.02, 1.20); p=0.01] blood pressures were predictors of the presence of subcortical microinfarcts at autopsy. However, these variables were not associated with the presence of cortical microinfarcts. In conclusion, microinfarcts are common in the older adult population, and most of them are located in the cortex. A greater decline in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and their association with subcortical microinfarcts, but not with cortical microinfarcts, may have implications for aggressive lowering of blood pressure in the elderly population.

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Use of Music Therapy as an Audiological Rehabilitation Tool in the Elderly Population: A Mini-Review

Frontiers in Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnins.2021.662087 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Anne Sophie Grenier ◽

Louise Lafontaine ◽

Andréanne Sharp

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Music Therapy ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Social Participation ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Vestibular Function ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Impact

It is well known and documented that sensory perception decreases with age. In the elderly population, hearing loss and reduced vestibular function are among the most prevalently affected senses. Two important side effects of sensory deprivation are cognitive decline and decrease in social participation. Hearing loss, vestibular function impairment, and cognitive decline all lead to a decrease in social participation. Altogether, these problems have a great impact on the quality of life of the elderly. This is why a rehabilitation program covering all of these aspects would therefore be useful for clinicians. It is well known that long-term music training can lead to cortical plasticity. Behavioral improvements have been measured for cognitive abilities and sensory modalities (auditory, motor, tactile, and visual) in healthy young adults. Based on these findings, it is possible to wonder if this kind of multisensory training would be an interesting therapy to not only improve communication but also help with posture and balance, cognitive abilities, and social participation. The aim of this review is to assess and validate the impact of music therapy in the context of hearing rehabilitation in older adults. Musical therapy seems to have a positive impact on auditory perception, posture and balance, social integration, and cognition. While the benefits seem obvious, the evidence in the literature is scarce. However, there is no reason not to recommend the use of music therapy as an adjunct to audiological rehabilitation in the elderly when possible. Further investigations are needed to conclude on the extent of the benefits that music therapy could bring to older adults. More data are needed to confirm which hearing abilities can be improved based on the many characteristics of hearing loss. There is also a need to provide a clear protocol for clinicians on how this therapy should be administered to offer the greatest possible benefits.

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HUBUNGAN PANDEMI COVID-19 DAN PSBB DENGAN GANGGUAN DEPRESI PADA LANSIA DI PANTI WREDA HANA CIPUTAT JAKARTA

Jurnal Muara Medika dan Psikologi Klinis ◽

10.24912/jmmpk.v1i1.12087 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 66

Author(s):

Anggun Tsabitah Rachmah ◽

Noer Saelan Tadjudin

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Large Scale ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

The Elderly ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Research Subjects ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact

Pemerintah Indonesia selama pandemi COVID-19 menerapkan PSBB (Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar) dimana PSBB tersebut membuat aktivitas masyarakat dibatasi, dampaknya juga bisa dirasakan pada lansia di Panti Wreda sehingga dapat menyebabkan timbulnya gangguan depresi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan pandemi COVID-19 dan PSBB dengan gangguan depresi pada lansia di Panti Wreda Hana Ciputat Jakarta. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analitik observational dengan desain studi cross sectional. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Panti Wreda Hana Ciputat Jakarta terhadap lansia sejumlah 56 subjek penelitian yang terdiri dari perempuan 48 orang dan laki-laki 8 orang. Dari 56 subjek penelitian jumlah laki-laki 8 (14,3%) dan perempuan 48 (85,7%). Sebelum terjadinya pandemi COVID-19 dan PSBB, subjek penelitian yang tidak depresi sejumlah 49 subjek (87,5 %), kemungkinan besar depresi 6 subjek (10,7%), dan yang mengalami depresi 1 subjek (1,8%). Selama pandemi COVID19 dan PSBB, subjek penelitian yang tidak depresi 38 subjek (67,9%), kemungkinan besar depresi 14 subjek (25%), dan yang mengalami depresi 4 subjek (7,1%). Berdasarkan hasil uji Chi-square nilai p= 0,000. Dapat disimpulkan terdapat hubungan pandemi COVID-19 dan PSBB dengan gangguan depresi pada lansia di Panti Wreda Hana Ciputat Jakarta. The Government of Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic implemented PSBB (Large-Scale Social Restrictions) where the PSBB made community activities restricted, the impact can also be felt on the elderly in nursing home so that it can cause depressive disorders. This research was done in order to determine the relationship of the COVID-19 pandemic and PSBB with depressive disorders in the elderly at the Ciputat Hana Nursing Home in Jakarta. This study used an observational analytic method with a cross sectional study design. The research was conducted at the Ciputat Hana Nursing Home in Jakarta for 56 elderly subjects. In the nursing home consist of 48 women and 8 men. In 56 research subjects, there were 8 (14,3%) men and 48 (85,7%) women. Before the Pandemic of COVID-19 and PSBB, there were 49 (87,5%) research subjects who were not depressed, 6 (10,7%) research subjects who were most likely depressed, and 1 (1,8%) research subject who were depressed. During the Pandemic of COVID-19 and PSBB, there were 38 (67,9%) research subjects who were not depressed, 14 (25%) research subjects who were most likely depressed, and 4 (7,1%) research subjects who were depressed. Based on Chi-Square test result, the value of P = 0,000. In conclusion, there is a correlation between the pandemic of COVID-19 and PSBB with depression disorder in the elderly at Ciputat Hana Nursing Home in Jakarta.

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METABOLIC SYNDROME PREVALENCE IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH DIET QUALITY IN THE CHILEAN ELDERLY POPULATION: A CROSS SECTIONAL ANALYSIS FROM THE NATIONAL HEALTH SURVEY 2009-2010

Journal of Aging Research and Lifestyle ◽

10.14283/jarcp.2016.104 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

C. Dussaillant ◽

G. Echeverría ◽

L. Villarroel ◽

C.B. Yu ◽

A. Rigotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Food Intake ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Elderly Population ◽

The Elderly ◽

National Health Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sectional Analysis

Objectives: To analyze the relationship between the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, food intake, and diet quality in elderly (≥65 years old) Chilean population. Design: Cross sectional analysis based on the last national health survey performed in the years 2009 and 2010 (ChNHS 2009-2010). Setting: Non-institutionalized individuals of 65 years or older were selected and visited at home. Participants: A subsample of 505 elderly adults from the ChNHS 2009-2010 who answered a food questionnaire and had appropriate information to diagnose metabolic syndrome following the ATPIII-NCEP guidelines. Measurements: Fasting blood samples were obtained in order to measure blood lipids and fasting blood glucose. Blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were also measured. A 5-item food frequency questionnaire was applied to all the participants of NHS 2009-2010. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Chilean adult population was 37.7%, increasing in frequency with advancing age. Among the elderly (≥65 years old), metabolic syndrome was found in 57.2% of the sample. Elevated blood pressure and increased waist circumference were the most prevalent metabolic syndrome components among this group (88% and 80%, respectively). Low intake of fruits, vegetables, whole cereals, fish, and dairy was seen among the elderly, and no association was found between food intake nor diet quality and metabolic syndrome prevalence. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among the Chilean elderly population and its prevalence is not associated with food intake or diet quality in this age group.

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