scholarly journals In the Eye of the COVID-19 Storm: An Ethical Analysis on Aging, End of Life, and Recovery

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Al Giwa
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Older Adult Population

Early into the COVID pandemic, epidemiologists and infectious disease experts warned that older adults were among those most vulnerable to the disease, as multiple studies from China, Italy, Washington State, and New York City showed that age greater than 65 significantly increased the risk of severe disease and/or death from the novel 2019 coronavirus. Centers for Disease Control data through June 2020 show that nearly 81% of deaths due to COVID-19 are of people 65 years of age and older. These breakdowns indicate that, primarily, persons with advanced age and most, often, those with multiple chronic conditions are those who have died. The effects of the virus led to public health measures aimed at reducing exposures of older people and other vulnerable populations. The disease was amplified in rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, group homes, and other long-term care facilities serving a primarily geriatric population. Even as parts of the country are opening up, the death toll is still climbing and affecting the older adult population disproportionately. Duty to care, autonomy and self-determination, non-judgmental regard, justice, and futility are all significant ethical principles and constructs that have arisen in the intense and real-time application of healthcare as we continue to face the present global pandemic. We use an ethical lens to examine the medical response of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the older adult population and explore if society is doing enough to protect older adults, or rather, engaging in and furthering collective and systematic elder abuse.

scholarly journals COLAEVA: Visual Analytics and Data Mining Web-Based Tool for Virtual Coaching of Older Adult Populations

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 7991
Author(s):  
Jon Kerexeta Sarriegi ◽  
Andoni Beristain Iraola ◽  
Roberto Álvarez Sánchez ◽  
Manuel Graña ◽  
Kristin May Rebescher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Visual Analytics ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Virtual Coaching ◽  
Evolution Analysis ◽  
Older Adult Population

The global population is aging in an unprecedented manner and the challenges for improving the lives of older adults are currently both a strong priority in the political and healthcare arena. In this sense, preventive measures and telemedicine have the potential to play an important role in improving the number of healthy years older adults may experience and virtual coaching is a promising research area to support this process. This paper presents COLAEVA, an interactive web application for older adult population clustering and evolution analysis. Its objective is to support caregivers in the design, validation and refinement of coaching plans adapted to specific population groups. COLAEVA enables coaching caregivers to interactively group similar older adults based on preliminary assessment data, using AI features, and to evaluate the influence of coaching plans once the final assessment is carried out for a baseline comparison. To evaluate COLAEVA, a usability test was carried out with 9 test participants obtaining an average SUS score of 71.1. Moreover, COLAEVA is available online to use and explore.

Communicating with the Older Adult Cancer Patient

2021 ◽  
pp. 678-684
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Parker ◽  
Smita C. Banerjee ◽  
Beatriz Korc-Grodzicki
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Multiple Morbidity ◽  
Older Adult Population

The older adult population continues to increase. Among all known risk factors for developing cancer, the most important is growing old. Thus, caring for older adults with cancer is of increasing importance. This chapter describes important considerations involved in communicating with cancer patients including sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, multiple morbidity, polypharmacy, and psychological distress. It also describes how stereotyping and ageism affect communication with older adults with cancer. Finally, the chapter discusses ways to facilitate communication with older adult cancer patients and their families and provides an example of a training program that was created specifically to enhance communication between healthcare providers and older adult cancer patients and their families.

Pressure injuries in the ageing population

2017 ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
Cindy Kiely ◽  
Magdalena Pupiales
Keyword(s):  
Older Adult ◽  
Pressure Ulcers ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Population Pressure ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Bony Prominence ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
The Impact

The prevalence of pressure ulcers has been reported to range from 4.1 to 32.2% in the older adult population. Pressure ulcers, also known as decubitus ulcers, bedsores, and pressure sores, are defined as localized injury to the skin and/or underlying structures, usually over a bony prominence as result of pressure or pressure in combination with shear. Within the geriatric population, prevalence and incidence rates tend to be high due to multifactorial risk factors such as comorbidities, changes in functional status, nutritional habits, medications affecting the skin, and physiological changes. The impact of pressure ulcers spans physical, emotional, social, and economic dimensions, and is of concern throughout the healthcare continuum. The aim of this chapter is to illustrate the aetiologic complexity of pressure ulcers in the geriatric population and summarize a comprehensive approach to prevention and management of pressure ulcers.

Developing a model of resilience in older adulthood: a qualitative meta-synthesis

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Claire A. Wilson ◽  
Deanna Walker ◽  
Donald H. Saklofske
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Qualitative Literature

Abstract The study of resilience in an older adult population is expanding rapidly. However, most theoretical models of resilience have been developed with children or young to middle-aged adults. The objective of the present study was to review systematically the qualitative literature examining resilience in older adults, and to develop a comprehensive model of resilience in older adulthood. A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted to review the qualitative literature examining resilience from older adults’ perspectives. An exhaustive search of the literature revealed 1,752 articles. From these articles, 34 studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. Across the 34 studies analysed, eight themes were revealed as important for achieving resilience later in life: perseverance and determination, self-efficacy and independence, purpose and meaning, positive perspective, social support, faith and prayer, previous experience and being proactive. These themes can be organised into a four-factor model: (a) Intrapersonal Protective Factors; (b) Interpersonal Protective Factors; (c) Spiritual Protective Factors; and (d) Experiential Protective Factors. This study presents a new model of resilience in older adulthood that is grounded in qualitative literature and is relevant and appropriate for an older adult population. This research may be useful for clinicians, support workers and researchers working with older individuals through improving our understanding of what contributes to resilience later in life.

scholarly journals Paramyxovirus Outbreak in a Long-Term Care Facility: The Challenges of Implementing Infection Control Practices in a Congregate Setting

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Schaeffer Spires ◽  
H. Keipp Talbot ◽  
Carolyn A. Pope ◽  
Thomas R. Talbot
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
First Case ◽  
Older Adult Population

OBJECTIVEWe report an outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in a dementia care ward containing 2 separately locked units (A and B) to heighten awareness of these pathogens in the older adult population and highlight some of the infection prevention challenges faced during a noninfluenza respiratory viral outbreak in a congregate setting.METHODSCases were defined by the presence of new signs or symptoms that included (1) a single oral temperature ≥ 37.8°C (100.0°F) and (2) the presence of at least 2 of the following symptoms: cough, dyspnea, rhinorrhea, hoarseness, congestion, fatigue, and malaise. Attempted infection-control measures included cohorting patients and staff, empiric isolation precautions, and cessation of group activities. Available nasopharyngeal swab specimens were sent to the Tennessee Department of Health for identification by rT-PCR testing.RESULTSWe identified 30 of the 41 (73%) residents as cases over this 16-day outbreak. Due to high numbers of sick personnel, we were unable to cohort staff to 1 unit. Unit B developed its first case 8 days after infection control measures were implemented. Of the 14 cases with available specimens, 6 patients tested positive for RSV-B, 7 for HMPV and 1 patient test positive for influenza A. Overall, 15 cases (50%) required transfer to acute care facilities; 10 of these patients (34%) had chest x-ray confirmed pulmonary infiltrates; and 5 residents (17%) died.CONCLUSIONSThis case report highlights the importance of RSV and HMPV in causing substantial disease in the older adult population and highlights the challenges in preventing transmission of these viruses.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:399–404

scholarly journals BMI, waist-to-height ratio and body fat mass in older adults: results from the Pronutrisenior project

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flora Correia ◽  
Bruno M. P. M. Oliveira ◽  
Rui Poínhos ◽  
Anzhela Sorokina ◽  
Cláudia Afonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Body Fat Mass ◽  
Height Ratio ◽  
Waist To Height Ratio ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Geographical Characteristics

AbstractNear 20% of the Portuguese population is aged 65 years or above, a value similar to most developed countries. This older adult population also suffers from obesity and obesity-related pathologies. The environment encompasses a set of obesity determinants and knowing the associations between the environment and obesity may help health professionals and caregivers to provide for the older adults.In this study, we aimed to relate anthropometric measures with socio-demographic data in older adults.This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Pronutrisenior project, collected in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. The sample consists of 456 older adults, aged 65 to 92 years without cognitive impairment. The sample consisted of older adults living at their homes. Socio-demographic, clinical, geographical, and anthropometric data was collected. The statistical analysis used IBM-SPSS-22.0 and consisted on descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations and UniANOVA. Significantly results (p < 0.05) are reported.These older adults were mostly females (54.2%) with a mean age of 73.8 years (sd = 6.3), mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.1kg/m2 (sd = 4.8), mean waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) of 0.623 (sd = 0.073) and mean percentage of body fat mass (%BFM) of 40.7% (sd = 8.9%) for females and 30.2% (sd = 8.5%) for males. BMI, WHtR and %BFM were positively correlated. In this sample of older adults, higher values of these measures were associated to being female, younger, less educated; to having articular pains and respiratory problems, and not having insomnia, hypertension, chewing problems nor hearing problems; to drink more liquids but not consuming dairy products daily; to not take nutritional supplements but to take more medicines; to be without somebody to talk to and to be more dependent; and to live in a house without stairs to climb and to live near other older adults, and in a more urbanized area with streets with steeper slopes.In this sample of older adults, obesity is related with health characteristics and those are related with socio-demographic and geographical characteristics of the area of residence. Besides the identification of risk factors for the older adult population, this information may help designing health care policies that takes in consideration the physical and geographical characteristics of the neighbourhood of the area of residence of the older adults.

A Survey of Mobile Phone Use in Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Seok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Older Adult Population

Mobile phone adoption by older adults is radically increasing. As a part of multiple empirical studies to improve older adults' experiences with mobile phones, a survey was conducted to investigate a number of specific aspects of mobile phone use in the older adult population including motives of ownership, usage patterns, preferences on mobile phone features, and perceived usability of their own phones. A total of 154 older adults from 20 states of the United States who owned a mobile phone participated in this study. Results indicated that participants used a few basic features of mobile phones since they used them mainly for personal communication and safety reasons. Overall, participants perceived that their current phones offered marginal “ease of use”, but they found most usability problems with understanding error messages, inputting text, and understanding user manuals. The majority of older adults (over 50%) desired a phone with basic features that include making /receiving a call, phonebook, emergency call, voice message checking, speed dial, ringer change, and clock. However, effects of age and gender were found on mobile phone usage patterns and design preferences, which suggest a need of focusing on diverse groups within the older adult population.

scholarly journals FRAILTY EXISTS IN YOUNGER ADULTS ADMITTED AS SURGICAL EMERGENCY LEADING TO ADVERSE OUTCOMES

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
R. Smart ◽  
B. Carter ◽  
J. McGovern ◽  
S. Luckman ◽  
A. Connelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Surgical Units ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Comparative Group ◽  
Older Adult Population

Background: Frailty is prevalent in the older adult population (≥65 years of age) and results in adverse outcomes in the emergency general surgical population. Objective: To determine whether frailty exists in the younger adult emergency surgical population (<65 years) and what influence frailty may have on patient related outcomes. Design: Prospective observational cohort study. Setting: Emergency general surgical admissions. Participants: All patients ≥40 years divided into 2 groups: younger adults (40-64.9 years) and older adult comparative group (≥65). Measurements: Over a 6-month time frame the following data was collected: demographics; Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD); blood markers; multi-morbidities, polypharmacy and cognition. Frailty was assessed by completion of the Canadian Study of Health and Ageing (CSHA). Each patient was followed up for 90 days to allow determination of length of stay, re-admission and mortality. Results: 82 young adults were included and the prevalence of frailty was 16% (versus older adults 38%; p=0.001) and associated with: multi-morbidity; poly-pharmacy; cognitive impairment; and deprivation. Frailty in older adults was only significantly associated with increasing age. Conclusions: This novel study has found that frailty exists in 16% of younger adults admitted to emergency general surgical units, potentially leading to adverse short and long-term outcomes. Strategies need to be developed that identify and treat frailty in this vulnerable younger adult population.

scholarly journals The Sharing Economy in China’s Aging Industry: Applications, Challenges, and Recommendations (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaolin Hu ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Stephen Nicholas ◽  
Elizabeth Maitland
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Current State ◽  
Industry Applications ◽  
Aging Health ◽  
Aging Societies ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Rich Countries

BACKGROUND All aging societies face the challenge of allocating limited resources for the highest value of use. The sharing economy provides one method to address the imbalance between the demand and supply of health services to the older adult population. With a substantial aging population, China’s practices in the sharing aging industry may set examples for other “getting old before getting rich” countries. OBJECTIVE There is a gap in both the data and research on China’s aging industry sharing economy. This paper addresses these data and research lacunae by constructing a framework for the application of a sharing model in China’s aging industry, by assessing the current state of the aging industry sharing economy, by setting out the challenges to the sharing aging health care and service economy, and by making recommendations for the development of the aging industry sharing economy. METHODS This paper constructs a sharing economy framework in the aging industry covering four aspects (<i>people</i>, <i>facilities</i>, <i>capital</i>, and <i>information</i>) to test the current state and future prospects of China’s aging industry sharing economy. RESULTS In people sharing, we analyzed the sharing of emotional companionship, doctors, nurses, nursing attendants, and domestic helpers. We discussed facility sharing models from the point of land and housing, medical devices, and other items such as pensioner meals and shared medicine bins. We acknowledge that crowdfunding platforms have developed fast in China, but many older adult users faced problems in their operation. Information sharing is a developing field, which can optimize users’ experiences and should help older adults filter out misinformation, but China currently does not have adequate sharing information platforms for older adults. CONCLUSIONS We identified four major challenges in China’s aging industry sharing economy: poor adaptability to technology for older adults, mediocre quality of shared services, <i>one-size-fits-all</i> and the concept of the <i>useless elderly</i>, and shortage of qualified practitioners. We make recommendations for specific measures by governments, communities, and enterprises to improve the sharing economy in the aging industry.

scholarly journals Taking Age-Friendly Campus Efforts to New PEAKS

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 387-387
Author(s):  
Pamela Elfenbein
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Wellness Programs ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Cultural Activities ◽  
Action Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
Older Adult Population

Abstract The University of North Georgia’s Personal Enrichment, Action, Knowledge Series (PEAKS) was developed as a monthly series of engaging and seasonally appropriate presentations and activities designed to expressly meet the needs of the region’s large and quickly growing older adult population during the Covid-19 pandemic and resultant isolation. The PEAKS programs are available virtually to allow for broad participation throughout the 30 county UNG service region. While we developed PEAKS to specifically reach-out to older adults in our region, we have found that our audience is actually multi-generational, actively engaging with our speakers and one another. AFU underpinnings for PEAKS include Principle #8 - To enhance access for older adults to the university's range of health and wellness programs and its arts and cultural activities; and #9 - To engage actively with the university's own retired community.

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