Healthy aging through the lens of community-based practitioners: a focus group study

Abstract Background: Nearly one in every seven Americans is 65 years and older, facing day-to-day challenge of aging. Although interest in healthy aging is growing, most of the efforts are directed towards understanding the perceptions of older adults. Little is known about the perspectives of community-based practitioners who work with older adults and deliver programs to promote healthy aging. The purpose of this project was to expand knowledge on healthy aging by exploring the perspectives of community-based practitioners working directly with older adults. Methods: We purposively sampled community-based practitioners (n=12, including nurses, physician, social workers, and other community services professionals) working with older adults, who then participated in one of three in-depth focus group discussions conducted between March and June 2016. Each focus group discussion lasted for about two hours. Verbatim transcript data were analyzed in Atlas.ti 7 using a conventional content analysis with an inductive approach, and consensual validation of coding was achieved.Results: Three core categories of healthy aging were identified: (1) characteristics of healthy aging; (2) healthy aging attainment; and (3) programs and activities for healthy aging. Practitioners identified a number of characteristics of healthy aging under person-specific (physiological, basic, psych-emotional, and cognitive needs), social aspects (creating community and contributing to the community), and spiritual dimensions (cultural views and beliefs) of healthy aging. Healthy aging attainment was represented as facilitators and barriers both with respect to care recipients and care providers, and programs and activities through promoting fitness and wellness. Conclusions: The rapidly changing demographics and aging population in the United States and their various needs suggest the implications for recognizing opportunities and developing and implementing programs to promote healthy aging. Although practitioners’ perspectives had some overlap with traditional research and medical views on healthy aging, the unique and holistic conceptual framework derived in the study might provide a more refined foundation for delivering appropriate health care services to the American aging population.

Download Full-text

Healthy aging through the lens of community-based practitioners: a focus group study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16211/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rubee Dev ◽

Oleg Zaslavsky ◽

Barbara Cochrane ◽

Thomas Eagen ◽

Nancy F Woods

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Focus Group ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Aging Population ◽

The United States ◽

Community Services ◽

Care Providers ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Community Based

Download Full-text

Healthy aging through the lens of community-based practitioners: a focus group study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16211/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rubee Dev ◽

Oleg Zaslavsky ◽

Barbara Cochrane ◽

Thomas Eagen ◽

Nancy F Woods

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Focus Group ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Community Services ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Community Based ◽

Holistic Model ◽

Traditional Research ◽

Facilitators And Barriers

Abstract Background Nearly one in every seven Americans is 65 years and older, facing day-to-day challenge of aging. Although interest in healthy aging is growing, most of the efforts are directed towards understanding the perceptions of older adults. Little is known about the perspectives of community-based practitioners who work with older adults and deliver programs to promote healthy aging. The purpose of this project was to expand knowledge on healthy aging by exploring the perspectives of community-based practitioners working directly with older adults. Methods We purposively sampled community-based practitioners (n=12, including nurses, physician, social workers, and other community services professionals), who then participated in one of three in-depth focus group discussions. Results Three core categories were identified: (1) characteristics of healthy aging; (2) healthy aging attainment; and (3) programs and activities for healthy aging. Participants identified a number of characteristics under person-specific, social, and spiritual dimensions of healthy aging. Healthy aging attainment was represented as facilitators and barriers, and programs and activities through promoting fitness and wellness. Conclusions Although practitioners’ perspectives had some overlap with traditional research and medical views on healthy aging, the unique and holistic model derived provides a more refined foundation for supporting healthy aging.

Download Full-text

Determining the Long-Term Effectiveness of a Group-Based Physical Activity Program

Health Promotion Practice ◽

10.1177/1524839918769590 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 401-408

Author(s):

Anamica Batra ◽

Richard C. Palmer ◽

Elena Bastida ◽

H. Virginia McCoy ◽

Hafiz M. R. Khan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Population Level ◽

The United States ◽

South Florida ◽

Community Based ◽

Evidence Based Programs ◽

The Impact

Objective. In 2015, only half (48%) of older adults in the United States (≥60 years) reported engaging in any kind of physical activity. Few studies examine the impact of evidence-based programs when adopted in community-based settings. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of EnhanceFitness (EF) upto 12-months. Method. EF was offered to older adults in South Florida. A total of 222 EF classes were offered between October 2008 and December 2014. Program consisted of a 1-hour session held three times a week. Even though participation was required for 4 months, 1,295 participants continued the program for at least 1 year. Results. All participants showed significant improvement in outcome measures. A mean change of 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 was seen in number of chair stands at 4, 8, and 12 months (p < .001), respectively. The number of arm curls performed improved from 16.8 at baseline to 18.8, 18.8, and 19.2 at 4-, 8-, and 12-months, respectively. Participants improved their up-and-go time by decreasing from 9.1 (baseline) to 8.7 (4 months) to 8.6 (12 months; p = .001). Discussion. Randomized controlled trials are commonly used to determine the efficacy of an intervention. These interventions when disseminated at the population level have the potential to benefit large masses. EF is currently offered at more than 700 locations. This tremendous success of EF brings attention to an important question of continuous monitoring of these programs to ensure program consistency and intended outcomes. The model used by the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative could be replicated by other communities.

Download Full-text

Healthy aging through the lens of community-based practitioners: a focus group study

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-020-01611-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rubee Dev ◽

Oleg Zaslavsky ◽

Barbara Cochrane ◽

Thomas Eagen ◽

Nancy F. Woods

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Community Based

Download Full-text

Perception of Older Adults Toward Smartwatch Technology for Assessing Pain and Related Patient-Reported Outcomes: Pilot Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10044 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Todd Matthew Manini ◽

Tonatiuh Mendoza ◽

Manoj Battula ◽

Anis Davoudi ◽

Matin Kheirkhahan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

User Interface ◽

Focus Group ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

The United States ◽

Care Providers ◽

Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Symptomatic Knee ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Assessment Scales

BACKGROUND Chronic pain, including arthritis, affects about 100 million adults in the United States. Complexity and diversity of the pain experience across time and people and its fluctuations across and within days show the need for valid pain reports that do not rely on patient’s long-term recall capability. Smartwatches can be used as digital ecological momentary assessment (EMA) tools for real-time collection of pain scores. Smartwatches are generally less expensive than smartphones, are highly portable, and have a simpler user interface, providing an excellent medium for continuous data collection and enabling a higher compliance rate. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of older adults towards design and technological aspects of a smartwatch framework for measuring patient report outcomes (PRO) as an EMA tool. METHODS A focus group session was conducted to explore the perception of participants towards smartwatch technology and its utility for PRO assessment. Participants included older adults (age 65+), with unilateral or bilateral symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. A preliminary user interface with server communication capability was developed and deployed on 10 Samsung Gear S3 smartwatches and provided to the users during the focus group. Pain was designated as the main PRO, while fatigue, mood, and sleep quality were included as auxiliary PROs. Pre-planned topics included participants’ attitude towards the smartwatch technology, usability of the custom-designed app interface, and suitability of the smartwatch technology for PRO assessment. Discussions were transcribed, and content analysis with theme characterization was performed to identify and code the major themes. RESULTS We recruited 19 participants (age 65+) who consented to take part in the focus group study. The overall attitude of the participants toward the smartwatch technology was positive. They showed interest in the direct phone-call capability, availability of extra apps such as the weather apps and sensors for tracking health and wellness such as accelerometer and heart rate sensor. Nearly three-quarters of participants showed willingness to participate in a one-year study to wear the watch daily. Concerns were raised regarding usability, including accessibility (larger icons), notification customization, and intuitive interface design (unambiguous icons and assessment scales). Participants expressed interest in using smartwatch technology for PRO assessment and the availability of methods for sharing data with health care providers. CONCLUSIONS All participants had overall positive views of the smartwatch technology for measuring PROs to facilitate patient-provider communications and to provide more targeted treatments and interventions in the future. Usability concerns were the major issues that will require special consideration in future smartwatch PRO user interface designs, especially accessibility issues, notification design, and use of intuitive assessment scales.

Download Full-text

Refining Evidence-Based Treatments for Late-Life Depression

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000127 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 67-76

Author(s):

Grace C. Niu ◽

Patricia A. Arean

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Late Life ◽

Aging Population ◽

The United States ◽

Future Research ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

Evidence Based Treatments

The recent increase in the aging population, specifically in the United States, has raised concerns regarding treatment for mental illness among older adults. Late-life depression (LLD) is a complex condition that has become widespread among the aging population. Despite the availability of behavioral interventions and psychotherapies, few depressed older adults actually receive treatment. In this paper we review the research on refining treatments for LLD. We first identify evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for LLD and the problems associated with efficacy and dissemination, then review approaches to conceptualizing mental illness, specifically concepts related to brain plasticity and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoc). Finally, we introduce ENGAGE as a streamlined treatment for LLD and discuss implications for future research.

Download Full-text

Revitalisasi MI Nahdlotusy Syubban dengan Pendekatan PSM (Peran Serta Masyarakat) untuk Meningkatkan Kemandirian Sekolah

Dimas Jurnal Pemikiran Agama untuk Pemberdayaan ◽

10.21580/dms.2016.161.894 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Edi Daenuri Anwar ◽

Wahyudi Wahyudi ◽

Joko Budi Purnomo

Keyword(s):

Action Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Participatory Action Research ◽

Control Function ◽

Group Discussion ◽

School Facilities ◽

Community Services ◽

Participatory Action ◽

Islamic School ◽

Teaching Learning

It has been succesfully done the community services activity by using Participatory Action Research (PAR) entitled “Revitalisasi MI Nahdlotusy Syubban dengan pendekatan peran serta masyarakat (PSM) untuk meningkatkan kemandirian sekolah”. The object of this community services is MI Nahdlotusy Syubban Sarimulyo Winong Pati. To explore the problems in this Islamic Boarding School, 3 correlated actions have been formulated. They are Training on School Based Management, PAIKEM Training, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) addressed to all school management people. The discussions are mainly about the interconnection of the Islamic School (madrasah) with the society in the field of management, feed-back, and school facilities.The results are that the teachers already applied PAIKEM in the teaching learning process and the society can directly involved not only in providing the school facilities but also in implementing the control function to the madrasah.As for knowingthe targetandthe quality of graduates, avision, missionand quality standardsarebeing developedin theschool curriculum. Telah dilakukan pengabdian dengan metode PAR / Participatory Action Research dengan judul “Revitalisasi MI Nahdlotusy Syubban dengan pendekatan peran serta masyarakat (PSM) yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemandirian sekolah”. Objek pengabdian ini adalah MI Nahdlotusy Syubban Sarimulyo Winong Pati. Untuk mengurai masalah-masalah di madrasah ini di rumuskan 3 tindakan kegiatan yang saling berkaitan. Pelatihan Manajemen berbasis sekolah (MBS), dan untuk memperjelas komponen MBS dalam proses pembelajaran diadakan pelatihan pembelajaran aktif, inovatif, kreatif, efektif dan menyenangkan (PAIKEM ) sedangkan komponen keuangan, sarpras dan hubungan dengan masyarakat yang merupakan penjabaran dari MBS dirangkum dalam Focus Group Discussion ( FGD) yang di ikuti oleh pemangku kepentingan madrasah meliputi Guru, kepala Sekolah, Yayasan, Komite dan masyarakat secara umum. Dalam FGD ini membahas keterkaitan antara madrasah dengan masyarakat baik dalam bidang manajemen, umpan timbal balik, dan pengadaan sarana dan PrasaranaHasilnya guru-guru mulai menerapkan PAIKEM dalam pembelajarannya, dan ternyata masyarakat langsung membuktikan peran sertanya dalam pengadaan dan pembuatan sarana dan prasarana madrasah serta melaksankan fungsi kontrol terhadap madrasah. Sedangkan untuk mengetahui target dan mutu lulusan di susunlah visi misi dan standar mutu lulusan yang mulai dikembangkan dalam kurikulum pembelajaran sekolah.

Download Full-text

Effects of Cardiovascular Disease and Related Risk Factors on Neurocognition

The Oxford Handbook of Adult Cognitive Disorders ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190664121.013.5 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 83-116

Author(s):

Spencer W. Liebel ◽

Lawrence H. Sweet

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Processing ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

The United States ◽

Research Literature ◽

Neurocognitive Functioning ◽

Care Providers ◽

Cardiac Events ◽

Related Risk

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects approximately 44 million American adults older than age 60 years and remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 610,000 each year. With improved survival from acute cardiac events, older adults are often faced with the prospect of living with CVD, which causes significant psychological, social, and economic hardship. The various disease processes that constitute CVD also exert a deleterious effect on neurocognitive functioning. Although existing knowledge of neurocognitive functioning in CVD and its subtypes is substantial, a review of these findings by CVD type and neurocognitive domain does not exist, despite the potential impact of this information for patients, health care providers, and clinical researchers. This chapter provides a resource for clinicians and researchers on the epidemiology, mechanisms, and neurocognitive effects of CVDs. This chapter includes a discussion of neurocognitive consequences of CVD subtypes by neuropsychological domain and recommendations for assessment. Overall, the CVD subtypes that have the most findings available on specific neurocognitive domains are heart failure, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. Despite a large discrepancy between the number of available studies across CVD subtypes, existing literature on neurocognitive effects by domain is consistent with the literature on the neurocognitive sequelae of unspecified CVD. Specifically, the research literature suggests that cognitive processing speed, attention, executive functioning, and memory are the domains most frequently affected. Given the prevalence of CVDs, neuropsychological assessment of older adults should include instruments that allow consideration of these potential neurocognitive consequences of CVD.

Download Full-text

Participatory development of the food literacy intervention “GUSTO” for older adults in Germany

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.442 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

F Zastrow ◽

K Neher ◽

H Hassel

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Focus Group ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Everyday Life ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Participatory Approach ◽

Target Group ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Food Literacy

Abstract Background Healthy aging is one of the major challenges currently faced by an aging population. Food literacy (FL) refers to the ability to apply knowledge and practical skills regarding healthy and sustainable nutrition into everyday life. The project “GUSTO” is sponsored by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care and aims to contribute to enjoyable aging by developing the nutritional skills of people aged 65 and over. This community-based program comprises independent working groups of older adults guided by peer moderators. The FL intervention is developed in cooperation with the target group. Methods The nutritional situation of older adults was first established through a literature research. The results of this research were compared to the “self-perceived food literacy scale” by Poelman et al. (2018) and the “nutritional framework for literacy courses” by Johannsen et al. (2019). The resulting data provided a basis for focus group discussions carried out in six municipalities, supported by local practice partners. In six guided focus group discussions, a number of recurring themes were identified and summarized. Results The focus groups consisted of a total of 44 people between 62 and 88 years of age (average age: 73.1 ± 6.1 years). 22.7 % were men. The group discussions revealed resources used and barriers encountered in terms of FL and interests of older adults. It was evident that, due to the high density of information available, the participants found it difficult to identify reliable information and to implement it in their everyday life. At the request of the focus groups, topics such as the best before date and the use of food waste were added to the intervention. Conclusions Older adults find it challenging to identify reliable nutritional information and implement it in their everyday life. With the help of the participatory approach outlined in this study, target group-related issues can be identified and taken into account in the intervention. Key messages Older adults can be involved in the development of an FL intervention. A participatory approach allows target group-related issues and specific needs to be taken into account in the intervention.

Download Full-text