scholarly journals Benefits and Barriers: A Qualitative Study of Online Social Participation Among Widowed Older Adults in Southwest China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Hong ◽  
Jingjing Fu ◽  
Dehui Kong ◽  
Siqi Liu ◽  
Zhu Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
The Government ◽  
Colaizzi's Method

Abstract Background: With the development of information and communication technology, online activities are increasingly becoming part of the daily life of the older adults. As the elderly would face changes in social interactions and activities due to widowhood, the importance of online participation may be more prominent in this group. However, in-depth evidence on the experiences of online social participation among widowed older adults is relatively sparse. This study aimed to explore widowed older adults' perceptions regarding online social participation in southwestern China.Methods: A qualitative design of exploratory research was adopted. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 widowed older adults between September-December 2020. The Colaizzi’s method was performed for data analysis. Results: Two major themes “benefits” and “barriers” were identified from the original data analysis. Subcategories concerning the category of “benefits” were “benefit perception (convenience, flexible time, supplementation)”, “health promotion”, “emotional comfort”, “social connection”. Subcategories of “barriers” included “worries: personal economic loss”, “concerns: security of digital device”, “troublesome: the diversity of online social participation”, “difficulties: using digital media”.Conclusions: Online social participation of the elderly is a topic worth exploring. The widowed older adults can truly feel the benefits of online social participation, which can be as an important measure to facilitate successful aging, but there are also barriers for social participation. The level of participation is relatively low. It is recommended to increase the access to use digital media of the elderly, and improve their ability to use it through the support of relatives and friends, as well as targeted education. Meanwhile, companies need to consider the age-friendly design of digital media systems, and the government should further improve the network management system to create a safer network environment.

scholarly journals Benefits and barriers: a qualitative study on online social participation among widowed older adults in Southwest China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Hong ◽  
Jingjing Fu ◽  
Dehui Kong ◽  
Siqi Liu ◽  
Zhu Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Southwestern China ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Barriers And Challenges

Abstract Background With the development of digital media, online activities are increasingly becoming part of the daily life of older adults. Widowed older adults generally would face changes in social interactions and activities due to widowhood; thus, the importance of online participation may be more prominent in this population. However, a detailed evidence on the experiences of online social participation among widowed older adults is relatively sparse. This study aimed to explore widowed older adults’ perceptions regarding online social participation in southwestern China. Methods This study adopted a qualitative approach. Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 19 widowed older adults between September–December 2020. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data. Results Two major themes, “benefits” and “barriers” were identified from the original data analysis. Subcategories concerning the theme “benefits” were “benefit perception (convenience, flexible time, supplementation)”, “health promotion”, “emotional comfort”, and “social connection”. Subcategories of “barriers” were “worries: personal economic loss”, “concerns: security of digital device”, “troubles: the diversity of online social participation”, and “difficulties: using digital media”. Conclusions Social participation of widowed older adults in southwestern China has begun to be integrated into the digital world; however, it remains at an early stage with the simple purpose of engagement. The older adults may face many challenges for online social participation. Although there are barriers and challenges in online social participation, widowed older adults can reap its benefits, which can be used as an important measure to facilitate a fulfilling life and successful ageing. There is no doubt that online social participation will become a trend within the foreseeable future. Family, friends and health care professionals should pay more attention to the needs of online social participation in widowed older adults and provide adequate support for them to achieve a meaningful life.

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

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.

scholarly journals Measuring the association of objective and perceived neighborhood environment with physical activity in older adults: challenges and implications from a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Peters ◽  
Saskia Muellmann ◽  
Lara Christianson ◽  
Imke Stalling ◽  
Karin Bammann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Methodological Approaches

Abstract Background A supportive environment is a key factor in addressing the issue of health among older adults. There is already sufficient evidence that objective and self-reported measures of the neighborhood environment should be taken into account as crucial components of active aging, as they have been shown to influence physical activity; particularly in people aged 60+. Thus, both could inform policies and practices that promote successful aging in place. An increasing number of studies meanwhile consider these exposures in analyzing their impact on physical activity in the elderly. However, there is a wide variety of definitions, measurements and methodological approaches, which complicates the process of obtaining comparable estimates of the effects and pooled results. The aim of this review was to identify and summarize these differences in order to emphasize methodological implications for future reviews and meta analyzes in this field and, thus, to create a sound basis for synthesized evidence. Methods A systematic literature search across eight databases was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles examining the association of objective and perceived measures of the neighborhood environment and objectively measured or self-reported physical activity in adults aged ≥ 60 years. Two authors independently screened the articles according to predefined eligibility criteria, extracted data, and assessed study quality. A qualitative synthesis of the findings is provided. Results Of the 2967 records retrieved, 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. Five categories of methodological approaches, numerous measurement instruments to assess the neighborhood environment and physical activity, as well as several clusters of definitions of neighborhood, were identified. Conclusions The strength of evidence of the associations of specific categories of environmental attributes with physical activity varies across measurement types of the outcome and exposures as well as the physical activity domain observed and the operationalization of neighborhood. The latter being of great importance for the targeted age group. In the light of this, future reviews should consider these variations and stratify their summaries according to the different approaches, measures and definitions. Further, underlying mechanisms should be explored.

scholarly journals MORE OR LESS? A DECADE’S TREND OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS: BASED ON A LONGITUDINAL SURVEY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S630-S630
Author(s):  
Chenxin Tan ◽  
Yun Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
The Family ◽  
Family Centered ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Social participation is of great significance in healthy aging. While studies on social participation among Chinese elderly are growing, there is a lack of understanding the changes over time of the participation. Using datasets from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), this paper presents a comprehensive analysis on a decade’s trend of social participation among Chinese older adults. First, we use the method of Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to identify types of social participation; in this study, we concluded three types, no participation, the family-centered, and the society-oriented. Second, we examine the characteristics of the elderly by types of participation in terms of demographic, socioeconomic and health condition and analyze the changes in the characteristics over time. And third, we interpret the trend of social participation with broader social environment, or the fluctuant structural and institutional differences under the context of China’s unique social system. Our general conclusion is that while the overall level of participation holds relatively steady, there is a dynamic micro progress and complex mechanisms in this long period. In addition, although both the family-centered participants and the society-oriented possess broader scopes of social participation, the related attributes are different across time. This paper contributes to our knowledge of life of the elderly under the circumstances of fast aging process in China.

scholarly journals THE STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ABOUT LONG-TERM CARE AMONG HISPANICS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S802-S802
Author(s):  
Ganesh Baniya ◽  
Ami Moore
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Hispanic Women ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Hispanic Males ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
The Government

Abstract Attitudes towards long-term care can help policymakers tailor policies considering different racial and ethnic experiences of the elderly population. The theory of Proactive Coping can help elderly people to better prepare for aging and minimize stressors related to aging by identifying potential sources of stress before they occur and help gather resources and skills for successful aging. The data from the “Long-term care in America: views on who should bear the responsibilities and costs of care” (2017) study showed that Hispanics generally perceived their health to be in a better status and Hispanic women perceived that they had better health compared to males. Similarly, Hispanic males generally thought that they would not need assistance at old age whereas women anticipated that they would require assistance at old age. Similarly, there was a gender difference on who should bear the caregiving responsibility. More Hispanic women thought it would be their responsibility to provide care than males. Women were more prepared than males to provide the care needed to family members of friends. In regards to financial preparation, males reported being more financially capable than females to bear expenses during the old age. Similarly, women were more likely to solely depend on using governmental assistance such as Medicare and Medicaid during old age for needed care. Most of the respondents thought that the US was not well prepared to meet the needs of the aging population and suggested that the government needs to do more before it would be too late.

scholarly journals Experiences With Social Participation in Group Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Chantelle Zimmer ◽  
Meghan H. McDonough ◽  
Jennifer Hewson ◽  
Ann Toohey ◽  
Cari Din ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Meaningful Context ◽  
Physical Activity Programs

Little is known about how social participation can be facilitated among older adults in group physical activity and its psychosocial benefits that contribute to successful aging. This study aimed to understand older adults’ experiences with social participation in group physical activity programs. Using interpretive description methodology, 16 observations, eight focus groups, and two interviews with participants unable to attend focus groups were conducted with adults 55 years and older attending programs across four recreation facilities. Group programs were found to influence social participation through (a) a meaningful context for connecting and (b) instructors’ expectations of social interaction. Social participation in these programs addressed psychosocial needs by (c) increasing social contact and interaction, (d) fostering social relationships and belonging, and (e) promoting regular engagement. Training for instructors should include balancing the physical aspects of program delivery with the social, while also considering older adults’ diverse needs and preferences for social interaction.

scholarly journals Goals Do Not Buy Well-Being, but They Help

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 137-148
Author(s):  
Emilie Joly-Burra ◽  
Elisa Gallerne ◽  
Martial Van der Linden ◽  
Paolo Ghisletta
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Goal Achievement ◽  
Personal Goals ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Functional Quality ◽  
General Aspects

Abstract. Although personal goals give meaning to life and contribute to well-being, achieving goals can become difficult in older adults faced with age-related challenges. A group of 49 older adults aged 65 to 92 years completed a semistructured interview on personal goals, obstacles to goal achievement, and contributors to well-being. Using thematic analysis, we identified several types of goals contributing to well-being and general aspects of well-being. Results revealed that, although older people might say that they no longer have major goals in their lives, they end up mentioning many activities that theoretically are goals. Many of these activities are geared toward maintaining or increasing their general well-being. Of importance, they report few complaints regarding goal achievement, which they explained by (1) reducing the number and breadth of their goals, (2) adjusting and reevaluating these goals, and (3) overcoming difficulties and stabilizing current functioning, thereby maintaining a sense of continuity and satisfactory levels of well-being. This study illustrates the interactions between resources and stressors from the viewpoint of older adults. Taken together, the results advocate for the usefulness of the functional quality of life model and proactive approaches to successful aging, and they provide directions for individualized interventions in the elderly.

scholarly journals Participants in the Elderly Empowerment Program Posyandu Ngudi Utomo: Study in Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28
Author(s):  
Abdul Malik ◽  
Ghanis Putra Widhanarto ◽  
Adhe Mella Vitriani
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Alternative Programs ◽  
Inhibiting Factors ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Empowerment Program

Creating healthy, independent, quality and productive older adults can be performed through routine health care efforts, namely the need to pay attention to risk factors to improve the health of the elderly. This study aims to explain the process of empowering the elderly, explain the supporting and inhibiting factors in the process of allowing the elderly, and explain the outcomes of the elderly empowerment program through the posyandu. This qualitative study uses the subject of Posyandu management, posyandu’s cadres for elderly and elderly families. Data analysis is shown in an interactive model by describing complete description data. The results showed that the process of empowering the elderly starts from preparation, assessment, planning alternative programs, formulating action plans, implementation and evaluation; while supporting factors are enthusiastic elderly who are high enough to know the health and support of the elderly family. Awareness is still low even there is a lack of infrastructure. The implication of this research for the field of community empowerment studies is to provide the benefits of preliminary studies for the development of betterquality empowerment models.

scholarly journals Facilitators and Barriers to Social Participation of Community-dwelling Older Adults in Iran: A Qualitative Study

Salmand ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-187
Author(s):  
Raziyeh Amini ◽  
◽  
Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahboulaghi ◽  
Kian Norouzi Tabrizi ◽  
Amene Setareh Forouzan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: Social participation in older adults is one of the key pillars of active aging. Social participation is influenced by multiple underlying factors. The present study aims to explore the facilitators and barriers to social participation in community-dwelling older adults in Iran. Methods & Materials: This is a qualitative study using the grounded theory approach. The study population consisted of community-dwelling older adults. Fifteen samples were selected using a purposive sampling method. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Information were collected until data saturation. Each interview lasted for 45-60 minutes. Analysis was done using the method of Corbin and Strauss (2015). Results: Three main categories and 11 sub-categories were found based on data analysis which were: Participatory elderly (with 5 sub-categories), participatory family (with 2 sub-categories), and community capacity for social participation (with 4 sub-categories). Conclusion: Facilitating social participation of community-dwelling older adults in Iran is associated by individual, family and community. Proper planning should be done in these areas. Providing facilitators for the development of social participation in the elderly can facilitate movement towards active aging.

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