scholarly journals The Impact of An Innovative Summer Camp for Community Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Hua Yeh ◽  
Cheng-Hsien Huang ◽  
Yu-Chih Lin ◽  
Tung-Jung Huang ◽  
Mei-Yen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Care ◽  
Summer Camp ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Routine Activity ◽  
Community Center ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health Related Fitness

Abstract Background Healthy aging with dignity and aging in place are important concepts for most Taiwanese individuals, which can hopefully affect health policies. However, many elders have been encouraged to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic since January 2020. Consequently, most elders limited their social participation in a previous regular activity in the community center, which undermined the strategies for healthy aging. Few studies have explored how to promote or maintain holistic health and physical fitness for community elders during the COVID-19 worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to establish and evaluate the impact of an innovative summer camp program for older adults in the rural community. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post-test design was used. The innovative summer camp (ISC) was based on a standardized protocol of modified Baduanjin exercise combined with three recreation breathing games. Participants were recruited from three community centers around the western coastal Yunlin County between June and August 2020. ISC program was designed and demonstrated by the research team and conducted by each community care worker for 90 minutes per day, five days per week, for 12 weeks. The paired t-test was used to measure the physical biomarkers, pulmonary lung function, and health-related fitness changes. Results Sixty-eight participants completed this study. The findings indicated that the ISC program significantly improved elderly individuals’ physiological biomarkers and health-related fitness, including reduced body weight, waistline, systolic blood pressure, and increased forced vital capacity, biceps arm flexion, sit and stand from a chair, step with a knee up in situ, and stand on one foot with eyes open. Besides wearing a facemask during the activity, almost all participants reported that they felt happy, satisfied and hoped that this program can be continued in their community center. Conclusion This pilot study supported the finding that a three-month ISC program can improve physical biomarkers and health-related fitness. The results strongly suggested that community care workers can employ the proposed ISC program as routine activity for community elders.

scholarly journals The health impact of an innovative summer camp for older adults: a pilot study using an interdisciplinary collaborative approach

BMC Nursing ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Hua Yeh ◽  
Cheng-Hsien Huang ◽  
Yu-Chih Lin ◽  
Tung-Jung Huang ◽  
Mei-Yen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Summer Camp ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health Related Fitness

Abstract Background Healthy aging with dignity and aging in place are important for Taiwanese individuals. Although Taiwan did not experience COVID-19 outbreaks prior to May 2021, many older adults have been encouraged to stay at home since the beginning of the global pandemic in January 2020. Such shelter-in-place recommendations have resulted in significant lifestyle changes, limiting activities associated with aging with dignity such as exercise and community engagement. Few studies have explored how to promote or maintain holistic health practices and physical fitness in older adults residing in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This pilot study aimed to establish an interdisciplinary collaboration with community care workers (CCWs) and evaluate the impact of an innovative summer camp (ISC) program for older adults residing in rural areas. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post-test design with an interdisciplinary collaborative approach was implemented. The ISC program was based on a standardized protocol of modified Baduanjin exercise combined with three recreational breathing games. Participants were recruited from three community centers around the western coastal region of Yunlin County between June and August 2020. The ISC program was designed and executed by a nurse-led health promotion research team that collaborated with trained CCWs for 90 min per day, five days per week, for 12 weeks. Participants and CCWs wore facemasks during all activities. Paired t-test was used to measure changes in physical biomarkers, pulmonary lung function, and health-related fitness changes. Results Sixty-eight participants completed the ISC program. The ISC program significantly improved the participants’ physiological biomarkers and health-related fitness, including reduced body weight, waistline, and systolic blood pressure, and increased forced vital capacity, biceps arm flexion, and ability to sit and stand from a chair, step with a knee up in situ, and stand on one foot with eyes open. Most participants reported that they felt happy, satisfied, and hoped that this program would be continued in their community center. Conclusions This interdisciplinary, collaborative ISC program improved physical biomarkers and health-related fitness in older adults. Despite limitations, results strongly suggested that primary healthcare providers and CCWs can employ the described ISC program to promote wellness in older adults.

scholarly journals GENDER-SPECIFIC APPROACHES TO HEALTHY AGING WITH HIV

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S764-S764
Author(s):  
Tonya N Taylor ◽  
Ruth Finkelstein
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Geriatric Conditions ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Gender Specific Differences ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gender Specific

Abstract Older adults with HIV (OAH) evidence a significant burden of disease, characterized by high frequencies of non-HIV related comorbidities that result in multimorbidity and polypharmacy decades earlier than non-HIV infected older adults. Commonly observed comorbidities among OAH 50 years and older include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancers. Geriatric conditions such as frailty, functional impairment, chronic inflammation, and cognitive dysfunction are also prevalent. Poverty, unemployment, housing, and food insecurity, as well as stigma-driven discrimination, persistent social isolation and high rates of depression, can make health-related challenges associated with aging overwhelming, resulting in a diminished capacity for self-care. Older men and women with HIV; however, are aging differently due to gender-specific differences in comorbidity profiles, polypharmacy burden, social networks, and intersectional stigmas (HIV/AIDS, ageism, racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and transphobia). This symposium explores the impact of gender on healthy aging among OAH. Dr. Brennan-Ing and colleagues describe specific strategies for achieving healthy aging among female OAH in NYC and Oakland, CA. Dr. Rubtsova and colleagues explore multiple meanings of “successful aging” among older women in Atlanta and Brooklyn, and the role of resilience that empowers them as long-term HIV survivors. Dr. Taylor qualitatively examines the impact of biopsychosocial factors on notions of “Healthy HIV Aging” among older gay, bisexual and heterosexual men with HIV. Dr. Ruth Finkelstein will discuss the public health implications for developing equitable and gender-specific and intersectional HIV prevention and wellness interventions and suggest future areas of inquiry to improve HIV outcomes across the care continuum.

scholarly journals Children’s Weight Gain and Cardiovascular Fitness Loss over the Summer

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Brusseau ◽  
Ryan Burns
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
The Body ◽  
School Year ◽  
School Based ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Physical Activity Programming ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health Related Fitness

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of summer breaks on the body composition and cardiovascular fitness of elementary school children who participated in a multi-year school-based physical activity intervention. Participants were 404 children who had their height and weight measured and completed the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) during physical education classes at the beginning and end of the school year for three consecutive years. To examine the effects of time on health-related fitness data, general linear mixed effects models were employed. The results indicate that there was a trend toward an increase in body mass index (BMI) after the summer of 2015 (p = 0.958), and a significant increase in BMI after the summer of 2016 compared to time point 1 (p < 0.001). For PACER laps, there were trends toward decreases in PACER laps after the summers of 2015 (p = 0.515) and 2016 (p = 0.073). Summer breaks tended to attenuate the BMI and PACER lap improvements that were observed during the intervention. While school-based physical activity programming has had some successes in improving health-related fitness markers, the loss of these improvements over the summer is of concern to both practitioners and researchers. It is clear that additional efforts are needed to limit obesogenic behaviors during the summer months.

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

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.

scholarly journals Impact of Seniors Centers on oral health-related quality of life of older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Fernanda W. Machado Luz ◽  
Alexandre Emídio Ribeiro Silva ◽  
Ana Paula Perroni ◽  
Marília L. Goettems ◽  
Noéli Boscato
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Clinical Factors ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of older adults participating or not in Seniors Centers (SC). METHODS: Two independent samples were compared: older adults who participate in SC (n = 124) and older adults who visited Primary Healthcare Centers (PHC) and do not participate in SC (n = 164). The data collected consisted of sociodemographic (sex, age, educational level, marital status, family income) and psychosocial characteristics—Sense of Coherence (SOC), anxiety and depression using HADS, happiness—, and oral clinical evaluation—use and need of dental prosthesis and decayed (D), missing (M), or filled (F) teeth. The resulting OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess the associations between the independent variables and the OHIP-14. Poisson regression models were also used in the analyses (α=0.05). RESULTS: In the PHC, of the 270 individuals invited to participate in the study, 164 (60.7%) were interviewed and clinically examined; while in the SC, of the 166 individuals invited to participate in the study, 124 (74.7%) were interviewed and clinically examined. After adjustments for sociodemographic, psychosocial and clinical factors, we found that the impact on OHRQoL was 2.8 times higher (95%CI 2.0–4.2) for older adults who did not participate in SC. CONCLUSION: Older adults who participated in SC showed better perception on OHRQoL, independently of sociodemographic, psychosocial and clinical factors.

scholarly journals A-03 The Brain–Body Connection in Aging Neurological Populations: Examining the Impact of Exercise and Sedentary Behavior on Brain Structure and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 776-776
Author(s):  
C Roman ◽  
P Arnett
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Graph Theory ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Moderate Activity ◽  
Subcortical Structures ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective Advancements in treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) have led to an increase in the number of older adults living with the disease. Exercise has been shown to be remarkably beneficial for “healthy aging,” while sedentary behavior has proved to have more deleterious effects. Despite evidence for the impact of these factors, their influence on older adults with MS is largely unknown. The current study utilizes volumetric measures and graph theory to investigate the relationship between physical activity/sedentary behavior, structural brain indices, and cognition in older adults with MS. Method Twenty-seven older adults (55+) with MS were scanned during a structural MRI protocol and cognitively evaluated using the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Graph theory metrics were calculated to examine white matter network properties. FreeSurfer was used to calculate volumes for subcortical structures. Exercise was quantified as the ‘days per week engaged in moderate activity,’ while sedentary behavior was measured as ‘hours per day sitting.’ Results Multiple regression interaction analyses were conducted. Results showed an exercise by age interaction, such that exercise protected against the negative effects of age on thalamic volume and assortivity. Hours sitting per day was shown to add to the negative effects of aging on structural networks even after controlling for exercise. Lastly, exercise was observed to be protective against age-related cognitive decline in this sample. Conclusions This is one of the first studies to examine exercise/sedentariness and brain indices in older adults with MS, pointing to possible brain altering and protective interventions for this group.

The association between Internet use and health outcomes in the population of older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Szulc ◽  
M Duplaga
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The Internet has become one of the primary sources of health-related information. Less is known about the impact of Internet access and use on health-related outcomes in the older population, which frequently suffer from a digital divide. The main objective of this study was the assessment of the associations between Internet use and variables reflecting health status, the use of health services and health behaviours in the population at least 50 years old. Methods The analysis was carried out on the data set from the telephone-based survey in a sample of 1000 respondents representative for targeted age strata of Polish society. The effects of Internet use were assessed with logistic regression models after adjusting for key socioeconomic variables. Results Mean age (standard deviation) of respondents was 64.2 (9.6). In the study group, 51.1% respondents were Internet users, 19.4% - persons with disabilities, 21.2% were hospitalised at least once, and 51.0% visited health care facilities at least six times in preceding 12 months. The respondents being Internet users less frequently reported chronic diseases (OR, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.16-0.30), disability status (0.52, 0.37-0.72) and higher self-assessed health status (1.64, 1.24-2.16). They also less often used health services in the preceding 12 months (0.77, 0.60-0.99. Internet use was not associated with hospital admission in the preceding year (1.04, 0.76-1.41) and most of the health behaviours (smoking: 1.06, 0.77-1.45, physical activity: 0.85, 0.63-1.15, the consumption of fruits and vegetables: 0.73, 0.50-1.07). Interestingly, Internet users drunk more alcohol (1.52, 1.14-2.02). Conclusions In the population of older adults, the use of the Internet is associated with variables reflecting health status and the utilisation of health services. Higher health status and lower prevalence of chronic conditions among Internet users were found after adjusting for age and other socioeconomic factors. Key messages It was shown that Internet use may be related with more favourable health outcomes. The reported association should trigger further research on the impact of Internet in elderly persons.

scholarly journals Impact of Social Media on Health-Related Outcomes Among Older Adults in Singapore: Qualitative Study

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/23826 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e23826
Author(s):  
Madeline Han ◽  
Xin Yi Tan ◽  
Rachael Lee ◽  
Jeong Kyu Lee ◽  
Rathi Mahendran
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Interpretative Approach ◽  
Improve Health

Background The worldwide spread of digitalization has led to the harnessing of technology to improve health outcomes. Paying attention to older adults’ social needs via social media is one way to promote healthy aging. Although 56% of older adults are smartphone users, little is known about their use patterns of social media. Objective This exploratory study aims to determine the experiences of social media apps’ use among older adults in Singapore and understand their perceptions of its impact on health-related outcomes. Methods This study used a qualitative research design with an interpretative approach. Using maximum variation purposive sampling, normal aging older adults (N=16) who were aged between 60 and 80 years and experienced in the use of internet-enabled technology were recruited from an existing community study. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted. Employing a thematic analysis, interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for codes inductively. Results The following themes and subthemes were identified as key moderators of older adults’ experiences on social media apps: (1) personal attitudes: participants were encouraged to use social media due to the increased accessibility, which enabled the ease of contact, but perceptions that the quality of interactions was compromised and its associated risks reduced their use; and (2) social influences: the desire to bond with co-users and the availability of support increased use. In addition, use of social media apps was perceived to positively impact health through its ability to keep older adults cognitively engaged, improve health communication, and increase social connectedness. However, opinions remained mixed on older adults’ vulnerability to social media addiction. Conclusions Personal and social contexts determine older adults’ social media use. This study’s findings provide practical insights into how social media can be deployed to improve health-related outcomes in older adults.

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