Exploring Death Anxiety among Elderly People: A Literature Review and Empirical Investigation

2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein Missler ◽  
Margaret Stroebe ◽  
Lilian Geurtsen ◽  
Mirjam Mastenbroek ◽  
Sara Chmoun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Older Men And Women

Given the growing number of elderly persons in society and concerns about their health and well-being, the aim was to review the available literature on their death anxiety, and to explore features of this experience among a small sample of older men and women in care facilities. In both the review and empirical parts of this study, components and correlates of death anxiety were investigated. The review revealed limited research focus on death anxiety among the elderly, particularly among those in institutions, but suggested both components and correlates for inclusion in our empirical study. Results showed that, among our elderly participants in an assisted living facility (N = 49; age range: 60–96 years), there were higher levels of fear for others and of the dying process than for fear of the unknown. Notably, among the correlates identified, fear for significant others was associated with poor physical health; fear of the dying process was related to low self-esteem, little purpose in life, and poor mental well-being. Gender differences in death anxiety were found: women showed greater fear for the death of loved ones and for the consequences of their own death on these loved ones, than did men. These patterns are discussed in the light of concerns about the welfare of elderly persons; scientific implications are also considered.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of home-based cognitive training program on a cognitive level, the activity of daily living among elderly persons with mild cognitive impairment in selected community settings of Puducherry

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 5301-5309
Author(s):  
Govindakumari R ◽  
Vijayalakshmi ◽  
Sai Sailesh Kumar Goothy ◽  
Vijay Raghvan
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Daily Life Activities ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Brain

Aging is a physiological process that leads to both biological and psychological changes. The brain undergoes structural changes as a part of aging. According to the investigator's best knowledge and based on the extensive review, no structured study was conducted in India to test the effectiveness of cognitive training program. Hence, the present study was conducted to test the effectiveness of a home-based training program on select outcomes. A total of 314 elderly participants were recruited for the study after obtaining the written informed consent. After recruiting, the participants were randomly grouped into two groups, that is control and intervention groups, with 157 participants in each group. The intervention was administered to the experimental group. The present study results suggest that the home-based cognitive training program is effective in improving cognitive functions and daily life activities. The study recommends further detailed and multi-centered studies in this area to recommend the implementation of the program in the management of the cognitive impairments of the elderly.

scholarly journals Psychological features of working with destructive conditions of elderly people

2021 ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Volodymyr Shevchenko ◽  
Viktoriia Kopach
Keyword(s):  
Personal Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Modern World ◽  
The Past ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Life Circumstances ◽  
Psychological Features ◽  
Mental Well Being

This article highlights the psychological features of counseling with problem clients of old age and there adiness of future and practicing psychologists for this work. It is determined that the modern world, duetoits complexity, dynamism and contradictions, creates various problems for the elderly and actively in terferesin his personal space. All this has a negative effecton the health of the elderly and onthestate of their mental well-being. This leads to certain changesin the personality of the old person: in creased feelings of in feriority, in security, fluctuationsin self-esteem, increased sensitivity; depressed mood, feelings of loneliness, helplessness, anxiety, reducedefficiency; restructuringofthe motivational-needs system, valueorientations; adjustmentof «I-concept»; in creasing interestin experiencing the past, its revaluation; exacerbation and changesin some traits; decreas edvoliti on alactivity, apathymayoccur. As a result, the number of elderlypeoplein need of psychological helpissig nificantly increasing. At the same time, dueto subjective and objective reasons, they may not always behavea dequately during psychological counseling, preventing specialists from solving their psychological problems. It was fo undthat the problem clients of the psychologists hould include: anxious individuals; individuals who experiencefear and phobias; hostileandaggressiveindividuals; unmotivatedclients; customers with inflatedrequirements; individuals who experienceguilt (loss); payingcustomers; hysterical personalities; obsessive personalities; paranoid personalities; schizophrenic personalities; antisocial personalities; individuals who abusealcohol; individuals in a state of depression and suicidalideation. Counseling for the elderly can be carried out on the following issues: severeloss and acutegrief, lossoffunctionalability, difficulties or conflictsin relationships and communication, understanding and changingliving conditions, adaptation to new life circumstances, needs assessment, work withstress, loss of meaningin life , fear of death, etc.

scholarly journals The inclusion of elderly persons from the Instituto Henrique da Silva Semente (IHESS) in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, in the digital age: physio-gerontological contributions

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliana Carvalho ◽  
Rodrigo Caetano Arantes ◽  
Angélica Sartori Rossi Cintra
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Educational Activity ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
At Home

abstract Introduction: The evolution of information technologies has become part of our daily life and directly or indirectly affects the elderly population. The presence of these technologies, such as mobile phones, smartphones, computers, and tablets, at home where elderly persons live with their families demonstrates the necessity of including the elderly population in the technological universe. Objective: The aim of the present study was to describe the benefits obtained by the elderly from using such Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), the effect of such use on their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and which physio-gerontological contributions resulted in the best use of the ICTs. Method: A convenience sample (n=30) was performed of individuals aged over 60 years who were students at the Instituto Henrique da Silva Semente (IHESS). Demographic and social data, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were considered. The data was collected between April and May 2014. Results: The average age was 67.9 years with a predominance of women (76.7%). Among the respondents 83.3% used a computer at home; 66.6% had some kind of difficulty in using computers; and 86.6% used ICTs in their daily lives. Despite the difficulties in using the devices resulting from the limitations imposed by age, it was observed that the equality of the age range encouraged interaction with friends and family, and as a result 100% of respondents displayed excellent interpersonal relationships with the class group. It was also observed that the elderly persons had a great desire to learn and interact through the use of technological devices, and that females were involved in recreational and educational activities, with wives encouraging their husbands to attend the computer class. However, there were exemplary risks of the misuse of these devices, such as poor posture when handling electronic devices or spending long spells in unsuitable positions, demonstrating the need for physical therapy and geriatric guidelines to ensure the well-being of the elderly. Conclusion: The inclusion of elderly persons in the IHESS or in any other educational activity should consider the familiar environment in which they live as well as providing professional support in physiotherapeutic and gerontologic areas in order to assure well-being and quality of life, especially at this stage of life, senescence.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the quality of life of elderly caregivers of other elderly persons

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Decimo Flesch ◽  
Samila Sathler Tavares Batistoni ◽  
Anita Liberalesso Neri ◽  
Meire Cachioni
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Selection Of Variables ◽  
Elderly Caregivers

Abstract Objective : To evaluate the association between the double vulnerability of being elderly and a caregiver and quality of life assessed by Control, Autonomy, Self-realization and Pleasure factors (CASP-19). Method : 148 elderly caregivers participated in the present study. They were selected for convenience from Brazilian public and private health services - a sample from the study “The Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Persons Caring for Other Elderly Persons in a Family Context”. The variables: caregiver’s state of health, care demands, perception of burden, self-rated health, and quality of life were selected. Descriptive analyses, chi-squared tests, Fisher’s exact test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of multivariate hierarchical logistics were carried out, with theStepwisecriteria applied for selection of variables. Results : The hierarchical multivariate analyses found that number of symptoms and total burden were significantly associated with a poorer quality of life. Elderly persons with three or more symptoms and those with a high burden level were at a higher risk of poor quality of life. The variables number of diseases, burden, and self-rated health compared with the past, were significantly associated with a poorer quality of life. Conclusion : It can be concluded that for the elderly caregiver, physical aspects (signs and symptoms, chronic diseases and a perception of health deterioration) combined with burden are the aspects that most influence quality of life.

scholarly journals How Much Is One Life Worth? The Right to Equity Healthcare for Improving Older Patients’ Health Infected by COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6848
Author(s):  
Guiomar Merodio ◽  
Mimar Ramis-Salas ◽  
Diana Valero ◽  
Adriana Aubert
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Old Patients

Ageism has a tremendous negative impact on elderly persons and society. Discrimination against the elderly is a driver of health and social inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed new social and health challenges regarding resource scarcity and shortfalls. Under these difficult circumstances, discourses excluding, and discrimination against, older people have aroused. This article gathers evidence on hospital healthcare experiences of older people infected by COVID-19 during the pandemic outbreak in Spain and it analyzes elements that have positively influenced older patients’ perceived health and well-being. We conducted nine qualitative in-depth interviews in Madrid—one of the regions of Spain most affected by COVID-19—with older people that were hospitalized and recovered from COVID-19, family members of old patients infected with COVID-19, and nurses that attended infected older patients. Findings show the challenging experiences faced by older people who were hospitalized due to COVID-19, on the one hand, and the relevance of transformative aspects related to family relationships, solidarity actions, and humanized care that overcame age discrimination, favoring social and equity healthcare for the elderly on the other hand.

scholarly journals Family Care, Social Services, and Living Arrangements Factors Influencing Psychosocial Well-Being of Elderly from Selected Households in Ibadan, Nigeria

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Oladeji
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Ibadan Nigeria

This study examined family care, social services, and living arrangements factors influencing the psychosocial well-being of the elderly from selected households in Ibadan, Nigeria. The participants for the study consisted of 280 elderly persons randomly drawn from selected households in five local government areas of Ibadan metropolis. A descriptive survey design was employed in collecting the data from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed using chi-square () statistics. Results obtained indicated that significant relationships existed between family care (, df = 12, ), social services (, df = 12, ), and living arrangements (, df = 6, ) and psychosocial well-being of elderly. The results implicate the need for the framework on the complex system of the elderly services. These areas of service include economic services, attitudes toward aging, roles played by the elderly, and health care services.

Radiofrequency exposure in young and old: different sensitivities in light of age-relevant natural differences

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Redmayne ◽  
Olle Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Population Means ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Comparative Risk

AbstractOur environment is now permeated by anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, and individuals of all ages are exposed for most of each 24 h period from transmitting devices. Despite claims that children are more likely to be vulnerable than healthy adults to unwanted effects of this exposure, there has been no recent examination of this, nor of comparative risk to the elderly or ill. We sought to clarify whether research supports the claim of increased risk in specific age-groups. First, we identified the literature which has explored age-specific pathophysiological impacts of RF-EMR. Natural life-span changes relevant to these different impacts provides context for our review of the selected literature, followed by discussion of health and well-being implications. We conclude that age-dependent RF-EMR study results, when considered in the context of developmental stage, indicate increased specific vulnerabilities in the young (fetus to adolescent), the elderly, and those with cancer. There appears to be at least one mechanism other than the known thermal mechanism causing different responses to RF-EMR depending upon the exposure parameters, the cell/physiological process involved, and according to age and health status. As well as personal health and quality-of-life impacts, an ageing population means there are economic implications for public health and policy.

Creation of Outdoor Space for the Elderly

2013 ◽  
Vol 671-674 ◽  
pp. 2185-2188
Author(s):  
Hong Yun Xin
Keyword(s):  
Independent Living ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Urban Elderly ◽  
Outdoor Activities ◽  
Outdoor Space ◽  
Mental Well Being

With a rapid increase of the urban elderly population in China, it has become more and more important that suitable outdoor environment should be constructed for the aged. This paper puts forward some ideas and suggestions on how to create space for various outdoor activities for the aged in their neighborhood to meet their life, physiological, psychological and social needs of outdoor activities, as well as analyses a varied and multi-leveled environment for outdoor activities beneficial to their physical and mental well being and their capability of independent living, and there is a hope that it will be good to their health and longevity. In order to promote the sound development of the society, it is necessary to appeal for people's attention to the construction of outdoor environment for the aged.

scholarly journals Hubungan Stres dan Kesejahteraan (Well-being) dengan Moderasi Kebersyukuran

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Erlis Manita ◽  
Marty Mawarpury ◽  
Maya Khairani ◽  
Kartika Sari
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Significant Negative Relationship ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

This study aimed to determine the correlation of stress and well-being with gratitude moderation in early adults in Aceh. The method of this research was carried out using a quantitative approach. This study involved 349 early adults (264 female, 85 male) with age range of 20-40 years (M = 22.20) selected through the nonprobability sampling method with incidental sampling techniques. Individual’s stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, well-being was measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and gratitude was measured using the Skala Bersyukur Indonesia. Data were analyzed using moderated regression analysis to test the research hypothesis. The results showed that stress had a significant negative relationship to well-being (β1 = -0.788; p < 0.05), then gratitude was able to moderate the relationship of stress and well-being (β3 = 3.257; p < 0.05). This study showed that there was a correlation between stress and well-being with gratitude moderation. It meant that grateful people focus on things that are grateful for every day, so that the impact on low stress levels and can improve individual well-being.

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