Memorial Contributions: Remembering the Elderly Deceased and Supporting the Bereaved

1991 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald L. Euster

While there is considerable evidence that many older persons decline in interpersonal and physical functioning following spousal or sibling losses, little is known about customary forms of support to facilitate the management of bereavement. This study explores the importance of the widely used ritual of “In Memoriam” contributions as a remembrance of deceased elderly persons and support for bereaved family and friends. Answers to two research questions were sought. First, what types of memorial contributions were requested by the bereaved on behalf of deceased elderly South Carolinians during an eight-month period, as published in statewide newspaper obituaries? Second, how do religious, social agency, health care, and educational leaders and administrators perceive the importance of memorial contributions as they impact upon the bereaved following funerals of elderly persons? The findings indicated that in 2, 198 obituaries, 68.2 percent of the families designated contributions to religious institutions and 22.1 percent to health associations/foundations. Rankings by study respondents and additional written comments indicated that memorials were most helpful to the extent that they offered comfort and support to bereaved family, reconfirmed friendship ties, and helped to continue funding for religious and other community programs valued by the deceased. The findings suggest that memorials help in the grief work of many families and provide some tangible repayment for expressions of concern and generosity extended to the deceased and bereaved.

1980 ◽  
Vol 47 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1055-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward F. Raymond ◽  
Timothy J. Michals ◽  
Robert A. Steer

A sample of 504 elderly persons living within a metropolitan area were questioned about their socio-medical characteristics and administered the Wakefield Self-assessment Depression Inventory. The distribution of depression scores indicated that 34.5% were depressed. Stepwise regression analysis was next used to examine the relationships between the characteristics and depression scores. Total number of self-reported symptoms and being partially housebound were positively associated with depression. Recommendations were made that health care providers for the elderly be alerted that older persons with physical complaints and those who are partially restricted to their homes may tend to develop levels of depression which might require psychiatric intervention.


Author(s):  
Nathan L. Linsk

A substantial and increasing number of people have developed HIV infections in their later years, most associated with male-to-male sexual contact or blood transfusions, although transmission also occurs through substance users and unsafe heterosexual activity. Human service practitioners need to become sensitive to the needs of elderly people and their families who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Prevention may be incorporated as part of initial engagement and assessment of elderly persons, and service packages may be developed for older persons who are infected or provide care for HIV-infected persons. Issues of confidentiality, social support, family care, and nondiscrimination are critical concerns in serving this population.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 661-669
Author(s):  
Thaynara Rocha de Souza ◽  
Maria Aparecida Vieira ◽  
Fernanda Marques da Costa ◽  
Cássio de Almeida Lima

Abstract Objective: To investigate polypathology among elderly persons treated at a referral center in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methodology: An analytical documentary study with a cross-sectional quantitative approach was performed. The records of referral and care of 668 elderly persons who were treated at the referral center were analyzed. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. Results: 278 medical records were analyzed. Polypathology was the main reason for seeking care in 114 (41.0%) cases. There was a statistically significant association between the characteristics of being male and less educated and polypathology. In multivariate analysis, polypathology was higher among men and lower among elderly persons with a high school or higher education. Conclusion: The findings identify a situation with a predominance of polypathology among the elderly. This is at a worrying level among elderly men and less educated older persons, and should be addressed carefully by health professionals, in the search for more specific and appropriate care.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1038-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi An ◽  
◽  
Yusuke Ikemoto ◽  
Hajime Asama

Standing up is fundamental to daily activities of the elderly. It is necessary both to enhance muscle strength and to strengthen muscle coordination for improvement of their motor function. In this paper, we extract important data related to muscle coordination, called synergy, to perform standing motion by young and elderly participants. The contribution of muscle synergy to body kinematics is calculated through neural networks that estimate joint torque and body kinematics. To explain deficient motor function in elderly persons, extracted synergy is classified into 4 clusters based on how synergy contribute to body kinematics. Cluster analysis explains that elderly participants have weaker synergy than young persons in bending their backs to generate momentum. Compared to younger persons, older persons require additional muscle coordination to stabilize posture after standing-up in order to avoid falling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-54
Author(s):  
Helen Tan Sui Hong ◽  
Ili Merinna Mohamad Salleh

The vulnerabilities of elderly persons have been receiving attention around the world in recent times especially those who are involved in migration and endured the Covid-19 lockdown. The migratory process of the elderly persons is a complex phenomenon and requires emphasis on a different perception of age-related migration cause, consequences, and pattern.  There is limited research that fully assess the vulnerabilities facing migrated elderly persons especially against the backdrop of the pandemic.  This study focuses on the Sarawak elderly persons who migrated to Johor following their children and relatives. FGDs was conducted with NGO stakeholders related to Sarawakian community and subsequently pilot in-depth interviews were conducted with 3 older in-migrant persons residing in the District of Pasir Gudang, Johor. Thematic analysis was performed on the FGDs and pilot in-depth interview data. The key findings revealed that loneliness, financial dependence, language barrier and healthcare issues are among the major concerns; and they came up with various coping strategies to manage these challenges. The study also revealed interesting challenges brought about by the restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown. 


Author(s):  
Sean Gallagher ◽  
Yves Lajoie ◽  
Michel Guay

ABSTRACTVisual requirements for a simple walking task were evaluated for young and elderly persons to determine if, with normal aging, elderly subjects require more visual information. Ten young adults and 10 elderly people were asked to complete a simple walking task within predetermined pathway boundaries under two conditions of visual restriction. In the reactive condition, subjects automatically received a 200 ms flash of visual information at the halfway point of the walkway. For the predictive condition, subjects did not receive any visual information during the walking trial, but were equipped with an emergency button that would provide 200 ms of visual information whenever they needed it. For both experimental conditions, subjects received additional flashes of visual information if they stepped out of the walkway boundaries. Results showed that older persons stepped out of bounds more often in the reactive condition and gave themselves more visual cues than the younger subjects in the predictive condition. The relative importance of vision during locomotion seems to be higher in the elderly population when compared to young adults.


1990 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Dieter Schneider

Abstract In the present society those groups have the highest probability to realize their goals which execise the greatest influence. The older politicians have a bad image. The presence of elderly persons in influential positions is beneficial to the development of their intelligence. According to the model of >>actional space« satisfaction and motivation are linked with an adequate position on the dimensions of activities, · decisions, interactions, and esteem. Political influence has favorable effects on all four dimensions. Some examples of political influence of the elderly are discussed: representation in parliaments, political parties of the elderly, consulting committees of political organizations, voting, economy, organizations for older persons' self-help, and consulting groups in homes for the elderly. An enlargement of the elderlies' political influence is supported especially for those in the lower social classes.


1974 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil F. Pascarelli ◽  
William Fischer

It is generally felt that long term addicts die before they reach old age, while survivors have generally given up the use of drugs. Evidence suggests that this is not the case. Examination of the life styles of elderly street addicts and methadone treatment patients reveals a change in pattern of drug use motivated primarily by economic factors. The older addict tends to maintain low profile and avoids harassment, arrest and public attention. The number of older persons in methadone treatment is increasing rapidly. New approaches in treatment and public policy are needed to deal with these problems. Additionally a considerable number of elderly persons misuse other drugs particularly barbiturates, alcohol and other depressants. These are usually obtained from legal sources.


1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (02) ◽  
pp. 151-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Koyanagi ◽  
S. Mihara ◽  
S. Kawazu ◽  
T. Uemura ◽  
H. Nakano ◽  
...  

AbstractIn Japan, elderly disorders and diseases have markedly increased in recent years, because of rapid aging and an increasing number of older persons. The situation is creating serious social and community problems. These disorders, particularly dysuria and urinary incontinence (UI), disturb the quality of life (QOL) in latelife. Few reports on UI have been published, but precise investigation into the community level remains to be made. Our presentation is the development, implementation and evaluation of elderly UI in Kumamoto Prefecture. This study includes 2,304 people (male: 856, female: 1,448), over 65 years of age, living in two different communities; one is an urban (K) and the other is a typical rural area (S). The rate of UI was in homebound elderly persons, male: 4.7%, female: 11.3%, and in nursing home residents, male: 16.2%, female: 23.2%. The condition of UI was: almost Urinary Urgency in male (61.5%), and Stress Incontinence (such as, caused by coughing, sneezing, and exercise) in female (46.3%). The influence of UI on the activity of daily life was investigated. Most of the male cases were giving concerns for family and community. In contrast, females hesited to participate in group excursions and outdoor exercise, and had a tendency to live alone or indoors. However, most persons (81.5%) with UI did not visit a physician. From this investigation, we conclude that a community health care program and public support system are essential for proper understanding and solution of the elderly UI problem.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior ◽  
Paulo de Tarso Maciel-Pinheiro ◽  
Eduardo da Matta Mello Portugal ◽  
Luiz Felipe da Silva Figueiredo ◽  
Rodrigo Terra ◽  
...  

Background: Inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins increase with aging, promoting a chronic low-grade inflammation. Studies have shown a positive effect of exercise on inflammatory markers in older persons. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) are the main biomarkers investigated. However, it is unclear if exercise could decrease all these biomarkers. Purpose: The aim was to analyze the effect of chronic exercise on IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP levels in older persons. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were adopted. Original articles that investigated the effect of chronic exercise on inflammatory profile of the elderly persons were eligible for this review. The databases PubMed, PEDro, EBSCO, and BioMed Central were searched. Three reviewers evaluated each publication for reducing bias. Data about IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP were collected and analyzed. A standardized mean difference based on estimated pooled effect size was calculated considering heterogeneity index (I2) and random effect. Results: Seventy-six studies were retrieved from databases, and 8 of them were analyzed. IL-6 and CRP levels decreased after chronic exercise (overall effect P < .05). Conclusion: Regular exercise decreases IL-6 and CRP levels in older persons. The effect of exercise on TNF-α remains unclear.


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