scholarly journals The Meaning of Eating for Community-Dwelling Oldest Old who Live Alone: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Regiane Aparecida Dos Santos Albuquerque ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Old People ◽  
Choice Process ◽  
And Behaviors

Objective: Eating is essential in any stage of life, but it is influenced by an array of factors that affect our choice process. Regarding the elderly that live alone, eating can be affected by the decline in the functional capacity and behaviors acquired because they live alone. Therefore, the objective of this study was to know the meaning of eating to oldest-old people who live alone as well as their characteristics.

scholarly journals Association between inflammatory mediators, grip strength and mobility in community-dwelling elderly

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Gazolla de Macedo ◽  
Hanna Sette Câmara de Oliveira ◽  
Marielle Viotti de Paula ◽  
Gisele de Cássia Gomes ◽  
Carlos Maurício de Figueiredo Antunes
Keyword(s):  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Inflammatory Mediators ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein

Abstract Introduction: Aging is associated with loss of muscle mass, immunosenescence and increased production of inflammatory mediators, high levels being predictors of a decline in functional capacity in the elderly. Objective: To assess the association between inflammatory mediators, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and functional capacity in the elderly. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 308 community-dwelling elderly. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, under protocol number 067/2010. Grip strength (GS) was measured using a JAMAR® dynamometer and functional capacity by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Blood tests were performed and serum levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 assessed. Spearman’s coefficient was applied to analyze the correlation between variables and the Mann-Whitney for intergroup comparison. Significance was set at 0.05. Results: There was no significant correlation between GS, the TUG and inflammatory mediators (CRP and IL-6). However, by adjusting for variables such as age, sex and muscle mass, a significant and inverse correlation (p = 0.023) was observed between GS and CPR. Conclusion: Elderly subjects with low C-reactive protein levels performed better in the grip strength test. It is important to investigate the adverse effects on functional capacity that can be influenced by inflammatory cytokines in the elderly during aging.

Association Between Lifetime Headache and History of Suicide Attempts in the Elderly

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Calati ◽  
P. Courtet ◽  
J. Norton ◽  
K. Ritchie ◽  
S. Artero
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

AbstractBackgroundPain-related conditions have been reported to play a key role among risk factors for suicide. Headache in particular has been repeatedly associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The aims of this study were: 1) to assess the association between lifetime headache (both non-migrainous headache and migraine) and lifetime suicide attempts (SA); 2) to differentiate, within subjects with lifetime SA, patients with and without lifetime headache in terms of socio-demographic and clinical features.MethodsWe studied 1965 subjects from a cohort of community-dwelling persons aged 65 years and over without dementia (the ESPRIT study), divided in two groups: those with (n = 75), and those without a lifetime SA (n = 1890). Logistic regression analyses were used to compare these groups according to lifetime headache status.ResultsAfter adjusting for gender, living alone, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and depressive, manic/hypomanic and anxiety disorders, lifetime headache frequency was significantly higher in subjects with a lifetime SA compared with controls (OR = 1.92 [1.17–3.15]). Additionally, different factors were identified as being associated with lifetime SA in participants with lifetime headache (female gender, a lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insomnia, lifetime major depression) versus participants without headache (glycemia and lifetime major depression).ConclusionsLifetime headache was associated with lifetime SA. Subjects who are women and report the co-occurrence of headache and insomnia as well as lifetime major depression require higher attention and a careful screening for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

scholarly journals CHARACTERISTICS OF RESILIENCE IN HONG KONG OLDER ADULTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pak Kwong Chung ◽  
◽  
Chun Hu ◽  
Chun-Qing Zhang ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Environmental Support ◽  
Positive Attitudes

"Introduction: Resilience, which is defined as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress, is important for older adults to maintain a healthy life. This qualitative study aimed to identify the characteristics that contribute to resilience among a group of community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Methods: Individual and focus group interviews were conducted to collect information on life adverse events, attitudes towards adversity, and beliefs underlying the approaches to overcoming adversity among 25 Chinese older adults (2M and 23F) aged 69 to 100 years old (M=80.00, SD=39.08). The transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Seven characteristics were emerged under the three factors, including equanimity, positive attitudes towards life, meaningfulness, and self-reliance (internal factor), social support and environmental support (external factor), and spirituality and faith (existential factor). Conclusion: In addition to identifying the seven characteristics that contribute to resilience, this study also identified “taking part in physical activity” as an individual resource contributing to resilience. The study also found “government support” is an important environmental factor contributing to positive adaptation to stressful life of the elderly in Hong Kong. The results and findings may facilitate the development of interventions on enhancing older adults’ resilience."

scholarly journals Personal Social Networks of Community-Dwelling Oldest Old During the Covid-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Kulmala ◽  
Elisa Tiilikainen ◽  
Inna Lisko ◽  
Tiia Ngandu ◽  
Miia Kivipelto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Personal Social Networks

The COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions have affected the everyday life of older people. Advanced age is a significant predisposing factor for a more severe COVID-19 infection, increasing the risk for hospitalization and mortality. Even though restrictions have been, thus, well-grounded, they may also have had detrimental effects on the social well-being of older people. Personal networks and social activity are known protective factors against the premature decline in health and functioning, and it is widely acknowledged that social isolation increases feelings of loneliness, poor quality of life, and even the risk for diseases and disabilities among older adults. This qualitative study investigated changes in personal networks among community-dwelling oldest-old individuals (persons aged 80 and over) during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland. The data is part of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia (CAIDE85+) study, which is an ongoing large longitudinal population-based study in Finland. In this qualitative sub-study, we analyzed fifteen in-depth telephone interviews using directed content analyses and identified five types of changes in personal social networks during the pandemic. In type 1, all social contacts were significantly reduced due to official recommendations and fear of the virus. Type 2 included modified ways of being socially active i.e., by deploying new technology, and in type 3, social contacts increased during the lockdown. In type 4, personal social networks were changed unexpectedly or dramatically due to a death of a spouse, for example. In type 5, we observed stable social networks, which had not been affected by the pandemic. At an individual level, one person could have had different types of changes during the pandemic. These results highlight the heterogeneity of the oldest olds' personal social networks and changes related to them during the exceptional times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social activity and personal networks play an important role in the well-being of the oldest old, but individual situations, needs, and preferences toward personal social networks should be taken into account when planning social activities, policies, and interventions.

Relationship between dual task walking, cognition, and depression in oldest old people

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Hotta Ansai ◽  
Thais Rabiatti Aurichio ◽  
José Rubens Rebelatto
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Old People ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Cross Sectional

ABSTRACTBackground:The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between dual task walking, cognition, and depression in oldest old people living in the community.Methods:We conducted an observational cross-sectional study at Federal University of São Carlos (Brazil). We assessed 67 community-dwelling older adults aged 80 years and over, who were able to walk alone and did not present with a risk of dementia (assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE). The assessment consisted of anamnesis, dual task using the Timed Up and Go test associated with a motor task (TUGT-motor) and a cognitive task (TUGT-cognitive); cognitive measures using MMSE, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Drawing test (CDT) and verbal fluency, and depressive measures by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).Results:There was a correlation with higher magnitude between cognitive tests and TUGT-cognitive, compared to TUGT-motor. For TUGT-motor, the highest correlations with cognitive tests were found between time and MMSE, MoCA (total score), and MoCA visuospatial/executive domain. For TUGT-cognitive, the highest correlations with cognitive tests were between number of steps and MMSE and between time and MMSE. GDS showed a significant weak correlation with number of steps taken in TUGT-motor, wrong words, and correct/time of TUGT-cognitive.Conclusions:Dual task performances are associated with cognition in oldest old. Furthermore, dual task tests have less influence of educational level, are functional, fast, and easily applicable in clinical practice. Future studies are needed to confirm if dual task test is useful for cognitive screening in oldest old.

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.

Ethnic Differences in Herb and Vitamin/Mineral Use in the Elderly

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1019-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukaila A Raji ◽  
Yong-Fang Kuo ◽  
Soham Al Snih ◽  
Belal M Sharaf ◽  
Jose A Loera
Keyword(s):  
Female Gender ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Multivariate Model ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Old People ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Very Old ◽  
White Ethnicity ◽  
Mineral Supplements ◽  
Supplement Use

BACKGROUND: Little information exists on herb and vitamin—mineral supplement use in very old people and whether use varies by ethnicity. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and predictors of herb and vitamin—mineral supplement use in a triethnic sample of adults aged ⩾77 years. METHODS: In-home interviews in 1997–1998 assessed medications use and sociodemographic and health factors in community-dwelling elderly non-Hispanic white (n = 125), black (n = 112), and Hispanic (n = 128) adults. RESULTS: Of the 365 subjects (71.5% ⩾80 y old, 52.6% female), 172 reported using at least one of the preparations (vitamin—mineral supplements 132, herbs alone 21, both herbs and vitamin—mineral supplements 19). Herbal use varied by ethnicity: 12.8% in non-Hispanic whites, 16.1% in blacks, and 4.7% in Hispanics. The most commonly used herbs were garlic, Ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto, and vinegar. Use of vitamin—mineral supplements, alone or combined with herbs, also varied by ethnicity: 54.4% in non-Hispanic whites, 31.3% in blacks, and 37.5% in Hispanics. In the fully adjusted multivariate model with white ethnicity as reference, the odds ratio of vitamin—mineral supplements use for blacks was 0.37 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.65) and for Hispanics was 0.56 (95% CI 0.30 to 1.03). In bivariate analyses, female gender, black ethnicity, being born in the US, and having coronary artery disease were significantly associated with herbal use (p < 0.05); however, in the fully adjusted multivariate model, only the female gender remained significantly associated with herbal use (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.00 to 4.59). CONCLUSIONS: Use of herbs or vitamin—mineral supplements is common in very old people and varies by ethnicity.

‘Old but not that old’: Finnish community-dwelling people aged 90+ negotiating their autonomy

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1625-1644 ◽  
Author(s):  
JARI PIRHONEN ◽  
HANNA OJALA ◽  
KIRSI LUMME-SANDT ◽  
ILKKA PIETILÄ
Keyword(s):  
Functional Ability ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Memory Disorders ◽  
Life Domains ◽  
Old People ◽  
The Third ◽  
Self Sufficiency

ABSTRACTAutonomy is a pervasive concept in Western lifestyles today. However, people in the fourth age are assumed not to be autonomous but dependent on other people. The data of this study consisted of interviews with Finnish community-dwelling 90–91-year-old people. The study aim was to examine how these people see their own autonomy in their everyday lives. The analysis was based on membership categorisation analysis. Our respondents considered their autonomy through three distinct themes. Functional ability was considered in terms of being physically capable of managing daily tasks. Independence in decision making was based on material and financial self-sufficiency and on the respondents' supposition that they were capable of making decisions due to an absence of memory disorders. Additionally, autonomy was considered as contesting norms of age-appropriateness. Among respondents, chronological age seemed to have been replaced by functional and cognitive ability as a definer of categorisations; age-others became ability-others. Our study revealed that the perceptions of autonomy also included gendered features as they were linked with differing gendered ideals, roles and life domains of women and men. The results highlight the internal diversity among the oldest old and challenge the third/fourth age division. Instead, they suggest the existence of a certain ‘grey area’ within old age, and urge an analysis on the subtle meaning making involved in older people's constructions of age-categorisations.

scholarly journals Correlation of functional mobility with handgrip strength, functional capacity for instrumental activities of daily living, fear of falling and number of falls in community-dwelling elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Priori Fioritto ◽  
Danielle Teles da Cruz ◽  
Isabel Cristina Gonçalves Leite
Keyword(s):  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Mobility Limitations ◽  
Weak Correlation ◽  
Quality Life

Abstract Introduction: Functional mobility is essential for quality life and its worsening is the first sign of functional decline in the elderly. Objective: To assess the correlation of functional mobility with handgrip strength (HGS), functional capacity for IADL (FC-IADL) and fear of falling and number of falls in community-dwelling elderly. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 303 community-dwelling elderly of both sexes, in Juiz de Fora (MG, Brazil). Functional mobility (TUG), HGS (dynamometer, JAMAR), FC-IADL (Lawton and Brody Scale), fear of falling (FES-I-Brazil) and number of falls were assessed. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test, and significance was established at ≤ 5%. Results: The elderly studied consisted of 61.7% females, were 73.5 ± 7.8 years old and had little schooling (4.3 ± 3.5 years). Functional mobility showed a moderate correlation with HGS (r = -0.383 and r = -0.322; women and men respectively) and FC-IADL (r = -0.568 and r = -0.583) in both sexes and fear of falling (r = 0.511) in females, a weak correlation with fear of falling in males (r = 0.243) and number of falls in both sexes (r = 0.101 and r = 0.195). Conclusion: Functional mobility showed a moderate correlation with HGS and FC-IADL in both sexes and fear of falling in females. It showed a weak correlation with fear of falling in males and number of falls in both sexes. The overestimated self-efficacy to prevent falls in men and the protective role of fear of falling in individuals with functional mobility limitations may explain these findings.

Attitudes Towards Changing Care Needs and Experiences of Social Care for People Aged 95 years and Older Living At Home: A Population-Based Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie Buck ◽  
Rehana Di Rico ◽  
Fiona Scheibl ◽  
Stephen Barclay ◽  
Morag Farquhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Informal Care ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Formal Care ◽  
Old People ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Care Services

Abstract Background: The ‘oldest old’ are amongst the largest recipients of social care services and informal care, yet they are under-represented in research and service-user experience surveys. The aim of this study was to understand experiences of receiving social care from formal services and informal carers amongst very old people living in the community. Method: Framework analysis of qualitative data from 36 interviews with community-dwelling people aged 95-101 (n=24) and/or their relatives/carers participating in the UK population-based Cambridge City over-75s Cohort (CC75C) study.Results: Fifty-eight percent lived alone, 75% were disabled, and 42% moderately or severely cognitively impaired. Sixty-seven percent had contact with formal care services and 85% with relatives at least weekly. Informal care mainly supported instrumental activities of daily living, though substituted for, and complemented, formal care at low and higher disability levels respectively. Impractical service delivery and lack of awareness of social care processes and entitlements caused unnecessary distress. Lack of meaningful social interaction, difficulties with bathing and management of continence were key areas of unmet need. Poor continuity of service and frequent changes of formal carers posed a threat to older people’s autonomy, dignity and safety.Conclusions: This study revealed a rich complexity of older old care recipients’ responses and attitudes not adequately captured in national surveys. As the urgent need to review social care provision receives more attention, there are valuable opportunities to incorporate the views of older old people into service design and delivery, honouring policy directives for person-centred care and improved quality of life.

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