Reclaiming Social Space: Adapting Neighbourhoods to Support an Ageing Population

Unique Potential

<p>The age structure of New Zealand’s population is expected to undergo a dramatic change in the next few decades. By 2050, it is thought that approximately one quarter of the population will be aged 65+. Research indicates that the overwhelming preference of older adults is to age in their own homes and communities if possible. However, loneliness among community-dwelling older adults is widespread. Architecture as a discipline has unique potential to critique existing neighbourhood design and generate creative solutions to provide a more socially fulfilling environment for residents to age in place. Architecture for ageing must combat loneliness and enable continued contact in later life. This research explores the sensitive adaptation of inner suburban Wellington neighbourhoods with the aim of empowering inhabitants to age positively in the community.</p>

Reclaiming Social Space: Adapting Neighbourhoods to Support an Ageing Population

10.26686/wgtn.17057993.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Lisa McClintock

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Age Structure ◽

Social Space ◽

Later Life ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Ageing Population ◽

Age In Place ◽

Creative Solutions ◽

Unique Potential

Using Everyday Technology Independently When Living with Forgetfulness: Experiences of Older Adults in Barcelona

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1177/2333721421993754 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 233372142199375

Author(s):

Samuel Briones ◽

Louise Meijering

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Methodology ◽

Local Community ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

Later Life ◽

Learning Opportunities ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

The Capability Approach

Older adults living with forgetfulness encounter difficulties when engaging with changing and dynamic everyday technology (ET). The capability to use ET is important for independence in later life and is affected by the contextual and individual characteristics of older adults. Using the capability approach as a theoretical lens, this phenomenological study aims to explore the experiences of older adults living with forgetfulness, in order to identify contextual and individual factors that facilitate the use of ET in everyday life. A qualitative methodology was used to interview 16 community-dwelling older adults participating in memory and technology workshops at local community centres in Barcelona. Findings show that motivation and openness to learning played a facilitating role in our participants’ use of ET. The presence of social support in the form of “technology experts” and community centres offering learning opportunities were also enhancing factors that encourage independence when engaging with ET. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the importance of expanding intergenerational ET learning opportunities, through the creation of age-friendly spaces.

How wearable sensors have been utilised to evaluate frailty in older adults: a systematic review

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s12984-021-00909-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Grainne Vavasour ◽

Oonagh M. Giggins ◽

Julie Doyle ◽

Daniel Kelly

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Outcome Measurement ◽

Wearable Sensors ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Ageing Population ◽

Application Development ◽

Abstract Background Globally the population of older adults is increasing. It is estimated that by 2050 the number of adults over the age of 60 will represent over 21% of the world’s population. Frailty is a clinical condition associated with ageing resulting in an increase in adverse outcomes. It is considered the greatest challenge facing an ageing population affecting an estimated 16% of community-dwelling populations worldwide. Aim The aim of this systematic review is to explore how wearable sensors have been used to assess frailty in older adults. Method Electronic databases Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, and CINAHL were systematically searched March 2020 and November 2020. A search constraint of articles published in English, between January 2010 and November 2020 was applied. Papers included were primary observational studies involving; older adults aged > 60 years, used a wearable sensor to provide quantitative measurements of physical activity (PA) or mobility and a measure of frailty. Studies were excluded if they used non-wearable sensors for outcome measurement or outlined an algorithm or application development exclusively. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Appraisal Tool for Cross-sectional Studies (AXIS). Results Twenty-nine studies examining the use of wearable sensors to assess and discriminate between stages of frailty in older adults were included. Thirteen different body-worn sensors were used in eight different body-locations. Participants were community-dwelling older adults. Studies were performed in home, laboratory or hospital settings. Postural transitions, number of steps, percentage of time in PA and intensity of PA together were the most frequently measured parameters followed closely by gait speed. All but one study demonstrated an association between PA and level of frailty. All reports of gait speed indicate correlation with frailty. Conclusions Wearable sensors have been successfully used to evaluate frailty in older adults. Further research is needed to identify a feasible, user-friendly device and body-location that can be used to identify signs of pre-frailty in community-dwelling older adults. This would facilitate early identification and targeted intervention to reduce the burden of frailty in an ageing population.

Impact of Personality Features and Interpersonal Problems on Anxiety Among Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 897-898

Author(s):

Olivia Noel ◽

Katie Granier ◽

Daniel Segal ◽

Marissa Pifer ◽

Lisa Stone

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Psychosocial Functioning ◽

Interpersonal Problems ◽

Later Life ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Clinical Syndromes ◽

Personality Features ◽

Development Of Anxiety ◽

Abstract Introduction Anxiety is a significant mental health problem among older adults and is associated with multiple other mental disorders, poor psychosocial functioning, and reduced quality of life. Personality traits and disorders, along with interpersonal problems, may play a significant role in anxiety, but these relationships are not well understood among older adults. This study examined relationships between anxiety with normative personality traits, personality disorder (PD) features, and interpersonal problems. Method: Community-dwelling older adults (N = 130) completed the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), Coolidge Axis Two Inventory (CATI), Big Five Inventory-2 (BFI-2), and Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Problems (CSIP). Results Anxiety was positively correlated with 13 of 14 CATI PD scales, ranging from .23 (Narcissistic) to .61 (Depressive). Regarding normative personality, anxiety was associated with Agreeableness (-.23), Conscientiousness (-.30), Extraversion (-.31), and Negative Emotionality (.56). Regarding interpersonal problems, anxiety was positively related to all eight CSIP scales: Self-Sacrificing (.30), Domineering (.31), Exploitable (.40), Intrusive (.41), Self-centered (.47), Nonassertive (.50), Socially Inhibited (.60), and Distant/Cold (.62). Regression analyses indicated that PD features accounted for the most variance in anxiety (53%), followed by interpersonal problems, (46%) and normative personality traits (33%). Discussion Anxiety appears to be meaningfully associated with PD features, several aspects of normative personality, and interpersonal problems, suggesting that these variables may play a role in the development of anxiety, or vice versa. Our findings especially speak to the growing awareness of the deleterious impact of PD features on clinical syndromes in later life, as evidenced by strong comorbidities with anxiety.

Psychological distress and frailty transitions over time in community-dwelling older adults

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2015.67 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 111-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

J. E. McHugh ◽

M. Dowling ◽

A. Butler ◽

B. A. Lawlor

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Physical Health ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Ageing Population ◽

Observational Study Design ◽

Over Time

ObjectivesPhysical health and, in particular, frailty may be associated with psychological factors among older adults. We aimed to investigate the relationships between aspects of psychological distress and progression of frailty over time among older adults.MethodsWe used a longitudinal observational study design with 624 participants aged over 60 years (mean age=72.75, s.d.=7.21, 68% female) completing a baseline comprehensive biopsychosocial geriatric assessment, and 447 returning for a follow-up assessment 2 years later. Aspects of psychological distress, physical health, and frailty were analysed for the purposes of this study. We employed a series of logistic regression analyses to determine psychological predictors of changing states of aspects of frailty over time.ResultsWith individual components of frailty, neuroticism and age predicted negative transitions of exhaustion and grip strength, respectively, whereas age alone was a predictor of transitions in overall frailty scores based on four components.ConclusionWe conclude that neuroticism and age may impact upon physical frailty and its progression over time in an ageing population. These findings may reflect the tendency for those with high levels of neuroticism to endorse negative symptoms, or alternatively, neuroticism may result in exhaustion via worry in an older population. Further research is required to further elucidate this relationship.

Dying to Belong: The Importance of Familiarity in Later Life

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1177/2333721420941976 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 233372142094197

Author(s):

Lucia Carragher ◽

Catherine Ryan

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Population Aging ◽

Later Life ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Community Services ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Services And Supports ◽

Despite the large amount of research into loneliness, the evidence base around effective ways of tackling loneliness among older adults is limited. Up to one-half of all older adults regularly feel lonely, negatively impacting physical and mental health. In light of population aging, family dispersal, and in the aftermath of COVID-19, it is vital that we grow the evidence base around the lived experience of older people, knowing what they want and why, and ensuring community services and supports are meaningful to them. Method: Three focus groups were held with community-dwelling older adults in Ireland. Results: Loneliness is associated with the loss of familiarity and connection to community. Conclusions: Understanding loneliness in later life is increasingly important with population aging. As plans for ending confinement linked to COVID-19 are devised, a mechanism is urgently needed to sustain the positive changes to communities which have meaningfully connected with older adults.

Does self-report of multimorbidity in later life predict impaired physical functioning, and might this be useful in clinical practice?

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research ◽

10.1007/s40520-020-01500-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (8) ◽

pp. 1443-1450

Author(s):

Michael A. Clynes ◽

Gregorio Bevilacqua ◽

Karen A. Jameson ◽

Cyrus Cooper ◽

Elaine M. Dennison

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Physical Functioning ◽

Later Life ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Self Report ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Function Testing

Abstract Background Multimorbidity has been shown in several studies to relate to impaired physical function in later life. Aims To examine if self-report of multimorbidity predicts impaired physical functioning, as assessed by formal physical function testing, in community-dwelling older adults. Methods Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were self-reported by 443 older community-dwelling UK adults via questionnaire, asking the question: ‘Have you been told by a doctor that you have any of the following conditions?’ Assessments of walking speed, chair stands and balance allowed us to create a composite score (0–12) on which impaired physical functioning was defined as ≤ 9. Results The mean age of participants was 75.5 ± 2.5 years for men and 75.8 ± 2.6 for women. The proportion of individuals with impaired physical functioning was 71.2% in women and 56.9% in men. Having four or more NCDs was associated with an increased risk of poor physical function in men and women (p < 0.05). The number of medications and medicated systems was associated with gait speed (p < 0.03 and < 0.02, respectively) and timed up-and-go tests (p < 0.03 and < 0.02, respectively) in women but not men. Discussion and conclusion Self-report of 4 or more NCDs was associated with an increased risk of poor physical function, an outcome which has previously been associated with adverse clinical sequelae. This observation may inform development of a simple screening tool to look for poor physical function in older adults.

A Home Hazard Removal Program to Reduce Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1486 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 385-385

Author(s):

Susy Stark

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Low Income ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Low Cost ◽

Management Program ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Age In Place ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Abstract The majority of falls experienced by older adults occur in the home with home hazards associated with an increased risk of falling. Low-income older adults, who have more disability and live in substandard housing, need feasible interventions to help them safely age in place. The Home Hazard Removal Program (HARP) is a new home hazard removal and fall risk self-management program delivered in the home by occupational therapists to prevent falls. To evaluate the program, a randomized control trial was conducted with 310 community-dwelling older adults receiving aging services in the community. HARP had high acceptability with older adults and was feasible to deliver in the community. Adjusted for fall risk, individuals in the HARP group fell 1.4 times versus 2.2 times in the control group over 12 months. This low-cost home hazard removal program demonstrated acceptability, feasibility, and a significant reduction in falls for at-risk community-dwelling older adults.

A Qualitative Study on the Role of Leisure in Meaning-Making in Later Life :Focusing on Community-Dwelling Older Adults Who are Participating in Badminton Club

Journal of Tourism Sciences ◽

10.17086/jts.2016.40.8.99.115 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (8) ◽

pp. 99-115

Author(s):

Bo-Mi Lee

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Meaning Making ◽

Later Life ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

DETECTION OF DEPRESSION USING THE UCLA THREE-ITEM LONELINESS SCALE IN OLDER CHINESE

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1951 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S530-S531 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tianyin Liu ◽

Gloria H Y Wong ◽

Jennifer Y M Tang ◽

Shiyu Lu ◽

Dara Leung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Later Life ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Youden Index ◽

Average Score ◽

Loneliness Scale ◽

Patient Health ◽

Older Chinese ◽

Abstract Loneliness is a significant and independent risk factor for later life depression. This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale and to ascertain the cut-off point in detecting depression in community-dwelling older adults. The English version of the UCLA was translated into Chinese by six experienced social workers, clinical psychologists and researchers, and content validity was established by consultation and revision with 10 older adults. 1,919 older adults aged 60 years and over (average age = 76.3±8.0) were recruited from local NGOs, they were interviewed for demographic information, and assessed using the 3-item loneliness scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Cronbach’s α of the Chinese loneliness scale was 0.87; the average score was 4.0 ± 3.0 out of 9, and it significantly correlated with living alone (r = 0.18, p < 0.001), unmarried (r = 0.12, p < 0.001), no emotional support (r = 0.14, p < 0.001), and depression (r = 0.41, p < 0.001). Using PHQ-9 cut-off score of 5 for mild and above depression, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.73 ± 0.1 (p < .001, 95% CI 0.71-0.76) with 77% sensitivity and 61% specificity. We determined a cut-off point of 3 for loneliness using the Youden index, which revealed better sensitivity over alternative definitions of loneliness. A cut-off point of 3 in the Chinese UCLA 3-item loneliness scale can reliably identify possible depression in community-dwelling older Chinese.