scholarly journals Nature Experiences of Older People for Active Ageing: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Co-Design of Community Gardens

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Boffi ◽  
Linda Pola ◽  
Natalia Fumagalli ◽  
Elisabetta Fermani ◽  
Giulio Senes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Design Criteria ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

In Western countries, the concepts of healthy ageing and active ageing, that is, concepts that favour health, participation, and security to increase the quality of life of older people, have become key issues. Hence, the effective design of public green spaces in urban areas is crucial, as visiting these areas encourages social relations and interactions in natural, healthy contexts. Consistent with these perspectives, existing landscape design criteria emphasise the importance of considering not only the functional and aesthetic elements, but also the ecosystemic and biophilic relationships between people and the environment, producing positive effects for both. To maximise the impact of such design criteria, proper engagement strategies are desirable, both to assign an active role to older people themselves and to inform the fine-tuning of the design process according to the specific needs of the local population. This study presents an interdisciplinary co-design method that encourages and informs a biophilic approach by describing the experiences of people in natural environments, actual and designed, through the application of attention restoration theory (ART). The case study was developed through six focus group meetings with older people for the co-design of a restorative area in a community garden in the Ortica district in Milan (Italy). Results show how the main needs expressed by participants can be classified into the ART factors of “compatibility” (a multifunctional garden), “fascination” (sense of contact with nature), and “being away” (metaphorical escape from nursing homes). The garden designed includes biophilic principles that respond to such needs, and specific links with designed elements were identified. For example, “being away” (e.g., isolation from daily routine and visual occlusion of the surroundings) and “compatibility” (e.g., pergola and aesthetic value) are the factors that include the elements that more satisfactorily answer previous needs. “Fascination” also includes many positive aspects, allowing space for improvements (e.g., more water elements, interaction with animals). Implications of the method are discussed, including the importance of subjective experience in informing design, the use of different psychological constructs to describe it, and the methodological alternatives for psychological assessment.

scholarly journals Environmental and Psychosocial Interventions in Age-Friendly Communities and Active Ageing: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8305
Author(s):  
Diego Sánchez-González ◽  
Fermina Rojo-Pérez ◽  
Vicente Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Gloria Fernández-Mayoralas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Environmental Interventions ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

Background: The academic literature contains little information regarding the interventions that create age-friendly cities and communities in order to promote active ageing. Objectives: A systematic review was carried out to determine the available empirical evidence in relation to the characteristics, content and effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving environmental and psychosocial risk factors for older people, from the perspective of age-friendly communities and the promotion of active ageing. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the studies retained in this review were identified through a systematic search of the academic literature in selected electronic databases including Web of Science and Scopus. Independent critical appraisal and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers. The checklist was used to assess the quality of the articles. Findings: The search identified 1020 potentially eligible documents, of which 11 satisfied the established criteria. Non-exhaustive practices prevailed over rigorous investigations, with a high proportion of studies observed to be of low methodological quality and at high risk of bias. This reflected the predominance of uncontrolled interventions. Environmental interventions were focused on reducing risk and adapting the everyday environmental setting, while psychosocial interventions prioritised social strategies (behavioural changes, promotion of participation) and training. Interventions were more effective in certain domains of age-friendly cities and communities such as transportation and housing, followed by increased participation as a lifestyle-related behavioural change. The inferred changes were associated with providing information and enhancing skills; modifying access, barriers, exposures, and opportunities; enhancing services and support; continuity and effectiveness of changes over time; and modifying policies based on the bottom-up approach of age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC). Discussion and conclusion: Interventions focused on personal and organisational aspects might have positive effects in the longer term. However, fewer changes would be observed in interventions revolving around changing lifestyles owing to the impact of complex multi-causal factors. The relative effectiveness in terms of health calls into question the design of interventions and the supposed “friendliness” of certain communities. There is a need to encourage sound longitudinal research aimed at providing key knowledge for the implementation and evaluation of public policies, and to encourage age-friendly community programmes to promote active ageing.

Are social media users more satisfied with their life than non-users? A study on older Italians

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Emanuela Sala ◽  
Gabriele Cerati ◽  
Alessandra Gaia
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Despite older people's increasing use of social media (SM), there is relatively little research investigating the impact of SM use on wellbeing in the ageing population. This study investigates the relationship between SM use and life satisfaction, a key dimension of wellbeing, in three age groups. We focus on the Italian case, which is particularly relevant because Italy is one of the countries both with the highest incidence of older people and the lowest uptake of SM in Europe. Applying linear regression modelling techniques, we analyse data from the 2018 Multipurpose Survey – Aspects of Everyday Living, a large probability-based household survey. For two age groups, we find a positive relationship between SM use and life satisfaction which weakens after controlling for older people's demographic and socio-economic characteristics, health conditions and social network characteristics. Given the grey digital divide that still exists in some European countries, we conclude with a call for urgent interventions to remove the hurdles that prevent frail older people from enjoying the benefits of an active ageing, fully exploiting the potential of SM use.

scholarly journals The impact of the mining sector on the development of the Severo-Enisejskiy district of the Krasnoyarsk territory: Where the effects are concentrated

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (4-2021) ◽  
pp. 71-84
Author(s):  
Ksenia V. Demidova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Local Population ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
World Market ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
History Of Development ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Permanent Residents

The review of the extensive methodological apparatus developed for assessing the socio-economic effects of investment projects, state policy or the activities of companies is carried out. By the example of the Severo-Enisejskij district of the Krasnoyarsk region, the dynamics of the influence of gold mining industry on the socio-economic development of the territory in comparison with other municipalities of the region is considered. It is shown that in the 2000s the district was significantly different in comparison with the region by many indicators, then in the mid-2010s there was a decrease in its separation. It was caused by the dependence of its socio-economic situation on the situation in the world market, and by a decrease in the influence of the industry on the territory. The differences in the effects of activities in the district of two companies — “Polyus” and “Sovrudnik” — are analyzed. These companies are different in its scale and history of development. It is shown that the size of a company affects the hierarchical administrative level at which the maximum effects from its activities are concentrated. On the territory of the district, large effects, including attracting permanent residents to the territory, have been retained until recently by “Sovrudnik”, while “Polyus” is more evident at the regional level. Its administrative resource allows to implement infrastructure projects that are interesting to the company, but can indirectly have positive effects for the local population. However, the future development of both companies is most likely to be associated with maximizing the use of a more flexible shift mode of work, and the effects of their activities in this regard will continue to decrease.

scholarly journals Culture, ageing and the construction of pain

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Lane ◽  
David Smith
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Older People ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Idioms Of Distress ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Moral Imperative ◽  
The Impact

In this paper, the authors seek to discuss some of the complexities involved in cross-cultural working in relation to the communication and management of pain in older people. Specifically, the paper addresses the culture construction of ageing and how pain is often constructed as a natural part of ageing. The authors also suggests that with the rise of the ideology of active-ageing many older people who are disabled or living in chronic pain, may feel a moral imperative to hide pain and ill-health. The discussion extends into looking at the impact of culture and the communication of pain, including specific idioms of distress, somaticize and the lay-management of pain through stoicism.

scholarly journals Health, Security and Participation: A Structural Relationship Modeling among the Three Pillars of Active Ageing in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7255
Author(s):  
Yinan Yang ◽  
Yingying Meng ◽  
Pengtao Dong
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Security Level ◽  
The Impact

This paper explores and tests the impact of health and security on the participation of Chinese older people using data from the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey (CLASS) in 2014. Based on the framework of Active Ageing, the exogenous latent variables “health” and “security” are assumed to directly affect the endogenous latent variable “participation”, and indirectly affect it via mediating the function of “willingness”. The estimation results of the structural equation model show that health has a significant positive impact, while security has a significant negative impact on participation. In addition, health and security can significantly enhance the willingness of older people to participate. After the opposite effects of health and security are offset, their net effect on participation is generally negative. According to these empirical results, this paper concludes that the optimization of health coupled with the moderation of security level is more beneficial for promoting the participation of older people.

scholarly journals Pilots for Healthy and Active Ageing (PHArA-ON) Project: Definition of New Technological Solutions for Older People in Italian Pilot Sites Based on Elicited User Needs

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Grazia D’Onofrio ◽  
Laura Fiorini ◽  
Lara Toccafondi ◽  
Erika Rovini ◽  
Sergio Russo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
The Impact

Background: The Pilots for Healthy and Active Ageing (PHArA-ON) project aimsto ensure reality smart and active living for Europe’s ageing population by creating a set of integrated and highly customizable interoperable open platforms with advanced services, devices, and technologies and tools. The aim of the present study was to determine the needs and preferences of older people and their caregivers for improving healthy and active aging and guiding the technological development of thePHArA-ON system. Methods: A pre-structured interview was administered to older adults, informal caregivers and professional caregivers (including social operators) taking part in the piloting sessions. Results: Interviews were carried out in Umana Persone Social Enterprise R&D Network (UP) in Tuscany, and Ospedale Casa SollievodellaSofferenza (CSS) in Apulia. A total of 22 older adults, 22 informal caregivers, 13 professional caregivers and 4 social operators were recruited. A prioritization analysis of services, according to the stakeholder’s needs, has determined two fundamental need categories: Heath Management (i.e., stimulation and monitoring), and Socialisation (i.e., promoting social inclusion). Conclusions: The main scientific contributions to this study are the following: to design and evaluate technology in the context of healthy and active ageing, to acquire relevant knowledge on user needs to develop technologies that can handle the real life situations of older people, obtain useful insights about the attitude and availability of end-users in using technologies in clinical practice, and to provide important guidelines to improve the PHArA-ON system. Specific experimentation stages were also carried out to understand which kind of technology is more acceptable, and to obtain feedback regarding the development priority related to the impact of the proposed services. Research through fruitful and continuous interaction with the different subjects involved in the development process of the system, as well as with stakeholders, enabled the implementation of a platform which could be further and easily integrated and improved.

scholarly journals Reducing Old Age Vulnerabilities in Developing Countries: The Role of Income-Support on Poor Older People’s Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oladayo Nathaniel Awojobi ◽  
Jane Temidayo Abe
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Older People ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Income Support ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

This systematic review is on the impact of income-support on older people’s health in developing countries. A systematic search for non-randomised and mixed methods studies published between 2013 and 2017 was conducted in academic and grey literature databases, websites and references lists of relevant studies. Study methodological quality was assessed with a risk of bias tool. Inclusion criteria were met by 7 studies, 3 in Latin America, two each in Africa and Asia. Five of the studies used a quantitative non-randomised approach while the remaining two used mixed methods analysis. Income-support was discovered to have positive effects on older people’s nutritional status, cognitive functions, health and psychological wellbeing. Income-support offers older people access to healthcare services and protection against detrimental effects of lack of money in accessing healthcare services. Key Words: Health, income-support, older people

scholarly journals Wpływ muzyki popularnej na odbiór emocjonalny materiału obrazowego u młodzieży gimnazjalnej

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Chęć ◽  
Maria Ligocka ◽  
Ewa Łodygowska ◽  
Jerzy Samochowiec ◽  
Agnieszka Samochowiec
Keyword(s):  
Hip Hop ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
School Students ◽  
Music Preferences ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Music Genre ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Physiological Reactions

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Among adolescents, the importance of music reveals itself in their subjective experience (feelings), expression and emotional behaviors, as well as their physiological reactions. Music is of particular value because it is accepted and liked by young people, it stimulates imagination, provides many aesthetic impressions and has a significant impact onthe personal experience of the listeners. Adolescents have their own preferences regarding music, conditioned by their personality or situational factors.The primary purpose of this study is to determine the impact of different genres of music on experiencing emotions by young people.Materials and methods: In the project we assumed that the effect of music depends on many factors, such as its genre and the age or gender of the listener. We argue that listening topopular music causes changes in teenagers’ emotions, the music genre determines the nature of invoked emotions and that gender differentiates perception of emotions depending onthe kind of music one is listening to. We conducted a psychological experiment with a questionnaire to assess the participants’ initial mood, upon which they were presented with athree minute music video (hip-hop, pop, or heavy metal, depending on the group) and asked to evaluate 21 IAPS pictures (The International Affective Picture System), then they filled out a self-designed questionnaire including questions on demographic data, music preferences, or potential hearing problems. The study involved 388 second and third-grade secondary school students from Szczecin.Results: The experiment permitted identifying the cause and effect relationship between listening to music and emotions of the youth. It has been shown that in adolescents, listening to popular music evokes changes within emotions. These changes have more negative than positive effects on young people’s emotional reception of reality. In adolescents, gender has a differentiating function in the emotional reception of visual stimuli while listening to music.Conclusions: The experiment results show that listening to a specific music genre during the period of adolescence can have an important and specific role in development and socio-emotional functioning, and also indicates the need for further research on this issue.

Physical Activity and Inactivity Impacts on Cognitive and Emotional Functioning in Later Life

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D. Gajewski ◽  
Michael Falkenstein
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Brain Physiology ◽  
The Impact

Healthy aging is associated with changes in sensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional functions. Such changes depend on various factors. In particular, physical activity not only improves physical and motor but also cognitive and emotional functions. Observational (i.e., associations) and cross-sectional studies generally show a positive effect of regular physical exercise on cognition in older adults. Most longitudinal randomized controlled intervention studies also show positive effects, but the results are inconsistent due to large heterogeneity of methodological setups. Positive changes accompanying physical activity mainly impact executive functions, memory functions, and processing speed. Several factors influence the impact of physical activity on cognition, mainly the type and format of the activity. Strength training and aerobic training yield comparable but also differential benefits, and all should be used in physical activities. Also, a combination of physical activity with cognitive activity appears to enhance its effect on cognition in older age. Hence, such combined training approaches are preferable to homogeneous trainings. Studies of brain physiology changes due to physical activity show general as well as specific effects on certain brain structures and functions, particularly in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus, which are those areas most affected by advanced age. Physical activity also appears to improve cognition in patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and dementia and often ameliorates the disease symptoms. This makes physical training an important intervention for those groups of older people. Apart from cognition, physical activity leads to improvement of emotional functions. Exercise can lead to improvement of psychological well-being in older adults. Most importantly, exercise appears to reduce symptoms of depression in seniors. In future intervention studies it should be clarified who profits most from physical activity. Further, the conditions that influence the cognitive and emotional benefits older people derive from physical activity should be investigated in more detail. Finally, measures of brain activity that can be easily applied should be included as far as possible.

Attitudes of citizens of Dubrovnik towards the impact of cruise tourism on Dubrovnik

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-228
Author(s):  
Doris Peručić ◽  
Barbara Puh
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cruise Tourism ◽  
Leisure Industry ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Further Development

The purpose – to analyse the attitudes of the local population and population from the surrounding area on cruise tourism and its further development in the Dubrovnik area. Design – in the first part the paper gives an overview of the features of cruise tourism in the world, followed by the development of cruise tourism in the Mediterranean. Further, the paper analyses Dubrovnik as a cruise destination and the social impact of cruise tourism on the destination. The results of an empirical research are presented in the last chapter as well as therecommendations for further research. Methodology – A questionnaire was used as the research instrument, and the research was carried out in Dubrovnik and the suburbia in the period May – June 2011 on the purposive sample of 350 respondents. Approach – Cruise tourism, due to its positive effect on the local economy, has become a crucial factor in development strategies of the city of Dubrovnik. Due to the strong development of cruise tourism in Dubrovnik, a continuous market research and analysis is necessary in order to find better solutions of the existing and upcoming problems of this most dynamic sector of the leisure industry. Findings – Research results indicate that majority of the citizens are aware of the positive effects from cruise tourism as well as the fact that the traffic jams, created by a large number of cruisers calling the port in the same day, are the main problem the local community is currently facing. It has been ascertained that there is a difference in attitudes between the citizens on the influence of cruise tourism on the quality of life according to where they live and employment in tourism. Originality of the research – Further development of cruise tourism will depend exclusively on the dynamics of solving the existing issues, organisation of demand management and destination product.

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