Do Age-Friendly Rural Communities Affect Quality of Life? A Comparison of Perceptions from Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China

The aging population in rural areas of China faces serious challenges due to urban–rural disparities. In order to improve the active aging of rural older adults, the establishment of age-friendly communities is encouraged. However, globally, the focus is on age-friendly communities in urban areas, not reflecting rural communities. Hence, we addressed the importance of age-friendly rural communities (AFRCs) and aimed to investigate their impact on the quality of life (QoL) of older adults. We examined different perceptions of AFRCs among older adults (aged over 60) and middle-aged people (45–60) in rural communities with questionnaire surveys (n = 470 and 393, respectively). Several statistical methods, such as Chi-squared test, t-test, reliability test, and multiple regression, were adopted to investigate and compare the perceptions of these two. The results indicated that (1) middle-aged people were more satisfied with AFRC components and had a higher QoL than older adults; (2) the QoL of middle-aged people was predicted by housing, accessibility, and outdoor spaces; (3) the QoL of older adults was affected by housing, outdoor spaces, social participation, and public transportation. These findings aid in our understanding of rural communities and the QoL of rural residents. They are helpful for urban planners and policymakers to improve the planning of AFRCs and supplement research on age-friendly communities in rural areas. Practical implementations are proposed for the planning of AFRCs, such as the passive design of residential housing, grouping of community facilities together, and improvement in the hygiene of outdoor spaces in rural areas.

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Structural model for the relationships between age-friendly communities and quality of life of older adults in Hefei, China

Engineering Construction & Architectural Management ◽

10.1108/ecam-08-2020-0647 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Jingyu Yu ◽

Guixia Ma ◽

Wenxuan Ding ◽

Jiangfeng Mao ◽

Jingfeng Wang

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Services ◽

Public Transportation ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Content Type ◽

Outdoor Spaces

PurposeChina is experiencing tremendous changes of rapid urbanization and aging society. The development of age-friendly communities (AFCs) has been encouraged for improving health and well-being of older adults. Hence, this study aimed to deepen the understanding of AFCs in China and to investigate the integrated relationships between AFCs and the quality of life (QoL) of older adults, using a large-scale questionnaire survey.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was conducted in Hefei, China, to investigate the complicated relationships between the components of AFCs and the QoL of older adults. Ultimately, 1,383 valid questionnaires were collected from senior respondents aged more than 60 years. Several statistical methods, including reliability analysis, correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), were adopted to develop an integrated model for AFC components and the QoL of older adults.FindingsSix AFC components and four older adults' QoL factors were identified. The SEM results revealed integrated relationships between specific AFC components and the QoL of older adults: (1) physical QoL was affected by outdoor spaces, public transportation, housing and community and health services; (2) psychological QoL was predicted by most of the AFC components except community and health services; and (3) environmental QoL and social QoL were both influenced by outdoor spaces, communication and information and community and health services.Practical implicationsIn order to enhance the QoL of older adults, it is suggested that outdoor spaces need to be enlarged by fully using the facilities and playgrounds of middle schools and renovating the older buildings. The locations of public transportation stations are recommended to be revised to be within a 5-minute walking distance of senior residents. Improvements to the social environment of AFCs, by increasing the coverage of medical services and creating multiple approaches to recreational activities, are encouraged.Originality/valueThese findings have empirical significance for urban planners and policy-makers in regard to identifying major components of AFCs and understanding the effect of those components on the QoL of older adults.

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Driving habits, cognition, and health-related quality of life in middle-aged and older adults with HIV

Applied Neuropsychology Adult ◽

10.1080/23279095.2021.1960530 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Josiah J. Robinson ◽

Tess Walker ◽

Cierra Hopkins ◽

Brittany Bradley ◽

Peggy McKie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

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Association of smoking status and health-related quality of life: difference among young, middle-aged, and older adults in Shandong, China

Quality of Life Research ◽

10.1007/s11136-020-02645-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhengyue Jing ◽

Jie Li ◽

Yi Wang ◽

Yemin Yuan ◽

Dan Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

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Effectiveness of Community-Based Health Promotion Program on Functional Fitness, Depression and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Sports & Exercise Research ◽

10.5297/ser.1801.006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 66-77

Author(s):

Kuei-Yu Chien

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Health Promotion Program ◽

Functional Fitness ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Community Based ◽

Promotion Program

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Exploring experiences of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosis, treatment, and impacts on quality of life among middle-aged and older adults: An interview study

Heart & Lung ◽

10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.06.004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (6) ◽

pp. 788-793

Author(s):

Deena Zytnick ◽

Debbie Heard ◽

Ferhaan Ahmad ◽

Sharon Cresci ◽

Anjali Tiku Owens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ◽

Interview Study ◽

Middle Aged

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Family caregiving and emotional strain: associations with quality of life in a large national sample of middle-aged and older adults

Quality of Life Research ◽

10.1007/s11136-009-9482-2 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 679-688 ◽

Cited By ~ 111

Author(s):

David L. Roth ◽

Martinique Perkins ◽

Virginia G. Wadley ◽

Ella M. Temple ◽

William E. Haley

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregiving ◽

National Sample ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Emotional Strain

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Cultural and social accomplishments of agricultural companies as contributions to the development of rural areas

Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce ◽

10.19041/apstract/2009/3-4/4 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (3-4) ◽

pp. 21-23

Author(s):

Petra Maier ◽

Jaroslav Homolka ◽

Éva Darabos ◽

Ildikó Tikász ◽

Károly Pető ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Case Studies ◽

Human Resource ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Social Life

Agricultural companies play a key role in enriching the cultural and social life of the rural areas in which they function. Therefore, these companies serve towards preserving a quality of life necessary for rural communities to survive and to develop rural areas. However, the financial, human resource and material expenditures necessary to sustain rural communities are difficult to quantify. These studies, on the basis of internationally focused case studies, attempt to measure, systemize and evaluate the charitable engagement of farmers.

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ECOLOGICAL SETTLEMENT AS A SELF-GOVERNMENT MODEL IN RURAL AREAS

Management Theory and Studies for Rural Business and Infrastructure Development ◽

10.15544/mts.2018.39 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 416-423 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kemble Walker ◽

Mariia Plotnikova

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rural Communities ◽

International Cooperation ◽

Rural Community ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Family Values ◽

Community Management ◽

Future Society ◽

Improved Methods

There is a clear need in rural areas for improved methods of self-government. This study examines the most effective approaches to administration in rural communities. What are the most promising types of rural community management? We aim to assess trends in rural selfrehabilitation and development, including an international analysis of ecological and family homestead settlements as models of future society. These models represent an evolution of the traditional village capable of improving the population's quality of life. Family homestead settlements are the most common form of ecological settlement in Ukraine and foster family values, patriotism to the Homeland and effectively demonstrate successful self-government practices. Governance is achieved by way of the Veche, a collective authority, as well as through public organizations, public-private partnerships, regional and international cooperation.

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Changes in Quality of Life and Loneliness Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults Participating in Therapist-Guided Digital Mental Health Intervention

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.746904 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Christine E. Gould ◽

Chalise Carlson ◽

Ana Jessica Alfaro ◽

Christina F. Chick ◽

Martha L. Bruce ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Mobile App ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Mental Health Interventions

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week multicomponent mobile app-delivered intervention, the Meru Health Program (MHP), on mental health quality of life (QoL) and loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults with depression symptoms.Methods: The eligible participants (M age = 57.06, SD = 11.26 years) were enrolled in the MHP, a therapist-supported mobile intervention. Using a non-randomized pre-post design, change in mental health QoL [WHO QoL Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) psychological health] and loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale) from baseline to post-treatment were examined. Time of enrollment [pre- vs. post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] was included as a between-subjects factor in the repeated measures analyses.Results: Forty-two participants enrolled prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; eight enrolled after the pandemic began. Among the pre-COVID-19 enrollees, increase in mental health QoL, F(1, 38) = 12.61, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.25 and decreases in loneliness emerged, F(1, 38) = 5.42, p = 0.025, η2 = 0.13. The changes in mental health QoL, but not loneliness, held for the combined sample, such as post-COVID-19 enrollees, F(1, 44) = 6.02, p = 0.018, η2 = 0.12. The regression analyses showed that increases in mindfulness were associated with the increased mental health QoL and decreased loneliness.Conclusion: Therapist-supported digital mental health interventions, such as the MHP, have the potential to improve mental health QoL and decrease loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults. The findings for loneliness may not hold during the periods of mandated isolation. Instead, therapists supporting digital interventions may need to tailor their approach to target loneliness.

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