“Where-There-Is-No-Psychiatrist Integrated Personal Therapy” among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Pilot Study

In Singapore, many older adults suffer from subsyndromal depression and/or subsyndromal anxiety, which can negatively impact their physical and mental well-being if left untreated. Due to the general public’s reluctance to seek psychological help and the low psychiatrist-to-population ratio in Singapore, this study aims to examine the preliminary efficacy, perceptions, and acceptability of a trained volunteer-led community-based intervention on community-dwelling older adults. Twenty-one participants (control: n = 11; intervention: n = 10) completed the randomized pilot study. A mixed-methods approach (questionnaires, semistructured interviews, examining blood samples, intervention fidelity) was adopted. No significant differences were found between the intervention and the control groups in depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, friendship, and quality of life. However, there was a positive change in quality-of-life scores from baseline to 6 months in the intervention group. The control group had significantly higher cortisol levels and lower annexin-A1 levels at 6 months, while the intervention group did not. Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) impact of the intervention on older adults’ well-being, (2) attitudes toward intervention, and (3) a way forward. However, intervention efficacy could not be established due to small sample size caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Future randomized controlled trials should evaluate volunteer-led, technology-based psychosocial interventions to support these older adults.

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Association of Neighborhood Social Capital With Quality of Life Among Older People in Singapore

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264319857990 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (7-8) ◽

pp. 841-850 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna P. Lane ◽

Chek Hooi Wong ◽

Špela Močnik ◽

Siqi Song ◽

Belinda Yuen

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Capital ◽

Social Cohesion ◽

Well Being ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Neighborhood Social Capital ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: To examine how neighborhood-based cognitive and structural social capital are associated with individual quality of life among a sample of community-dwelling older adults in Singapore. Method: Using survey data from 981 older adults (aged 55 years and above) in nine residential neighborhoods, multilevel models simultaneously estimated the effects of independent variables at the individual and neighborhood levels on quality of life (CASP-12). Results: Social cohesion (β = 1.39, p < .01) and associational membership (β = 19.16, p < .01) were associated with higher quality of life in models adjusted for neighborhood facilities and individual sociodemographics, social networks, functional limitations, global cognitive status, and medical conditions. Discussion: The results suggest that place-based or neighborhood social capital may be important for older person’s well-being. It identifies the contribution of structural (associational membership) and cognitive (social cohesion) social capital to the well-being of community-dwelling older adults in Singapore.

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Increasing quality of life for older adults living in collective dwellings using virtual reality: a feasibility study

10.32920/ryerson.14662047 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Krieger

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Well Being ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Virtual Tourism ◽

Study Results

The number of older adults living in collective dwellings is increasing. It is important to research effective strategies to maintain and enhance quality of life for older adults living in collective dwellings. Meaningful leisure, such as the ability to travel, is associated with increases in quality of life for older adults. Unfortunately, many older adults, especially those living in collective dwellings, face barriers to travel. Virtual reality (VR) may help older adults living in collective dwellings overcome barriers to travel. The present study examined whether older adults living in collective dwellings tolerated and enjoyed immersive VR, and whether six weeks of virtual tourism affected their quality of life, social engagement, and loneliness. Fourteen older adults living in retirement homes in Toronto participated in this study. Results suggested that participants tolerated immersive VR without experiencing cybersickness, and that they were happier, more excited, and less anxious immediately following VR exposure. Levels of social engagement increased following the six-week virtual tourism program. These quantitative findings were further supported by qualitative interviews. No changes in quality of life or loneliness were found. Limitations include a lack of a control group and small sample size. Addressing these limitations will help to isolate the effects of the virtual tourism program on indices of well-being.

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Impact of Oral Health on Quality of Life and Subjective Well-Being in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Mexico

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.731 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 226-227

Author(s):

Irma Díaz ◽

Neyda Ma Mendoza- Ruvalcaba ◽

Elva Dolores Arias ◽

Julio Diaz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Oral Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

The Impact ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Objective: Associate the impact of oral health with quality of life and subjective well-being in the community-dwelling older adults in Mexico. Methods: Non-random sample; 326 subjects: age collected (60-69 / ≥ 70); gender (male / female); marital status (couple / no partner); schooling (0-6 years / ≥7); income for basic needs (yes / no); no depression (GDS-15), no cognitive impairment (MMSE) and comorbidity (no disease / ≥ 1 disease) to control biases. Oral conditions; Caries index (ICPOD) WHO criteria: Very low-Low; Moderate and High. Need for dental prostheses (WHO Manual): No prostheses needed (27-28 natural teeth or fixed / removable / total combination; Need prosthesis: 2-28 tooth without replacement. Xerostomia (Thomson Inventory); moderate to severe xerostomia > 17 points. Dependent variables: Quality of Life Related to Oral Health (GOHAI); 57-60 points: High perception. Subjective well-being: Moral Scale of the Geriatric Center of Philadelphia (PGCMS): Low score (0-11). Results: Age: 71.84 ± 7,278; female / male (70.9 / 29.1%). Controlling confounding factors, multiple logistic regression showed that the need for multi-unit or total prostheses; high CPOD index; severe xerostomia; and low perception of well-being subjective, were associated with low GOHAI scores: P = 0.000; P = 0.004; P = 0.003; P = 0.02 respectively. Subjective well-being only was associated with severe xerostomia and low CVRSO perception: P = 0.0 1; P = 0.02 respectively. Conclusion: Taking into account various confounding factors, the Quality of Life related to Oral Health was the most affected by the deterioration of oral health.

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Increasing quality of life for older adults living in collective dwellings using virtual reality: a feasibility study

10.32920/ryerson.14662047.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Krieger

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Well Being ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Virtual Tourism ◽

Study Results

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Living to Help Others: Volunteering in Late Life to Promote Generativity and Well-Being

American Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.5014/ajot.2021.75s2-po382 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 7512520382p1-7512520382p1

Author(s):

Bridget Houghton ◽

John R. Patro ◽

Emily Gavin

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Productive Aging ◽

Volunteer Program ◽

Self Perceptions ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Primary Author

Abstract Date Presented 04/20/21 OT contributes to productive aging by facilitating occupation-based groups, such as volunteering, in order to increase older adults' participation in the community. This poster will address the effectiveness of a volunteer program on community-dwelling older adults' self-perceptions. Volunteer exploration and participation may serve to promote an individual's psychosocial well-being and quality of life. Primary Author and Speaker: Bridget Houghton Additional Authors and Speakers: Margaret Wilhelm, Sara Crandall, Angela Deblasio, Hannah Manczka, and Jeanette Koeth

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Food, Eating, and Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab033_061 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 61-61

Author(s):

Anna Vaudin ◽

Nadine Sahyoun

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Food Systems ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Maryland College ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Objectives Research that explores older adults’ perspectives on how food and eating impact their quality of life (QOL) is limited. The objectives of this study were to 1) understand the factors that impact QOL, both positively and negatively, and 2) understand the effect of food and eating on QOL, from the perspective of older adults living in the community. Methods Twenty five community-dwelling older adults completed in-person, semi-structured interviews. A grounded theory approach was used to assign codes to the participant's responses and organize them into categories representing similar concepts. Relationships between the categories were used to form a framework based on the data. Results Five main themes emerged from the data, representing categories of factors that influence QOL (health and vitality; independence; mental and emotional well-being; socialization and support; activities, both inside and outside the home). Four themes were identified in respondents’ answers explaining how food and eating affect QOL (food access and choice; food preparation; health and vitality; food enjoyment). Due to the interaction between the themes and the other factors in the framework, the results show that food and eating have a broad effect on QOL. Conclusions Many factors that affect QOL are modifiable, and the results of this study can be used as a basis for the development and tailoring of community interventions to improve older adults’ QOL. Additionally, to measure the effects of such interventions, measurement tools that include both physiological and non-physiological effects of food and eating on QOL are necessary. Funding Sources Healthy Food Systems Emerging Innovators Grant Program, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park

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eSeniorCare: Technology for Promoting Well-Being of Older Adults in Independent Living Facilities (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26686 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Dipanwita Dasgupta ◽

Beenish Chaudhry ◽

Kimberly Greeves ◽

Joyce Long ◽

Mayra Duarte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Mobile Technology ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Health Goals

BACKGROUND Successful Aging is a multidimensional concept that encompasses mental and physical health, chronic disease management and social engagement of older adults. A number of mobile health interventions have been designed to promote Successful Aging, but the majority focus on only one dimension. Moreover, there is a dearth of research studies that explore the feasibility and long-term acceptance of these interventions in community-dwelling older adults from lower socioeconomic strata (SES), who can derive the greatest health and economic benefits from such interventions. OBJECTIVE To study the long-term feasibility of an integrated intervention, which combined mobile technology with social relationships, in improving perceptions of Successful Aging in community-dwelling low-SES older adults. METHODS The intervention combined mobile technology with social relationships. The mobile technology component of the intervention consisted of a tablet-based application, eSeniorCare, that allowed older adults to track their medications and health activities and play proprietary gaming apps from the online app store. Whereas the social component consisted of weekly technology workshops and meetups. Study Design. We used a pre-test post-test experimental design approach with two groups (intervention and control). 25 older adults were recruited in each group. Each participant in the intervention group received a tablet PC pre-installed with the eSeniorCare app and various gaming apps. The control group received usual care. Participants completed self-reported outcomes consisting of SF12v2 and Older Person Quality of Life (OPQOL) questionnaires both at the beginning and at the end of the study. The study lasted for 42 weeks during which the intervention group used the eSeniorCare app to track their medications and health activities, and they also played the installed gaming apps. In addition, they received technology training via weekly workshops, where they interacted with participants in the intervention group and the study staff. RESULTS The results indicate that the integrated intervention significantly improved participants’ perceptions of their mental health and health-related quality of life. Specifically, they found that the eSeniorCare app improved their adherence to medication regimen and motivated them to pursue their health goals. They also thought that playing tablet games was men- tally stimulating and it improved their overall cognitive health. By the end of the study, the intervention group preferred technology over paper for managing their medications and health goals, while no one in the control group wanted to preferred technology over paper. CONCLUSIONS An integrated mobile health intervention is feasible for long-term use by community-dwelling older adults from lower SES and community-based caregivers. It improved perceptions of mental health and health related quality of life among the study participants.

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Effectiveness of a health-social partnership program for discharged non-frail older adults: a pilot study

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-020-01722-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Arkers Kwan Ching WONG ◽

Frances Kam Yuet WONG ◽

Jenny Sau Chun NGAI ◽

Shirley Yu Kan HUNG ◽

Wah Chun LI

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Daily Living ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Social Partnership ◽

Frail Older Adults

Abstract Background Previous studies supporting discharged patients are hospital-based which admission criteria tend to include mainly those with complex needs and/or specific disease conditions. This study captured the service gap where these non-frail older patients might have no specific medical problem upon discharge but they might encounter residual health and social issues when returning home. Methods Discharged community-dwelling non-frail older adults from an emergency medical ward were recruited and randomized into either intervention (n = 37) or control (n = 38) group. The intervention group received a 12-week complex interventions that included structured assessment, health education, goal empowerment, and care coordination supported by a health-social team. The control group received usual discharge care and monthly social call. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Secondary outcomes included activities of daily living (ADL), the presence of depressive symptoms, and the use of health services. The outcomes were measured at pre-intervention (T1) and at three months post-intervention (T2). The independent t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the group differences in HRQoL, ADL, and presence of depressive symptoms according to the normality of data. Results Analysis showed that the intervention group experienced a statistically significantly improvement in the mental component scale of quality of life (p = .036), activities of daily living (p = .005), and presence of depressive symptoms (p = .035) at T2 compared with at T1. No significant differences were found in the control group. Conclusions Supporting self-care is necessary to enable community-dwelling non-frail older adults to be independent to the fullest extent possible in the community. The promising results found in this pilot study suggested that the integration of the health-social partnership into transitional care practice is effective and can be sustained in the community. Future studies can draw on these findings and maximize the integrated care quality during the transition phase. Trial registration NCT04434742 (date: 17 June 2020, retrospectively registered).

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Immersive virtual reality exergames to promote well-being of community-dwelling older adults: a mixed-methods pilot study protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.32955 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Samira Mehrabi ◽

John Edison Muñoz ◽

Aysha Basharat ◽

Jennifer Boger ◽

Shi Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Large Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Experimental Group ◽

At Home

BACKGROUND Despite the proven benefits of exercise in older adults, challenges such as access and motivation can deter older adults’ engagement. Interactive virtual reality games that are combined with exercise (VR exergames) are a plausible strategy to encourage physical activity among this population. However, there has been little research regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of deploying at-home VR exergames among community-dwelling older adults. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this pilot study are to i) estimate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a co-designed VR exergame in community-dwelling older adults; ii) examine the feasibility of the intervention and assessment protocols to use them in a future large-scale trial; and iii) provide pilot data on outcomes of interest including physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, mood, cognition, perception, and gameplay metrics. METHODS The pilot study will be a remote, 6-week intervention study consisting of an experimental and a control group. A sample of at least 12 community-dwelling older adults (with no or mild cognitive impairment) will be recruited for each group. Both participant groups will follow the same study procedures and assessment methods. However, participants in the experimental group will engage with a co-designed VR exergame (Seas The Day) three times/week for approximately 20 minutes, using the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. Those recruited for the control study will not have exposure to the exergame and instead they will read thrice/week for approximately 20 minutes over the 6-week period. A mixed-methods evaluation will be used. Changes in physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, mood, cognition, and perception will be analyzed pre- and post-acute as well as pre- and post-6 weeks between the experimental (exergaming) and control (reading) groups. Qualitative data from post-intervention focus groups/interviews, as well as informal notes and reports from all participants, will be analyzed to assess the feasibility of the study protocol. Qualitative data from the experimental group will also be analyzed to assess the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of at-home VR exergame and explore perceived facilitators and barriers of uptaking VR systems among community-dwelling older adults. RESULTS The screening and recruitment process for the experimental group started in May 2021 and the data collection process will be ongoing until September 2021. Recruitment process for the control group has not started, however, data collection will be complete by December 2021. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study with an experimental and control group will provide important information on the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of a custom-made VR exergaming intervention to promote older adults’ well-being. Findings from this study will be useful to inform the methodology, design, study procedures, and assessment protocol for future large-scale trials of VR exergames with older adults as well as deepening the understanding of remote deployment and at-home use of VR for older adults exercise.

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Malnutrition, frailty and quality of life in older adults – a cross cultural study

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120004073 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Eirini Kelaiditi ◽

Maria Teresa Vidal Vidal ◽

Kyriaki Myrissa

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cultural Study ◽

Small Sample ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Cultural Study ◽

The Uk ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractIntroductionLife expectancy has considerably improved over the past century. Despite the population living longer, this greater number of life years has been associated with increases in chronic morbidity and mortality, including age-related debilitating conditions, such as frailty and malnutrition with profound implications both socially and economically on society. Given the increasing rates of population ageing, it is critical to ensure that functional ability, wellbeing and quality of life (QoL) are maintained and the factors involved in these processes are understood. This project aimed to compare the prevalence of frailty and malnutrition in community-dwelling older adults living in the UK and Spain; and identify potential determinants of malnutrition, frailty and QoL.Materials and methodsA cross sectional study among 64 male and female community-dwelling older adults 65–92 years from the UK (n = 33) and Spain (n = 31) was conducted. Nutritional status, frailty and QoL were assessed by previously validated self-reported questionnaires: the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), the FiND (Frail Non-Disabled questionnaire) and the SHARE (Study of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe) version of the CASP-12. Multiple and/or logistic regression models were applied to assess factors that predict malnutrition, QoL and risk of frailty.ResultsIn total, mean age of participants was 77 ± 8 years and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.06 ± 4.78 kg/m2. Mean MNA-SF score was 12.70 ± 1.92, and mean QoL was 40.36 ± 5.35. The overall prevalence of malnutrition and frailty was 18.8% and 23.4% respectively. Participants in the UK were more likely to be malnourished than those in Spain (24.2% vs 12.9%), although not significantly (p = 0.245), and the prevalence of frailty was higher in the UK (36.4% vs 9.7%) (p = 0.012). BMI, being frail and income were significant predictors of malnutrition (p < 0.05). Higher QoL was a significant protective factor for frailty risk (Odds Ratio 0.728; 95%CI 0.59–0.90; p = 0.004). Age, income and being frail were significant predictors of QoL (p < 0.05).DiscussionTo our knowledge this is the first cross-cultural study that explored associations between malnutrition, frailty and QoL, using validated questionnaires in both languages. Despite the small sample size, it was revealed that malnutrition and frailty are conditions that can be identified in community dwelling older adults. Although participants self-reported a good QoL, frailty was found to be a strong predictor of QoL. Implementing culturally suited strategies to detect malnutrition and frailty status and prevent further decline would be useful to improve the QoL of older adults in these countries.

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