scholarly journals Mental, Physical and Social Functioning in Independently Living Senior House Residents and Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Author(s):  
Anna-Maria Lahti ◽  
Tuija M. Mikkola ◽  
Minna Salonen ◽  
Niko Wasenius ◽  
Anneli Sarvimäki ◽  
...  

Senior houses provide social interaction and support, potentially supporting older people’s physical and mental functioning. Few studies have investigated functioning of senior house residents. The aim was to compare functioning between senior house residents and community-dwelling older adults in Finland. We compared senior house residents (n = 336, 69% women, mean age 83 years) to community-dwelling older adults (n = 1139, 56% women, mean age 74 years). Physical and mental functioning were assessed using the SF 36-Item Health Survey. Loneliness and frequency of social contacts were self-reported. The analyses were adjusted for age, socioeconomic factors and diseases. Physical functioning was lower among men in senior houses compared to community-dwelling men (mean 41.1 vs. 46.4, p = 0.003). Mental functioning or the frequency of social contacts did not differ between type of residence in either sex. Loneliness was higher among women in senior houses compared to community-dwelling women (OR = 1.67, p = 0.027). This was not observed in men. Results suggest that women in senior houses had similar physical and mental functioning compared to community-dwelling women. Male senior house residents had poorer physical functioning compared to community-dwelling men. Women living in senior houses were lonelier than community-dwelling women despite the social environment.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S877-S877
Author(s):  
Michelle A McKay ◽  
Linda Copel ◽  
Catherine Todd-Magel

Abstract One in four older adults fall every year. Falls result in negative outcomes including decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Frailty, fear of falling, depression, and HRQoL are not routinely screened in high-risk community-dwelling older adults. Continued study of modifiable fall risk factors is warranted due to varied reported prevalence rates, inconsistent definitions and the persistent high rate of falls resulting in poor HRQoL. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between frailty, fear of falling, and depression with physical and mental functioning and well-being measures of HRQoL in community-dwelling older adults 55 years of age and older. A cross-sectional correlational design and chart review were conducted. The sample consisted of 84 primarily African American (81%) nursing home eligible members of the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program. Data were analyzed with correlational statistics, multiple linear, and hierarchical regression models. Physical functioning and well-being measures were significantly decreased when compared to the general population. Increased frailty, fear of falling, and depression were associated with decreased physical and mental well-being. In the regression model, frailty and fear of falling were significant predictors of decreased physical functioning and well-being, and depression was a significant predictor of decreased mental functioning and well-being. This study provides clarification of the relationship between frailty, fear of falling, and depression with HRQoL in high-risk older adults. Screening for common modifiable risk factors can assist in the development of targeted interventions and treatments to improve HRQoL in high-risk older adults.


2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Haley ◽  
Larry H. Ludlow ◽  
Jill T. Kooyoomjian

As a preliminary step in developing the physical-functioning measure of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI), the authors compared its items with the physical-functioning items (PF-10) on the SF-36 Health Survey. They compared the item coverage, hierarchy, and scale-separation properties of the PF-10 items with those of the physical-functioning items of the LLFDI. Both questionnaires were administered to 50 community-dwelling older adults. A partial-credit, 1-parameter, item-response-theory model was used to scale the items. The LLFDI improved the range of ability of daily activities that was encompassed by the PF-10 items by 46%. By sequentially deleting new items with poor fit to the overall scale and items with redundant content, the authors developed a scale more capable of accurately assessing low-functioning activities. The LLFDI function component incorporates a broader content range and better person and item separation than the PF-10 items. It appears to have potential as a comprehensive functional-activity assessment for community-dwelling older adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiju K. Marttinen ◽  
Hannu Kautiainen ◽  
Maija Haanpää ◽  
Heini Pohjankoski ◽  
Jukka Hintikka ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pain is a frequent and inevitable factor affecting the quality of life among older people. Several studies have highlighted the ineffectiveness of treating chronic pain among the aged population, and little is known about the prevalence of analgesics administration among community-dwelling older adults. The objective was to examine older adults’ prescription analgesic purchases in relation to SF-36 pain in a population-based setting. Methods One thousand four hundred twenty community-dwelling citizens aged 62–86 years self-reported SF-36 bodily pain (pain intensity and pain-related interference) scores for the previous 4 weeks. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland register data on analgesic purchases for 6 months prior to and 6 months after the questionnaire data collection were considered. Special interest was focused on factors related to opioid purchases. Results Of all participants, 84% had purchased prescription analgesics during 1 year. NSAIDs were most frequently purchased (77%), while 41% had purchased paracetamol, 32% opioids, 17% gabapentinoids, and 7% tricyclic antidepressants. Age made no marked difference in purchasing prevalence. The number of morbidities was independently associated with analgesic purchases in all subjects and metabolic syndrome also with opioid purchases in subjects who had not reported any pain. Discussion Substantial NSAID and opioid purchases emerged. The importance of proper pain assessment and individual deliberation in terms of analgesic contraindications and pain quality, as well as non-pharmacological pain management, need to be highlighted in order to optimize older adults’ pain management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Yaxmehen Bello-Chavolla ◽  
Carlos Alberto Aguilar-Salinas ◽  
José Alberto Avila-Funes

Abstract Background The type 2 diabetes (T2D) specific dementia-risk score (DSDRS) was developed to evaluate dementia risk in older adults with T2D. T2D-related factors have been shown increase the risk of age-related conditions, which might also increase dementia risk. Here, we investigate the associations of DSDRS with frailty, disability, quality of life (QoL) and cognition in community-dwelling older adults with T2D. Methods We included 257 community-dwelling older adults with T2D to evaluate the association between DSDRS and Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Isaac’s set-test (IST), clock drawing test (CDT), quality of life (SF-36), risk of malnutrition (Mini-Nutritional Assessment or MNA), as well as frailty, Katz’ and Lawton-Brody scores. We also assessed the phenotype and correlates of high-estimated dementia risk by assessing individuals with DSDRS >75th age-specific percentiles. Results Mean age of participants was 78.0 ± 6.2 years. DSDRS showed a significant correlation with MMSE test, IST, CDT, SF-36, MNA, Lawton-Brody and Katz scores, and an increasing number of frailty components. DSDRS was higher among frail, pre-frail, and subjects with limited ADL and IADL (p < 0.001). Participants with DSDRS >75th age-specific percentiles had lower education, MMSE, IST, SF-36, MNA, Katz, Lawton-Brody, and higher frailty scores. High-estimated 10-year dementia risk was associated with ADL and IADL disability, frailty and risk of malnutrition. When assessing individual components of DSDRS, T2D-related microvascular complications were associated to all outcome measures. Conclusion The DSDRS is associated with frailty, disability, malnutrition and lower cognitive performance. These findings support that T2D-related factors have significant burden on functional status, QoL, disability and dementia risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 301-301
Author(s):  
Kristina Shiroma ◽  
Atami de Main ◽  
Nathan Davis ◽  
Bo Xie

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, much of our social interaction has transitioned from in-person to online. This study examined older adults’ social interaction during COVID-19, online and offline. Participants were recruited from community-dwelling older adults in Central Texas. Data collection took place via the telephone during June-August 2020 (N = 200; age range: 65-92 years; Mean: 73.6; SD: 6.33). Participants used a variety of communication modes, including phone or texting (used by 99% of the participants); email (44%); in person (35%); video chat (31%); social media (24%); and postal mail (4%). Most participants (77%) used more than one communication mode. Participants discussed their preferences for and challenges of technology (i.e., smart phones) and its applications (i.e., video chat, telehealth, and social media). Participants’ self-reported experiences ranged from positive (50%), mixed (35%), to negative (15%). These findings will inform policy and community interventions to promote older adults’ social interactions during the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 461-462
Author(s):  
Ruixue Zhaoyang ◽  
Stacey Scott ◽  
Karra Harrington ◽  
Martin Sliwinski

Abstract Loneliness is prevalent among older adults and is associated with increased risks for morbidity and mortality. This study examined what types of social interactions could reduce loneliness for older adults and who would benefit the most from social interactions. We used data from 312 community-dwelling older adults (aged 70 to 90 years) who completed ecological momentary assessments (EMA) five times a day for 16 consecutive days using smartphones (n=20,507 reports), as part of the ongoing Einstein Aging Study (EAS). At each EMA, participants reported their social interactions in the past 3 to 4 hours and their current feelings of loneliness. Results from multilevel models revealed that older adults reported lower levels of loneliness on occasions when they had pleasant social interactions (p&lt;.000) or interactions with family (p=.001) in the past few hours, compared with occasions when they had no social interaction. In contrast, they reported higher levels of loneliness if they had unpleasant social interactions in the past few hours (p=.004). These within-person (WP) effects of social interactions on momentary loneliness were significantly moderated by participants’ trait levels of loneliness and neuroticism; and were significantly stronger among those with higher (vs. lower) trait loneliness (ps &lt;.001) or neuroticism (ps &lt;.042). Other personality traits (Extraversion, Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness) did not moderate any WP association. These results highlight the importance of having pleasant social interactions and frequent interactions with family for reducing older adults’ loneliness in daily life, especially for those higher in trait loneliness and neuroticism.


Author(s):  
Eleftheria Giannouli ◽  
Michelle Pasquale Fillekes ◽  
Sabato Mellone ◽  
Robert Weibel ◽  
Otmar Bock ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Reduced mobility is associated with a plethora of adverse outcomes. To support older adults in maintaining their independence, it first is important to have deeper knowledge of factors that impact on their mobility. Based on a framework that encompasses demographical, environmental, physical, cognitive, psychological and social domains, this study explores predictors of different aspects of real-life mobility in community-dwelling older adults. Methods Data were obtained in two study waves with a total sample of n = 154. Real-life mobility (physical activity-based mobility and life-space mobility) was assessed over one week using smartphones. Active and gait time and number of steps were calculated from inertial sensor data, and life-space area, total distance, and action range were calculated from GPS data. Demographic measures included age, gender and education. Physical functioning was assessed based on measures of cardiovascular fitness, leg and handgrip strength, balance and gait function; cognitive functioning was assessed based on measures of attention and executive function. Psychological and social assessments included measures of self-efficacy, depression, rigidity, arousal, and loneliness, sociableness, perceived help availability, perceived ageism and social networks. Maximum temperature was used to assess weather conditions on monitoring days. Results Multiple regression analyses indicated just physical and psychological measures accounted for significant but rather low proportions of variance (5–30%) in real-life mobility. Strength measures were retained in most of the regression models. Cognitive and social measures did not remain as significant predictors in any of the models. Conclusions In older adults without mobility limitations, real-life mobility was associated primarily with measures of physical functioning. Psychological functioning also seemed to play a role for real-life mobility, though the associations were more pronounced for physical activity-based mobility than life-space mobility. Further factors should be assessed in order to achieve more conclusive results about predictors of real-life mobility in community-dwelling older adults.


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