scholarly journals Aging in Place with Age-Related Cognitive Changes: The Impact of Caregiving Support and Finances

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Alexandra Wagner

In the United States, aging in place is a common concept that refers to older adults’ desire to remain in their homes as they age. However, this ability to age in place is a complex process that is not only impacted by the home’s accessibility or individual functional abilities. This paper aims to examine different factors, such as home environment and home modification, caregivers, finances, and other supports present in the participants’ lives, that impact older adults with age-related cognitive changes (ARCC) (in)ability to age in place. Qualitative interviews with older adults with ARCC (n = 5) and their caregivers (n = 5) were conducted. The participants’ experiences while aging in place indicate that finances and caregiving support greatly impacted their lives at home and ability to age in place. Personal finances dictated where some of the participants could age and the support, they could afford from home health aides. Additionally, informal and formal caregivers were an important source of support that aided in the older adults’ ability to remain home. As researchers, we need to continue to address personal finances and the support that the individual has in their lives to most effectively promote aging in place and their life at home.

Author(s):  
H. Shellae Versey ◽  
Serene Murad ◽  
Paul Willems ◽  
Mubarak Sanni

Neighborhoods within age-friendly cities and communities are an important factor in shaping the everyday lives of older adults. Yet, less is known about how neighborhoods experiencing change influence the ability to age in place. One type of rapid neighborhood change occurring across major cities nationally and globally is gentrification, a process whereby the culture of an existing neighborhood changes through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses. Few studies have considered the impact of gentrification on older adults, who are among the most vulnerable to economic and social pressures that often accompany gentrification. The current study explores one consequence of gentrification, indirect displacement. While gentrification-induced displacement can refer to the physical (e.g., direct) displacement of residents moving out of a neighborhood due to rising housing costs, it also references the replacement of the unique character and social identity of a neighborhood (e.g., indirect displacement). We examine perceptions of the latter, characterized by perceived cultural shifts and housing concerns among adults aging in place in a gentrifying neighborhood in New York City. The implications of indirect displacement for displacement risk and aging precarity are discussed as potential threats to aging in place in age-friendly cities.


Geriatrics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Frank Knoefel ◽  
Bruce Wallace ◽  
Rafik Goubran ◽  
Iman Sabra ◽  
Shawn Marshall

Losing the capacity to drive due to age-related cognitive decline can have a detrimental impact on the daily life functioning of older adults living alone and in remote areas. Semi-autonomous vehicles (SAVs) could have the potential to preserve driving independence of this population with high health needs. This paper explores if SAVs could be used as a cognitive assistive device for older aging drivers with cognitive challenges. We illustrate the impact of age-related changes of cognitive functions on driving capacity. Furthermore, following an overview on the current state of SAVs, we propose a model for connecting cognitive health needs of older drivers to SAVs. The model demonstrates the connections between cognitive changes experienced by aging drivers, their impact on actual driving, car sensors’ features, and vehicle automation. Finally, we present challenges that should be considered when using the constantly changing smart vehicle technology, adapting it to aging drivers and vice versa. This paper sheds light on age-related cognitive characteristics that should be considered when developing future SAVs manufacturing policies which may potentially help decrease the impact of cognitive change on older adult drivers.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Sohn ◽  
Joe C. Hong ◽  
Michael W. Yeh ◽  
Tara A. Russell ◽  
Marcia M. Russell

The most rapidly growing segment of the elderly population corresponds to persons age 85 and over. As of 2006, elderly patients accounted for 35.3% of the inpatient and 32.1% of the outpatient surgical procedures occurring in the United States. Because age-related changes occur in each organ system in all elderly individuals, this population merits special consideration when undergoing surgical procedures. Furthermore, there is a high probability that older adults will have multiple chronic medical problems, which may present a complex medication management challenge. This review covers the pharmacologic impact of physiologic changes associated with aging, preoperative assessment, preoperative medication management, delirium and the impact of perioperative medications in the elderly, anesthesia and related medications, and specific drug classes and their use in the elderly surgical patient. Figures show an overview of the management of the elderly surgical patient, and preoperative medication management. Tables list medications that should be avoided in older patients with reduced renal function, drugs that exhibit additive adverse effects, medications with high anticholinergic activity, medications that inhibit and induce the CYP450 system, herbal supplements, 2015 Beers Criteria summary of potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults, drugs associated with postoperative delirium, risk factors for postoperative delirium, and clinical pharmacology of commonly used anesthetic agents.   This review contains 2 highly rendered figures, 9 tables, and 61 references


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Sohn ◽  
Joe C. Hong ◽  
Michael W. Yeh ◽  
Tara A. Russell ◽  
Marcia M. Russell

The most rapidly growing segment of the elderly population corresponds to persons age 85 and over. As of 2006, elderly patients accounted for 35.3% of the inpatient and 32.1% of the outpatient surgical procedures occurring in the United States. Because age-related changes occur in each organ system in all elderly individuals, this population merits special consideration when undergoing surgical procedures. Furthermore, there is a high probability that older adults will have multiple chronic medical problems, which may present a complex medication management challenge. This review covers the pharmacologic impact of physiologic changes associated with aging, preoperative assessment, preoperative medication management, delirium and the impact of perioperative medications in the elderly, anesthesia and related medications, and specific drug classes and their use in the elderly surgical patient. Figures show an overview of the management of the elderly surgical patient, and preoperative medication management. Tables list medications that should be avoided in older patients with reduced renal function, drugs that exhibit additive adverse effects, medications with high anticholinergic activity, medications that inhibit and induce the CYP450 system, herbal supplements, 2015 Beers Criteria summary of potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults, drugs associated with postoperative delirium, risk factors for postoperative delirium, and clinical pharmacology of commonly used anesthetic agents.   This review contains 2 highly rendered figures, 9 tables, and 61 references


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Francis ◽  
Travis Kadylak ◽  
Taj. W. Makki ◽  
R. V. Rikard ◽  
Shelia R. Cotten

Information and communication technology (ICT) use can mitigate the negative impact of various age-related threats, such as isolation and loneliness, by facilitating connection with social ties and access to social support. Although research regarding various uses and benefits of ICTs among older adults has increased, there is limited research regarding the impact of technical difficulties on older adults’ well-being. Our study explores technical difficulties encountered, how older adults cope with ICT failure, and the various forms of social support that may result as a consequence of accessing technical support. We use data from nine semistructured focus groups conducted with older adults in the Midwest region of the United States. Results show that older adults may adapt new strategies for coping with the technical difficulties that arise from regular ICT use. Furthermore, as older adults incorporate ICTs into their daily lives and seek assistance from social ties and experts, they may also be indirectly combating the threat of isolation and loneliness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 39-39
Author(s):  
Neda Norouzi

Abstract The United States Department of Health and Human Services (2017) estimates that there are 65 million people age 60+ residing across the fifty states. A national survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) indicates that 76% of people ages 55+ prefer to age-in-place and live independently (2018). The Census Bureau American Community Survey (2015) estimates that 13 million adults have difficulties living independently, 80% of which receive assistance in their private homes. However, only 50% of these homes meet the physical needs of people who choose to age-in-place (AARP, 2018). Recent advancements in technology have led to the development of smart homes. Technology can support aging-in-place and independent living by offering necessary tools for building systems that identify behavioral patterns and offer automated decision-making. However, not all older adults are customed to using technology or comfortable with being monitored with artificial intelligence (Wang et al., 2019). In response to this concern, the current study used grounded theory framework to analyze 62 interviews of people ages 55-93 to indicate if and how older adults prefer to utilize technology in their homes. The results of the study presented that while some older adults felt they might be too old to learn and use technology, nearly 85% of the interviewers agreed that incorporating technology in the built environment could benefit them. They are especially willing to learn and use technology in their homes when the benefits are related to their health, social and emotional connection, entertainment, safety, and daily chores.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1013-1014
Author(s):  
Alexa Lyman ◽  
Laura Barre

Abstract Older adults in the United States prefer to age-in-place. However, living and eating alone are risk factors for malnutrition. Using videochat during mealtimes, i.e., VideoDining, can provide commensality and social facilitation to improve nutritional intake. The objective of this study was to determine if older adults aging-in-place can independently VideoDine with family or friends. We recruited eleven older adults from Full Circle America Steuben, a virtual assisted living program for adults aging-in-place in rural New York. All participants had Amazon EchoShow devices for videochat. Participants were instructed on VideoDining and asked to independently schedule four VideoDine sessions with a family/friend in four weeks. Surveys were collected at baseline, after VideoDine sessions, and end-of-study. Participants were 91% female and 100% white. The average age was 88 years. All participants were widowed and living alone except for one married couple. Overall, 45% of participants VideoDined four times, 36% of participants VideoDined two to three times, and 27% not at all, for an average of 2.7 sessions in a month. Participants VideoDined during all meals, although dinner was most common (66% of meals), and breakfast least common (12% of meals). Average comfort was rated 7.6/10 (1=not comfortable, 10=comfortable), median enjoyment was 9.3/10 (1=not enjoyable, 10=enjoyable), and median ease of VideoDining was 4.1/5 (1=very difficult, 5=very easy). On average, participants rated their VideoDining meal experience a 7.6/10 (1=poor, 10=excellent). With access to videochat technology, older adults can connect with a dining partner and have a favorable experience sharing a meal over videochat.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 956-956
Author(s):  
Widya Ramadhani ◽  
Wendy Rogers

Abstract Maintaining independence while aging in place at home requires support, especially for older adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities. As age-related changes progress, individuals with long-term mobility disabilities experience more challenges engaging with daily living activities (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). To understand the activity challenges of these older adults, we analyzed the interview data from the Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies (ACCESS) study, a comprehensive user needs assessment of 60 older adults who have had mobility disabilities for at least ten years (Koon et al. 2019). We selected interview data that focused on the conduct of ten activities at home: bathing, dressing, moving around, toileting, transferring, doing hobbies, housekeeping, home maintenance, managing diet and nutrition, and caring for others. This archival study used the coding schemes from the ACCESS study that were developed using both conceptual- and data-driven approaches (Koon et al., 2019). The ecological theory of adaptation and aging (Nahemow and Lawton, 1973) was the underlying framework to identify the challenges related to older adults' functional capacity (personal) and physical environmental barriers (environmental). We identified five main challenges: physical strength, general health limitations, mobility limitations, physical access, and transferring. Older adults' responses to overcoming the challenges involved personal, environmental, and person-environment interaction strategies. This study provides insights into the relationship between the source of environmental barriers and personal coping strategies to guide the design of appropriate aging in place supports for older adults with mobility disabilities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 100848
Author(s):  
Ganesh M. Babulal ◽  
Valeria L. Torres ◽  
Daisy Acosta ◽  
Cinthya Agüero ◽  
Sara Aguilar-Navarro ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 772-773
Author(s):  
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili ◽  
Connie Bales ◽  
Julie Locher

Abstract Food insecurity is an under-recognized geriatric syndrome that has extensive implications in the overall health and well-being of older adults. Understanding the impact of food insecurity in older adults is a first step in identifying at-risk populations and provides a framework for potential interventions in both hospital and community-based settings. This symposium will provide an overview of current prevalence rates of food insecurity using large population-based datasets. We will present a summary indicator that expands measurement to include the functional and social support limitations (e.g., community disability, social isolation, frailty, and being homebound), which disproportionately impact older adults, and in turn their rate and experience of food insecurity and inadequate food access. We will illustrate using an example of at-risk seniors the association between sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, with rates of food security in the United States. The translational aspect of the symposium will then focus on identification of psychosocial and environmental risk factors including food insecurity in older veterans preparing for surgery within the Veterans Affairs Perioperative Optimization of Senior Health clinic. Gaining insights into the importance of food insecurity will lay the foundation for an intervention for food insecurity in the deep south. Our discussant will provide an overview of the implications of these results from a public health standpoint. By highlighting the importance of food insecurity, such data can potentially become a framework to allow policy makers to expand nutritional programs as a line of defense against hunger in this high-risk population.


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