scholarly journals Sustainable Technologies for Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8465
Author(s):  
Jorge Morato ◽  
Sonia Sanchez-Cuadrado ◽  
Ana Iglesias ◽  
Adrián Campillo ◽  
Carmen Fernández-Panadero
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Sustainable Technologies ◽  
The Social ◽  
Evolution Of Technology

The exponential evolution of technology and the growth of the elderly population are two phenomena that will inevitably interact with increasing frequency in the future. This paper analyses scientific literature as a means of furthering progress in sustainable technology for senior living. We carried out a bibliometric analysis of papers published in this area and compiled by the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, examining the main participants and advances in the field from 2000 to the first quarter of 2021. The study describes some interesting research projects addressing three different aspects of older adults’ daily lives—health, daily activities and wellbeing—and policies to promote healthy aging and improve the sustainability of the healthcare system. It also looks at lines of research into transversal characteristics of technology. Our analysis showed that publications mentioning sustainability technologies for older adults have been growing progressively since the 2000s, but that the big increase in the number of research works in this area took place during the period 2016–2021. These more recent works show a tendency to study those factors that improve healthy aging, ensure the social inclusion of the elderly through technology and prolong the time in which they can live independent lives thanks to smart environments. Current research gaps in the literature are also discussed.

scholarly journals Gaining Insights Into the Estimation of the Circadian Rhythms of Social Activity in Older Adults From Their Telephone Call Activity With Statistical Learning: Observational Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothée Aubourg ◽  
Jacques Demongeot ◽  
Nicolas Vuillerme
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Statistical Learning ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Telephone Call ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Social

BACKGROUND Understanding the social mechanisms of the circadian rhythms of activity represents a major issue in better managing the mechanisms of age-related diseases occurring over time in the elderly population. The automated analysis of call detail records (CDRs) provided by modern phone technologies can help meet such an objective. At this stage, however, whether and how the circadian rhythms of telephone call activity can be automatically and properly modeled in the elderly population remains to be established. OBJECTIVE Our goal for this study is to address whether and how the circadian rhythms of social activity observed through telephone calls could be automatically modeled in older adults. METHODS We analyzed a 12-month data set of outgoing telephone CDRs of 26 adults older than 65 years of age. We designed a statistical learning modeling approach adapted for exploratory analysis. First, Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) were calculated to automatically model each participant’s circadian rhythm of telephone call activity. Second, k-means clustering was used for grouping participants into distinct groups depending on the characteristics of their personal GMMs. RESULTS The results showed the existence of specific structures of telephone call activity in the daily social activity of older adults. At the individual level, GMMs allowed the identification of personal habits, such as morningness-eveningness for making calls. At the population level, k-means clustering allowed the structuring of these individual habits into specific morningness or eveningness clusters. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the potential of phone technologies and statistical learning approaches to automatically provide personalized and precise information on the social rhythms of telephone call activity of older individuals. Futures studies could integrate such digital insights with other sources of data to complete assessments of the circadian rhythms of activity in elderly populations.

scholarly journals At the Crossroads of Life: Belgraders’ Perceptions of Their Old Age

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-74
Author(s):  
Senka Kovač
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
The Social ◽  
Aging Well

The paper presents the results of several years’ fieldwork among the elderly population in Belgrade. The study examines the attitudes towards old age of elderly Belgraders living alone, those living with their families, and also those living in the Gerontology Center nursing home. The position of elderly people in the social network in the Belgrade municipality of Vračar is also explored. In this era of longevity and at a time of global economic crisis which is also affecting Serbia, it would be useful to reconsider the concepts of successful aging, well-aging and healthy aging.

scholarly journals Gaining Insights Into the Estimation of the Circadian Rhythms of Social Activity in Older Adults From Their Telephone Call Activity With Statistical Learning: Observational Study

10.2196/22339 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. e22339
Author(s):  
Timothée Aubourg ◽  
Jacques Demongeot ◽  
Nicolas Vuillerme
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Statistical Learning ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Telephone Call ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Social

Background Understanding the social mechanisms of the circadian rhythms of activity represents a major issue in better managing the mechanisms of age-related diseases occurring over time in the elderly population. The automated analysis of call detail records (CDRs) provided by modern phone technologies can help meet such an objective. At this stage, however, whether and how the circadian rhythms of telephone call activity can be automatically and properly modeled in the elderly population remains to be established. Objective Our goal for this study is to address whether and how the circadian rhythms of social activity observed through telephone calls could be automatically modeled in older adults. Methods We analyzed a 12-month data set of outgoing telephone CDRs of 26 adults older than 65 years of age. We designed a statistical learning modeling approach adapted for exploratory analysis. First, Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) were calculated to automatically model each participant’s circadian rhythm of telephone call activity. Second, k-means clustering was used for grouping participants into distinct groups depending on the characteristics of their personal GMMs. Results The results showed the existence of specific structures of telephone call activity in the daily social activity of older adults. At the individual level, GMMs allowed the identification of personal habits, such as morningness-eveningness for making calls. At the population level, k-means clustering allowed the structuring of these individual habits into specific morningness or eveningness clusters. Conclusions These findings support the potential of phone technologies and statistical learning approaches to automatically provide personalized and precise information on the social rhythms of telephone call activity of older individuals. Futures studies could integrate such digital insights with other sources of data to complete assessments of the circadian rhythms of activity in elderly populations.

scholarly journals A Theoretical Framework on the Determinants of Food Purchasing Behavior of the Elderly: A Bibliometric Review with Scientific Mapping in Web of Science

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 688
Author(s):  
Khaled Alhammadi ◽  
Luna Santos-Roldán ◽  
Luis Javier Cabeza-Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Population ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Purchasing Behavior ◽  
Food Purchasing ◽  
The Past ◽  
Bibliometric Review ◽  
Food Market ◽  
The Common ◽  
Elderly Consumers

The past few years have seen significant demographic changes in most regions, including an increased elderly population. Subsequently, elderly citizens comprise an important market segment of consumers, with the food industry one of the most affected areas in this context. However, food market managers previously believed that elderly consumers’ needs were stereotyped in nature. The lack of focus on this sector, therefore, left elderly consumers as an untapped market, without realizing the financial independence of this segment regarding their nutrition. This research will attempt to provide the key determinant factors on elderly consumers’ behavior related to food. For that purpose, a complete literature review of more than 123 papers regarding these concepts has been carried out. Once analyzed, we highlight the common insights to give clear guidance for supermarket managers and food manufacturers to have a better knowledge of the reasons behind elderly people’s food acquisitions.

Abstract WMP57: Declining Blood Pressure is Associated with Subcortical Microinfarcts in Older Adults

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mekala R Raman ◽  
Jonathan Graff-Radford ◽  
Scott A Przybelski ◽  
Timothy G Lesnick ◽  
Michelle M Mielke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Blood Pressure Measurement ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Pressure Measurements ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Blood Pressures

Hypertension is highly prevalent in the elderly population and microinfarcts are the most common vascular brain pathology identified in older adults at autopsy. We investigated the associations between systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured antemortem and the presence of microinfarcts at autopsy. Study subjects (n=302; age range=71-95) were participants in the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging autopsy study, who had blood pressure measurements recorded during life. We investigated both cross-sectional systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements at the baseline visit and the change in blood pressure (slope). Presence and location (subcortical or cortical) of chronic microinfarcts was abstracted from the autopsy reports. Of the 302 study subjects, 47 (16%) had cerebral microinfarcts, and, of those, 18 (38%) had subcortical microinfarcts and 29 (62%) had only cortical microinfarcts. The baseline blood pressures were not different between subjects with no microinfarcts, subcortical microinfarcts, and only cortical microinfarcts. In a logistic regression model including time between last blood pressure measurement and death, a greater decline in systolic [OR= 1.06 (1.01, 1.11); p=0.02]) and greater decline in diastolic [OR= 1.11 (1.02, 1.20); p=0.01] blood pressures were predictors of the presence of subcortical microinfarcts at autopsy. However, these variables were not associated with the presence of cortical microinfarcts. In conclusion, microinfarcts are common in the older adult population, and most of them are located in the cortex. A greater decline in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and their association with subcortical microinfarcts, but not with cortical microinfarcts, may have implications for aggressive lowering of blood pressure in the elderly population.

scholarly journals Use of Music Therapy as an Audiological Rehabilitation Tool in the Elderly Population: A Mini-Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Sophie Grenier ◽  
Louise Lafontaine ◽  
Andréanne Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Impact

It is well known and documented that sensory perception decreases with age. In the elderly population, hearing loss and reduced vestibular function are among the most prevalently affected senses. Two important side effects of sensory deprivation are cognitive decline and decrease in social participation. Hearing loss, vestibular function impairment, and cognitive decline all lead to a decrease in social participation. Altogether, these problems have a great impact on the quality of life of the elderly. This is why a rehabilitation program covering all of these aspects would therefore be useful for clinicians. It is well known that long-term music training can lead to cortical plasticity. Behavioral improvements have been measured for cognitive abilities and sensory modalities (auditory, motor, tactile, and visual) in healthy young adults. Based on these findings, it is possible to wonder if this kind of multisensory training would be an interesting therapy to not only improve communication but also help with posture and balance, cognitive abilities, and social participation. The aim of this review is to assess and validate the impact of music therapy in the context of hearing rehabilitation in older adults. Musical therapy seems to have a positive impact on auditory perception, posture and balance, social integration, and cognition. While the benefits seem obvious, the evidence in the literature is scarce. However, there is no reason not to recommend the use of music therapy as an adjunct to audiological rehabilitation in the elderly when possible. Further investigations are needed to conclude on the extent of the benefits that music therapy could bring to older adults. More data are needed to confirm which hearing abilities can be improved based on the many characteristics of hearing loss. There is also a need to provide a clear protocol for clinicians on how this therapy should be administered to offer the greatest possible benefits.

scholarly journals ThessAHALL—A Life-Long Learning Programme for the Social Inclusion of “Early-Stage” Older Adult Researchers

2021 ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
Despoina Mantziari ◽  
Evdokimos Konstantinidis ◽  
Despoina Petsani ◽  
Nikolaos Kyriakidis ◽  
Vassiliki Zilidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Life Long Learning ◽  
The Social

AbstractAiming at limiting the risk of ageism & social exclusion of older adults in society, the Thess-AHALL looks at co-design and open science solutions for social inclusion for the ageing population.

scholarly journals Promoting Participation in Daily Activities Through Reablement: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Trine A. Magne ◽  
Kjersti Vik
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
The Social

A well-known prediction is that the growing elderly population will place a strain on our healthcare systems. At the same time, healthcare is becoming increasingly patient-centered and individualized, with the patient becoming an active participant rather than a mere object of healthcare. The need for change may be met by using a reablement service, utilizing the rehabilitation mindset through home-based services. Rehabilitation and reablement aim to provide opportunities for individuals to participate to a maximum of their potential. This study is part of a larger research project exploring different aspects of reablement in municipalities. It aims to describe how older adults engage in daily activities within the context of reablement and to explore participation in daily activities. A qualitative design was chosen, and the study is explorative in nature due to limited research on participants’ experience with reablement. Ten older adults age 70 to 94 years old were recruited and interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using systematic text condensation (STC) strategies. This study provides insights on how older adults experience participation in daily activities and important aspects for performing these activities and living independently as long as possible. Based on the older adults’ experiences, three main themes were identified when receiving reablement. First, what to achieve with reablement and feeling a sense of security to participate in daily activities. Second, how to carry out wanted activities using different skills and last, how the social network is important for enabling active living. This calls for healthcare workers to address and facilitate these in reablement. Our findings show the importance of collaborating with the social network and strengthening participation in daily activities to establish and develop existing reablement services.

scholarly journals Brazil is getting older: demographic changes and epidemiological challenges

1991 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 476-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato P. Veras
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Third World ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Social Cost ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
Epidemiological Transition ◽  
Structure Population ◽  
The Social

Population ageing is currently a phenomenon not only in developed countries but also in third world countries. In this paper the features of a population's ageing and the process of epidemiological transition are discussed along with the worldwide changes in age-structure. Population statistics in Brazil and the characteristics of the elderly population are presented and analysed in the light of recent changes. The Brazilian elderly population is also discussed, particularly the issues relating to the social cost of the aged population, its urban and rural distribution, the elderly by sex, marital status and level of schooling, and emphasis is given to the imbalance of the sexes and the consequences of it for women.

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