Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Living Alone in China: Association of Social Support Network and Functional Ability

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libin Gu ◽  
Mingming Yu ◽  
Deguo Xu ◽  
Qiuling Wang ◽  
Wenru Wang
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Social Support Network ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

scholarly journals LIVING ALONE, HAVING CHILDREN AND FRIENDS NEARBY, AND DAILY FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S639-S639
Author(s):  
Yeon Jin Choi ◽  
Jennifer A Ailshire ◽  
Eileen Crimmins
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Abstract Fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with lower risk of chronic diseases and mortality. Despite the numerous health benefits, fruit and vegetable consumption of most older adults are below the daily recommendation. This paper aimed to investigate whether living alone and having children and friends nearby are associated with older adults’ daily fruit and vegetable consumption using a nationally representative sample of older Americans. Daily fruit and vegetable consumption was measured using (1) daily serving and (2) daily recommendation (2 or more servings for fruits; 3 or more servings for vegetables). Poisson and logistic regression models were estimated using the HRS Health Care and Nutrition Study. The sample included 6,915 community-dwelling older adults. Older adults who were living alone had lower fruit and vegetable consumption and less likely to meet daily recommendation for vegetables, compared to those who were living with someone. Having friends nearby was positively associated with the outcomes, while having children nearby was associated with meeting daily recommendation for vegetables only among older adults living alone. Based on the findings, older adults who are living alone and do not have children and friends nearby may be at the risk of poor nutrition due to low levels of social support. Provision of help with grocery shopping (e.g., transportation, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and meal preparation (e.g., home-delivered meals) as well as more social opportunities that can improve social support network and encourage healthy eating (e.g., congregate meals) may increase daily fruit and vegetable consumption of older adults.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Perception of Aging Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142199932
Author(s):  
Alexander Seifert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Subjective Views ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a pattern of physical distancing worldwide, particularly for adults aged 65+. Such distancing can evoke subjective feelings of negative self-perception of aging (SPA) among older adults, but how this pandemic has influenced such SPA is not yet known. This study, therefore, explored SPA at different time phases of the COVID-19 pandemic to explain the pandemic’s impact on SPA among older adults. The analysis employed a sample of 1,990 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 95 (mean age = 72.74 years; 43% female) in Switzerland. Data collection from different older adults within one study occurred both before and after Switzerland’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. The descriptive analysis revealed that negative SPA increased, and positive SPA decreased, after the Swiss government recommended physical distancing. After the Federal Council decided to ease these measures, negative SPA slightly decreased and positive SPA increased. According to the multivariate analysis, individuals interviewed after the lockdown were more likely to report greater levels of negative SPA and lower levels of positive SPA. Age, income, and living alone also correlated with SPA. The results suggest that the pandemic has affected older adults’ subjective views of their own aging, and these findings help illustrate the pandemic’s outcomes.

Walking Games Increasing Functional Ability among Community-dwelling Older Adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 515
Author(s):  
Ya-hsin Tung ◽  
Pei-sung Chin ◽  
Lee-hwa Chen ◽  
Jou-min Tung ◽  
Chin-chueh Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Relationship Between Frailty and Depression Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Mediating and Moderating Role of Social Support

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 1466-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaru Jin ◽  
Huaxin Si ◽  
Xiaoxia Qiao ◽  
Xiaoyu Tian ◽  
Xinyi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Frailty Phenotype ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background and Objectives Frailty is associated with depression in older adults and reduces their social support. However, the mechanism underlying such relationship remains unclear. We aim to examine whether social support acts as a mediator or moderator in the relationship between frailty and depression. Research Design and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,779 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and older. Frailty, social support, and depressive symptoms were measured by the Physical Frailty Phenotype, Social Support Rating Scale, and five-item Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. Data were also collected on age, gender, years of schooling, monthly income, cognitive function, number of chronic diseases, physical function, and pain. Results Linear regression models showed that subjective support and support utilization, but not objective support, mediated and moderated the relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms. The Johnson–Neyman technique determined a threshold of 30 for subjective support, but not for support utilization, beyond which the detrimental effect of frailty on depressive symptoms was offset. Discussion and Implications Social support underlies the association of frailty with depression, and its protective role varies by type. Interventions on depression should address improving perceptions and utilization of social support among frail older adults rather than simply providing them with objective support.

scholarly journals Social support and depression among community dwelling older adults in Asia: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e026667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tengku Amatullah Madeehah Tengku Mohd ◽  
Raudah Mohd Yunus ◽  
Farizah Hairi ◽  
Noran N Hairi ◽  
Wan Yuen Choo
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Support Measures ◽  
Received Social Support ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

ObjectivesThis review aims to: (1) explore the social support measures in studies examining the association between social support and depression among community-dwelling older adults in Asia and (2) the evidence of association.DesignA systematic review was conducted using electronic databases of CINAHL, PubMed, PsychINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, SocINDEX and Web of Science for articles published until the 11th of January 2018.Eligibility criteriaAll observational studies investigating the association between social support and depression among community-dwelling older adults in Asia were included.ParticipantsOlder adults aged 60 years and more who are living in the community.Exposure measuresSocial support.Outcome measuresDepression.ResultsWe retrieved16 356 records and screened 66 full-text articles. Twenty-four observational studies were included in the review. They consisted of five cohort studies and 19 cross-sectional studies. Social support was found to be measured by multiple components, most commonly through a combination of structural and functional constructs. Perceived social support is more commonly measured compared with received social support. Good overall social support, having a spouse or partner, living with family, having a large social network, having more contact with family and friends, having emotional and instrumental support, good support from family and satisfaction with social support are associated with less depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Asia.ConclusionsThere were 20 different social support measures and we applied a framework to allow for better comparability. Our findings emphasised the association between good social support and decrease depression among older adults. Compared with western populations, family support has a greater influence on depression among community-dwelling older adults in Asia. This indicates that the family institution needs to be incorporated into designed programmes and interventions when addressing depression in the Asian context.Trialregistration numberCRD42017074897.

scholarly journals Robotic Pet Use Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 2018-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janella Hudson ◽  
Rachel Ungar ◽  
Laurie Albright ◽  
Rifky Tkatch ◽  
James Schaeffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Effective Solution ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Active Lifestyles ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Objective The primary purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of robotic pets in alleviating loneliness for older adults. Method Self-reported lonely individuals with AARP Medicare Supplement plans insured by UnitedHealthcare who participated in a program with a robotic pet (n = 20) were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to provide feedback about their experiences interacting with a robotic pet, their perceptions about the potential impact on loneliness, and recommendations for improving the program. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Constant comparison and consensus-gaining processes were used to develop categories that later formed representative themes. Results Seven themes emerged from analysis: Openness to Adoption of Robotic Pet, Reactions to Pet and its Attributes, Integration of Pet in Daily Life, Strategic Utilization and Forging New Connections, Deriving Comfort and Camaraderie, Advice for Future Users, and Recommendations for Enhancing Ownership Experience. Participants living alone, with fewer social connections and less active lifestyles, derived the most benefit from interacting with their pets. Common responses to pets included cuddling, petting, grooming, and sleeping with them. Some shared or loaned their pets, while others refused to loan their pets to interested peers. Most reported showing their pets to others, which helped some facilitate communication and social connections. Conclusion Robotic pets may be an effective solution for alleviating loneliness in older adults, especially among those who live alone, have fewer social connections, and live less active lifestyles.

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