Religion, Health and Well-Being in Later Life : Storying Our Lives in the Face of Death

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-119
Author(s):  
Nienke P.M. Fortuin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cultural Narratives ◽  
End Of Life Decisions ◽  
Counter Narratives ◽  
The Face ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract One of the mechanisms by which religion promotes health and well-being is by offering frameworks of meaning. Older adults ‘story’ later life against the background of the grand narratives offered by their worldview and cultural narratives of ageing. The dominance of age-defying narratives and narratives of decline indicates the need for counter narratives of ageing. Moreover, the premature notion that one’s life story has effectively ended is negatively associated with worldview commitment. Empirical research suggests that worldview commitment provides existential support, alleviating death anxiety and enhancing well-being and health. Religions offer meaning in the face of death, thereby influencing end-of-life decisions.

scholarly journals Recalling Memories of Life’s Challenges with Purpose and Redemption: Resources to Foster Resilience?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 909-910
Author(s):  
Shubam Sharma ◽  
Joshua Perlin ◽  
Susan Bluck
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Sense Of Purpose ◽  
Life Challenges ◽  
The Face

Abstract Unique life challenges occur across life phases, including later life. Life story research suggests that the way challenges are narrated has consequences for multiple domains of well-being. Two factors for positively reframing challenges are one’s sense of purpose in life (Windsor et al., 2015) and redemption (McAdams et al., 2001). This study used moderated-mediation analyses to investigate whether: 1) challenge relates to psychosocial and cognitive well-being, differentially by age, and 2) narrating with greater purpose and redemption ameliorates effects of challenges on well-being, by age. Participants (N = 99 young, 88 older adults) rated self-disruption of challenging events from their lives (IV1) and reported number of recent life challenges experienced (IV2). Eudaimonic well-being (DV1) and cognitive well-being (DV2) were assessed. Purpose (M1) and redemption (M2) were reliably content-analyzed from participants’ narratives of autobiographical challenges (e.g., illness, loss of other). For Aim 1, young and older adults who experienced more challenges showed lower eudaimonic well-being but higher cognitive well-being. Perceived self-disruption was unrelated to well-being. For Aim 2, results showed that how individuals narrate (i.e., with purpose, with redemption) the challenges that have occurred in their lives mediates effects of challenge. Specifically, exhibiting a sense of purpose mediated the relation between perceived self-disruption and cognitive well-being. Redemption buffered negative effects of both self-disruption and number of challenges on eudaimonic well-being. Mediation results held regardless of age. Findings suggest purpose and redemption are two narrative mechanisms that act as psychological resources to support well-being in the face of life’s inevitable challenges.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Usability and Acceptability of the InnoWell Platform as Rated by Older Adults: Survey Study

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/25928 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e25928
Author(s):  
Haley M LaMonica ◽  
Anna E Roberts ◽  
Tracey A Davenport ◽  
Ian B Hickie
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Digital Tool ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background As the global population ages, there is increased interest in developing strategies to promote health and well-being in later life, thus enabling continued productivity, social engagement, and independence. As older adults use technologies with greater frequency, proficiency, and confidence, health information technologies (HITs) now hold considerable potential as a means to enable broader access to tools and services for the purposes of screening, treatment, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance of health for this group. The InnoWell Platform is a digital tool co-designed with lived experience to facilitate better outcomes by enabling access to a comprehensive multidimensional assessment, the results of which are provided in real time to enable consumers to make informed decisions about clinical and nonclinical care options independently or in collaboration with a health professional. Objective This study aims to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a prototype of the InnoWell Platform, co-designed and configured with and for older adults, using self-report surveys. Methods Participants were adults 50 years and older who were invited to engage with the InnoWell Platform naturalistically (ie, at their own discretion) for a period of 90 days. In addition, they completed short web-based surveys at baseline regarding their background, health, and mental well-being. After 90 days, participants were asked to complete the System Usability Scale to evaluate the usability and acceptability of the prototyped InnoWell Platform, with the aim of informing the iterative redesign and development of this digital tool before implementation within a health service setting. Results A total of 19 participants consented to participate in the study; however, only the data from the 16 participants (mean age 62.8 years, SD 7.5; range 50-72) who completed at least part of the survey at 90 days were included in the analyses. Participants generally reported low levels of psychological distress and good mental well-being. In relation to the InnoWell Platform, the usability scores were suboptimal. Although the InnoWell Platform was noted to be easy to use, participants had difficulty identifying the relevance of the tool for their personal circumstances. Ease of use, the comprehensive nature of the assessment tools, and the ability to track progress over time were favored features of the InnoWell Platform, whereas the need for greater personalization and improved mobile functionality were cited as areas for improvement. Conclusions HITs such as the InnoWell Platform have tremendous potential to improve access to cost-effective and low-intensity interventions at scale to improve and maintain mental health and well-being in later life. However, to promote adoption of and continued engagement with such tools, it is essential that these HITs are personalized and relevant for older adult end users, accounting for differences in background, clinical profiles, and levels of need.

5. Positive and successful ageing

2016 ◽  
pp. 87-101
Author(s):  
Nancy A. Pachana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Policy Frameworks ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health And Well Being

‘Positive and successful ageing’ examines how, as a society, we can promote positive and successful ageing in terms of physical, mental, and social well-being in later life. It addresses current findings and directions in research, interventions, and social policy, which have focused more strongly on health and well-being, rather than disease and disability, in the last few decades. Attention is paid to the contributions of the environment, lifestyle factors, meaning and engagement in life, resilience, and wisdom that support a successful move through the latter stages of life. Successful ageing is now the subject of policy frameworks, lifespan theories of development, and actions—large and small—affecting older adults globally.

scholarly journals Dynamic Relationships Between Perceived Housing and Life Transitions: A Better Understanding of Good Aging in Place

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 444-444
Author(s):  
Frank Oswald ◽  
Steven Schmidt ◽  
Malcolm Cutchin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Transitions ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Life Transition ◽  
Dynamic Relationship ◽  
Dynamic Relationships ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Housing has gained increased relevance as a central factor for health and well-being. Many countries have implemented ageing in place policies, which provide services focused on improving the physical environment. Housing needs change as people grow older and experience different transitions across their life courses. Studies have demonstrated relationships between housing and health and well-being in later life on the one hand and life transitions and health and well-being in later life on the other hand. However, research on life transitions in combination with perceived housing in relation to indicators of good ageing is virtually nonexistent. This symposiums aims to address the dynamic relationship between perceived housing and life transitions and how they impact health, well-being, functioning, and social/neighborhood participation as people age by data from a mixed-method approach in Sweden and Germany. The first contribution by Slaug and colleagues introduces changes in how older adults perceive their housing following the life transition of a fall at home. Second, Eriksson and colleagues present qualitative results on the experience of relationships between perceived housing, several life transitions and well-being among community-dwelling Swedish older adults. Third, Wanka and colleagues present partially different results from a comparable study in German on the same topic but emphasizing the experience of interrelationships between different life course transitions. Fourth, Granbom and colleagues explore how low-income older adults in Sweden reason about their current housing situation and a future life transition of relocation. Finally, Malcolm P. Cutchin will serve as the session’s discussant.

scholarly journals Exploring Gender Differences in Volunteer Behavior Among Older Asian Americans

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 24-25
Author(s):  
Patrick Ho Lam Lai ◽  
Christina Matz ◽  
Cal Halvorsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Asian Women ◽  
Asian Men ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Social And Cultural Factors ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Prior research has documented the health and well-being effects of volunteerism in later life, and that positive outcomes increase in the first 100 volunteer hours/year and slightly increase between 100-200 hours. Given this, it seems that using an intersectional lens to explore disparities in volunteer behaviors and what might explain them is important from a health equity standpoint. Using data from 268,194 individuals aged 65-85 from the most recently available Volunteer Supplement of the Current Population Survey, this study found that White older adults were most likely to spend any time in volunteer activities, while Asian and Hispanic older adults were least, across all racial/ethnic groups. Further, the percentage of older Asian women volunteering in the 100-200 hour range (27%) was significantly higher than that of older Asian men (19%). Social and cultural factors that may explain these racial/gender differences and implications for recruiting older adults as volunteers are discussed.

scholarly journals Empathy and Coping: Older Adults’ Interpersonal Tensions and Mood throughout the Day

Gerontology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Meng Huo ◽  
Yee To Ng ◽  
Kira S. Birditt ◽  
Karen L. Fingerman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Buffering Effect ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
The Face ◽  
And Coping

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Scholars have proposed that empathy is a key feature of strong social ties, but less is known about the role empathy plays when tensions arise. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We examined whether older adults’ empathy was associated with (a) coping strategies for interpersonal tensions, and (b) mood when there were tensions throughout the day. We also explored whether coping strategies explained the potential buffering effect of empathy on older adults’ momentary mood. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Older adults (<i>N</i> = 302) from the Daily Experiences and Well-Being Study completed a baseline survey on empathy and coping strategies. They also completed ecological momentary assessments every 3 hours each day for 5–6 days, which included questions about interpersonal tensions and mood. This study considered tensions with close partners (e.g., family and friends) and with non-close partners (e.g., acquaintances and service providers). <b><i>Results:</i></b> In the face of interpersonal tensions, more empathic older adults reported using more constructive and less destructive coping strategies than less empathic older adults, regardless of their closeness to social partners. Being more empathic also buffered older adults’ mood when tensions occurred with close partners, but this buffering effect was not mediated by older adults’ general preference for coping strategies. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This study advances our understanding of empathy and interpersonal tensions in later life, with a focus on daily experiences.

scholarly journals Marriage, Cohabitation, and Divorce in Later Life

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L Brown ◽  
Matthew R Wright
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Divorce Rate ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Family Change ◽  
Recent Scholarship ◽  
Source Of Care ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Older adults are at the forefront of family change as a declining share experiences lifelong marriage and rates of cohabitation and divorce in later life continue to rise. The goal of this article is to review recent scholarship on marriage, cohabitation, and divorce among older adults and identify directions for future research. The varied family experiences characterizing the later life course demonstrate the importance of moving beyond marital status to capture additional dimensions of the marital biography, including transitions, timing, duration, and sequencing. Cohabitation operates as an alternative to marriage for older adults and is increasingly replacing remarriage following divorce or widowhood. The gray divorce rate has doubled in recent decades as older adults abandon marriage in favor of unmarried partnerships or singlehood. The retreat from marriage among older adults raises important questions about the ramifications of family change for health and well-being as well as access to caregivers given that spouses historically have been the primary source of care.

scholarly journals Recreation, Physical Activities and Health Needs of Older Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oludele Albert Ajani
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Selective Optimization With Compensation ◽  
Theory Of Aging ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Insight Into

The benefits of physical activities on health and well-being of humans, in the present and later life, are well documented in many fields of study including gerontology. Adopting the continuity theory of aging and theory of selective optimization with compensation, this paper reviewed empirical works on the interplay of recreation, physical activity and the well-being of older adults. This is with a view to stimulating further research and insight into the understanding of well being of older adults. The paper concludes that a community-based intervention that will encourage active participation may go a long way in meeting the recreation needs of the elderly in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Usability and Acceptability of the InnoWell Platform as Rated by Older Adults: Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haley M LaMonica ◽  
Anna E Roberts ◽  
Tracey A Davenport ◽  
Ian B Hickie
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Digital Tool ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND As the global population ages, there is increased interest in developing strategies to promote health and well-being in later life, thus enabling continued productivity, social engagement, and independence. As older adults use technologies with greater frequency, proficiency, and confidence, health information technologies (HITs) now hold considerable potential as a means to enable broader access to tools and services for the purposes of screening, treatment, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance of health for this group. The InnoWell Platform is a digital tool co-designed with lived experience to facilitate better outcomes by enabling access to a comprehensive multidimensional assessment, the results of which are provided in real time to enable consumers to make informed decisions about clinical and nonclinical care options independently or in collaboration with a health professional. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a prototype of the InnoWell Platform, co-designed and configured with and for older adults, using self-report surveys. METHODS Participants were adults 50 years and older who were invited to engage with the InnoWell Platform naturalistically (ie, at their own discretion) for a period of 90 days. In addition, they completed short web-based surveys at baseline regarding their background, health, and mental well-being. After 90 days, participants were asked to complete the System Usability Scale to evaluate the usability and acceptability of the prototyped InnoWell Platform, with the aim of informing the iterative redesign and development of this digital tool before implementation within a health service setting. RESULTS A total of 19 participants consented to participate in the study; however, only the data from the 16 participants (mean age 62.8 years, SD 7.5; range 50-72) who completed at least part of the survey at 90 days were included in the analyses. Participants generally reported low levels of psychological distress and good mental well-being. In relation to the InnoWell Platform, the usability scores were suboptimal. Although the InnoWell Platform was noted to be easy to use, participants had difficulty identifying the relevance of the tool for their personal circumstances. Ease of use, the comprehensive nature of the assessment tools, and the ability to track progress over time were favored features of the InnoWell Platform, whereas the need for greater personalization and improved mobile functionality were cited as areas for improvement. CONCLUSIONS HITs such as the InnoWell Platform have tremendous potential to improve access to cost-effective and low-intensity interventions at scale to improve and maintain mental health and well-being in later life. However, to promote adoption of and continued engagement with such tools, it is essential that these HITs are personalized and relevant for older adult end users, accounting for differences in background, clinical profiles, and levels of need.

Spiritual perspectives of Black Caribbean and White British older adults: development of a spiritual typology in later life

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
EUAN SADLER ◽  
SIMON BIGGS ◽  
KAREN GLASER
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Black Caribbean ◽  
Spiritual Perspectives ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Health And Well Being

ABSTRACTSpirituality is positively linked to health and well-being in later life, particularly among older adults of black ethnic groups. However, definitions of spirituality in the literature have largely been theoretically informed, rather than based on the views of older people themselves. We examined the spiritual perspectives of Black Caribbean and White British older adults based on in-depth interviews with 34 individuals aged between 60 and 95 years. Our aim was to develop a spiritual typology to add to an understanding of the process of spirituality in later life. Findings showed that Black Caribbean older individuals mostly defined spirituality in relation to their belief in a transcendent God, whereas White British older individuals tended to draw upon a wider range of spiritual, religious or secular notions. A spirituality typology in later life captured four categories of relationship, between ‘God to self’, ‘self to God’, ‘self to universe’ and ‘self to life’. The typology highlights the central role of ethnicity in shaping spiritual perspectives in later life, and identifies the multidimensional nature of spirituality among older adults, reflecting in part a developmental process, although a process which is socially and culturally constructed.

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