Less is more in Web search interfaces for older adults

First Monday ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Aula ◽  
Mika Käki
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Web Search ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
Search Interface ◽  
Less Is More ◽  
Usability Problems ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Elderly Users

We have previously found the elderly users to face several usability problems with the current search engines. Thus, we designed an elderly–friendly search interface, Etsin. To evaluate the success of the design, a usability study was conducted for comparing the usability of Etsin and Google. The participants faced fewer usability problems when using Etsin than Google and they valued the clarity of the Etsin interface. In conclusion, elderly users benefit from a simplified search engine interface that is easy to understand and that takes into account age–related issues.

scholarly journals Muscular Atrophy and Sarcopenia in the Elderly: Is There a Role for Creatine Supplementation?

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolan ◽  
Artioli ◽  
Pereira ◽  
Gualano
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Training Stimulus ◽  
Creatine Supplementation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
And Function

Sarcopenia is characterized by a loss of muscle mass, quality, and function, and negatively impacts health, functionality, and quality of life for numerous populations, particularly older adults. Creatine is an endogenously produced metabolite, which has the theoretical potential to counteract many of the morphological and metabolic parameters underpinning sarcopenia. This can occur through a range of direct and indirect mechanisms, including temporal and spatial functions that accelerate ATP regeneration during times of high energy demand, direct anabolic and anti-catabolic functions, and enhanced muscle regenerating capacity through positively impacting muscle stem cell availability. Studies conducted in older adults show little benefit of creatine supplementation alone on muscle function or mass. In contrast, creatine supplementation as an adjunct to exercise training seems to augment the muscle adaptive response to the training stimulus, potentially through increasing capacity for higher intensity exercise, and/or by enhancing post-exercise recovery and adaptation. As such, creatine may be an effective dietary strategy to combat age-related muscle atrophy and sarcopenia when used to complement the benefits of exercise training.

scholarly journals Study of adverse drug reactions and clinical profile of elderly in relation to polypharmacy

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 80-84
Author(s):  
Nagaraja BS ◽  
Keerthana Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adverse Drug Reactions ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Improve Compliance ◽  
Clinical Conditions

Background: Polypharmacy is a becoming more prevalent in older adults and adverse risk increases with age-related change. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in older adults and worrisome aspect of treatment in elderly. Aims and Objective: The study aimed to identify the common clinical conditions leading to polypharmacy and to compare the adverse drug profiles of the 2 groups. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Hospitals attached to BMCRI, where 200 patients aged 65 or more were interviewed. 100 elderly patients using 5 or more drugs were identified as cases and assessed against a control group of 100 patients. Results: Our study found that ADRs were found to be three times higher in individuals on polypharmacy compared to the control group (OR 3.4675 95% CI 1.6241 to 7.4035). The most commonly occurring ADRs were dyspepsia (OR 1.9259), drowsiness (OR 3.5926) and fatigue (OR 1.5319) with increased incidence in the case group. The most common conditions associated with polypharmacy were found to be hypertension (53%), diabetes mellitus(46%), COPD(14%) and IHD(14%). 66% of the study group had two or more of the above diseases, whereas in the control group only 32% had multiple illnesses. The most commonly prescribed medications were antihypertensives (61%), hypolipidemics (44%), antiplatelets (41%) and antibiotics(40%). Conclusion: Polypharmacy in the elderly comes with a significant increase in adverse effects. The reduced pill burden will not only decrease ADRs and improve compliance, but will also result in greater patient satisfaction and mental health, thereby improving the quality of geriatric care.

Conclusion

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Individual Therapy ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Elderly Age ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

Addiction in older adults very often goes unrecognized, for several reasons: social biases about the elderly, age-related metabolic changes, and the inappropriate use of prescription benzodiazepines and opioids to address untreated anxiety and mood conditions. Alcohol or substance-use disorders (SUDs) in older individuals may present in subtle and atypical ways. Strategies to overcome such difficulties include systematic screening using validated instruments, patient education regarding the impact of psychoactive substances on health, and cautious prescribing practices. Relying on standard DSM criteria may result in a failure to detect an SUD that presents with cognitive symptoms or physical injury, as well as the absence of work or social consequences. Older individuals can benefit from the application of risk-stratification measures, and they can be referred, e.g., to age-appropriate group therapy and non-confrontational individual therapy focusing on late-life issues of loss and sources of social support, as well as be offered medication management for alcohol or substance use disorder. Although research has been limited in this population, treatment outcomes have been found to be superior in older adults than younger adults.

scholarly journals Dizziness and prevention of falls in the elderly

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto P. Casani ◽  
Elena Navari
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Vestibular Disorders ◽  
Great Role ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Old Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Treatable Condition

Disequilibrium is one of the most common complaints that older adults bring to their physician and falling is a frequent complication; because of the increasing number of elderly patients in western society the problem grows. The increasing susceptibility to falling can be consequence of age-related physiological changes and of a higher prevalence of comorbidities causing dizziness, vertigo and imbalance; these symptoms can worse the already poor balance of old adults increasing the risk of falling. Among the major reasons of vertigo and dizziness, central vertigo and orthostatic vertigo are very common; also vestibular disorders have a great role and are currently thought to account for 48% of dizziness reported by older adults. An early identification of the treatable condition underlying dizziness in elderly would surely ameliorate the outcome of these patients.

scholarly journals Age-Related Changes in the 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Versus Parathyroid Hormone Relationship Suggest a Different Reason Why Older Adults Require More Vitamin D

2003 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinhold Vieth ◽  
Yasmin Ladak ◽  
Paul G. Walfish
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Age Related ◽  
25 Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
The Relationship

Vitamin D requirements are thought to vary with age, but there is little comparative evidence for this. One goal in establishing a vitamin D requirement is to avoid secondary hyperparathyroidism. We studied 1741 euthyroid, thyroid clinic outpatients without evidence of calcium abnormalities, ranging in age from 19 to 97 yr, whose serum and urine had been analyzed for calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid status. We found no effect of age on the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration associated with specific vitamin D intakes, and there was no relationship between 25(OH)D and 1,25hydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]. In every age group, serum 1,25(OH)2D declined with increasing creatinine (P < 0.001). What changed with age included creatinine, which correlated with 25(OH)D (r = 0.146, P < 0.001) only in the youngest age group (19–50 yr) but not in the older age groups (P > 0.1). Creatinine did not correlate with PTH in the youngest age group, but the relationship became significant as age increased (e.g. for the elderly, r = 0.365, P < 0.001). Linear regression of log PTH vs. log 25(OH)D agreed with the natural shape of the relationship observed with scatterplot smoothing, and this showed no plateau in PTH as 25(OH)D increased. We compared PTH concentrations among age groups, based on 20 nmol/liter increments in 25(OH)D. Mean PTH in adults older than 70 yr was consistently higher than in adults younger than 50 yr (P < 0.05 by ANOVA and Dunnett’s t test). PTH levels of the elderly who had 25(OH)D concentrations greater than 100 nmol/liter matched PTH of younger adults having 25(OH)D concentrations near 70 nmol/liter. This study shows that all age groups exhibit a high prevalence of 25(OH)D insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Older adults are just as efficient in maintaining 25(OH)D, but they need more vitamin D to produce the higher 25(OH)D concentrations required to overcome the hyperparathyroidism associated with their diminishing renal function.

When estimating reachability in space, young children and the elderly are similar

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Gabbard ◽  
Priscila Caçola
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Motor Imagery ◽  
Mental Representation ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Extrapersonal Space ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Reach Space ◽  
Total Accuracy

Abstract: This study examined the age-related ability to mentally represent action in the context of reach estimation via use of motor imagery in children, young adults, and a group of older adults. Participants were instructed to estimate whether randomly presented targets in peripersonal (within actual reach) and extrapersonal (beyond reach) space were within or out of reach of their dominant limb while seated. In regard to total accuracy, results indicated that children and older adults were similar, but scores were significantly lower than those of young adults. Whereas all groups displayed greater error in extrapersonal space, once again children and older adults were similar, but significantly different than young adults. That is, children and older adults displayed greater overestimation responses. Although other factors are discussed, the literature provides a hint that differences are due in part to distinctions in brain structure and functioning. Key Words: Mental representation, motor imagery, action processing. 

When estimating reachability in space, young children and the elderly are similar

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-13
Author(s):  
Carl Gabbard ◽  
Priscila Caçola
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Motor Imagery ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Extrapersonal Space ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Reach Space ◽  
Total Accuracy

This study examined the age-related ability to mentally represent action in the context of reach estimation via use of motor imagery in children, young adults, and a group of older adults. Participants were instructed to estimate whether randomly presented targets in peripersonal (within actual reach) and extrapersonal (beyond reach) space were within or out of reach of their dominant limb while seated. In regard to total accuracy, results indicated that children and older adults were similar, but scores were significantly lower than those of young adults. Whereas all groups displayed greater error in extrapersonal space, once again children and older adults were similar, but significantly different than young adults. That is, children and older adults displayed greater overestimation responses. Although other factors are discussed, the literature provides a hint that differences are due in part to distinctions in brain structure and functioning.

Only social feedback reduces age-related prospective memory deficits in “Virtual Week”

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 759-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Niedźwieńska ◽  
Peter G. Rendell ◽  
Krystian Barzykowski ◽  
Alicja Leszczyńska
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Feedback ◽  
Feedback Group ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Memory For Intentions

ABSTRACTBackground:Prospective memory, or remembering to do things in the future, is crucial for independent living in old age. Although there is evidence of substantial age-related deficits in memory for intentions, older adults have demonstrated the ability to compensate for their deficits in everyday life. The present study investigated feedback as a strategy for facilitating prospective memory in the elderly.Method:Young and older adults played a computer-based task, Virtual Week, in which they had to remember to carry out life-like intentions. After each virtual day, specific feedback on prospective memory performance was automatically provided on the computer screen that participants either proceeded through by themselves (non-social feedback) or were taken through by an experimenter (social feedback). The control group received no feedback.Results:We found that, compared with no-feedback group, only social feedback substantially reduced the age-related deficit in prospective memory. Older adults significantly benefited from feedback provided by the experimenter on the tasks of intermediate difficulty. Unexpectedly, prospective memory with non-social feedback was not only worse than with social feedback, but it was not any better than without any feedback at all.Conclusions:The results extended previous findings on the effectiveness of feedback in improving the memory performance of older adults to include memory for intentions. Despite the feedback meeting the critical recommendations of being specific, objective, and well-targeted, it was ineffective when the feedback displayed on the computer was not introduced by the experimenter. This has implications for computerized training tasks where automated feedback is considered crucial.

scholarly journals Theta oscillations show impaired interference detection in the elderly during selective memory retrieval

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina S. Ferreira ◽  
Maria Jesús Maraver ◽  
Simon Hanslmayr ◽  
Bajo Teresa
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Retrieval Practice ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Interference Detection ◽  
Interference Signal ◽  
Theta Power ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Induced Forgetting

ABSTRACTSeemingly effortless tasks, such as recognizing faces and retrieving names, become significantly harder as people get older. These age-related difficulties may be partially due to the concurrent activation of related competitors. However, it remains unclear whether older adults struggle with detecting an early interference signal or with suppressing irrelevant competitors once competition is detected. To investigate this question, we used the retrieval practice paradigm, shown to elicit interference, while recording electrophysiological activity in young and older adults. In two experiments, young participants showed the typical Retrieval Induced Forgetting (RIF) effect whereas the elderly did not. Neurally, young adults were more capable to detect interference than the older, as evidenced by an increase in mid-frontal theta power (~4-8Hz). This efficient interference detection allowed young adults to recruit inhibitory mechanisms that overcome competition, as traced by a theta power reduction across retrieval cycles. No such reduction was found for the elderly, indicating that the lack of an early interference detection signal renders older adults unable to recruit memory selection mechanisms, eliminating RIF.AUTHORS NOTEThis research was supported by the doctoral research grants AP2009-2215 to C.S.F and BES-2013-066842 to M.J.M.; by grants PSI2012-33625; PSI2015-65502-C2-1-P from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness, and by the Economic Council of the Andalusian Government P08-HUM-03600-Feder and P12-CTS-2369-Feder to T.B.Declaration of interestThe authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose

scholarly journals An Empirical Research into Technology usage By Older Adults and Barriers Faced in usage of Technology in Kerala

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 538-543
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Barriers To Adoption ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Barriers And Challenges ◽  
Positive Outlook ◽  
Elderly Users

Digital technology has transformed our everyday life to a great extent in the past couple of decades and has reached its zenith. In our attempt to digitalize everything, they have ignored or forgotten to tap a large consumer base, mainly comprising of elderly users. According to a hep age, India report India will be burgeoning with senior citizens by 2050 as its elderly population will be the same in number to its population below 18 years of age. In short, the intrusion of digital technology has created a paradigm shift in the way people interact, access information, and make purchases rather than depending heavily on human interaction & personalized monitoring. It will be gruesome for the elderly generation to adopt these changed as they are not accustomed to this newfound applications & methods. As more business and services get transformed into an online platform, some unique barriers and challenges may place many of the elderly Indians in a disadvantaged position. A study among senior citizens will help the policymakers of our society, designing inclusive digital interventions that can accommodate elderly citizens' requirements. It further makes business sense to marketers to design and deliver products that can cater to their needs. Our study is an attempt to understand the usage and application of smart and digital technologies and barriers faced by them in using them. Senior citizens filled the questionnaire in the age band of 65to 75 from different geographical areas dispersed in Kerala. Our study reveals that older adults have unique barriers to adoption, such as physical, emotional, and lack of comfort and confidence while using these devices. The most exciting fact from our study is that many of them hold a positive outlook about technology invading into their life

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document