scholarly journals Robot Therapy Program for Patients with Dementia: Its Framework and Effectiveness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoko Osaka ◽  
Ryuichi Tanioka ◽  
Feni Betriana ◽  
Tetsuya Tanioka ◽  
Yoshihiro Kai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Older People ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Animal Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Goals ◽  
Therapy Program ◽  
Intermediary Role

Robot therapy uses humanoid and animal-like robots. The robot therapy for older adults is expected to affect the therapeutic goals, including physical condition, cognitive function, and provide joy. By interaction with humanoid or animal-like robot, the older adults who are not physically active may have the improvement of their physical condition, such as hugging, stroking, talking with them, and participating in any activity involving the robot. The typical examples show that animal therapy has almost the same effectiveness as robot therapy among older people. It is clarified that robot therapy can be expected to have a healing effect on patients, improve motivation for activity, and increase the amount of activity, like animal therapy. Furthermore, it was essential to consider the intermediary role of nurses for connecting the robot and older adults and their role, even if the robot is not sophisticated enough to be useful as a humanoid nurse robot for rehabilitation and dialogue with older adults. Thus, robot therapy could be considered another important intervention in the challenging health and innovative care practices needed in the care of older persons. This chapter explains the robot therapy program for patients with dementia from the viewpoint of its framework and effectiveness.

Early Child–Parent Relationship Quality and Cognitive Function in Older Rural Chinese Adults: The Mediating Role of Educational Attainment

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432199656
Author(s):  
Changmin Peng ◽  
Jeffrey A. Burr ◽  
Dong Yang ◽  
Nan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Early Child ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Parent Relationship

Objectives: Framed within a life course perspective and cognitive reserve theory, this study examined the mediating role of educational attainment for the association between child–parent relationships during childhood and cognitive function among older adults in rural China. Methods: Data were obtained from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study ( N = 9809). We employed latent growth curve modeling to test the association among early child–parent relationship quality, educational attainment, and cognitive function in later life. Results: Early child–mother relationship quality was associated with the level and change in cognitive function. Early child–father relationship quality was only related to baseline cognitive function. Educational attainment mediated the relationship between early child–parent relationship quality with mothers and fathers and cognitive function. Discussion: Parental relationship experience in childhood was one distal factor related to cognitive function among older adults. The findings supported the long-term impacts of childhood conditions for later life health consequences.

scholarly journals AGE DIFFERENCES IN POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT: ROLE OF SELF-RELEVANCE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S785-S785
Author(s):  
Tze Kiu Wong ◽  
Helene H Fung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Older People ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Political Behavior ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Political Engagement ◽  
Political Discussion ◽  
Younger Adults

Abstract Previous studies usually found that older people are less politically engaged than younger adults, especially when considering political behavior other than voting. The current study extends the Selective Engagement hypothesis (Hess, 2014) to political engagement. 81 younger adults and 79 older adults rated 8 issues on self-relevance and their willingness to engage in political discussion, arguments and collective action on each issue. The predicted moderating effect of self-relevance was not found, but older people indeed are more willing to discuss (B = 0.07, p = 0.027) and argue with others on more self-relevant issues (B = 0.06, p = 0.031). Perceived cost of collective action was found to be a moderator, such that self-relevance was less important than other factors for high-cost actions (B = -0.016, p = 0.013). The current research sheds light on potential ways to increase older adults’ engagement in social issues.

Gait Variability and Fall Risk in Older Adults: The Role of Cognitive Function

2019 ◽  
pp. 107-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederico Pieruccini-Faria ◽  
Manuel Montero-Odasso ◽  
Jeffrey M. Hausdorff
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Gait Variability

scholarly journals Sleep Onset/Maintenance Difficulties and Cognitive Function in Nondemented Older Adults: The Role of Cognitive Reserve

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (03) ◽  
pp. 461-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly E. Zimmerman ◽  
Marcelo E. Bigal ◽  
Mindy J. Katz ◽  
Adam M. Brickman ◽  
Richard B. Lipton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Sleep Onset

Exercise Impacts Age-Related Changes in Cognitive Function and Neural Complexity

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Heisz ◽  
Ana Kovacevic
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Neural Network ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Age Related Changes

Age-related changes in the brain can compromise cognitive function. However, in some cases, the brain is able to functionally reorganize to compensate for some of this loss. The present paper reviews the benefits of exercise on executive functions in older adults and discusses a potential mechanism through which exercise may change the way the brain processes information for better cognitive outcomes. Specifically, older adults who are more physically active demonstrate a shift toward local neural processing that is associated with better executive functions. We discuss the use of neural complexity as a sensitive measure of the neural network plasticity that is enhanced through exercise. We conclude by highlighting the future work needed to improve exercise prescriptions that help older adults maintain their cognitive and physical functions for longer into their lifespan.

Duration of Poverty and Subsequent Cognitive Function and Decline Among Older Adults in China, 2005–2018

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012343
Author(s):  
Xuexin Yu ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Lindsay C. Kobayashi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
Annual Household Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Healthy Longevity ◽  
Rate Of Decline ◽  
Statistical Yearbook

Objective:To investigate the relationship between late-life duration of poverty exposure and cognitive function and decline among older adults in China.Methods:Data were from 3,209 participants aged ≥64 in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Duration of poverty, defined according to urban and rural regional standards from the China Statistical Yearbook, was assessed based on annual household income from 2005-2011 (never in poverty; 1/3 of the period in poverty; ≥2/3 of the period in poverty). Cognitive function was measured by the Chinese Mini Mental State Exam (CMMSE) from 2011-2018. We used attrition-weighted, multivariable mixed-effects Tobit regression to examine the association of duration of poverty with cognitive function and rate of decline.Results:A total of 1,162 individuals (36.21%) were never in poverty over the period from 2005-2011, 1,172 (36.52%) were in poverty 1/3 of the period, and 875 (27.27%) were in poverty ≥2/3 of the period. A longer poverty duration was associated with lower subsequent CMMSE scores with a dose-response relationship (1/3 vs. never in poverty: β = -0.98; 95% CI: -1.61 to -0.35; ≥2/3 vs. never in poverty: β = -1.55; 95% CI: -2.29 to -0.81). However, a longer duration of poverty was associated with a slower rate of CMMSE score decline over time from 2011-2018.Conclusion:These findings provide valuable evidence on the role of cumulative late-life poverty in relation to cognitive health among older adults in a rapidly urbanizing and aging middle-income country. Our findings may support a compensation hypothesis for cognitive reserve in this setting.

scholarly journals Exposure to Indoor Mouldy Odour Increases the Risk of Asthma in Older Adults Living in Social Housing

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 2600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loveth Moses ◽  
Karyn Morrissey ◽  
Richard A. Sharpe ◽  
Tim Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Asset Management ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Western World ◽  
Mould Growth ◽  
Building Type ◽  
Indoor Mould ◽  
Mould Contamination

Background: Indoor dampness is thought to affect around 16% of European homes. It is generally accepted that increased exposure to indoor dampness and mould contamination (e.g., spores and hyphae) increases the risk of developing and/or exacerbating asthma. Around 30% of people in the Western world have an allergic disease (e.g., allergy, wheeze and asthma). The role of indoor mould contamination in the risk of allergic diseases in older adults is yet to be fully explored. This is of interest because older people spend more time indoors, as well as facing health issues due to the ageing process, and may be at greater risk of developing and/or exacerbating asthma as a result of indoor dampness. Methods: Face-to-face questionnaires were carried out with 302 participants residing in social housing properties located in South West England. Self-reported demographic, mould contamination (i.e., presence of mould growth and mouldy odour) and health information was linked with the asset management records (e.g., building type, age and levels of maintenance). Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odd ratios and confidence intervals of developing and/or exacerbating asthma, wheeze and allergy with exposure to reported indoor mould contamination. We adjusted for a range of factors that may affect asthma outcomes, which include age, sex, current smoking, presence of pets, education, and building type and age. To assess the role of mould contamination in older adults, we compared younger adults to those aged over 50 years. Results: Doctor-diagnosed adult asthma was reported by 26% of respondents, 34% had current wheeze while 18% had allergies. Asthma was common among subjects exposed to reported visible mould (32%) and reported mouldy odour (42%). Exposure to visible mould growth and mouldy odour were risk factors for asthma, but not for wheeze or allergy. Exposure to mouldy odour increased the risk of asthma in adults over the age of 50 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–5.34) and the risk was higher for females than for males (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.37–9.08). These associations were modified by a range of built environment characteristics. Conclusions: We found that older adults living in social (public) housing properties, specifically women, may be at higher risk of asthma when exposed to mouldy odour, which has a number of implications for policy makers and practitioners working in the health and housing sector. Additional measures should be put in place to protect older people living in social housing against indoor damp and mould contamination.

EFFECTS OF RICE WINE LEES ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS: A PILOT RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
N. Nagai ◽  
N. Shindo ◽  
A. Wada ◽  
H. Izu ◽  
T. Fujii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Apolipoprotein A1 ◽  
Complement C3 ◽  
Rice Wine ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
One Carbon Metabolism

Background: Rice wine lees (RWL), a Japanese traditional fermented product, is a rich source of one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients, which may have beneficial effects on cognitive function. Objectives: We aimed to examine the effect of the RWL on cognitive function in community-dwelling physically active older adults. Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study (clinical trial number: UMIN 000027158). Setting: Community-based intervention including assessments conducted at the University of Hyogo and a public liberal arts school in Himeji City, Japan. Participants: A total of 35 community-dwelling older adults (68–80 years) who performed mild exercise before and during the trial were assigned to either the RWL (n=17) or the placebo group (n=18). Intervention: Daily consumption of 50 g RWL powder, which contained one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients, or the placebo powder (made from soy protein and dextrin) for 12 weeks. Both supplements included equivalent amounts of energy and protein. Measurements: Montreal Cognitive Assessment, computerized cognitive function test, and measurements of serum predictive biomarkers (transthyretin, apolipoprotein A1, and complement C3) were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Results: Visual selective attention and serum transthyretin significantly improved in the RWL group, whereas there was no significant change in the placebo group. No significant group difference was observed in the remaining cognitive performance tests. Conclusions: RWL supplements seem to have a few effects on cognitive function in community-dwelling physically active older adults. However, the impact was limited; therefore, further studies with sufficient sample size are warranted to elucidate this issue.

scholarly journals Exploring the role of volunteers in social care for older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailsa Cameron ◽  
Eleanor K. Johnson ◽  
Paul B. Willis ◽  
Liz Lloyd ◽  
Randall Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South West

Purpose This paper aims to report the findings of a study that explores the contribution volunteers make to social care for older adults, identifying lessons for the social care sector and policymakers. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory multiple case study design was used to capture the perspectives and experiences of managers of services, volunteer co-ordinators, volunteers, paid care staff and older people. Seven diverse social care organisations took part in the study drawn from three locations in the South West of England. Findings This study identified three distinct models of volunteer contribution to social care services for older people. Although the contributions made by volunteers to services are valued, the study drew attention to some of the challenges related to their involvement. Research limitations/implications The organisations taking part in this small-scale study were all based in the South West of England, and the findings are therefore not generalisable but contribute to the growing evidence base related to this important field. Practical implications This study demonstrates the importance of the volunteer co-ordinator role and suggests that it is properly funded and resourced. It also confirms the importance of volunteers receiving appropriate training and support. Originality/value Given the increasing involvement of volunteers in the provision of social care, this paper provides lessons to ensure the role of volunteers in social care enhances rather than diminishes the quality of care provided.

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