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Bíró A, Branyiczki R, Elek P. Time patterns of precautionary health behaviours during an easing phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Eur J Ageing 2022; 19:837-848. [PMID: 36692731 PMCID: PMC8253241 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-021-00636-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Using data from the COVID-19 questionnaire of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), we investigate the time patterns of precautionary health behaviours of individuals aged 50 years and above during the summer of 2020, an easing phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. We also examine how these health behaviours differ by the presence of chronic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol level, heart disease, diabetes or chronic bronchitis, which can be considered as risk factors for COVID-19. Our results suggest that while on average, people became less precautious during the analysed time period, this is less so for those who are at higher risk. We also document large regional differences in precautionary health behaviours and show that higher-risk individuals are on average more cautious in all regions. We conclude that people adjusted their health behaviours in line with the generally understood risk of the COVID-19 disease. At the same time, our results also point out divergences in the level of willingness to take different precautionary steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anikó Bíró
- Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Péter Elek
- Centre for Economic and Regional Studies and Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
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Precarious ageing in a global pandemic – older adults' experiences of being at risk due to COVID-19. AGEING & SOCIETY 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x22000381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Health authorities worldwide address older adults as a risk group for more serious illness and health complications associated with COVID-19, while social gerontologists have warned that addressing older adults as a risk group of COVID-19 bears the risk of reinforcing ageism. This paper empirically explores to what extent older adults perceive themselves as part of a COVID-19 risk group and how these perceptions influence their everyday lives and experiences of age and ageing. This paper draws upon data from a mixed-methods study on older adults' risk perceptions during COVID-19 in Lower Austria, including a representative survey on 521 adults (60+ years) and data from 20 semi-structured interviews. Approximately two-thirds of the respondents consider themselves at risk of COVID-19 and name age, in addition to pre-existing illness, as a contributing factor in this risk perception. Older adults with health constraints, and especially older men, have a higher probability of perceiving risk due to COVID-19. Additionally, older adults report that they experience being ‘suddenly seen as old’ or ‘being put into a box’ during the pandemic, which influenced their experiences and images of ageing. Our study provides insights into how perceived COVID-19 risk affects the everyday lives of older adults. Age-based categorisations of risk contribute to a shift in images of age and ageing, drawing on insecurity and risk, rather than successful and active ageing, to conceptualise later life.
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Yoga exercise intervention improves balance control and prevents falls in seniors aged 65+. Zdr Varst 2022; 61:85-92. [PMID: 35432608 PMCID: PMC8937584 DOI: 10.2478/sjph-2022-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Body balance control represents a key factor preventing falls and subsequent injuries in seniors aged 65+. Intervention based on yoga exercises seem to be effective in improving balance.
Objective
The objective is to analyse and compare changes in static, dynamic, and total balance scores, changes in body composition and social indices as effects of yoga-based intervention.
Methods
A total of 500 participants (234 men aged 74.5 SD±7.74 and 266 women aged 76.9 SD±7.23) were assessed using the Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool, the InBody 230 bioimpedance body composition analyser, and the SF-36 Health Survey, applied to pre and post-testing. The experimental group (n=262; 122 males; 140 females) underwent a four-week yoga-based intervention, 30 minutes daily, while the control group (n=238; 112 males; 126 females) underwent its usual daily programme at senior homes or centres. The ANOVA model, consisting of the Group, Stage, Subject and Group × Stage interaction factors, was used for data evaluation.
Results
Intervention led to improvements in the static, dynamic and total balance scores in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of SF-36 showed positive changes in the psychosocial aspects of health, such as promoting of calmness and happiness in male seniors and reducing fatigue, nervousness and depression in female seniors. The post-intervention decrease in body fat percentage and increase in muscle mass in seniors is discussed.
Conclusions
The four-week yoga-based intervention had positive effects on the static, dynamic and total balance scores, body composition and social status.
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Kornadt AE, Albert I, Hoffmann M, Murdock E, Nell J. Perceived Ageism During the Covid-19-Crisis Is Longitudinally Related to Subjective Perceptions of Aging. Front Public Health 2021; 9:679711. [PMID: 34327186 PMCID: PMC8313802 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.679711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ageism in media and society has increased sharply during the Covid-19-crisis, with expected negative consequences for the health and well-being of older adults. The current study investigates whether perceived ageism during the crisis longitudinally affects how people perceive their own aging. In June 2020, N = 611 older adults from Luxembourg [aged 60–98 years, Mage(SD) = 69.92(6.97)] participated in a survey on their perception of the crisis. In October 2020, N = 523 participated in a second measurement occasion. Participants reported on perceived ageism during the crisis in different domains, their self-perceptions of aging and subjective age. In latent longitudinal regression models, we predicted views on aging at T2 with perceived ageism at T1, while controlling for baseline views on aging and covariates. Perceived ageism at T1 increased self-perceptions of aging as social loss and yielded a trend for physical decline, while there were no effects on subjective age and self-perceptions of aging as continued growth. Views on aging are powerful predictors of well-being and health outcomes in later life. Our data suggest that being the target of ageism during the crisis negatively affects older adults' self-perceptions of aging and this impact may be felt beyond the current crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Kornadt
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Isabelle Albert
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | | | - Elke Murdock
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Josepha Nell
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Freund AM, Hennecke M, Brandstätter V, Martin M, Boker SM, Charles ST, Fishbach A, Gow AJ, Heckhausen J, Hess TM, Isaacowitz DM, Klusmann V, Lachman ME, Mayr U, Oettingen G, Robert P, Roecke C, Rothermund K, Scholz U, Tobler PN, Zacher H, Zadeh RS. Motivation and Healthy Aging: A Heuristic Model. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 76:S97-S104. [PMID: 34228802 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Building on the seminal definition of "healthy aging" by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2015; 2020), we present a model of motivation and healthy aging that is aimed at identifying the central psychological constructs and processes for understanding what older persons value, and how they can attain and maintain these valued aspects of their lives. This model places goals at its center, and then proceeds from motivational processes of goal setting, pursuit, and disengagement, to contextual factors (cultural, social, technological, physical, organizational, and life-history related aspects) that provide opportunities and constraints to the healthy aging of individuals. We briefly introduce each of these constructs and processes, thereby setting the scene for the articles included in this supplement that each address one or more of the facets of the heuristic model of motivation and healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Freund
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of HealthyAging", University of Zurich, Switzerland.,Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research - LIVES
| | | | - Veronika Brandstätter
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of HealthyAging", University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mike Martin
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of HealthyAging", University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steven M Boker
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Susan T Charles
- Dept. of Psychological Science, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Ayelet Fishbach
- Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Alan J Gow
- Dept. of Psychology, Herriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jutta Heckhausen
- Dept. of Psychological Science, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Thomas M Hess
- Dept. of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA
| | | | - Verena Klusmann
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Dept. of Psychology and Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Mayr
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Dept. of Psychology and Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Dept. of Psychology, New York University, New York City, USA
| | - Philippe Robert
- Cognition Behaviour Technology, University Cote D'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Christina Roecke
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of HealthyAging", University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Rothermund
- Dept. of Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
| | - Urte Scholz
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of HealthyAging", University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Hannes Zacher
- Dept. of Psychology, Wilhelm Wundt University Leipzig, Germany
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