Associations between higher-level competence and general intelligence in community-dwelling older adults

Smartphone Proficiency in Community-Dwelling Older Adults is Associated With Higher-Level Competence and Physical Function: A Population-Based Age-Specific Cross-Sectional Study

With the rapid development of information and communication technology, smartphone ownership has increased among older adults. While previous research has examined the impact of smartphone use on the health of older adults, this study focuses on the less-explored relationship between smartphone use, proficiency, and health-related outcomes including higher-level competence. The study was a cross-sectional survey of 208 community-dwelling older adults who used smartphones daily. Smartphone use, including years of use and applications, was assessed and categorized by age group. Health-related outcomes were measured, including cognitive and psychological function, higher-level competence, basic daily abilities, and physical function. The results indicated that smartphone proficiency decreased with age, with older adults primarily using basic smartphone applications. Notably, higher smartphone proficiency was positively associated with higher-level competence and physical functions. The study underscores the importance of considering smartphone proficiency when assessing older adults' life skills and physical performance in our digital society.

Association of psychological factors with advanced-level functional competency: Findings from the Aichi workers' cohort study, 2002-2019

Objective

This study examined the longitudinal association of perceived stress, ikigai, and having someone one can count on in middle age with the advanced-level functional competency in older age, which is crucial for the maintenance of independent life among older adults. The issue is especially relevant in super-aged countries like contemporary Japan, where more and more older people live in a household consisting only of older people.

Methods

Data were collected in 2019 from a total of 1692 retirees of the Aichi Workers' Cohort Study participants in which baseline survey including psychological factors was conducted during their employment in 2002. Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC) was used to measure the advanced-level functional competency. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were obtained for having low JST-IC in later life by the degrees of psychological factors reported in the middle age adjusting for the presence of depressive mood in 2019.

Results

Those who were not sure about ikigai (OR: 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.33 to 3.08) and who have no one to count on (OR: 2.19, 95 % CI: 1.52 to 3.16) in the middle age were significantly associated with low JST-IC after retirement. Having much stress was significantly inversely associated with a low JST-IC (OR: 0.69, 95 % CI: 0.50 to 0.97).

Conclusion

Having ikigai and someone reliable, and stress during middle age might play a role in preventing impaired advanced-level functional competency. Improved ikigai and increased social interaction and support might improve functional competency. Further research might explore avenues for improving ikigai.

Association of functional competencies with vaccination among older adults: a JAGES cross-sectional study

It is unknown whether higher functions in sublevels of competence other than instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are associated with vaccinations. This study examined whether higher functions, including intellectual activity (IA) and social role (SR), were associated with vaccinations among 26,177 older adults. Older adults with incapable activities in IA and SR had increased risks for non-receipt of influenza vaccinations (IA: for one incapable task/activity: incident rate ratio (IRR) = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-1.09; SR: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08-1.16). Those with incapable activities in IADL and IA had increased risks for non-receipt of pneumococcal vaccination (IADL: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05-1.23; IA: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.08-1.12). Those with incapable activities in IADL, IA, and SR had increased risks for non-receipt of both of the two vaccinations (IADL: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.03-1.33; IA: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.11-1.25; SR: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.07-1.20). Having a family physician mitigated associations for non-receipt, regardless of competency. Our results suggest-maintaining the higher functions are important for older adults to undergo recommended vaccinations as scheduled; also, having a family physician to promote vaccinations is beneficial even for older adults with limited functions.

A conceptual model for achieving well-being in adults with mild cognitive impairment

OBJECTIVE

Low well-being is common among people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). We propose a model to examine how different types of resources work together to maintain well-being in people with MCI.

METHODS

Participants included 121 community dwelling adults over the age of 60 who were diagnosed with MCI. Structural equation modeling assessed suggested relationships between resources and well-being.

RESULTS

Emotional intelligence, general mental ability, morbidity, economic status, basic activities of daily living, and age were correlated to well-being in a triple mediation process through cognitive function, instrumental activities of daily living, and social support. Model fit was excellent (RMSEA-0.04; IFI-.96; CFI-.96; CMIN/DF-1.23), CONCLUSION: Achieving well-being when coping with MCI requires a combination of objective resources and subjective evaluation of the situation. Ultimately, social support determines an individual's level of well-being. Findings suggest the need to understand what kind of social support is required by those coping with MCI.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Higher-Level Functional Limitations Among Older Japanese People: Results From the JAGES Study

Background

A life-course perspective is essential in understanding the determinants of higher-level functional limitations. We examine the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on higher-level functional limitations in older people.

Methods

Data were from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study 2013, a population-based cohort of independent people aged 65 years or older across Japan (n = 19,220). ACEs before the age of 18 were assessed in terms of seven adversities: parental death, parental divorce, parental mental illness, family violence, physical abuse, psychological neglect, and psychological abuse. Associations between the cumulative number of ACEs and higher-level functional limitations were investigated by multivariate Poisson regression with robust error variances, adjusted for age, gender, childhood disadvantage, adult sociodemographics, adult health behaviors, and health status.

Results

Of the older people, 36.3% reported at least one ACE. Older people who had experienced two or more ACEs showed significantly greater higher-level functional limitations than those with no ACE in a crude model (prevalence ratio, PR = 1.61, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.51-1.71). After adjusting the covariates, this association remained (PR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.12-1.27).

Conclusions

ACEs showed robust independent effects on higher-level functional limitations among older Japanese without disabilities, even after adjusting for potential covariates in childhood and adulthood. The current findings may help in understanding the impact of the latent effects of ACEs on functional limitations in older people.