Designing a training program for understanding sensory losses in aging

The influence of age and age simulation on task-difficulty choices in motor tasks

    Having a realistic perception of one's motor abilities is important for successful aging. We used two different motor tasks, carrying a tray with cube-towers (study 1; n = 20 young adults; n = 20 older adults), and stepping over a crossbar (study 2; n = 23 young adults; n = 21 older adults), to investigate how physical risk influences task-difficulty choices. We also investigated the effect of wearing an age simulation suit on young adults. For the tray-carrying task, older adults were more risk-tolerant in their task-difficulty choices. When stepping over the crossbar, older adults left a larger "safety-buffer" than young adults. When wearing the age suit, young adults adopted a more careful strategy in the stepping task. We conclude that healthy older adults flexibly adjust their strategies to postural risks, and that young adults' strategy-choices can be influenced by experimentally inducing some of the sensory-motor constraints of old age.

How an Age Simulation Suit affects Motor and Cognitive Performance and Self-perception in Younger Adults

BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT

We assessed the influence of wearing an Age Simulation Suit (GERT) on gross motor, fine motor and cognitive performance in healthy young adults.

METHODS

In a within-subjects design, we tested 20 young adults (M _age = 22.3 years) with and without the Age Simulation Suit. We assessed gross motor (Functional Fitness test) and fine motor (Purdue Pegboard test) functioning, cognitive performance (Digit Symbol Substitution test), and questionnaires on perceived physical state and mood. Gross and fine motor tests provided norms for large samples of older adults.

RESULTS

Wearing the Age Simulation Suit leads to significant performance reductions in all task dimensions, with large effect sizes. Depending on the subtest, participants' performances were reduced to the level of mid-50- to 85-years-olds for almost all tests of gross and fine motor performance. Mood and perceived physical state also declined while wearing the suit.

CONCLUSION

We argue that the GERT suit offers an attractive possibility to experimentally simulate the effects of aging-related sensory and motor losses and propose future studies with this paradigm, in the context of cognitive-motor dual-tasking or motor learning.

L'approche globale en gériatrie

Cet article résume le résultat des réflexions et des recherches suscitées par une expérience clinique en gériatrie, s'échelonnant sur une période de quatre années de travail dans un Centre Hospitalier de soins prolongés de Montréal. Nos patients ont une moyenne d'âge de 77 ans et sont de sexe féminin, da ns une proportion de 87.5%. On observe chez nos patients âgés, outre les pathologies purement physiques comme l'artério-sclérose, les accidents cérébro-vasculaires, les cardiopathies, l'arthrite, etc., des troubles marqués de confusion, de dépression, de retrait, de désengagement, et d'érosion de la personnalité. De même, on note fréquemment des troubles de comportement tel hurlements, agressions, fuites, refus de coopérer, mutisme, demande constante d'attention, etc. Étant donné la juxtaposition de ces différentes pathologies et réactions, nous avons d'abord tenté d'éclaircir les phénomènes entourant la condition de ces vieillards, afin d'y puiser les prémices nécessaires à l'élaboration d'un programme adapté à leurs besoins. Les possibilités et l'implication de l'ergothérapeute en gériatrie seront développées par la suite.

Use of controlling language in the rehabilitation of the elderly

Discussion rests on the notion that a paradox exists in the techniques used by nurses during the rehabilitation of elderly patients; and that this can be identified in the language nurses use during interactions with their patients. This language is seen as essentially controlling and as such contributing to a sense of helpless dependence rather than confident independence conducive to patients' successful rehabilitation. Social and physical antecedents to this are identified and the pertinence of issues of power and control in the lives of the elderly discussed. Supporting evidence is drawn from studies of nurse-patient verbal interaction. An attempt is made to identify and emphasize the subtle nature of 'controlling language'. Research questions are identified and the future contribution of research highlighted.

Deference and dominance in old age: an exploration in social theory

Nonverbal expressions of power and control in the daily lives of old people are examined from a life span perspective that combines social exchange theory, Goffman's classic work on deference and demeanor, and Henley's power theory of nonverbal communication and paralinguistics. Because of societal devaluation of the aged and the typical later life declines in power resources, old people are likely to experience a loss of status and social control during everyday nonverbal rituals of dominance nd deference. Supporting evidence is drawn from studies of the social impact of the physical setting and interactions between institutional old people and staff members. Discussion emphasizes the generally subtle nature of nonverbal expressions of dominance and deference, the impact of normal sensory declines in typical later life role transitions, and the potential for ageist interpretations of nonverbal cues.