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Hajek A, Zwar L, Gyasi RM, Kretzler B, König HH. Prevalence and determinants of loneliness among the oldest old living in institutionalized settings : Study findings from a representative survey. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2024; 57:214-219. [PMID: 37266683 PMCID: PMC11078814 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-023-02196-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is very limited knowledge regarding the prevalence and determinants of loneliness in oldest old residents of nursing or old age homes. OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence and determinants of loneliness among the oldest old living in institutionalized settings in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were taken from the representative survey on quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW80+) including individuals ≥ 80 years living in North Rhine-Westphalia. The study focused on individuals living in institutionalized settings. Sociodemographic, lifestyle-related, and health-related determinants were included in multiple linear regression models. RESULTS Approximately 56.6% of the individuals were not lonely, 25.7% and 17.8% of the individuals were moderately and severely lonely, respectively. Regression analyses showed that higher loneliness was associated with being married (β = 0.48, p < 0.05), high education (compared to low education, β = 0.46, p < 0.05), having a small social network size (β = -0.02, p < 0.05), having poor self-rated health (β = -0.25, p < 0.05), and more depressive symptoms (β = 0.25, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION A significant proportion of the institutionalized oldest old individuals reported moderate or severe loneliness, which underpins the relevance of this topic. Understanding the determinants of loneliness may help to address institutionalized adults aged 80 years and over at risk of loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Larissa Zwar
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Razak M Gyasi
- Aging and Development Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Benedikt Kretzler
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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Jacobs KA. Digital loneliness-changes of social recognition through AI companions. Front Digit Health 2024; 6:1281037. [PMID: 38504806 PMCID: PMC10949182 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2024.1281037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherent to the experience of loneliness is a significant change of meaningful relatedness that (usually negatively) affects a person's relationship to self and others. This paper goes beyond a purely subjective-phenomenological description of individual suffering by emphasizing loneliness as a symptomatic expression of distortions of social recognition relations. Where there is loneliness, a recognition relation has changed. Most societies face an increase in loneliness among all groups of their population, and this sheds light on the reproduction conditions of social integration and inclusion. These functions are essential lifeworldly components of social cohesion and wellbeing. This study asks whether "social" AI promotes these societal success goals of social integration of lonely people. The increasing tendency to regard AI Companions (AICs) as reproducers of adequate recognition is critically discussed with this review. My skepticism requires further justification, especially as a large portion of sociopolitical prevention efforts aim to fight an increase of loneliness primarily with digital strategies. I will argue that AICs rather reproduce than sustainably reduce the pathodynamics of loneliness: loneliness gets simply "digitized."
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrin Artemis Jacobs
- Department of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religious Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Human Sciences (Graduate School), University of Hokkaido, Sapporo, Japan
- Center for Human Nature, Artificial Intelligence, and Neuroscience (CHAIN), University of Hokkaido, Sapporo, Japan
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Tan X, Zhang H, Ren X. The effects of neighborhood socioeconomic status on ADL/IADL among Chinese older adults-neighborhood environments as mediators. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1202806. [PMID: 38298263 PMCID: PMC10828966 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1202806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There have been few consistencies in the effects and pathways of neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) on functional limitations. This study aimed to investigate whether neighborhood socioeconomic status influences ADL/IADL in older residents in China through the neighborhood built environment and social environment. Methods Activities of daily living/IADL were assessed in a sample of 5,887 Chinese individuals aged 60 or older, utilizing data obtained from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2011). Neighborhood SES was measured by the neighborhood per-capita net income. Neighborhood built environment was measured by the security resources, motion resources, living resources, service resources for older adults, and medical resources of neighborhood. Neighborhood social environment was measured by the organizations, unemployment subsidies, minimum living allowance, subsidies to persons older than 65, and pensions to persons older than 80 of the neighborhood. The two-level logistical regression model and multilevel structural equation model (MSEM) were used. Results The rate of ADL/IADL loss among Chinese older adults aged 60 and above in 2011 were 32.17 and 36.87%, respectively. Neighborhood SES was significantly associated with ADL/IADL in older adults. Compared with the respondents living in communities with lower SES, those living in communities with higher SES possessed better ADL (β = -0.33, p < 0.05) and IADL (β = -0.36, p < 0.05) status. The path of neighborhood socioeconomic status on ADL was completely mediated by the neighborhood built environment (β = -0.110, p < 0.05) and neighborhood social environment (β = -0.091, p < 0.05). Additionally, the effect of neighborhood socioeconomic status on IADL was fully mediated by the neighborhood built environment (β = -0.082, p < 0.05) and neighborhood social environment (β = -0.077, p < 0.05). Conclusion Neighborhood SES was significantly correlated with ADL/IADL through the neighborhood environment. Improving the ADL/IADL status of older adults residing in low socioeconomic neighborhoods requires enhancing the built and social environment by provisioning additional neighborhood resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuang Tan
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Medicine, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Integrated Care Management Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaohui Ren
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Medicine, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Redzovic S, Vereijken B, Bonsaksen T. Aging at home: factors associated with independence in activities of daily living among older adults in Norway-a HUNT study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1215417. [PMID: 37860795 PMCID: PMC10583577 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1215417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Maintaining independence in activities of daily living (ADL) is essential for the well-being of older adults. This study examined the relationship between demographic and living situation factors and ADL independence among community-dwelling older adults in Norway. Methods Data was collected in Norway between 2017 and 2019 as part of the fourth wave of the ongoing Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) survey, sent to all citizens in Trøndelag county over 20 years of age, which is considered representative of the Norwegian population. Included in the current cross-sectional study were 22,504 community-living individuals aged 70 years or older who completed the survey and responded to all items constituting the ADL outcome measure. Group differences in ADL independence were examined with Chi Square tests, while crude and adjusted associations with ADL independence were examined with logistic regression analyses. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The participants reported a high degree of independence in primary ADL and slightly lower in instrumental ADL. In the fully adjusted analyses, ADL independence was associated with lower age, female gender, higher levels of education and income, higher subjective well-being, having no chronic or disabling disease, and having someone to talk to in confidence. Surprisingly, women who were married had higher likelihood of ADL independence than unmarried women, whereas married men had lower likelihood of ADL independence than unmarried men. Conclusion In addition to known demographic and disease-related factors, the social context affects independence in ADL even in a society that offers advanced health and homecare services to all older adults equally. Furthermore, the same social setting can have differential effects on men and women. Despite the healthcare system in Norway being well-developed, it does not completely address this issue. Further improvements are necessary to address potential challenges that older adults encounter regarding their social connections and feelings of inclusion. Individuals with limited education and income are especially susceptible to ADL dependency as they age, necessitating healthcare services to specifically cater to this disadvantaged demographic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skender Redzovic
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Beatrix Vereijken
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tore Bonsaksen
- Department of Health and Nursing Science, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
- Department of Health, VID Specialized University, Stavanger, Norway
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Tripathi A, Samanta T. Leisure as social engagement: does it moderate the association between subjective wellbeing and depression in later life? FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2023; 8:1185794. [PMID: 37649638 PMCID: PMC10465305 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2023.1185794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To investigate the role of leisure (as social engagement) in moderating the association between subjective wellbeing and depressive symptoms among older Indians. Methods The sample included data from 39,538 older adults (aged 55-80) from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI, Wave-1), 2017-2018. Individual level questionnaire was used to examine the relationship among social engagement, subjective wellbeing, and depressive symptoms. Moderating effects of leisure activities were estimated through interaction analysis and linear multivariable modeling. Results Low participation in social engagement activities (or leisure) was associated with greater likelihood of depressive symptoms. Leisure activities positively and significantly moderated the subjective wellbeing among older adults with depressive symptoms. Results suggest a significant wealth gradient where affluent older Indians having a clear advantage in heightened levels of social engagement and subsequently lower likelihood of depressive symptoms. Additionally, being in an urban area, co-residence in a "joint" household and belonging to the dominant social groups in terms of caste and religious categories are associated with gains in wellbeing. Discussion The direct and indirect effects of social engagement suggest that depressive symptoms can be mitigated while enhancing overall wellbeing of older adults. This holds promise for social policy in redirecting efforts to develop age-friendly initiatives and social infrastructure that enhance the link between engagement and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Tripathi
- Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India
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Chen Y, Zhou Y, Li M, Hong Y, Chen H, Zhu S, Zhou Y, Yang S, Wu X, Wang D. Social capital and loneliness among older adults in community dwellings and nursing homes in Zhejiang Province of China. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1150310. [PMID: 37275480 PMCID: PMC10237354 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1150310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Loneliness is an important problem afflicting the health of older adults, and has been proven to be associated with social capital. Previous research in China rarely investigated the differences of social capital and loneliness between older adults living in community dwellings and nursing homes. This study aims to examine the status of social capital and loneliness among older adults living in community dwellings and nursing homes, and analyze the relationship between them. Methods A total of 1,278 older adults were recruited for the study from the cities of Hangzhou, Huzhou, and Lishui in Zhejiang Province of China from July to October 2021 by using multi-stage stratified random sampling. Questionnaires were used to collect data on the participants' sociodemographic characteristics, social capital, and loneliness. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine the relationship between social capital and loneliness. The interaction of social capital and institutionalization on loneliness was also explored. Results Compared with community-dwelling older adults, institutionalized older adults had higher levels of loneliness and lower degrees of social support, social connection, trust, cohesion, and reciprocity. A further analysis of the social capital showed that low levels of social support, trust, and cohesion were related to high levels of loneliness among adults in both community dwellings and nursing homes. Social connection was negatively correlated with loneliness among older adults living in community dwellings. Institutionalization itself demonstrated a strong effect on loneliness. Conclusion Health-related policies should help older adults gain more social support, trust and cohesion to alleviate their loneliness. This is particularly crucial for older adults living in nursing homes, as they have higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of social capital than noninstitutionalized older adults.
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Cao W, Cao C, Ren B, Yang J, Chen R, Hu Z, Bai Z. Complex association of self-rated health, depression, functional ability with loneliness in rural community-dwelling older people. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:267. [PMID: 37142945 PMCID: PMC10157949 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-03965-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore whether and how self-rated health, depression and functional ability interactively associated with loneliness using a sample group of older adults residing in China rural communities. METHODS Data on socio-demographic information, self-rated health, depressive symptoms, functional ability and loneliness (quantified via a single question) were collected from 1009 participants. Cross-tabulations with chi-square test, bivariate correlations, and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) models were employed for analysis. RESULTS We found that 45.1% of the participants were classified as lonely. Our results gain insight into the hierarchical order of predictors for the presence of loneliness, suggesting that there was a significant interaction between functional ability and depressive symptoms while self-rated health was not a significant factor. The probability of loneliness increased with the combination of limited functional ability and depression, and varied with different interaction of functional ability, depressive symptoms, and marital status, respectively. Notably, while there were some differences, similar associations were observed among older male and female respondents. CONCLUSION To delay or reduce loneliness, early detection which focuses on older people who report limitations in functional ability, depression, and being female, offers opportunities to start early interventions. Our findings might be helpful not only in designing and implementing loneliness prevention programs but also in improving healthcare for older rural community-dwelling people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Cao
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chenglin Cao
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Bohua Ren
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
- Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1QU, UK
| | - Jing Yang
- Educational Institute of behavioral medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, China
| | - Ruoling Chen
- Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1QU, UK
| | - Zhi Hu
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Zhongliang Bai
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1QU, UK.
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Badawy A, Solberg M, Obstfelder AU, Alnes RE. Together, at a distance: experiences with a novel technology for social contact among older people and their relatives in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:218. [PMID: 37024822 PMCID: PMC10078031 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-03869-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recognition that people are social beings is fundamental for person-centered care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the lives of older people were restricted in ways that dramatically reduced their opportunities for face-to-face contact. Limited contact with family members due to social distancing raised concerns about the well-being of older people. In Norway, interactive technologies were therefore introduced to older people to help them maintain social contact while practicing physical distancing. OBJECTIVES This study was designed to examine how older people and their relatives experienced the use of technology-mediated communication through KOMP, a tablet-like device for supporting social contact in care facilities and homes during the pandemic. METHODS We adopted an open phenomenological approach inspired by Kvale and Brinkmann (2009) to explore how the use of KOMP became meaningful during the pandemic. The study was based on individual interviews with 4 residents in care facilities and 13 relatives. RESULTS The lived experiences of using KOMP among older people and their relatives revealed that adopting digital communication helped older people, and their families mitigate social distancing and maintain relationships with each other, despite the restrictions imposed by the government. Virtual involvement through KOMP afforded meaningful interconnections in the social lives of the users and their distant family members, thereby supporting their roles as parents and grandparents despite the distance, and promoting cross-generational connections among family members. Digital meetings also provided opportunities for older people and their relatives to enjoy each other's presence in favored places, by conveying a homely atmosphere, for instance. These virtual encounters did not rely exclusively on talk as the only means of communication. CONCLUSION This study suggests that communicating via KOMP was a meaningful activity for the participants. Technologies for social contact can, to some extent, facilitate person-centered care for older people in care facilities and their private homes, despite circumstances requiring social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer Badawy
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Larsgårdsvegen 2, Ålesund, 6009, Norway.
| | - Mads Solberg
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Larsgårdsvegen 2, Ålesund, 6009, Norway
| | - Aud Uhlen Obstfelder
- Center for Care Research, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Teknologivegen 22, Gjøvik, 2815, Norway
| | - Rigmor Einang Alnes
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Larsgårdsvegen 2, Ålesund, 6009, Norway
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Zaccaria D, Cavalli S, Masotti B, Gomes Da Rocha C, von Gunten A, Jopp DS. Social Isolation and Loneliness among Near-Centenarians and Centenarians: Results from the Fordham Centenarian Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19105940. [PMID: 35627476 PMCID: PMC9141482 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation and loneliness have been recognized as problems older people face due to their adverse effects on health and mortality, but very few researchers have analyzed their co-occurrence, which might be particularly prevalent and critical among the very old. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of combinations of social isolation and loneliness among near-centenarians and centenarians. We used data collected from 94 individuals aged 95–107 from the Fordham Centenarian Study. We built a four-group typology and explored associations with individual characteristics in various domains (demographic, socioeconomics, social, health, care, and psychological) with multinomial logistic regression models. Considering their combinations, the most prevalent groups were “isolated and lonely” and “neither isolated nor lonely” (29.8% and 28.7%, respectively). The “lonely but not isolated” (20.2%) and “isolated but not lonely” (21.3%) groups were also notably large. The likelihood of belonging to each group varied according to various individual characteristics, such as education, health, and personality. Social isolation and loneliness are distinct phenomena among centenarians. The consideration of their varied combination can help better assess life conditions at very old ages. Taking into account the differences between groups can facilitate the design of tailored interventions to improve the lives of near-centenarians and centenarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zaccaria
- Centre of Competence on Ageing, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), 6928 Manno, Switzerland; (S.C.); (B.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Stefano Cavalli
- Centre of Competence on Ageing, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), 6928 Manno, Switzerland; (S.C.); (B.M.)
| | - Barbara Masotti
- Centre of Competence on Ageing, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), 6928 Manno, Switzerland; (S.C.); (B.M.)
| | - Carla Gomes Da Rocha
- Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (C.G.D.R.); (A.v.G.)
- School of Health Sciences, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, 3960 Sion, Switzerland
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Armin von Gunten
- Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (C.G.D.R.); (A.v.G.)
| | - Daniela S. Jopp
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research (LIVES), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Yadav V, Chauhan S, Patel R. What causes loneliness among household heads: a study based in primary setting in Mumbai, India. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:730. [PMID: 35413809 PMCID: PMC9004454 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13108-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With the pace of urbanization, symptoms of loneliness emerge as one of the most devastating mental illnesses among city dwellers in the modern age. The present study has tried to identify the potential factors and correlates which affect loneliness vulnerability. Methods The data for this study were collected from three different areas of Mumbai (i.e., Dadar, Bandra, and Chembur).This study was conducted through a cross-sectional household survey of household heads in the five different housing typologies/ localities between January and June 2016.A total of 450 household data were collected using the quota sampling method. Loneliness was the main dependent variable. The bivariate analysis was used to see the percentage of loneliness among respondents. Bivariate analysis for categorical data was carried out using the chi-square (χ2) test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the correlates of loneliness among household heads. The probability of significance was set at 5%. Results It was found that around 7 percent of respondents often feel lonely, and 21 percent of respondents sometimes feel lonely in the last seven days preceding the survey date. Household heads with two or more chronic diseases had higher odds (OR = 4.87, CI = 1.52–15.57) of loneliness than household heads without any chronic disease. The odds of loneliness were almost 3 times higher (OR = 3.05; CI = 1.11–8.38) among females as compared to males. Household heads living alone (single) had higher odds (OR = 19.99; CI = 4.14–96.59) to suffer from loneliness than those living in a joint family. Conclusion Finding reveals that level of loneliness symptomatology in urban dwellers may be attributed significantly by individual (i.e., morbidity status and sex of respondent), social (i.e., personal relation) and residing locality characteristics. Community psychological intervention along with enhanced civic engagement can reduce level of loneliness in existing slum rehabilitees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidya Yadav
- Assistant Professor P.G. Department of Geography, College of Commerce, Arts & Science, Patna, Patliputra University, Patna, 800020, India
| | - Shekhar Chauhan
- Department of Family and Generations, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, India
| | - Ratna Patel
- PhD Research Scholar, Department of Public Health and Mortality Studies, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, India.
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Li K, Tang F. The Role of Solitary Activity in Moderating the Association between Social Isolation and Perceived Loneliness among U.S. Older Adults. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2022; 65:252-270. [PMID: 34339352 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2021.1958115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation has been recognized as a critical public health problem. As the most vulnerable population, older adults are disproportionately affected by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purposes of this study were to examine the association between social isolation and loneliness among U.S. older adults and to explore the moderating effect of solitary activity by using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Social isolation was measured by six indicators, including marital status, living arrangement, social participation in any clubs or social organizations, and the frequency of social contact with children, family members, and friends. Loneliness was assessed by eleven questions derived from the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Solitary activity included 11 types of activities that respondents could perform alone with limited or no social interaction. Results from the multivariate regression analyses indicated that unmarried status and lower frequency of social contact were associated with more perceived loneliness. Solitary activity significantly moderated the negative effects of the low frequency of social contact with family members on loneliness. The findings implicate that social work programs and interventions can aim to expand social networks and provide more opportunities for solitary activities, particularly for isolated older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Li
- School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Fengyan Tang
- School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Teaching Elaborative Reminiscing to Support Autobiographical Memory and Relationships in Residential and Community Aged Care Services. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030374. [PMID: 35326330 PMCID: PMC8946277 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Memories of the past are critically important as we age. For older adults receiving formal care in a range of settings, reminiscing with care staff may provide frequent opportunities for recalling autobiographical memories with a supportive conversational partner. Importantly, prior research suggests that some reminiscing conversations are more supportive than others. In the developmental literature, a long tradition of sociocultural memory research has shown how children’s autobiographical memory is scaffolded and supported by parents during reminiscing, when parents use a particular kind of conversational technique, known as “elaborative reminiscing”. In the current project, we aimed to examine whether we could enhance conversations between staff and older people receiving aged care by teaching care staff about these beneficial conversational techniques and supporting them to reminisce more often with residents/clients. We also aimed to determine whether staff members’ use of elaborative reminiscing techniques was associated with autobiographical memory details recalled by residents/clients during routine conversations. We conducted a workshop with 16 staff within a residential aged care and community care setting. We followed this with a 4-week training-and-feedback period during which staff recorded their conversations with residents and clients. Staff feedback indicated successful use of the scaffolding techniques overall, and benefits as well as barriers to their use in day-to-day practice. Analysis of the conversations demonstrated that the use of particular elaborative reminiscing techniques by staff was associated with increased recall of episodic and semantic autobiographical memory details by residents/clients. Overall, findings suggest that the principles of elaborative reminiscing may apply across the lifespan, and that the benefits of elaborative reminiscing for autobiographical memory may be particularly important in times of cognitive need. Practically, training aged care staff in specific and practical conversational tools can facilitate reminiscing for people receiving aged care.
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Cavallini E, Ceccato I, Bertoglio S, Francescani A, Vigato F, Ianes AB, Lecce S. Can theory of mind of healthy older adults living in a nursing home be improved? A randomized controlled trial. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:3029-3037. [PMID: 33682064 PMCID: PMC8595145 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-021-01811-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research in nursing homes mainly focused on interventions for residents affected by cognitive decline. Few studies have considered healthy older adults living in nursing homes, and this research targeted cognitive functioning. AIMS To evaluate whether socio-cognitive abilities can be improved by means of a theory of mind (ToM) training conducted by nursing home's operators. METHODS RESULTS: Results revealed that older adults benefitted from the ToM intervention in both practiced and non-practiced tasks, while the control group showed no change from pre- to post-test evaluation. Analyses on errors scores indicated that the ToM intervention led to a reduction of both excessive mentalizing and absence of mental states inference. DISCUSSION The conversation-based ToM intervention proved to be effective in improving socio-cognitive skills in cognitively healthy nursing home residents. Notably, older adults were able to transfer the skills acquired during the training to new material. CONCLUSIONS Promoting healthy resident's ToM ability could positively impact on their social cognition, consequently increasing their quality of life. Our findings showed that the intervention can be feasibly managed by health care assistants within the residential context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cavallini
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pizza Botta 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Irene Ceccato
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. D' Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Francescani
- Fornaroli Hospital, Via al Donatore di Sangue 50, 20013, Magenta, MI, Italy
| | | | | | - Serena Lecce
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pizza Botta 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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14
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Tang M, Wang D, Guerrien A. Effect of "freedom of choice" on Task Performance and Well-Being During Leisure Activity: An Intercultural Study Among Older Adults in China and France. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2021; 95:187-204. [PMID: 34581193 DOI: 10.1177/00914150211037656] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Based on the perspective of self-determination theory (SDT) and the cross-cultural, the aim of the present study was to explore the effect of "freedom of choice" on the well-being of institution-dwelling older adults (elderly residences and nursing homes), in particular during leisure activities. Participants (NChina = 67, Mage = 80.55 years; NFrance = 90, Mage = 82.19 years) were randomly assigned to the "elderly-choice" group or "staff choice" group to participate in a puzzle game. Consistent with SDT, results showed that basic psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, competence, relatedness) was positively associated with elderly well-being. However, our findings did not demonstrate the importance of freedom of choice for promoting such well-being in the context of leisure activities for either culture; this may be related to the recompense of close relationships or else the particularity of the elderly population. Interestingly, competence satisfaction was observed to act as a complete mediating variable between task performance and well-being only in the French population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Tang
- College of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.,University of Lille, ULR 4072 - PSITEC - Psychologie: Interactions Temps Émotions Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Dahua Wang
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, 47836Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Alain Guerrien
- University of Lille, ULR 4072 - PSITEC - Psychologie: Interactions Temps Émotions Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France
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15
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Yang H, Tng GYQ, Ng WQ, Yang S. Loneliness, Sense of Control, and Risk of Dementia in Healthy Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation Analysis. Clin Gerontol 2021; 44:392-405. [PMID: 32783599 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2020.1799891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Objectives: Despite the rising prevalence of dementia, little research has been conducted to identify modifiable psychological factors that alleviate the risk of dementia in older adults and the underlying mechanisms. Given that loneliness is, in part, concomitant with a weakened sense of control, we examined whether sense of control would mediate the relation between loneliness and dementia risk. Further, considering that working -memory capacity is a critical cognitive resource that serves as a buffer against age-related cognitive decline, we examined a second-order moderated mediational model whereby working-memory capacity moderates the relation between control beliefs and dementia risk in older adults. METHODS We administered a series of measures to older community-dwelling adults (ages 60-93; N = 69), including the participant-rated AD8 to assess the risk of dementia. Using the PROCESS macro, we examined the moderated mediation model for the relation between loneliness, sense of control, and dementia risk. RESULTS We found that sense of control significantly mediated the relation between loneliness and risk of dementia. Moreover, the indirect effect of loneliness on dementia risk via lowered sense of control was significant only in individuals with poorer working-memory capacity. Notably, these findings held true when important covariates were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the critical role of control beliefs and working memory in protecting against dementia risk. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Our findings have implications for intervention programs that target alleviating dementia risk and promoting healthy aging in older adults by improving socioemotional health and cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwajin Yang
- Singapore Management University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Wee Qin Ng
- Singapore Management University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sujin Yang
- Department of Psychology, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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16
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Wu C, Barczyk AN, Craddock RC, Harari GM, Thomaz E, Shumake JD, Beevers CG, Gosling SD, Schnyer DM. Improving prediction of real-time loneliness and companionship type using geosocial features of personal smartphone data. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smhl.2021.100180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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17
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Segel-Karpas D, Ermer A. Cynical Hostility and Loneliness in Older Adult Married Couples: An Indirect Effect Through Friendships. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 76:306-316. [PMID: 33001205 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cynical hostility is a cognitive schema according to which people cannot be trusted, and it has associations with individuals' loneliness. The present study takes a dyadic approach to examine whether cynical hostility is related to one's own and their spouse's loneliness. We further explore whether friendship factors serve as a mediator between individuals' and spouses' cynical hostility and loneliness. METHOD We used 2 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 1,065 couples) and Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs) with mediation to examine the proposed model. Mediation was tested with the construction of path models and significance levels were reached using bootstrapping. RESULTS For both husbands and wives, cynical hostility was significantly associated with loneliness. Husband's loneliness was also significantly associated with his wife's cynical hostility, but wife's loneliness was not associated with her husband's cynical hostility. We further found that the association between wife's own cynical hostility and loneliness was mediated by lower levels of contact with, and support from friends. Friendship factors did not serve as mediators for husbands. DISCUSSION Husbands and wives who have higher levels of cynical hostility may be more vulnerable to loneliness. High levels of cynical hostility in women may be related to deficits in their quantity and quality of friendship, and thus be associated with loneliness. Men who are married to women with a higher level of cynical hostility may experience increased loneliness, but this relationship is not explained by men's friendships.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley Ermer
- Family Science and Human Development, Montclair State University, New Jersey
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18
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Pirhonen J, Tiilikainen E, Pekkarinen S, Lemivaara M, Melkas H. Can robots tackle late-life loneliness? Scanning of future opportunities and challenges in assisted living facilities. FUTURES 2020; 124:102640. [PMID: 33041358 PMCID: PMC7534874 DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2020.102640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This future-oriented study examines the opportunities and challenges offered by social robots and communication technology when aiming to decrease emotional and social loneliness in older people residing in assisted living (AL). The paper draws on prior literature on loneliness, elder care and social robots. The aim is to scan the futures regarding technology support for the frail older people in future AL. The analytical frame was built on Robert Weiss' division of relational functions: attachment, social integration, opportunity for nurturance, reassurance of worth, sense of reliable alliance, and guidance in stressful situations, and on a distinction between direct and indirect social robots. Our examinations show that social robots could tackle both emotional and social loneliness in assisted living by empowering people to engage in different forms of social interaction inside and outside the facility. However, ethical concerns of objectification, lack of human contact, and deception need to be thoroughly considered when implementing social robots in care for frail older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jari Pirhonen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4, 00014, Finland
| | - Elisa Tiilikainen
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Satu Pekkarinen
- School of Engineering Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, Mukkulankatu 19, 15210 Lahti, Finland
| | - Marjut Lemivaara
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 100, 33014, Finland
| | - Helinä Melkas
- School of Engineering Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, Mukkulankatu 19, 15210 Lahti, Finland
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19
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Sandvoll AM, Grov EK, Simonsen M. Nursing home residents' ADL status, institution-dwelling and association with outdoor activity: a cross-sectional study. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10202. [PMID: 33133784 PMCID: PMC7580574 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Norwegian regulations for nursing homes consider access to meaningful activities to be an indicator for the quality of nursing homes. Activities of daily living (ADL) provide important basic self-care skills for nursing home residents. Due to the physical changes caused by ageing and comorbidities, nursing home residents may experience functional decline over time, which may affect their ability to perform meaningful ADL, such as outdoor activity, which is considered a valuable and meaningful activity in Norwegian culture. This study aimed to investigate the association between ADL status, institution-dwelling and outdoor activity among nursing home residents. Methods This cross-sectional study included 784 residents aged >67 years living in 21 nursing homes in 15 Norwegian municipalities between November 2016 and May 2018. The Barthel Index was used to assess the nursing home residents' ADL status. Other variables collected were age, gender, body weight and height, visits per month, institution, ward, and participation in weekly outdoor activities. Descriptive statistics were used to provide an overview of the residents' characteristics. A Poisson regression model was used to test the association between the outdoor activity level as the dependent variable and ADL score, institution, and other control variables as independent variables. Results More than half (57%) of the nursing home residents in this sample did not go outdoors. More than 50% of the residents had an ADL score <10, which indicates low performance status. Further, we found that residents' ADL status, institution, ward, and number of visits had an impact on how often the residents went outdoors. Discussion The nursing home residents in this study rarely went outdoors, which is interesting because Norwegians appreciate this activity. Differences in the number of visits might explain why some residents went outdoors more often than other residents did. Our findings also highlight that the institutions impact the outdoor activity. How the institutions are organized and how important this activity is considered to be in the institutions determine how often the activity is performed. Conclusion The low frequency of the outdoor activities might be explained by a low ADL score. More than 50% of the residents had an ADL score <10, which indicates low performance status. Despite regulations for nursing home quality in Norway, this result suggests that organizational differences matter, which is an important implication for further research, health policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Sandvoll
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Førde, Norway
| | - Ellen Karine Grov
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten Simonsen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Sogndal, Norway
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20
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Rezaeipandari H, Ravaei J, Bahrevar V, Mirrezaei S, Morowatisharifabad MA. Social participation and loneliness among older adults in Yazd, Iran. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2020; 28:2076-2085. [PMID: 32483925 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Social participation among older people is associated with more practice of physical activities, improvement of cognitive skills and less feeling of loneliness. The primary purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the social participation and sense of loneliness among older adults in Yazd, an Iranian city that is known for its traditional values and religious people. The non-probability sample consisted of 200 elderly people. Data collection tool was a questionnaire, which was completed by a trained interviewer through face-to-face interview. The mean scores of social participation and loneliness feeling among participants were 17.29 ± 5.62 (8-40) and 38.02 ± 7.91 (16-80), respectively. From the participants, 79.8% had not participated in educational cultural and activities. Mostly reported barriers to social participation included transportation-related issues (57%), diseases and health problems (43.5%) and personal or family responsibility (36%). The best predictors of loneliness were demographic characteristics, followed by the total number of diseases/problems and the total number of barriers to social participation. Social participation itself was not a statistically significant predictor of loneliness. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Rezaeipandari
- Department of Health Education & Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jafar Ravaei
- Department of Aging Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Vali Bahrevar
- Department of Health Education & Promotion, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Somayeh Mirrezaei
- Department of Health Education & Promotion, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad A Morowatisharifabad
- Department of Aging Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Elderly Health Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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21
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Association between Personal Social Capital and Loneliness among Widowed Older People. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165799. [PMID: 32796586 PMCID: PMC7460522 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To explore the association between the personal social capital and loneliness among the widowed older adults in China. Data from 1497 widowed older adults were extracted from China’s Health-Related Quality of Life Survey for Older Adults 2018. The Chinese version of the Personal Social Capital Scale (PSCS-16) was used to evaluate the participants’ status of bonding and bridging social capital (BOC and BRC). Loneliness was assessed by the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8). Multiple linear regression models were established to examine the relationship between social capital and loneliness. The BOC and BRC of rural widowed older people were significantly lower than those of widowed older people in urban areas, while loneliness of rural widowed older people was higher than that of widowed older people in urban areas. The result of the final model showed that loneliness of rural participants was significantly associated with both BOC (B = 0.141, p = 0.001) and BRC (B = −0.116, p = 0.003). The loneliness of the urban widowed sample had no association with both BOC and BRC (p > 0.05). These findings suggested that more social support and compassionate care should be provided to enrich the personal social capital and thus to reduce loneliness of widowed older adults, especially those in rural areas.
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22
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Lin Y, Chu C, Chen Q, Xiao J, Wan C. Factors influencing utilization of primary health care by elderly internal migrants in China: the role of social contacts. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1054. [PMID: 32620098 PMCID: PMC7333340 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09178-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Utilization of primary health care is an important aspect of elderly internal migrants' access to screening and preventive services in China. It has been evident that social contacts, such as community engagement, social mobilization, and the ability to communicate were related to health service delivery, but little has been done to explore the relationship between social contacts and utilization of primary health care for this group. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing utilization of primary health care from the perspective of social contacts among elderly internal migrants in China. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study including 1544 elderly internal migrants in eight cities. Whether these indivdiuals had chosen to participate in the free health checkup organized in the previous year was adopted as an indicator of the utilization of primary health care. The number of local friends and amount of exercise time per day were measured as a proxy for social contacts. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to investigate the association of social contacts with the likelihood of using primary health care. RESULTS 55.6% of the respondents were men, and the mean age was 66.34 years (SD, 5.94). 88.6% had received an education of high school or below. 12.9% had no local friends. 5.2% did not exercise. Just 33.1% had participated in a free medical check-up. Social contacts, age, and medical insurance were associated with more use of primary health care among elderly internal migrants in China. CONCLUSION The role of the community in promoting the use of primary health care should be expanded, such as creating community-based campaigns specifically targeting elderly internal migrants or designing social or sports activities tailored to increase the opportunity for contact between local elders and their internal migrant peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Lin
- Department of Health Sociology, School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- School of Humanities and Management, Research Center for Quality of Life and Applied Psychology, Guangdong Medical University, 1#, Xincheng Avenue, Songshanhu District, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengjing Chu
- Department of Health Sociology, School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Management and Law, School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Junhui Xiao
- Department of Management and Law, School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Chonghua Wan
- School of Humanities and Management, Research Center for Quality of Life and Applied Psychology, Guangdong Medical University, 1#, Xincheng Avenue, Songshanhu District, Dongguan, Guangdong, China.
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23
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James RJE, Ferguson E. The dynamic relationship between pain, depression and cognitive function in a sample of newly diagnosed arthritic adults: a cross-lagged panel model. Psychol Med 2020; 50:1663-1671. [PMID: 31387661 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719001673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain and depression are common in the population and co-morbid with each other. Both are predictive of one another and are also associated with cognitive function; people who are in greater pain and more depressed respectively perform less well on tests of cognitive function. It has been argued that pain might cause deterioration in cognitive function, whereas better cognitive function earlier in life might be a protective factor against the emergence of disease. When looking at the dynamic relationship between these in chronic diseases, studying samples that already have advanced disease progression often confounds this relationship. METHODS Using data from waves 1 to 3 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) (n = 516), we examined the interplay between pain, cognitive function and depression in a subsample of respondents reporting a diagnosis of arthritis at wave 2 of the ELSA using cross-lagged panel models. RESULTS The models showed that pain, cognitive function and depression at wave 1, prior to diagnosis, predict pain at wave 2, and that pain at wave 1 predicts depression at wave 2. Pain and depression at wave 2 predict cognitive function at wave 3. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that better cognitive function might be protective against the emergence of pain prior to an arthritis diagnosis, but cognitive function is subsequently impaired by pain and depression. Furthermore, higher depression predicts lower cognitive function, but not vice versa. This is discussed in the context of the emerging importance of inflammation in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J E James
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK, NG7 2RD
- Arthritis UK Pain Centre, Academic Rheumatology, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Eamonn Ferguson
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK, NG7 2RD
- Arthritis UK Pain Centre, Academic Rheumatology, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
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Abstract
Abstract
Residents of older people's homes furnish their rooms with belongings that are associated with meaningful relationships. Previous research shows how material culture symbolises residents’ past and existing relationships, helping residents to remain embedded within familial and social networks. Less attention has been paid to how relationships are actively (re)constituted through socio-material interactions, and to the potential for objects to facilitate new relationships. This article presents findings from an ethnographic study into the everyday experiences of residents of an older people's home in northern England. Using observations of daily life and in-depth interviews with residents, it demonstrates how residents used material culture in gift-giving, divestment practices and in mundane social interactions. In this way, residents used objects to not only maintain relationships with family members outside the home, but form new relationships inside the home with other residents and members of staff. Combining theories of materiality, relationality and social practice, I argue that residents’ interactions with material culture helped to facilitate new social interaction and meaningful relationships. This is important in a social context where loneliness has been identified as a significant threat to residents’ mental and physical health. Residential homes for older people can develop guidance on practical activities and strategies that can use material culture to increase social interaction and enhance quality of life for residents.
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Maenhout A, Cornelis E, Van de Velde D, Desmet V, Gorus E, Van Malderen L, Vanbosseghem R, De Vriendt P. The relationship between quality of life in a nursing home and personal, organizational, activity-related factors and social satisfaction: a cross-sectional study with multiple linear regression analyses. Aging Ment Health 2020; 24:649-658. [PMID: 30724580 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1571014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate quality of life in nursing home residents and the relationship with personal, organizational, activity-related factors and social satisfaction.Methods: In a cross-sectional survey study in 73 nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium, 171 cognitively healthy residents were randomly recruited (mean age 85.40 years [±5.88]; 27% men, 73% women). Quality of life, as the dependent/response variable, was measured using anamnestic comparative self-assessment (range -5 to +5). Multiple linear regression (forward stepwise selection) was used (1) to investigate which factors were significantly related to nursing home residents' quality of life and (2) to model the relationship between the variables by fitting a linear equation to the observed data.Results: Nursing home residents reported a quality of life score of 2.12 (±2.16). Mood, self-perceived health status, social satisfaction and educational level were withheld as significant predictors of the anamnestic comparative self-assessment score (p < 0.001), explaining 38.1% of the variance in quality of life.Conclusions: Results suggest that a higher quality of life in nursing homes can be pursued by strategies to prevent depression and to improve nursing home residents' subjective perception of health (e.g. offering good care) and social network. It is recommended that nursing homes prepare for future generations, who will be more educated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Maenhout
- Research Group Zorginnovatie, Artevelde University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elise Cornelis
- Research Group Zorginnovatie, Artevelde University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Frailty in Ageing Research Group (FRIA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Geriatrics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dominique Van de Velde
- Research Group Zorginnovatie, Artevelde University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Valerie Desmet
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group (FRIA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ellen Gorus
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group (FRIA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Geriatrics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Gerontology (GERO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lien Van Malderen
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group (FRIA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Gerontology (GERO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ruben Vanbosseghem
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group (FRIA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patricia De Vriendt
- Research Group Zorginnovatie, Artevelde University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Frailty in Ageing Research Group (FRIA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Gerontology (GERO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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26
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Enette L, Vogel T, Merle S, Valard-Guiguet AG, Ozier-Lafontaine N, Neviere R, Leuly-Joncart C, Fanon JL, Lang PO. Effect of 9 weeks continuous vs. interval aerobic training on plasma BDNF levels, aerobic fitness, cognitive capacity and quality of life among seniors with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 2020; 17:2. [PMID: 31921371 PMCID: PMC6945614 DOI: 10.1186/s11556-019-0234-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence suggests that aerobic-type training confers physical benefits and appears to contribute positively to brain health. This study aims to compare the effect of 9-weeks continuous (CAT) to interval aerobic training (IAT) on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plasma level, aerobic fitness, cognitive performance, and quality of life among senior with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods 52 participants were randomly allocated into three groups (CAT n = 14; IAT n = 17; and Controls n = 21). CAT and IAT consisted of 18 sessions of 30-min cycling, twice a week, over 9 weeks. During the same period, controls were engaged in interactive information sessions. Plasma BDNF level; aerobic fitness parameters (Metabolic equivalent task - METs; Maximal Tolerated Power - MTP); functional capacities (6-Minute Walk Test - 6MWT); cognitive performance (Mini Mental State Examination; Rey auditory verbal learning test; and digit span test) and quality of life (Quality Of Life of Alzheimer's Disease scale - QoL-AD) were measured in all participants at baseline and 9 weeks later. A third plasma BDNF level was quantified following a 4 weeks detraining. Results No significant change was measured in terms of plasma BDNF level and cognitive performance after interventions, in all groups compared to baseline. After 9 weeks, CAT and IAT significantly improved aerobic fitness parameters compared to controls (METs: + 0.6 and + 1.0 vs. + 0.4; MTP: + 16 watts and + 20 watts vs. + 10 watts; and functional capacities (6MWT: + 22 m and + 31 m vs. -40 m). Compared to controls, QoL-AD after CAT was improved (+ 2 points; p = 0.02). Conclusions Neither aerobic exercise modalities significantly modified plasma BDNF levels and cognitive performances. CAT and IAT enhanced aerobic fitness and functional capacities in AD patients and CAT their QoL. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov website (NCT02968875); registration date: 7 September 2016. "Retrospectively registered".
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Affiliation(s)
- Lievyn Enette
- 1Research Laboratory Mitochondria, Oxidative stress and muscle resistance (MSP, EA-3072), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Strasbourg University, Résidence La Yole, bat. B L'Etang Z'abricot, 97200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas Vogel
- 1Research Laboratory Mitochondria, Oxidative stress and muscle resistance (MSP, EA-3072), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Strasbourg University, Résidence La Yole, bat. B L'Etang Z'abricot, 97200 Strasbourg, France.,2Department of geriatric, University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sylvie Merle
- Methodology and biostatistics Unit (DRCI), University Hospital Centre of Martinique, Fort de France, France
| | - Anna-Gaelle Valard-Guiguet
- The Caribbean reference center for rare neuromuscular and neurologic diseases (CeRCa), University Hospital Centre of Martinique, Fort de France, France
| | - Nathalie Ozier-Lafontaine
- Department of Functional Exploration and Non-Invasive Cardiology, University Hospital Centre of Martinique, Fort de France, France
| | - Remi Neviere
- Department of cardiology, University Hospital Centre of Martinique, Fort de France, France
| | - Claudia Leuly-Joncart
- Department of Geriatric and Gerontology, University Hospital Centre of Martinique, Fort de France, France
| | - Jean Luc Fanon
- Department of Geriatric and Gerontology, University Hospital Centre of Martinique, Fort de France, France
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Hearing-impaired elderly people have smaller social networks: A population-based aging study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2019; 83:75-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Rinnan E, André B, Drageset J, Garåsen H, Espnes GA, Haugan G. Joy of life in nursing homes: A qualitative study of what constitutes the essence of Joy of life in elderly individuals living in Norwegian nursing homes. Scand J Caring Sci 2018; 32:1468-1476. [PMID: 30070384 DOI: 10.1111/scs.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finding new approaches to increase positive health and well-being of elderly individuals living in nursing homes (NH) is highly warranted. Several Norwegian municipalities have implemented the certification scheme framed 'Joy of Life Nursing Home' (JOLNH). JOLNH is based on a health-promoting perspective directing elderly individuals' resources. Through health promotion, preventive and social activities across generations, NH care promotes respect, well-being, health and cultural experiences among elderly individuals. AIMS The aims of this study were to explore the phenomenon of Joy of life (JOL) among elderly individuals living in NHs and to provide a deeper understanding of which dimensions constitute JOL in this population. METHODS The present study explored the JOL phenomenon using qualitative methodology. Data were collected between December 2015 and May 2016 by individual qualitative research interviews of 29 elderly individuals who met the inclusion criteria. The informants were living in ten different NHs in two large municipalities in Norway. Prior approval was obtained from all regulatory institutions dealing with research issues and the management in both municipalities. RESULTS The results showed that (i) positive relations, (ii) a sense of belonging, (iii) sources of meaning, (iv) moments of feeling well, and (v) acceptance constituted the conceptualisation of the JOL phenomenon. CONCLUSION The dimensions constituting the JOL concept correspond to the concepts of well-being and flourishing. Knowledge of the JOL phenomenon may help professionals to target elderly individuals' health and well-being more precisely and thereby increase flourishing, JOL and well-being among them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Rinnan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Chief Executive Office, Trondheim Municipality, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Beate André
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jorunn Drageset
- Centre for Elderly and Nursing Home Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Department of Nursing, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Helge Garåsen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Chief Executive Office, Trondheim Municipality, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Geir Arild Espnes
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gørill Haugan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Roberts TJ. Nursing home resident relationship types: What supports close relationships with peers & staff? J Clin Nurs 2018; 27:4361-4372. [PMID: 29893439 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To describe from the nursing home resident perspective (a) the types and dimensions of relationships residents develop with others in the nursing home and (b) the conditions that influence the development of close relationships. BACKGROUND Close relationships are considered the fundamental building block of person-centred care. Prior studies have examined the various types of relationships residents develop with peers and staff, but few have focused specifically on articulating the characteristics and dimensions of a close relationship or the factors that can support or detract from their development. DESIGN Grounded theory. METHODS Fifteen cognitively intact residents from two nursing homes were recruited for one-on-one, unstructured interviews. Interview questions started broadly and became more focused as the study progressed. Data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding. RESULTS Residents described developing a range of relationships with peers and staff (adversarial, utilitarian, and friendly). Residents used "friendly" to describe many different types of relationships including acquaintanceships, casual friendships and close friendships. Few residents had close relationships with peers or staff. Several conditions promoted development of positive and friendly relationships. Physical proximity and access to peers with similar interests, who could communicate clearly, fostered friendly peer relationships. Spending noncare time, providing little extras, treating residents as special and responding positively to care requests fostered friendly staff relationships. CONCLUSIONS Findings add new evidence regarding nuances in resident relationships and demonstrate how development of close relationships may be limited in practice. Careful assessment of resident relationship needs and goals may be critical to setting appropriate social goals. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses can be intentional about resident placements in the facility to promote social interactions and keep social goals in mind when making medical or staffing decisions to prevent interruption of important relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonya J Roberts
- School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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30
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Zhang W, Liu L, Tang F, Dong X. Social Engagement and Sense of Loneliness and Hopelessness: Findings From the PINE Study. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2018; 4:2333721418778189. [PMID: 30035197 PMCID: PMC6050621 DOI: 10.1177/2333721418778189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Among older Chinese adults in the United States, depression is a common health problem. Using data from the first population-based survey of older Chinese Americans (N = 2,929) and applying negative binomial and ordinary least squares regression models, this study examines the relationship between social engagement (including cognitive activity and social activity) and sense of loneliness and hopelessness. Findings reveal that social engagement is significantly and negatively related to both loneliness and hopelessness after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and health status. In addition, it is found that different aspects of social engagement present differential associations with sense of loneliness and hopelessness: Social activity is significantly associated with lower rate ratios of loneliness, whereas cognitive activity is significantly related to reduced levels of hopelessness. Our findings address the importance of engaging in cognitively stimulating and socially integrating activities in promoting psychological well-being for U.S. Chinese older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA
| | - Lin Liu
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA
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31
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Sullivan L, Willis DG. Towards Changing the Long Term Care (LTC) Paradigm: Explicating the Concept of Thriving in Older Adults Living in LTC. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2018; 39:388-397. [PMID: 29319403 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2017.1390021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
A phenomenon of interest for nursing is the facilitation of humanistic health care experiences and quality of life (Willis, Grace, & Roy, 2008 ). Inquiry into the concept of thriving as it manifests in the older adult residing in long-term care aligns with this interest. Thriving has been described by scholars in various disciplines but no context-specific definition for the LTC resident currently exists. Contrary to the generally held negative view of LTC, there is emerging evidence that older adult LTC residents "do well" or thrive in this environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Sullivan
- a Department of Nursing , Salve Regina University , Newport , United States
| | - Danny G Willis
- b School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin Madison , Madison , United States
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32
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Annear MJ, Elliott KJ, Tierney LT, Lea EJ, Robinson A. "Bringing the outside world in": Enriching social connection through health student placements in a teaching aged care facility. Health Expect 2017; 20:1154-1162. [PMID: 28397978 PMCID: PMC5600234 DOI: 10.1111/hex.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) often experience limited opportunities for social connection despite close proximity to peers, which has implications for mental health and quality of life (QoL). The introduction of large-scale undergraduate health student placements in RACFs may enhance opportunities for meaningful engagement through social connection, although this remains unexplored. OBJECTIVE This research explores whether interpersonal encounters between health students and RACF residents influence residents' opportunities for social connection and QoL. METHODS A mixed methods design was employed which included questionnaire data from residents, and qualitative interview data from residents, family members and RACF staff. Data were collected during and after student placements to allow for an in-depth exploration of residents, family members and staff perspectives. RESULTS Forty-three participants (28 residents, 10 staff and five family members) were recruited during 2014. Overall, many residents had clinical levels of depression, mild cognitive impairment and multiple morbidities, however reported moderate-to-good QoL. Thematic analysis was undertaken on interview transcripts, and three themes emerged: (i) social isolation and loneliness fostered by residents' age-related conditions, (ii) students expand socially supportive connections beyond the RACF and (iii) meaning making by sharing health experiences, which was found to help renegotiate older adults' pervasive narrative of vulnerability. CONCLUSION Supported and structured health student placements in RACFs enable older adults to participate in meaningful encounters with younger people. These encounters focus on sharing health experiences and address long-standing issues of isolation and loneliness by providing opportunities for social connection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Annear
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (WDREC)Faculty of HealthUniversity of TasmaniaTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Kate‐Ellen J. Elliott
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (WDREC)Faculty of HealthUniversity of TasmaniaTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Laura T. Tierney
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (WDREC)Faculty of HealthUniversity of TasmaniaTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Emma J. Lea
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (WDREC)Faculty of HealthUniversity of TasmaniaTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Andrew Robinson
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (WDREC)Faculty of HealthUniversity of TasmaniaTasmaniaAustralia
- School of Health SciencesFaculty of HealthUniversity of TasmaniaTasmaniaAustralia
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Social isolation, loneliness and their relationships with depressive symptoms: A population-based study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182145. [PMID: 28832594 PMCID: PMC5568112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To assess the relationship between various social isolation indicators and loneliness, and to examine the differential associations that social isolation indicators, loneliness have with depressive symptoms. Methods Baseline data for 1,919 adults (aged 21 years and above) from a representative health survey in the Central region of Singapore was used for this study. The association between social isolation indicators (marital status, living arrangement, social connectedness with relatives and friends) and loneliness (the three-item UCLA Loneliness) were assessed, and their differential associations with depressive symptoms (the Patient Health Questionnaire-9) were examined using multiple linear regression, controling for relevant covariates. Results There was significant overlap between loneliness and social isolation. Social connectedness with relatives and friends were mildly correlated with loneliness score (|r| = 0.14~0.16). Social isolation in terms of weak connectedness with relatives and with friends and loneliness were associated with depressive symptoms even after controling for age, gender, employment status and other covariates. The association of loneliness with depressive symptoms (β = 0.33) was independent of and stronger than that of any social isolation indicators (|β| = 0.00~0.07). Conclusions The results of the study establishes a significant and unique association of different social isolation indicators and loneliness with depressive symptoms in community-dwelling adults aged 21 and above.
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34
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Schuster AM, Hunter EG. Video Communication With Cognitively Intact Nursing Home Residents: A Scoping Review. J Appl Gerontol 2017; 38:1185-1196. [PMID: 28554239 DOI: 10.1177/0733464817711962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited research exists examining video communication among cognitively intact nursing home residents to connect with family. This scoping review evaluated existing literature for video communication usage with nursing home residents, family, and nursing homes. A comprehensive search was completed using PubMed and EBSCOhost (including AgeLine, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) between 1972 and 2016 to locate English-language articles. The analysis identified five eligible studies (four involved an intervention, one assessed family views) meeting inclusion criteria. Findings included, seeing family members separated by distance, seeing other parts of their life, and visually monitoring resident's health. Participants described frustration with technology limitations, such as video or audio lag. Current literature does not show a comprehensive assessment of video communication usage for residents, family, and nursing homes. Future studies should address the complexity of the intersection of the person, nursing home, and families in terms of potential benefits and capability of video communication use with residents.
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Abstract
ABSTRACTTransfer from a private home to an assisted living facility has been pictured as a major change in an older person's life. Older people themselves tend to perceive the change as something eventual that breaks the bonds and familiarities of previous life. The aim of this article is to shed light on residents’ chances to reach affiliation (as Nussbaum defines it) in their new living surroundings, and thus adjust to that social environment. Based on ethnographical data gathered in a Finnish sheltered home in 2013–14, we studied residents’ affiliations through ruptures, namely residents’ perceived social isolation. Social isolation was found to be connected with two separate social worlds: the one inside the facility and the one outside. Social isolation resulted from different factors connected to the quality of social interaction with co-residents and the staff, daily routines of the institution and residents’ personal life histories. Also, residents’ older friends seemed to avoid visiting care facilities which caused perceived social isolation. This article deepens the insights into the perceived social isolation of assisted living and thus helps care providers to create new strategies to enable due affiliation for their residents.
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36
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Björk S, Lindkvist M, Wimo A, Juthberg C, Bergland Å, Edvardsson D. Residents' engagement in everyday activities and its association with thriving in nursing homes. J Adv Nurs 2017; 73:1884-1895. [PMID: 28229474 DOI: 10.1111/jan.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
AIM To describe the prevalence of everyday activity engagement for older people in nursing homes and the extent to which engagement in everyday activities is associated with thriving. BACKGROUND Research into residents' engagement in everyday activities in nursing homes has focused primarily on associations with quality of life and prevention and management of neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, the mere absence of symptoms does not necessarily guarantee experiences of well-being. The concept of thriving encapsulates and explores experiences of well-being in relation to the place where a person lives. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey. METHOD A national survey of 172 Swedish nursing homes (2013-2014). Resident (n = 4831) symptoms, activities and thriving were assessed by staff using a study survey based on established questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, simple and multiple linear regression, and linear stepwise multiple regression were performed. RESULTS The most commonly occurring everyday activities were receiving hugs and physical touch, talking to relatives/friends and receiving visitors, having conversation with staff not related to care and grooming. The least commonly occurring everyday activities were going to the cinema, participating in an educational program, visiting a restaurant and doing everyday chores. Positive associations were found between activity engagement and thriving, where engagement in an activity program, dressing nicely and spending time with someone the resident likes had the strongest positive association with resident thriving. CONCLUSIONS Engagement in everyday activities can support personhood and thriving and can be conceptualized and implemented as nursing interventions to enable residents to thrive in nursing homes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie Lindkvist
- Department of Statistics, Umeå School of Business and Economics, Umeå University, Sweden.,Epidemiology and Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - Anders Wimo
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Ådel Bergland
- Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Oslo, Norway
| | - David Edvardsson
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Sweden.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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37
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Nordin S, McKee K, Wallinder M, von Koch L, Wijk H, Elf M. The physical environment, activity and interaction in residential care facilities for older people: a comparative case study. Scand J Caring Sci 2016; 31:727-738. [PMID: 27862156 DOI: 10.1111/scs.12391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The physical environment is of particular importance for supporting activities and interactions among older people living in residential care facilities (RCFs) who spend most of their time inside the facility. More knowledge is needed regarding the complex relationships between older people and environmental aspects in long-term care. The present study aimed to explore how the physical environment influences resident activities and interactions at two RCFs by using a mixed-method approach. Environmental assessments were conducted via the Swedish version of the Sheffield Care Environment Assessment Matrix (S-SCEAM), and resident activities, interactions and locations were assessed through an adapted version of the Dementia Care Mapping (DCM). The Observed Emotion Rating Scale (OERS) was used to assess residents' affective states. Field notes and walk-along interviews were also used. Findings indicate that the design of the physical environment influenced the residents' activities and interactions. Private apartments and dining areas showed high environmental quality at both RCFs, whereas the overall layout had lower quality. Safety was highly supported. Despite high environmental quality in general, several factors restricted resident activities. To optimise care for older people, the design process must clearly focus on accessible environments that provide options for residents to use the facility independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Nordin
- School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kevin McKee
- School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden
| | - Maria Wallinder
- School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden
| | - Lena von Koch
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helle Wijk
- Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marie Elf
- School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract
ABSTRACTUsing a qualitative approach, this article examines how the experiences of emotional loneliness are embedded in the everyday lives and relationships of older adults. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted in 2010 with older people who reported feeling lonely, often or all the time, during a cohort study in southern Finland. The research reveals the multifaceted nature of loneliness and its causes. Behind emotional loneliness, we identified lost and unfulfilled relationships, involving the loss or lack of a partner, the absence of a meaningful friendship, complex parenthood and troubling childhood experiences. Most of the interviewees have faced loneliness that only began in old age, but for some, loneliness has been present for nearly a lifetime.
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Kahanpää A, Noro A, Finne-Soveri H, Lehto J, Perälä ML. Perceived and observed quality of long-term care for residents - Does functional ability account? Int J Older People Nurs 2016; 11:194-203. [DOI: 10.1111/opn.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anja Kahanpää
- Department of Ageing; Disability and Functioning; National Institute for Health and Welfare; Helsinki Finland
- School of Health Sciences; University of Tampere; Tampere Finland
| | - Anja Noro
- National Institute for Health and Welfare; Helsinki Finland
| | | | - Juhani Lehto
- School of Health Sciences; University of Tampere; Tampere Finland
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40
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Gonzalez MT, Kirkevold M. Clinical use of sensory gardens and outdoor environments in norwegian nursing homes: a cross-sectional e-mail survey. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2015; 36:35-43. [PMID: 25517123 DOI: 10.3109/01612840.2014.932872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Gardens and outdoor environments offer multiple therapeutic possibilities for the residents in nursing homes. Web-based questionnaires were sent to 488 nursing home leaders and 121 leaders responded. The clinical impressions of the leaders and staff regarding the benefits of sensory gardens (SGs) to the residents were consistent with previous research. SGs facilitated taking residents outdoors, offered convenient topics for communication and facilitated social privacy for relatives. For improved clinical use of SGs and outdoor environments, systematic assessment of residents' interests, performance and experiences when outdoors, implementation of seasonal clinical programmes and educational programmes for leaders and staff are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Thorsen Gonzalez
- University of Oslo, Institute of Health and Society, Oslo, Norway, and Diakonhjemmet University College, Institute of Nursing and Health, Oslo, Norway
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41
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Abstract
In contemporary Western societies, characterized by global aging and an omnipresent celebrity culture, little is known about the role of celebrities for older adults. This study bridges gerontology and celebrity studies to explore a social role that celebrities can fulfill for nursing home residents: triggering moral discussions. This potential role is examined in four focus groups with 27 nursing home residents in Flanders (Belgium). Here, 20 celebrity pictures are employed to evoke moral discussions, with a focus on adultery and homosexuality. These discussions are subjected to a framing analysis. Results show that celebrities can trigger moral discussions among the nursing home residents. The residents' adultery and homosexuality frames show that they mostly retain dominant values from their youth, often combining them with contemporary dominant values. Further, the residents' frames prove to be relativistic, which can be linked to their multitude of life experiences and complex emotional skills.
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42
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Roberts T, Bowers B. How nursing home residents develop relationships with peers and staff: a grounded theory study. Int J Nurs Stud 2014; 52:57-67. [PMID: 25443304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Social support and social relationships have been repeatedly identified as essential to nursing home resident quality of life. However, little is known about ways residents develop relationships with peers or staff. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to explore the ways resident develop relationships with peers and staff in nursing homes. DESIGN AND METHODS Fifteen cognitively intact nursing home residents from two facilities were interviewed for this grounded theory study. Sampling, interviewing, and analysis occurred in a cyclical process with results at each stage of the study informing decisions about data collection and analysis in the next. Unstructured interviews and field observations were conducted. Data were analyzed with open, axial, and selective coding. RESULTS Residents developed relationships with peers and staff largely as an unintended consequence of trying to have a life in the nursing home. Having a life was a two-step process. First, life motivations (Being Self and Creating a Positive Atmosphere) influenced resident preferences for daily activities and interaction goals and subsequently their strategies for achieving and establishing both. Second, the strategies residents used for achieving their required daily activities (Passing Time and Getting Needs Met) and interaction goals then influenced the nature of interaction and the subsequent peer or staff response to these interactions. Residents defined relationships as friendly or unfriendly depending on whether peers or staff responded positively or negatively. There was considerable overlap in the ways peer and staff relationships developed and the results highlight the role of peer and staff responsiveness in relationship development. IMPLICATIONS The results provide possible explanations for the success of interventions in the literature designed to improve staff responsiveness to residents. The results suggest that adapting these kinds of interventions for use with peers may also be successful. The conceptual model also presents a number of opportunities for developing interventions for residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonya Roberts
- Geriatric Research Education & Clinical Center (GRECC), William S. Middleton Veteran Affairs Hospital, Madison, WI, United States; University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Nursing, United States.
| | - Barbara Bowers
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Nursing, United States
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Anxiety and depression and mortality among cognitively intact nursing home residents with and without a cancer diagnosis: a 5-year follow-up study. Cancer Nurs 2014; 36:E68-74. [PMID: 23051868 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0b013e31826fcb11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies are lacking on how anxiety and depression symptoms influence mortality among cognitively intact older people in nursing homes (NHs) with a diagnosis of cancer versus those without cancer. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that anxiety or depression was associated with survival and has greater effects on survival for residents with cancer than for those without cancer. METHODS A cohort of 227 cognitively intact (Clinical Dementia Rating scale score ≤0.5) older residents (60 with cancer and 167 without) from 30 NHs were followed from 2004-2005 to 2010. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscales. Sociodemographic variables and medical diagnoses were obtained from the records. RESULTS The overall survival after 5 years was 17% for residents with cancer and 22% for residents without cancer. Depression and comorbidity were associated with significantly worse survival independent of a cancer diagnosis. Residents with cancer and symptoms of anxiety (subscores at least 8) had worse survival than those without anxiety symptoms (P = .02), but this was not found among the noncancer group. CONCLUSIONS Independent of a cancer diagnosis, depression symptoms and comorbidity were associated with mortality among cognitive intact NH residents. Having symptoms of anxiety predicted shorter survival among residents with a cancer diagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Nurses should pay attention to depression symptoms among NH residents with and without a cancer diagnosis. Giving attention to residents with cancer and anxiety symptoms is especially important.
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Andrew A, Wilson LH. A café on the premises of an aged care facility: more than just froth? Scand J Occup Ther 2013; 21:219-26. [DOI: 10.3109/11038128.2013.868034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Kvaal K, Halding AG, Kvigne K. Social provision and loneliness among older people suffering from chronic physical illness. A mixed-methods approach. Scand J Caring Sci 2013; 28:104-11. [DOI: 10.1111/scs.12041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kari Kvaal
- Faculty of Health Sciences; Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences; Oslo Norway
- Department of Public Health; Hedmark University College; Elverum Norway
| | - Anne-Grethe Halding
- Department of Health Studies; Sogn og Fjordane University College; Førde Norway
| | - Kari Kvigne
- Department of Public Health; Hedmark University College; Elverum Norway
- Department of Health Studies; Sogn og Fjordane University College; Førde Norway
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Tobella A, Gil A, Llopart C, Ferrer A, Formiga F, Rojas-Farreras S. Factores asociados al riesgo social en las personas de 85 años residentes en la comunidad. Rev Clin Esp 2013; 213:145-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Tobella A, Gil A, Llopart C, Ferrer A, Formiga F, Rojas-Farreras S. Factors associated with social risk in 85-year-old community residents. Rev Clin Esp 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rceng.2013.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Smith JM. Toward a Better Understanding of Loneliness In Community-Dwelling Older Adults. THE JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2012; 146:293-311. [DOI: 10.1080/00223980.2011.602132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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Drageset J, Espehaug B, Kirkevold M. The impact of depression and sense of coherence on emotional and social loneliness among nursing home residents without cognitive impairment - a questionnaire survey. J Clin Nurs 2012; 21:965-74. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03932.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Enmarker I, Olsen R, Hellzen O. Management of person with dementia with aggressive and violent behaviour: a systematic literature review. Int J Older People Nurs 2011; 6:153-62. [PMID: 21539720 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2010.00235.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM Studies indicate that physical and pharmacological restraints are still often in the frontline of aggression management in a large number of nursing homes. In the present literature review the aim was to describe, from a nursing perspective, aggressive and violent behaviour in people with dementia living in nursing home units and to find alternative approaches to the management of dementia related aggression as a substitute to physical and chemical restraints. METHODS A systematic literature review in three phases, including a content analysis of 21 articles published between 1999 and August 2009 has been conducted. RESULTS The results could be summarised in two themes: 'origins that may trigger violence' and 'activities that decrease the amount of violent behaviour'. Together, the themes showed that violence was a phenomenon that could be described as being connected to a premorbid personality and often related to the residents' personal care. It was found that if the origin of violent actions was the residents' pain, it was possible to minimise it through nursing activities. This review also indicated that an organisation in special care units for residents who exhibit aggressive and violent behaviour led to the lesser use of mechanical restraints, but also an increased use of non-mechanical techniques. CONCLUSION The optimal management of aggressive and violent actions from residents with dementia living in nursing homes was a person-centred approach to the resident. Qualitative studies focusing on violence were sparsely found, and this underlines the importance of further research in this area to elucidate how violence and aggressiveness is experienced and understood by both staff and patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE To communicate with people with dementia provides a challenge for nurses and other health caregivers. To satisfy the needs of good nursing care, an important aspect is therefore to get knowledge and understanding about aggressive and violent behaviour and its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingela Enmarker
- Faculty of Health Science, Nord-Trondelag University College, Namsos, Norway.
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