The Quality of Life of Older Individuals Following the World Health Organization Assessment Criteria

Cross-Cultural Comparison of Older Adults' Emotional Responses Toward Death: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE

The current study reports preliminary findings from a pilot sample that sought to compare the emotional responses of older adults toward death in Egyptian and Spanish cultures.

METHOD

A cohort of 90 eligible older adults from Egypt and Spain were recruited using a cross-sectional descriptive design.

RESULTS

Egyptian participants recorded a significantly higher score in approaching acceptance of death compared to their Spanish counterparts (mean = 21.57, SD = 9.4 and mean = 13.51, SD = 7.11, respectively). Post-hoc test showed there were differences in levels of valence (F[1,86] = 23.88, p < 0.001), indicating that older adults in Spain perceived such images as more unpleasant compared to Egyptian older adults. A significant difference related to death attitude profile scale was noted between Egyptian and Spanish older adults.

CONCLUSION

Egyptian and Spanish older adults demonstrated different attitudes toward death in addition to differences in death anxiety and depression. This preliminary study validates the importance of developing effective nursing strategies to lessen anxiety and fear about death. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 17(3), 112-120.].

Biopsychosocial Factors That Influence the Purpose in Life among Working Adults and Retirees

This study aimed to identify and characterize biopsychosocial factors that impact the purpose in life (PIL) among adults that are working or already retired. This cross-sectional study includes a sample of 1330 participants, of whom 62.2% were female, with ages ranging from 55 and 84 years, with a mean of 61.93 years and a standard deviation of 7.65. Results suggest that the education level, stress, spirituality (religion) and optimism, social support from friends, and quality of life related to physical health seem to contribute positively to the PIL for both groups. However, some variables such as age, marital status and environmental quality of life help explain the PIL of retired people and the quality of life related to social support helps explain the PIL of working adults. Overall, the reported findings suggest that the purpose in life is strongly related to physical, psychological, social and environmental health factors. It is highlighted that working adults and retired people have their purpose in life related to similar factors and others specific to each life stage, suggesting the need for crucial interventions to promote a healthier and more positive aging process.

Quality of Life in Older Adults: Evidence from Mexico and Ecuador

Older adults are a growing population group in Latin America, hence the importance of deepening studies, proposals, and policies to guarantee their well-being. This article analyzes the perception of quality of life in older adults from Mexico and Ecuador and its association with several socioeconomic variables. The study design was cross-sectional. The sample comprised 450 older adults, 238 from Mexico and 212 from Ecuador. The WHOQOL-OLD Quality of Life Questionnaire and a set of sociodemographic variables were used. The results showed a higher perception of quality of life in the Mexican sample regarding most of the dimensions, except for sensory skills and social participation. An association was also found between sensory skills and sports practice, as well as between social participation and education level. The study achieves a binational approach to the reality of older adults in Latin America and confirms that there are differences in each sample that are due to the particularities of each reality. This research contributes to deepening the reality of the elderly, especially in Ecuador, where the quality-of-life studies in all age segments must be strengthened.

The Elderly Nursing Core Set and the cognition of Portuguese older adults: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The aging population and its associated health needs require specific nursing care. The aim of this study was to draw an epidemiological profile of Portuguese elderly adults attending in residential homes and day centers and to evaluate the association between the functioning and cognition of these older adults and their sociodemographic characteristics and presence of multimorbidity.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 613 older adults. Functioning was assessed using the Elderly Nursing Core Set, and cognition was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The mean age was 85.73 years; the majority of the participants were female (69.3 %), widowed (67.0 %) and over 85 years old (60.4 %). A total of 68.2 % of the sample presented multimorbidity. A total of 54.5 % had cognitive impairment, and the average functional profile was classified as "moderate difficulty". Institutionalized older adults had more diseases than those who attended the day center. Women, those who were illiterate, those who were institutionalized and older adults who had diseases of the nervous system had a worse functional profile and greater cognitive impairment. Those with multimorbidity had a worse functional profile, and those without a spouse had greater cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the functional and cognitive profile of older adults, it is necessary to adopt care practices focused on the rehabilitation/maintenance of self-care and affective relationships. This care must be provided by highly qualified professionals. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the ratio of nurses per older adult in these institutions.