Self-management of depression and anxiety amongst frail older adults in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Depression and anxiety are common in frail older people and are associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality, yet they typically face greater barriers to accessing mental health treatments than younger people and express preferences for self-managing their symptoms. This study aims to explore frail older adults' experiences of self-managing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.

DESIGN

Qualitative semi-structured interviews, exploring experiences of depression and/or anxiety, ways participants self-managed these and the contexts within which this took place. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.

PARTICIPANTS

28 frail older adults in the United Kingdom, purposively sampled for neighbourhood, frailty and symptoms of anxiety/depression.

ANALYSIS

Thematic analysis to inductively derive themes from the data.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that frail older adults find maintaining independence, engaging in meaningful activities, and socialising and peer support important for self-managing depression and anxiety. These could all be adapted to the level of frailty experienced. Drawing on life experiences, addressing the perceived cause and faith were helpful in some situations and for some personalities. Distraction and avoidance were helpful for more severe symptoms or where the causes of symptoms could not be resolved. Self-management strategies were less well-established for anxiety symptoms, especially when linked to newer health fears and worries about the future.

CONCLUSIONS

Developing services and sources of information that support and facilitate key therapeutic components of self-management, which align with older adults' preferred coping styles and take into account levels of frailty, may be a way of supporting frail older people waiting for mental health treatments or those who prefer not to access these. Greater awareness of anxiety and how it can be self-managed in frail older people is needed.

Effectiveness of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Involving Community-Based Intervention for Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Singapore

Purpose:

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of a community-based intervention on improving knowledge about diabetes, self-care behaviors, and glycemic control among older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Singapore, a country in Asia with a high prevalence of diabetes.

Methods:

A 3-arm cluster randomized controlled trial involving community-dwelling older adults ages 55 to 99 with T2DM was conducted. Intervention group 1 and 2 participants received a 12-session intervention program designed to teach knowledge and practical skills in diabetes self-care with psychological techniques for behavioral change like problem solving, goal setting, and motivational interviewing. In addition, intervention group 2 participants received a glucometer and a supply of accessories each. The control group received routine care from their health care providers.

Results:

Compared to the control group, intervention group 2 reported an increase in medication adherence and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) at 3-month follow-up and increased knowledge about diabetes and self-care behavior in general diet control at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

The community-based intervention should be extended to more older adults with T2DM in the community. Glucometers and accessories could be provided at subsidized rates or be made free contingent on older adults’ income status to overcome the barrier of performing SMBG.

Exploring the Perspective of Diabetes, Diabetes Self-Management, and Quality of Life Among Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to explore the perspective and impact of diabetes, diabetes self-management, and quality of life (QoL) among older adults with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to better inform T2DM self-management interventions.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive approach with focus group discussions (n = 5 sessions with 5-6 older adults per session) and in-depth interviews (n = 15) was conducted with community-dwelling older adults with T2DM.

RESULTS

Five themes emerged. The definition of diabetes carries negative connotations, QoL is defined in terms of biopsychosocial health, diabetes self-management refers to the ability to adhere to medical advice and lifestyle changes, the QoL of older adults is differentially affected by COVID-19 measures, and important aspects of diabetes self-management activities are impacted by COVID-19 measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding older adults' perspectives on diabetes, diabetes self-management, and QoL provided insights into the facilitators and barriers to diabetes self-management practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings inform the need for greater bottom-up initiatives and the need for a multipronged approach that considers the intra- and interpersonal and current policy factors to encourage diabetes self-management behaviors, especially during the COVID-19 era.

Sociodemographic characteristics associated with self-care and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults with type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To assess how well community-dwelling older adults in Singapore were coping with their diabetes, and the sociodemographic characteristics that were associated with their level of coping.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study involving 257 older adults. Multiple regression was used to assess the associations between various sociodemographic characteristics and coping measures of present quality of life and level of self-care.

RESULTS

Older adults mainly sought care in the primary care setting. They were not coping well given their mean scores for diabetes-dependent quality of life and the self-care index were -3.57 and 3.55 respectively. Compared to those with post-secondary education, individuals who had no formal (adjusted B -0.92, p 0.003), primary level (adjusted B -0.76, p < 0.001) and secondary level (adjusted B -0.50, p < 0.02) education reported lower present quality of life. Those with prior lowest skill level occupations were less likely to consume a healthy diet per week than those with prior highest skill level occupations (adjusted B -1.48, p 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

There should be provision of diabetes self-care interventions targeting older adults in Singapore especially for those with lower education and work skill levels. As the first line of contacts, primary care providers should advocate for diabetes self-care and develop community-based interventions for these priority groups.

Implementing post diagnostic dementia care in primary care: a mixed-methods systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Concentrating post-diagnostic dementia care in primary care may lead to better and more cost-effective care closer to home. We aimed to assess which intervention components and contextual factors may contribute to the successful delivery and implementation of primary care-led post-diagnostic dementia care.

METHODS

Mixed-methods systematic review. We searched five databases (inception-March 2019) with reference list screening and citation tracking. We included studies evaluating post-diagnostic dementia care interventions where primary care had a significant role in dementia care, which assessed one or more implementation elements (acceptability, feasibility, adoption, sustainability, reach, costs, appropriateness or fidelity). Two authors independently critically appraised studies.

RESULTS

Out of 4528 unique references, we screened 380 full texts and included 49 evaluations of services collecting implementation process data. Most services had high acceptability ratings. The most acceptable components were information provision, social and emotional support and links to community organisations. Feasibility was chiefly influenced by provider engagement and leadership, building dementia care capacity, sufficient resources/funding and collaboration. Care quality was maximised through adding capacity from a dementia-specific health professional. On the basis of limited data, costs for various primary care-led models did not substantially differ from each other.

CONCLUSION

A range of primary care-led dementia care models appear feasible and acceptable. Future services should: add dementia-focussed health professionals into primary care, develop primary care leadership and provide sufficient funding and collaboration opportunities. Information, community service links and social and ongoing support should be part of services. Further exploration of service reach and formalised fidelity assessment are needed.

Factors Associated with Intended Postpartum OGTT Uptake and Willingness to Receive Preventive Behavior Support to Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk Among Women with Gestational Diabetes in Singapore: An Exploratory Study

Aim:

To assess and explore the factors affecting willingness to undergo an early postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and receive postpartum lifestyle modification assistance.

Methods:

An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was used. A prenatal cross-sectional survey questionnaire (n = 216) was given to women diagnosed with GDM in a tertiary health institution in Singapore and followed up with postpartum semi-structured interviews (n = 30). Multivariate logistic regression and thematic analysis were conducted before merging the findings.

Results:

Despite universal GDM education, fewer than 75% intended to take the OGTT postpartum, and only 63% felt it was very important. The plan to take the OGTT postpartum was positively associated with a prenatal care provider’s specific recommendation. In contrast, Malay women were less likely to take the test. Most women interpreted a care provider’s recommendation as implying standard practice, which encouraged intended and actual compliance with testing after giving birth. The perception of moderate to high T2DM risk in the following decade, and subsidized prenatal care, and plan to take the OGTT postpartum were positively associated with willingness to receive postpartum lifestyle behavior support. A mobile application was the preferred method to receive support.

Conclusions:

In the early postpartum period, women with a history of GDM were willing to receive measures to reduce T2DM risk, primarily if it was under the supervision and recommendation of a care provider. A carefully designed but simple postpartum lifestyle intervention incorporating these preferences that can be integrated into mainstream diabetes prevention programs is warranted.

Interacting with place and mapping community needs to context: Comparing and triangulating multiple geospatial-qualitative methods using the Focus–Expand–Compare approach

Geospatial-qualitative methods, which combine both observation and interpretative accounts during data collection through extended exposure and movement in place, have been increasingly used to explore “person–place” interactions and assess communities of place. Despite their increased use, there is a lack of reflexive discussion on how they differ in capturing person–place interactions and ways to combine them. Drawing on our experiences using three related methods—Photovoice, Walking through Spaces, and interactive Participatory Learning and Action exercise-led community focus groups—we compared the methodological advantages that each method brings to the construction of “place” and in exploring person–place interactions among the community of older adults living in a neighborhood of Singapore for a neighborhood assessment. We then illustrated how using a Focus–Expand–Compare approach for methodological triangulation can add value in generating greater depth and breadth of perspectives on a topic of interest explored for intervention development.

Supporting frail older people with depression and anxiety: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Depression and anxiety are common in later life, particularly when people are frail. This leads to reduced quality of life, faster decline in physical health and increased health/social care use. Available treatments are commonly not tailored to people with frailty. We explored frail older peoples' experiences of depression and/or anxiety and how services could be adapted to their needs.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews with 28 older people in the UK purposively sampled for practice location and severity of frailty and anxiety/depression. We asked about symptoms, interactions with physical health, help-seeking, treatments and what might help in future. We audio-recorded and transcribed interviews, using thematic analysis to inductively derive themes.

RESULTS

Frail older people had low expectations of their wellbeing at this point in life due to multiple physical health issues and so anxiety and mild depressive symptoms were normalised. There was a particular reluctance and uncertainty regarding help-seeking for anxiety. Treatments were considered appropriate where they aligned with coping skills developed over their lifetime, and facilitated independence and problem-solving skills. Most older people felt their knowledge of mental health was limited and relied upon information about and endorsement of therapies from an expert. This was usually their GP, but access was often problematic. Online methods of accessing information and therapies were not popular.

CONCLUSION

Mental health support for frail older people needs to address late-life anxieties as well as depression, account for physical health issues, align with older people's need for independence and facilitate coping skills.

Promoting BioPsychoSocial health of older adults using a Community for Successful Ageing program (ComSA) in Singapore: A mixed-methods evaluation

BioPsychoSocial health promotion is increasingly emphasized for Successful Ageing. Few programs are known to target BioPsychoSocial health of older adults and their community. The Community for Successful Ageing: Community Development program (ComSA CD) was developed in Singapore for this purpose. This study assessed program effects on BioPsychoSocial health and civic engagement behaviours of participants. ComSA CD offered self-care healthy lifestyle education (Bio-physical), guided autobiography (Psychological) and a civic engagement component which galvanized participants to solve community issues (Social). Recruitment occurred through self-care or guided autobiography; following which participants were funnelled into the civic engagement component. A mixed-methods quasi-experimental evaluation was conducted, using a pre-post one-year survey (N=232) with those exposed and unexposed (rejected) to ComSA CD. Using a generalized linear model, associations between post one-year BioPsychoSocial outcomes and exposure group were quantified using percentage change, adjusting for baseline outcome and group differences. Concurrently, program effects were explored through six focus groups with program implementers and participants using thematic analysis. The program had multiple positive effects. Participants recruited via self-care also taking part in civic engagement reported 31% higher frequency of self-care (95% CI=21% to 68%) post one-year compared to unexposed participants. Qualitative findings illustrated how the civic engagement component stimulated agency of participants to push for neighborhood changes and civic engagement initiatives. The quantitative survey highlighted that this effect was strongest among those funnelled from guided-autobiography (92% higher frequency of civic engagement at post one-year than unexposed; 95%CI=41% to 178%) compared to those funnelled from self-care (53% higher than unexposed, 95%CI=17% to 114%). It was found qualitatively that guided-autobiography enabled more meaningful bonding and communication than the self-care component, explaining quantitative effects on social support only present among guided autobiography participants (36% higher than unexposed; 95%CI=11% to 68%). Findings highlighted the importance of improving group dynamics for collective action.

Exploring the implementation of the Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA)program in Singapore: lessons learnt on program delivery for improving BioPsychoSocial health

BACKGROUND

The Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) program has implemented overlapping BioPsychoSocial (BPS) components as part of a Community Development (CD) grassroots and volunteer-led initiative. Implementation of such multi-component programming is influenced by known program characteristics including novelty, complexity and observability as well as related organizational factors. As such, we explored ComSA CD's implementation from the organizational perspective, seeking to inform program improvements.

METHODS

We conducted four focus groups with program staff, partners and trainers (total N = 21 participants). Findings were analysed using an interpretative approach and synthesized into a line of argument informing lessons learnt.

RESULTS

An implementation framework was identified. It is guided by considering the influence of known program characteristics across major themes, representing three core implementation stages. These and supporting sub-themes are elaborated in turn: 1) Creating commitment toward the program was challenged by novelty and at times a lack of shared understanding of ComSA CD, particularly relating to the S component. Overall, cohesion within organizational contexts and having a strong rapport with the community (ability to engage) were needed to persuade volunteers and participants to commit to the program. 2) Coordination and resource allocation were influenced by the complexity of interconnecting BPS components - requiring aligning communication between partners and adapting the BPS sequence, given the separated management structure of program trainers. Efficiency of resource utilization was constrained by the ability to pool and match resources given the limited manpower and community partners who worked-in-silo due to a KPI-centric culture. 3) Collaborative program monitoring and appraisal increased observability of the program's benefits, but depended on partners' prior commitment. Despite appreciating its holistic BPS programming, dropout rate was used as a way to gauge program success, which has limited interpretability. Occasional uncertainty about the program value contributed to concerns about duplicating existing ageing programs, particularly those related to the B component.

CONCLUSION

Lessons learnt for improving BPS programming include (1) eliciting better participants' buy-in and shared program vision, (2) increasing adaptability of BPS sequence and building a culture of shared values for working together (3) and developing comprehensive monitoring systems for program appraisal.

Theory and Design of the Community for successful ageing (ComSA) program in Singapore: connecting BioPsychoSocial health and quality of life experiences of older adults

BACKGROUND

Despite the emphasis on holistic health promotion in community programs for older people, few studies explicitly consider how BioPsychoSocial (BPS) health elements are interconnected and function to improve Quality of Life (QoL). The Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) program in Singapore focuses on Community Development (CD) initiatives for older people, accounting for BPS theory in its design and content. Biological (B) health is conceived as physiological and cognitive functioning and related biological self-care; Psychological (P) health as feelings of life satisfaction, and Social health (S) as perceived social support and civic engagement. Furthermore, three overlapping sub-constructs are theorized to connect these elements. Namely Bio-Psychological (BP) health in terms of self-perceptions of ageing; the Psycho-Social (PS) aspects of interpersonal communication; and the Socio-Communal (SC) health in terms of civic engagement. BPS health is conceived as distinct from QoL, defined as composed of control, autonomy, self-realisation and pleasure (measured by CASP-19) of the older person. We examined 1) interconnections of BPS constructs and related sub-constructs and 2) their associations with QoL to inform a practical, applied program theory.

METHODS

A baseline survey (n = 321) of program participants (Mean = 70 years, SD = 8.73). All continuous variables were binarized as 'high' if the scores were above the median. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess 1) the adjusted effect of each BPS construct on CASP-19, and 2) the odds of scoring high on one BPS construct with the odds of scoring high on a related sub-construct (e.g. B and BP health).

RESULTS

The strongest relationship with QoL was markedly with BP self-perceptions of ageing (OR = 4.07, 95%CI = 2.21-7.49), followed by P life satisfaction (OR = 3.66, 95%CI = 2.04-6.57), PS interpersonal communication (OR = 2.42, 95%CI = 1.23-4.77), SC civic engagement (OR = 1.94, 95%CI = 1.05-3.57), and S social support (OR = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.06-3.38). Core B, P and S health were closely associated with their sub-constructs.

CONCLUSION

ComSA CD is tightly coupled to its proposed program theory. It offers classes to improve B self-care and BP self-perceptions of ageing, group-based guided autobiography to improve P life-satisfaction and PS interpersonal communication, and community initiatives that encourage seniors to solve community issues. This holistic approach is likely to enhance ageing experiences and QoL.

The Park Prescription Study: Development of a community-based physical activity intervention for a multi-ethnic Asian population

This mixed-methods study aims to inform the development of a 'Park Prescription' intervention, including face-to-face counseling on physical activity and park use and providing weekly structured exercise sessions in the park to promote physical activity. Participants aged 40-65 years were recruited from regional health screening events in Singapore where they completed a questionnaire (N = 97) and consented to focus group (FG) participation (N = 16). The questionnaire assessed current park use, and the type, duration, and intensity of park-based activities that would be of interest. FGs explored the barriers and facilitators of physical activity (in parks). Short interviews (N = 16) with 'doers', i.e., people already engaging in park-based physical activity, identified motivational factors and ways to overcome common barriers. Participants acknowledged the health benefits of parks and valued them because of their pleasant landscapes, greenery and facilities. However, few participants engaged in physical activity at the parks, because they were too busy or too tired. Participants mostly indicated doing informal activities, such as walking, cycling or playing traditional Asian games when using the parks for exercise. A variety of low-to-moderate intensity park-based activities such as walking, cycling or aerobics were of interest to participants who expressed the willingness to engage in structured exercise sessions on weekday evenings or weekend mornings. Strategies to increase physical activity in parks included: encourage planning, create social support, identify alternatives for bad weather, improve proximity/accessibility to parks and park safety. The effectiveness of the Park Prescription intervention in promoting physical activity, park use, as well as physical and mental well-being will be tested in a one-year Randomized Controlled Trial.

The theoretical and empirical basis of a BioPsychoSocial (BPS) risk screener for detection of older people's health related needs, planning of community programs, and targeted care interventions

Background

This study introduces the conceptual basis and operational measure, of BioPyschoSocial (BPS) health and related risk to better understand how well older people are managing and to screen for risk status. The BPS Risk Screener is constructed to detect vulnerability at older ages, and seeks to measure dynamic processes that place equal emphasis on Psycho-emotional and Socio-interpersonal risks, as Bio-functional ones. We validate the proposed measure and describe its application to programming.

Methods

We undertook a quantitative cross-sectional, psychometric study with n = 1325 older Singaporeans, aged 60 and over. We adapted the EASYCare 2010 and Lubben Social Network Scale questionnaires to help determine the BPS domains using factor analysis from which we derive the BPS Risk Screener items. We then confirm its structure, and test the scoring system. The score is initially validated against self-reported general health then modelled against: number of falls; cognitive impairment; longstanding diseases; and further tested against service utilization (linked administrative data).

Results

Three B, P and S clusters are defined and identified and a BPS managing score (‘doing’ well, or ‘some’, ‘many’, and ‘overwhelming problems’) calculated such that the risk of problematic additive BPS effects, what we term health ‘loads’, are accounted for. Thirty-five items (factor loadings over 0.5) clustered into three distinct B, P, S domains and were found to be independently associated with self-reported health: B: 1.99 (1.64 to 2.41), P: 1.59 (1.28 to 1.98), S: 1.33 (1.10 to 1.60). The fit improved when combined into the managing score 2.33 (1.92 to 2.83, < 0.01). The score was associated with mounting risk for all outcomes.

Conclusions

BPS domain structures, and the novel scoring system capturing dynamic BPS additive effects, which can combine to engender vulnerability, are validated through this analysis. The resulting tool helps render clients’ risk status and related intervention needs transparent. Given its explicit and empirically supported attention to P and S risks, which have the potential to be more malleable than B ones, especially in the older old, this tool is designed to be change sensitive.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12877-018-0739-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Explaining the continuum of social participation among older adults in Singapore: from 'closed doors' to active ageing in multi-ethnic community settings

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to identify and explain the continuum in which older people in Singapore participate in community and social life, highlighting the influence of culture and policy context on social participation.

METHODS

Using an ethnographic approach in a neighbourhood (n=109), we conducted focus groups with older adults of different ethnicities, exploring experiences of social participation. Next, participants took 50 photographs relating to 'lives of elders', showcasing the socio-ecological context that influenced social participation. Lastly, go-along interviews were conducted in various precincts with community leaders.

RESULTS

A continuum of social participation emerged among older adults, ranging from (1) marginalization and exclusion, to (2) 'comfort-zoning' alone (3) seeking consistent social interactions, (4) expansion of social network, and (5) giving back to society. Seeking consistent social interactions was shaped by a preference for cultural grouping and ethnic values, but also a desire for emotional safety. Attitudes about expanding one's social network depended on the psychosocial adjustment of the older person to the prospect of gossip and 'trouble' of managing social relations. Despite the societal desirability of an active ageing lifestyle, cultural scripts emphasizing family meant older adults organized participation in social and community life, around family responsibilities. Institutionalizing family reliance in Singapore's welfare approach penalized lower-income older adults with little family support from accessing subsidies, and left some living on the margins.

DISCUSSION

To promote inclusiveness, ageing programs should address preferences for social participation, overcoming barriers at the individual, ethnic culture and policy level.

Three-dimensional eye movement analysis during caloric stimulation used to test vertical semicircular canal function

HYPOTHESIS AND BACKGROUND

Quantitative caloric testing is considered to be one of the most sensitive parameters in the diagnosis of peripheral vestibular disorders. In the past, because of limitations in the methods, the evaluation of the caloric response was restricted to mainly lateral semicircular canal functions. In this study, the authors tried to extend caloric testing to the function of all semicircular canals by using three-dimensional (3-D) analysis techniques.

METHODS

The authors studied in seven normal subjects 3-D eye movement responses to air caloric of the right ear with the subjects positioned in standard caloric position (lateral semicircular canal vertical) or such that one of the three semicircular canals of the right side was horizontal. Movement of the left eye was measured in 3-D with a dual-magnetic search coil. During stimulation, 10 seconds of maximum response were selected and desaccaded to yield the slow-phase velocity profile. From this profile, the average magnitude and direction of the eye rotation axis (velocity vector) were calculated in head coordinates.

RESULTS

In all subjects, in standard caloric position, warm caloric produced eye velocity vectors that clustered closely along the direction expected from an excitation of the right lateral semicircular canal. When the subjects were positioned with one of the vertical semicircular canals horizontal, the orientation of the velocity vectors shifted toward a direction expected from the combined excitation of the lateral and the other vertical semicircular canal and vice versa.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3-D eye movement recordings during caloric stimulation in different head positions allow the evaluation of the function of all semicircular canals.