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Re-examining ethnic differences in concerns, knowledge, and beliefs about Alzheimer's disease: results from a national sample
- Author:
- AYALON Liat
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(12), 2013, pp.1288-1295.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The 2010 US Health and Retirement Study was used to evaluate the differences in concerns, knowledge, and beliefs about Alzheimer's disease (AD) in three ethnic groups of older adults (White, Latino, and Black). Data from 939 White, 120 Latino, and 171 Black respondents who completed a special module about AD concerns, knowledge, and beliefs were analysed for the study. Significant ethnic differences were found on 7 of 13 items. However, after the adjustment for education, gender, age, having a family member with AD, depressive symptoms, and medical comorbidity, only four items showed significant ethnic group differences; relative to White respondents, Black respondents were less likely to report that having a parent or a sibling with AD increases the chance of developing AD and that genetics was an important risk for AD. In addition, relative to White respondents, both Black and Latino respondents were more likely to perceive stress as a potential risk for AD. Latino respondents were less likely to perceive mental activity as a protective factor. The study found limited ethnic group differences, with most items showing a similar pattern across groups. Nevertheless, the nature of the ethnic group differences found might be associated with a differential pattern of health service use. (Edited publisher abstract)
The prevalence and predictors of passive death wishes in Europe: a 2-year follow-up of the survey of health, ageing, and retirement in Europe
- Author:
- AYALON Liat
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(9), September 2011, pp.923-929.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using a cross-national longitudinal design, this study evaluated regional variations (South, Centre and North of Europe) in passive death wishes (wish to die) and predictors of passive death wishes. It used data from wave 1 (2004) and wave 2 (2006-2007) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), a survey of individuals aged over 50 years and their spouse of any age. The statistical analysis found that the rate of passive death wishes was significantly lower in Northern (4.6%) than in Southern (8.5%) and Central (7%) Europe. The article reports that older adults, women, and those reporting more depressive symptoms, more medical conditions and lower levels of hope in wave 1 were more likely to report passive death wishes in wave 2, that passive death wishes were associated with increased mortality risk, and that most predictors of passive death wishes functioned similarly across geographic regions.
Examining satisfaction with live-in foreign home care in Israel from the perspectives of care recipients, their family members, and their foreign home care workers
- Author:
- AYALON Liat
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 15(3), April 2011, pp.376-384.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Live-in foreign home care for older adults is common in Israel; approximately 68% of older adults who are eligible for governmental financial assistance due to disability have a live-in foreign home care worker. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction levels of all parties involved in this caregiving arrangement: older care recipients, their family members, and their foreign home care workers. A matched cross-sectional sample of 148 family members and foreign home care workers and 90 older care recipients completed a satisfaction survey. The results demonstrate that the foreign home care workers' satisfaction was directly associated with family members' and care recipients' satisfaction. In addition, the well-being of older care recipients and foreign home care workers was directly associated with their satisfaction with this arrangement. There was an inverse association between care recipients' cognitive functioning and family members' satisfaction. The study demonstrates the complex associations between the various stakeholders involved in this caregiving arrangement. The article suggests that better working conditions are likely to result in improved satisfaction with services of all parties involved.
What cognitive functions are associated with passive suicidal ideation? Findings from a national sample of community dwelling Israelis
- Authors:
- AYALON Liat, LITWIN Howard
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(5), May 2009, pp.472-478.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to identify the specific cognitive domains associated with passive suicidal ideation (e.g. thoughts of being better off dead). A cross sectional, national based study of 1,712 individuals over the age of 50. Outcome measure, passive suicidal ideation, was evaluated by the question, in the past month, have you felt that you would rather be dead?, taken from the Euro-D. Cognitive domains assessed were time orientation, verbal learning, verbal recall, word fluency, and arithmetic. After adjusting for demographic and clinical information, those reporting passive suicidal ideation were significantly more likely to have impaired performance on the time orientation task. None of the other cognitive domains were associated with passive suicidal ideation. Clinicians working with older adults need to be aware not only of demographic and clinical information, but also of cognitive functioning and more specifically, time orientation, as a potential determinant of passive suicidal ideation. Possibly, cognitive domains that are less affected by education and prior learning (e.g. time orientation) have a unique association with passive suicidal ideation.
Subjective cognitive functioning as a predictor of all cause mortality in an Israeli national sample of community dwelling older adults
- Author:
- AYALON Liat
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(8), August 2008, pp.830-836.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Cognitive functioning has been identified as a predictor of all cause mortality in several epidemiological studies. As a result, researchers have suggested the use of short cognitive screens as prognostic indicators in older adults. Little is known, however, about subjective complaints of cognitive functioning as predictors of all cause mortality. A 7-year follow-up of a national sample of 4,921 Israelis over the age of 60. Main predictors were subjective complaints of memory problems, confusion, and recognition problems. Outcome was time to death. As expected, in the fully adjusted model, age, gender, subjective health, baseline health, and ADL and IADL impairments were significant predictors of all cause mortality. In addition, complaints about difficulties recognizing familiar people also were associated with a greater risk for mortality. Subjective complaints about recognition problems serve as a risk for all cause mortality above and beyond well-known risk factors. Health care professionals can use this information about subjective cognitive functioning in conjunction with other measures in order to identify older adults at risk for an earlier death.
Envy and jealousy of living apart together relationships in continuing care retirement communities: perspectives of staff and residents
- Authors:
- KOREN Chaya, AYALON Liat
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 52(1), 2022, pp.79-97.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Moving to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) and living apart together (LAT) as a repartnering form represent new late-life beginnings. A large study on LAT relationships constructed in CCRCs identified envy and jealousy, yet they were not examined in-depth. Envy is wanting something we lack, whereas jealousy is fear of losing something that is ours to another. These emotions are rarely explored in the context of older adults’ relationships. Using Goffman’s framework of (semi)-totalitarian institutions, our aim is to heuristically examine experiences of envy and jealousy from the perspective of residents and staff. In total, thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted in three CCRCs in Israel with ten LAT residents, ten non-LAT residents and ten CCRC staff members, including social workers. Findings refer to kinds of envy, ignoring envy and the development and consequences of LAT-related jealousy and/or envy in CCRCs. The discussion and conclusions address how semi-totalitarian CCRC features influence envy and jealousy experiences. They include implications for social work practice with older adults and their family members regarding adjustment to life in the CCRC and may assist CCRC management and social workers in addressing possible consequences of envy and jealousy. (Edited publisher abstract)
Tension between reality and visions: lessons from an evaluation of a training program of paid elder care workers
- Authors:
- AYALON Liat, SHINAN-ALTMAN Shiri
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 29(6), 2021, pp.1915-1924.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The present study is based on a 3-year evaluation of an Israeli training program for local paid elder care workers, called, ‘community care’. Interviews were conducted with all stakeholders involved in the program, including program developers, facilitators, funders, trainees, dropouts, graduates, employers and older care recipients. Qualitative thematic analysis was used. Analysis was supplemented by quantitative data concerning the program's inputs, outputs and outcomes. The program had multiple strengths, including a substantial funding stream and a highly skilled and committed team. Yet, out of 130 participants, 94 completed the program and 31 worked as care workers afterwards. Three main challenges to the efficacy of the training program were identified. A first challenge stems from the gap between the program's vision and real-life requirements and constraints. The second challenge concerns a disagreement between stakeholders concerning the definition of the new community care profession as an opportunity to empower trainees and encourage personal growth versus the community care worker as being no different from the traditional direct paid carer. A third challenge concerns the program's lack of integration between personal/physical care on the one hand and emotional and psychological care, on the other hand. The findings stress the importance of adequately conducting a needs assessment prior to embarking on a new social program and the tension between an ideal prototype and real-life constraints. The findings also stress the necessity of top-down processes, supported by the government to the development of a new profession of community elder care. (Edited publisher abstract)
Long-term care settings in the times of COVID-19: challenges and future directions
- Authors:
- AYALON Liat, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Psychogeriatrics, 32(10), 2020, pp.1239-1243.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge Journals
Commentary that makes the point that long-term care settings (LTCS) encompasses settings that provide a range of services to meet older persons’ needs for social, personal, and/or health care. Discusses the reasons why long-term care institutions as a high-risk environment for older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak; emotional threats to older adults in long-term care settings during the COVID-19 outbreak; the emotional threats to long-term care staff during the COVID-19 outbreak. Also considers what should we do next? (Edited publisher abstract)
Loneliness and depressive symptoms: the moderating role of the transition into retirement
- Authors:
- SEGEL-KARPAS Dikla, AYALON Liat, LACHMAN Margie E.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(1), 2018, pp.135-140 |.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: The transition to retirement implies significant changes in daily routine and in the social environment. More specifically, it requires more self-directed efforts in order to stay socially engaged. Hence, for those who suffer from loneliness, the transition to retirement could result in increased depressive symptoms due to the lack of structured daily routine. Methods: The authors used two waves of the Health and Retirement Study, and tested whether the transition to retirement between the two waves moderates the effects of loneliness on depressive symptoms. Results: The transition to retirement moderated the effect of loneliness in wave 1 on depressive symptoms in wave 2, such that for those who retired, the effect was stronger in comparison to those who stayed employed. Conclusions: Although many manage to easily transition into retirement, lonely older workers are at increased risk for maladjustment and the experience of depressive symptoms following retirement. This group could perhaps benefit from interventions aimed at increasing daily social interactions and establishing a socially satisfying routine (Edited publisher abstract)
Coping with the obligation dilemma: prototypes of social workers in the nursing home
- Authors:
- LEV Sagit, AYALON Liat
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 46(5), 2016, pp.1318-1335.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The authors examined the ways in which the social worker is coping with obligation dilemma in an Israeli nursing home. The research was conducted using semi-structured, in-depth interviews carried out with fifteen social workers employed in nursing homes. The interviews were analysed thematically, using constant comparisons. The three themes were concerned with the social worker's place in the nursing home, her relationship with the management and staff, and her coping with the obligation dilemma. These themes highlighted the difference between the interviewees. On the background of this difference, four prototypes of nursing home's social workers were defined: the managerial, the contented, the fighter and the frustrated. From analysing the findings, the significant place of the personal and environmental factors that influence the ways in which the social worker deals with these four themes emerges. The findings suggest that the strengthening, empowerment and support of social workers in institutions can directly enhance the health, security, emotional well-being and quality of life of nursing home residents. (Edited publisher abstract)