Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 81
Predictors of readiness for mobility transition in older drivers
- Authors:
- KANDASAMY Deepika, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 61(2), 2018, pp.193-202.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
We administered the Assessment of Readiness for Mobility Transition (ARMT) to 301 older drivers and compared total scores with participant characteristics. Overall, 18% of participants were not attitudinally ready for mobility transition, while 19% were very ready. Notably, participants with hospitalisations in the past year were either very ready for mobility transition (20% vs 14% without hospitalisations) or not ready at all (30% vs 17%). Significant health events may polarize reactions towards mobility transition. Individualising communication about driving cessation readiness could help address such differing views. To further consider its effectiveness, ARMT could be utilised in mobility transition counselling interventions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Adjustment to widowhood and loneliness among older men: the influence of military service
- Authors:
- CARR Dawn Celeste, URENA Stephanie, TAYLOR Miles G.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 58(6), 2018, pp.1085-1095.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Men are at higher risk of experiencing poorer adjustment to widowhood compared to women, a transition that is associated with increased loneliness. Military service may play an important role in how men process widowhood, particularly among current cohorts of older men. The present study explores whether military experiences relate to better adjustment to widowhood, that is, reduction of loneliness associated with widowhood for men. The authors examine (a) whether military experience, especially exposure to death, shapes changes in loneliness following widowhood relative to those without military experience, and (b) if any observed benefits of military experience are explained by greater social engagement. Research Design and Methods: The authors use the Health and Retirement Study and linked Veterans Mail Survey to address respondents while they are continuously married (T1) and at widowhood four years later (T2) using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. To address their hypotheses, the authors examine whether military experience without exposure to death, and/or military experience with exposure to death moderates the overall negative effect of widowhood for loneliness relative to civilians. Results: There is a significantly lower level of loneliness among veterans with exposure to death relative to civilians who become widowed; however, veterans without exposure to death remain similar to civilian widowers. Social engagement does not explain the benefits associated with military exposures for widowers. Discussion and Implications: Although exposure to death early in life is traumatic, our research suggests that such adversity within the specific context of the military may help enhance resilience during the transition to widowhood. (Edited publisher abstract)
Trauma-informed care and elder abuse: a synergistic alliance
- Authors:
- ERNST Joy Swanson, MASCHI Tina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 30(5), 2018, pp.354-367.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Elder abuse is a global systemic problem in which one or more traumatic or stressful life experiences directly affect older adults, their families, and communities. Despite its devastating impact, the understanding of—and response to—elder abuse has rarely been explored through a trauma-informed lens. Despite the prevalence of traumatic and stressful life experiences, research and practice are just beginning to target the intersection of elder abuse and life course trauma. This article demonstrates how knowledge about the causes, consequences, and responses to elder abuse can be integrated with the principles of trauma-informed care to improve agency and community responses to preventing or intervening with elder abuse and neglect. In order to address the ongoing problems with detection and treatment of elder abuse, we assert that instilling trauma and elder abuse informed care in organizational services and policies forms a synergistic alliance and would address many of these concerns. (Edited publisher abstract)
Does economic vulnerability moderate the association between transportation mode and social activity restrictions in later life?
- Authors:
- LEHNING Amanda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(10), 2018, pp.2041-2060.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Transportation is critical to older adults’ ability to participate in social activities in their community. This study examined the association between modes of transportation and restrictions in social activity (i.e. visiting with others, religious attendance, clubs and organised activities, and going out for enjoyment), with particular attention to the moderating effects of economic vulnerability. The study used logistic regression to analyse data from 7,197 community-dwelling older adults from the 2011 wave of the National Health and Ageing Trends Study, a representative sample of adults aged 65 and over in the United States of America. Economic vulnerability moderated the association between transportation mode and social activity restrictions. Findings suggest that even when economically vulnerable older adults have access to driving, walking or public transit, they may be at a higher risk for social exclusion than their counterparts with more financial resources. (Edited publisher abstract)
Fear of falling and activities of daily living function: mediation effect of dual-task ability
- Authors:
- BRUSTIO Paolo R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(6), 2018, pp.856-861.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the association between fear of falling (FOF), dual-task ability during a mobility task, and the activities of daily living (ADL) in a sample of older adults. Methods: Seventy-six older adults (mean age M = 70.87 ± 5.16 years) participated in the study. Data on FOF (using the Falls Self-Efficacy Scale-International), walking ability during both single- and dual-task performances and ADL were collected. Results: Mediation analysis demonstrated the mediation effect of dual-task ability between FOF and ADL level. Moreover, significantly lower performances were observed during dual-task condition, and lower ADL levels were also found in older adults with. Conclusion: The study underlines the relationship between FOF, dual-task ability and ADL level. These results could be used to develop specific intervention programmes for successful ageing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Increased engagement with life: differences in the cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual activities of older adult music listeners
- Authors:
- KAUFMANN Christopher N., MONTROSS-THOMAS Lori P., GRISER Sean
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 58(2), 2018, pp.270-277.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: Clinical studies have demonstrated the health benefits of music listening, especially among older adults; however, this connection has not yet been examined in a nationally representative population based sample. The purpose of this study was to measure the connections between health, listening to music, and engagement with life activities among older Americans. Design and Methods: The study used data on 5,797 participants in both the 2012 Health and Retirement Study and 2013 Consumption and Activities Mail Survey. Participants reported their lifetime prevalence of health conditions, number of hours spent per week listening to music, as well as various cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual activities. The authors categorised participants as non-listeners (those reporting zero hours of music listening), average listeners (between >0 and 28.5 hr), and high listeners (>28.6 hr) and assessed associations between these music listening categories and life activities and the prevalence of health conditions. Results: Approximately 20% of the older Americans were non-listeners, a majority (75%) reported average amounts, and 5% reported high levels of music listening. Older Americans who were average or high music listeners reported a greater number of hours engaged in several cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual activities each week. Music listeners additionally reported fewer problematic health conditions than non-listeners. Implications: Listening to music relates to increased life engagement and better health among older Americans. Given the wide-spread availability of music-based interventions for diverse populations, future studies may investigate the beneficial use of music as a public health initiative for older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)
Influence of hope, social support, and self-esteem in early stage dementia
- Authors:
- COTTER Valerie T., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 17(2), 2018, pp.214-224.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Background: People in the early stages of dementia adjust to the illness through stages of awareness, coping, and evaluation. Studies have found that hope, social support, and self-esteem facilitate coping, adjustment, and adaptation in chronic illness. Objective: The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the relationships between hope, social support, and self-esteem in individuals with early stage dementia. Methods: Data were obtained from 53 individuals with early stage dementia. The scores on the Herth Hope Index, Social Support Questionnaire Short-Form, and the State Self-Esteem Scale were analysed using linear regression. Results: Hope was moderately associated with self-esteem (r = .49, p < .001). Hope accounted for 25% of the variance in self-esteem and was a key component in predicting self-esteem. No significant relationship was found between social support and self-esteem. Conclusion: Findings suggest that hope may be an important factor to help individuals manage potential threats to self-esteem in the experience of early stage dementia. Strategies to inspire hope and then enhance self-esteem are promising for individuals living with early stage dementia. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older adults living with HIV: a valuable resource?
- Author:
- HUTTON Vicki E.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(3), 2018, pp.476-496.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Subjective wellbeing was examined amongst 274 adults living with HIV in Australia and the United States of America. There were 164 adults aged 49 years and under, and 110 adults aged 50 years and over. Participants completed a composite questionnaire comprising the Personal Wellbeing Index-Adult (PWI-A), the HIV-Unsupportive Social Interactions Inventory (USII), and demographic and health-related items. Participants reported mean PWI-A scores of 54.7 points, considerably below the Western population normative range of 70–80 points. Older adults reported significantly greater subjective wellbeing compared to younger adults, but still below the normative range. Experiences of unsupportive social interactions were a significant predictor of reduced subjective wellbeing amongst all participants. Qualitative comments provided a greater understanding of the characteristics and psychological devices that enable some older adults to maintain and/or increase subjective wellbeing, even in the face of negative stressors such as unsupportive social interactions. This provides valuable information for service providers and clinicians as HIV increasingly becomes recognised as a disease affecting older adults in developed nations. Rather than positioning the ageing HIV-population as a potential burden, it is proposed that learning more about the coping mechanisms employed by older adults with HIV could prove beneficial for the HIV-population as a whole. (Publisher abstract)
The victim-offender overlap in late adulthood
- Authors:
- REISIG Michael D., HOLTFRETER Kristy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 30(2), 2018, pp.144-166.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study contributes to the general knowledge of the victim–offender overlap by determining whether the phenomenon exists among older adults and whether known correlates of crime and victimisation explain the relationship. Cross-sectional survey data from telephone interviews conducted with individuals 60 years and older (N = 2,000) residing in Arizona and Florida are used to estimate confirmatory factor models for both victimisation and criminal offending. The results from a series of multivariate regression models show that victimisation is associated with criminal offending. While factors such as low self-control, depression, and spending time in commercial drinking establishments partially attenuate the victimisation–crime link, the statistically significant relationship persists in a multivariate context. Further testing indicates that the observed findings are robust across measurement and modeling strategies. Coupled with prior research, the results support the argument that the victim–offender overlap exists (and is difficult to explain) over the life course. (Edited publisher abstract)
Fear of outdoor falling among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults: the role of neighborhood environments
- Authors:
- LEE Sungmin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 58(6), 2018, p.1065–1074.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Fear of falling is a substantial barrier to walking and has been associated with increased fall risks. This study examines neighbourhood environmental risk factors related to fear of outdoor falling in middle-aged and older adults. Research Design and Methods: A total of 394 participants aged 50 years or older living independently in the community were recruited between 2013 and 2014 from an integrated health care network serving Central Texas. Fear of outdoor falling and perceived neighbourhood environmental variables were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Logistic regression identified perceived neighbourhood environmental variables associated with fear of outdoor falling. Results: Sixty-nine (17.9%) of 385 participants reported having a fear of outdoor falling. Compared to those who did not report a fear of outdoor falling, those who reported having a fear of outdoor falling were more likely to be adults aged 65 years or older (odds ratio [OR] = 2.974, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.247–7.094), be female (OR = 4.423, 95% CI = 1.830–10.689), have difficulty with walking for a quarter of a mile (OR = 2.761, 95% CI = 1.124–6.782), and have had a fall in the past year (OR = 4.720, 95% CI = 1.472–15.137). Among the neighbourhood environmental characteristics examined, low traffic speed on streets (OR = 0.420, 95% CI = 0.188–0.935), drainage ditches (OR = 2.383, 95% CI = 1.136–5.000), and broken sidewalks (OR = 3.800, 95% CI = 1.742–8.288) were associated with the odds of having a fear of outdoor falling. Discussion and Implications: In addition to the individual factors, findings from this study suggest the importance of addressing the environmental risk factors in identifying and reducing fear of outdoor falling among middle-aged and older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)