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Does sense of coherence affect the relationship between self-rated health and health status in a sample of community-dwelling frail elderly people?
- Authors:
- SAEVAREID H. I., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 11(6), November 2007, pp.658-667.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The objective of this Norwegian study was to examine the association between self-rated health (SRH) and physical, functional, social and mental health measures in community dwelling elderly people needing nursing care. Of special interest was how coping resources (SOC) influenced this relationship. Self-rated health is a good predictor of future health status as measured by mortality and morbidity, decline of functional abilities, use of healthcare, and nursing home placement. The high mean age and the relatively high level of care-dependency in this sample, make this investigation important. A hierarchical regression analysis was applied in a cross sectional sample of 242 elderly (mean age 84.6 years). Results found subjective health complaints (SHC) in both sexes, and psychological distress (only in men), was associated directly with SRH. Coping resources associated with SRH directly, and indirectly through subjective perceived health (SHC and GHQ) but only in men. The influence of registered illness was mediated through the effects of subjectively perceived health in both women and men. Sex differences moderated the effects of SOC on SRH. Subjectively perceived health was more important in the perception of SRH than objective health measures. Men, in contrast to women, tend to convert physical illness into emotional distress.
Digital inclusion in later life: cohort changes in internet use over a ten-year period in England
- Authors:
- MATTHEWS Katey, NAZROO James, MARSHALL Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 39(9), 2019, pp.1914-1932.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The ability to use the internet frequently is likely to provide a useful means of engaging with society and using services in later life, yet older people are the most likely to suffer digital exclusion, with those of the oldest ages at the greatest risk. Using six waves (2002–2012) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we model cohort-specific patterns of frequent internet use for people aged 50 and over. Multi-level growth models are used to observe trajectories of internet use over the ten-year period. Firstly, analyses are stratified by gender and wealth, and secondly we additionally test for health effects. The study finds cohort-specific differences in patterns of internet use. Rates of internet use increase faster among younger cohorts yet, despite initially increasing, begin to decline among older cohorts. Poor health is shown to be a key factor in shaping the trajectory of internet use over time. Rates of internet use are consistently lower for women than men and for those in poorer financial circumstances, independently of age cohort. The findings demonstrate the importance of ensuring older people can remain digitally included throughout later life, including after the onset of poorer health, especially as some of these individuals might benefit the most from some of the services the internet can provide. (Publisher abstract)
Measuring active and healthy ageing in Europe
- Authors:
- ZAIDI Asghar, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of European Social Policy, 27(2), 2017, pp.138-157.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The active and healthy ageing measure reported here is calculated for the 28 European Union countries, with a specific focus on the current generation of older people and by using the latest data from multiple surveys. It covers diverse aspects of active and healthy ageing, by measuring older people’s contribution in relation to: employment, their unpaid familial, social and cultural contributions and their independent, healthy and secure living. An important contribution of this measure, referred to as the Active Ageing Index (‘AAI’), is that it also captures how countries differ with respect to capacity and enabling environments for active and healthy ageing. The AAI offers a breakdown by four domains of active and healthy ageing, and also by gender. Key findings are that Sweden comes at the top of the country ranking, followed closely by Denmark, the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands and Ireland. The four southern European countries (Italy, Portugal, Spain and Malta) are middle-ranked countries. Greece and many of the Central European countries are at the bottom, highlighting much greater untapped potentials of active and healthy ageing among older people in these countries and a need for greater policy efforts. Women fare worse than men in most countries, identifying a need for an emphasis on reducing gender disparity in experiences of active and healthy ageing. The AAI tool developed has the potential to identify the social policy mechanisms behind the differential achievements of active and healthy ageing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Visualizing risk: health, gender and the ageing body
- Author:
- MARTIN Wendy
- Journal article citation:
- Critical Social Policy, 32(1), February 2012, pp.51-68.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The promotion of active ageing in later life has been a key development in recent health and social care policy. Noting alternative images of ageing (a positive image conveying the possibilities and opportunities of later life and a negative image associated with perceptions of increased risks to health), this article reports on a study exploring visual images associated with health, risk and well-being targeted at people aged 50 years and older. Images of health, well-being and ageing from health promotion materials were explored and analysed, and data was collected through in-depth interviews and photo-elicitation (based on 12 selected visual images) with 50 older people in the south-east of England. This article focuses on the analysis of visual images, which identified 2 key themes (active ageing, and health, risk and dependency). It describes and discusses the main characteristics and meanings of images in the 2 groups, such as the contexts and settings in which men and women were depicted, and includes brief examples of participants' perceptions and experiences of the images. The author notes that visual images not only reflect and reproduce social differences but can influence conduct and perceptions of risk in everyday life.
Socioeconomic inequalities in self-rated health among middle-aged and older adults
- Author:
- KIM Jinhyun
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 50(2), February 2011, pp.124-142.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A key factor which contributes to health disparities is socioeconomic background. The accumulation of socioeconomic inequalities over time places some individuals at greater risk of poor health during their later years. Despite this, few studies to date have investigated the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on self-rated health over time. This study, using data from 6,519 individuals from the Health and Retirement Study examined socioeconomic inequalities specifically in self-rated health among middle-aged and older adults in the United States. Analysis revealed that higher level of income, assets, education, and having private health insurance predicted better self-rated health. In particular, increases in income or assets predicted slower decline in self-rated health. Economic status had greater impact on females' decline in self-rated health than men, and blacks were less likely to suffer rapid decline in self-rated health than whites. In conclusion, the authors suggest that health disparities should be understood as the interplay of socioeconomic status, gender, and race.
After age 60 India: a glimpse through census and NSSO
- Authors:
- SINGH D.P., YESUDIAN Princy
- Journal article citation:
- Indian Journal of Social Work, 68(4), October 2007, pp.545-560.
- Publisher:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences
As a means of helping the planning and policy makers to provide for the need of older people in India, this paper analyses the findings of the decennial Census of India and a National Sample Survey Organisations. The figures are discussed in relation to the ageing trend, spatial distribution of the elderly, socioeconomic and health profile.
Gender differences in views about cognitive health and healthy lifestyle behaviors among rural older adults
- Authors:
- WU Bie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 49(S1), June 2009, pp.S72-S78.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Gender differences in views about cognitive health and behaviours are examined, focusing on older adults living in rural areas. Six focus groups in rural West Virginia were conducted. Participants included 37 women and 30 men, aged 55 years and older. Men and women held similar views of cognitive decline, as well as largely similar views about causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, women were more concerned about developing AD than were men. Gender differences were also noted with respect to healthy lifestyle beliefs, including diet, leisure-time physical activity, and strategies to maintain cognitive health. Findings illustrate the importance of considering gender with respect to health beliefs, health behaviours, and health promotion, and emphasize the need to develop interventions designed for specific populations.
Pattern of participation in leisure activities among older people in relation to their health conditions and contextual factors: a survey in a Swedish urban area
- Authors:
- PAILLARD-BORG Stephanie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 29(5), July 2009, pp.803-821.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The objective of this study is to describe the pattern of participation in leisure activities in an older population in relation to contextual factors as well as to mental and physical health. A cohort of 1,623 participants aged 75 or older living in Stockholm, Sweden was asked to list all the leisure activities they were engaged in. These were successively organised into 31 major categories and further grouped into mental, social, physical, productive and recreational types. The pattern of participation was examined in relation to age, gender, contextual factors (education, social network) and health status (depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, dementia, somatic diseases and physical limitation). In spite of their advanced age, the majority of the population was active, as 70 per cent had participated in at least one activity. Reading (19%) was the most prevalent individual activity, and mental activities (43%) the most prevalent activity type. Older age, female gender, low education status, having a poor or limited social network, mental disorders, and physical limitation, were all factors correlated with a decreased engagement in ‘at least one activity’. Contextual factors and health-related factors were related to the five activity types in different ways. The pattern of participation in leisure activities is associated with multiple factors and their recognition is essential to the facilitation of an active lifestyle in the older population.
Quality of life and life satisfaction: perspective of institutionalised elderly women and men in Turkey
- Authors:
- GONEN Emine, OZMETE Emine
- Journal article citation:
- Indian Journal of Social Work, 66(3), July 2005, pp.262-279.
- Publisher:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences
This article evaluates the quality of life, life satisfaction, and the relationship between the quality of life and life satisfaction of institutionalised elderly women and men. The study covered a total of 132 older people, consisting of 64 women and 68 men between the ages of 60-98 years, with sound mental health staying at three care and rehabilitation centres. Their quality of life and life satisfaction were assessed with scales. Life quality perception of men in terms of physical health is more positive compared to women. Life quality perception of women in terms of physical and social environment is more positive compared to men. In general, women have better life satisfaction them men. It is concluded that comprehension of life quality and life satisfaction will contribute to the development of applicable long-term service programmes required for the improvement of the life conditions of older women and men.
Situation of the elderly in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal
- Authors:
- CHALISE Hom Nath, SHRESHTA Sajan
- Journal article citation:
- Indian Journal of Social Work, 66(3), April 2005, pp.136-143.
- Publisher:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences
This article examines the socioeconomic and health status of the elderly in Nepal. A total of 121 older people were interviewed in Kathmandu. The findings show that the majority reported serious health problems in the last year; most lived with their children; a significantly higher number of elderly women lived alone as compared to men; and the monthly income of the elderly was significantly low.