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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.
Risk factors for dementia in central Nigeria
- Authors:
- OCHAYI B., THACHER T. D.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(6), November 2006, pp.616-620.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Little is known about the prevalence of dementia and its associated risk factors in developing countries. Some studies suggest that the prevalence of dementia is lower in developing countries than it is in high-income nations. We sought to determine risk factors for dementia in elderly persons in central Nigeria. Using the standardized Community Screening Instrument for Dementia, we screened a stratified, random community sample of 280 persons aged 65 years and older for dementia. We examined the independent association of known risk factors with dementia using logistic regression. The overall prevalence of dementia was 6.4% (95% CI 3.8–9.9%). Independent risk factors for dementia included female sex, body mass index of 18.5 kg/m2 or less, and age. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use was associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Education, blood pressure, history of stroke, family history of dementia, and rural residence were not significantly associated with dementia in the multivariate model. The prevalence of dementia in central Nigeria may be greater than that found in other developing countries. Female sex, low body mass index, lack of NSAID use, and advancing age were the major risk factors in this population.
Support in old age in the changing society of Bangladesh
- Authors:
- KABIR Zarina Nahar, SZEBEHELY Marta, TISHELMEN Carol
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 22(5), September 2002, pp.615-636.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Investigates the availability and sources of such material, practical and emotional support in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. The support provided by older people towards household functioning is also explored. It was found from an interview survey of 701 individuals aged 60 years and older that the propensity to receive support was greater among rural older people than their urban counterparts. Gender differences were also observed, in that men were mainly providers of material support, and women of practical and emotional support. Among married older people, spouses were reported as important sources of emotional support for both elderly men and women, and some regional differences were observed. The data show mutuality in the provision of support between older people and their family members.
Assessment of metabolic syndrome risk factors among rural-dwelling older adults requires innovation: partnerships and a mobile unit can help
- Authors:
- CROWTHER Martha R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 19(4), 2018, pp.251-260.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Older adults are at risk for developing metabolic syndrome (MSX). Given the growing rural older adult population and the unknown prevalence rate of MSX in rural communities, the purpose of this paper is to assess the risk factors for MSX among rural elders. Design/methodology/approach: Individuals aged 55+ from four West Alabama rural communities were assessed by an interdisciplinary healthcare team via a mobile unit (n=216). Descriptive analyses and analysis of variances (ANOVA) were conducted to assess the effect of gender, race and community on the number of risk factors of MSX among rural elders. Findings: Results of a three-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between gender, age and community on the number of MSX risk factors [F (16,193)= 2.41, p <0.01]. Rural communities with lower social economic status (SES) and predominantly African American residents were at higher risk for developing MSX compared to communities with higher SES [F(3, 68) = 7.42, p<0.05]. Practical implications: Findings suggest low SES rural communities are at risk of developing MSX. Innovative approaches such as mobile healthcare delivery are crucial to providing quality healthcare and preventive health screens to underserved rural older adult communities. Originality/value: Limited research is available on assessing rural midlife and older adults at risk for metabolic syndrome largely due to lack of communication or transportation infrastructure and their history of negative experiences with public institutions. This research demonstrates that how these barriers can be addressed. (Publisher abstract)
Social support, caregiver burden, and life satisfaction in a sample of rural African American and White caregivers of older persons with dementia
- Authors:
- KAUFMAN Allan V., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 53(3), April 2010, pp.251-269.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper details a study of 141 African American and Caucasian carers of older family members or friends with dementia in rural Alabama and looked at the relationship between the participants’ receipt of informal, social support and their levels of caregiver burden and life satisfaction. The authors distinguish between formal, social support, as that given by paid helpers (e.g. care workers) or volunteers formally associated with social or health services agencies, and informal support, as that given by family members or out of friendship, due to affection or feelings of personal obligation. Support can constitute concrete help with personal or household tasks, as well as ‘softer’ support, such as companionship for example. The four measures of support used were as detailed on the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List and were defined in the data as ‘tangible’, ‘belonging’, ‘appraisal’ and ‘self-esteem’. High levels of social support were reported with no apparent significant difference in levels of social support attributed to cultural identity. Female carers reported higher mean scores for 3 out of 4 measures of social support than male carers. Two of the 4 dimensions of social support, specifically the availability of people to talk and socialise with and the receipt of feelings of positive regard and self-esteem from others, were predictors of carers’ satisfaction with their quality and standard of living.
The impact of family members on the self-reported health of older men and women in a rural area of Bangladesh
- Authors:
- RAHMAN Omar, MENKEN Jane, KUHN Randall
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 24(6), November 2004, pp.903-920.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The purpose of this study is to examine whether the co-residence of spouses and children affects self-reported general health among older men and women in a rural area of Bangladesh. Binary logistic regression has been used to explore the impact of spouses and children on self-reported health, with particular attention to the gender of children and interactions with chronic disease. The data are from the Matlab Health and Socio-Economic Survey. A sample of 765 women and 979 men aged 60 or more years with at least one surviving child was available. The principal result is that for an older woman, optimum self-reported health is most likely when a spouse and at least one son and one daughter are present. Any deviation from this family pattern (either no spouse or children of only one sex) leads to a significantly increased risk of poor self-reported health. On the other hand, among older men there were no differences in self-reported health among the various spouse-child combinations. The relationship between a balanced gender distribution of children and optimum self-reported health among older women may explain the levelling out of fertility at roughly three children per women despite intensive family planning promotion in the area. Further reductions in fertility (an important policy concern) may depend on improving the substitutability of sons and daughters in the support of their elderly mothers.
Nutritional self-management of elderly widows in rural communities
- Authors:
- QUANDT Sara A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 40(1), February 2000, pp.86-96.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Studies of the nutritional status of older adults (by marital status) and of older women recently widowed suggest that widows are nutritionally vulnerable. Yet few studies have examined nutrition-related behaviours among widows to see why this is true. The authors conceptualise these behaviours as nutritional self-management strategies, encompassing behaviours related to obtaining food, consuming it, and maintaining food security. Themes identified in recent windows' interviews and corroborated in those widowed longer indicate that there are varied responses to widowhood. Some may have a positive impact on nutritional strategies (e.g., following own dietary needs), but most are likely to be negative (e.g., meal skipping, reduced home food production, less dietary variety). Rural communities need to develop ways to identify such widows and assist them in finding acceptable ways to need nutritional needs.
Intergenerational support of Chinese rural elders with migrant children: do sons' or daughters' migrations make a difference?
- Authors:
- GUO Man, CHI Iris, SILVERSTEIN Merril
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52(5), July 2009, pp.534-554.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article investigates how the migration of adult children affects monetary, instrumental and emotional support of Chinese rural older people over a 5-year interval, and whether the gender of migrant children makes a difference in such relationships. With a sample of 1,006 older parents (aged 60+) in rural Anhui province, the result of hierarchical regression analyses showed that support from adult children was mainly needs based. Declining income of older parents related to increased monetary support. Experiencing widowhood and difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living was associated with higher probability of receiving instrumental support. Apart from expanding parental needs, only the out-migration of sons led to more monetary and emotional support among older people over time. Implications for policy, social work practice and future research are discussed.
The nexus of cardiovascular disease and depression revisited: the complete mental health perspective and the moderating role of age and gender
- Author:
- KEYES C. L. M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 8(3), May 2004, pp.266-274.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study employs a measure of mental health as a complete state that combines information about an individual's mental illness (i.e., major depressive episode in the past 12 months) and subjective well-being (i.e., mental health) status to investigate its linkage with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Data are from a representative sample of USA adults between the ages of 25 and 74 collected in 1995 (n = 3,032). About 12% of adults reported any CVD. Independent of mental health status, risk for any CVD increased with age and as education decreased, and the risk of any CVD was higher among males, married adults, and unemployed adults. The prevalence of any CVD was lowest in adults who were mentally healthy and higher among adults with major depressive episode, with minor depression, with languishing, and with moderate mental health. The relationship of CVD and mental health was moderated by age and sex; mental health status was associated with significant risk for any CVD primarily among females between the ages of 45 and 74. Findings contribute to a growing literature on the protective effects of high, and risk effects of low, levels of subjective well-being, and the role of age and sex in specifying specific physical and mental health comorbidities.
Health status and health care services among older persons in India
- Author:
- KUMAR Vinod
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 15(23), 2003, pp.67-83.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
India is characterized by significant rural-based living, population heterogeneity, financial constraints, and reverse sex ratio. Traditions of joint families, life-long physical activity, vegetarianism, and social and spiritual enrichment, all known to promote healthy aging, are widely prevalent. With the increasing pace of population aging, the health of older persons in India has been the focus of recent attention. Existing data indicate a significant morbidity among the aged, much of which may remain subclinical. Considerable variations in morbidity exist with respect to gender, place of residence (rural vs. urban), and socioeconomic status. Rapid demographic transition without a concomitant epidemiological transition is responsible for the dual load of infections and degenerative diseases in older persons, these being common causes of death. Most age-related morbidity is preventable. Health promotion and cost-effective interventions based on the primary health care approach over a lifelong course, especially at the village level, will greatly help towards achieving the goal of healthy aging. The rapidly changing socioeconomic scenario in India also calls for appropriate policy actions to achieve this goal.