Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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A longitudinal study of the negative impact of falls on health, well-being, and survival in later life: the protective role of perceived control
- Authors:
- JONSDOTTIR Harpa Lind, RUTHIG Joelle C.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 25(4), 2021, pp.742-748.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Falls can have detrimental effects on older adults' psychological well-being, physical health, and survival rates. However, certain psychosocial mediators may lessen the negative impact of suffering a fall on health and well-being. Perceived control is a psychosocial factor that was examined as a mediator of the falls – health and well-being relationship in the current study. Method: Participants were 232 community-dwelling older adults, age 68 or older who took part in a longitudinal study in 2008 and 2010 and completed measures of perceived control, self-rated health, health-care utilization, number of falls, depressive symptomology, and perceived stress. Survival was also tracked for seven years from 2008 through 2015. Results: Older adults who suffered a fall had poorer health and well-being two years later compared to those who did not suffer a fall. Perceived control mediated the negative impact of falls on subsequent health and well-being outcomes two years later. Among older adults who experienced a fall, higher levels of perceived control predicted better subsequent health and well-being. Suffering one or more falls also predicted less likelihood of survival seven years later, beyond the effects of age, gender, marital status, and education. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of assessing risk of falling and levels of perceived control in later life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older people's dance activities: the first UK survey
- Author:
- PEOPLE DANCING
- Publisher:
- People Dancing
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- Leicester
This research, co-commissioned by Aesop, presents the findings of an online survey of current practice in older people’s dance and draws on views of those working in the field to identify the characteristics that contribute to successful dance initiatives. It provides evidence about the contribution that dance can make to the health and wellbeing of older people and also provides information to support community dance artists in the delivery of their work with older people. The research analysed data from 173 projects across the UK and carried out additional interviews with eight of the survey participants. The analysis looks at where the groups are located, how they are organised, who takes part, the main reasons for setting up the groups, and the challenges faced by those organising group activities. The results found health and wellbeing was the most commonly cited purpose for setting up a group, closely followed by recreational dancing. Social and community aspects of groups were also seen by organisers as important elements of their work. Over half of respondents delivered activities in partnership with others, such as older adult-specific organisations. Those professionals developing dance opportunities with allied health professionals highlighted the importance of having champions within health to promote the benefits of dance within their organisations. The report identifies a number of areas for further development to help support artists working in older people's dance. (Edited publisher abstract)
Where does Quality of Life (QoL) fit in the future of technology in the 21st Century?
- Authors:
- MARSTON Hannah R., FREEMAN Shannon, MUSSELWHITE Charles
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 25(3), 2015, pp.8-14.
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
There is great opportunity to leverage existing technologies to measure Quality of Life (QoL). This article considers the value and use of Quantified Self (QS); also called self/life logging. The QS is a field or movement that enables individuals to incorporate and/or utilise technologies which are wearable. Types of QS may include physical and psychological characteristics such as heart rate and number of steps walked, places visited and tasks completed, dietary choices and number of calories consumed, sleep habits, and self-perceived mood. (Edited publisher abstract)
Health: abilities and wellbeing in the third age
- Authors:
- EVANS John Grimley, et al
- Publisher:
- Carnegie United Kingdom Trust/Centre for Policy on Ageing
- Publication year:
- 1992
- Pagination:
- 94p.,tables,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Dunfermline
Part of a series of papers looking at the lives of people aged between 50 and 74.
Interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of older people living alone: a mixed-methods systematic review of effectiveness and accessibility
- Authors:
- JOHNSTONE Georgina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 41(7), 2021, pp.1587-1636.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The global population is ageing and the likelihood of living alone increases with age. Services are necessary to help older people living alone to optimise health and wellbeing. This systematic review aimed to summarise the effectiveness and accessibility of interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of older people living alone. Relevant electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Scopus) were searched for all years up to August 2018. Studies were included if they involved older people (aged ⩾55 years) living alone, and an intervention with measured health and wellbeing outcomes. All study types were included. The Theory of Access was used to assess interventions across dimensions of accessibility, availability, acceptability, affordability, adequacy and awareness. Twenty-eight studies met the eligibility criteria; 17 studies focused on ageing safely in place and 11 on psychological and social wellbeing. Studies comprised quantitative (N = 19), qualitative (N = 4) and mixed-methods (N = 5) approaches. Dimensions from the Theory of Access were poorly addressed in the studies, particularly those of higher-quality methodology. Studies were heterogeneous, preliminary in scope and lacked consistent study design, methodology or measurement. Services that do not address user accessibility in design or evaluation may be limited in their uptake and impact. It is recommended that dimensions of access and co-creation principles be integrated into service design processes and be evaluated alongside clinical effectiveness. (Edited publisher abstract)
Physical, mental, and social wellbeing and their association with death by suicide and self‐harm in older adults: a community‐based cohort study
- Authors:
- ERLANGSEN Annette, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 36(5), 2021, pp.647-656.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: To assess associations between physical, mental, and social well‐being and suicide and self‐harm in a community‐based sample of older adults. Methods: Using a cohort design, questionnaire data from 102,880 individuals aged 65 years or older living in New South Wales, Australia during 2006–2009 were linked to hospital and cause‐of‐death databases until 2017. Poisson regressions obtained adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Results: One hundred nine suicides and 191 deliberate self‐harm (DSH) events occurred. Compared to those reporting excellent/good overall health, older adults reporting fair overall health had higher suicide rates (IRR = 2.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.8–4.4). Also, suffering from physical limitations was associated with higher rates of suicide. A fair versus excellent/good memory was associated with higher rates of suicide (IRR = 2.0, 1.3–3.3). Male erectile dysfunction was linked to self‐harm (IRR = 2.8, 1.0–7.7). Suicide rates were elevated with baseline Kessler‐10 scores of 20–50 versus 10–15 (IRR = 5.0, 2.9–8.9); the corresponding IRR for DSH was 2.9 (1.8–4.8). Elevated rates were observed for both self‐reported depression and anxiety. Poor versus excellent/good quality of life was associated with suicide (IRR = 4.3, 1.7–10.7) and achieving less than desired to due to emotional problems was linked to self‐harm (IRR = 1.8 1.3–2.4). Rates of suicide and DSH were lower in those with ≥5 people to depend on versus one (suicide: IRR = 0.5, 0.3–0.9; DSH: IRR = 0.5, 0.3–0.7). Conclusions: Older adults experiencing health problems, including those relating to overall health or memory, and those with psychological distress had elevated rates of suicidal behavior. Rates of subsequent self‐harm and/or death by suicide were elevated in participants with small social networks. (Edited publisher abstract)
Understanding the neighbourhood environment and the health and wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants: a systematic literature review
- Authors:
- GAO Siyao, DUPRE Karine, BOSMAN Caryl
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 41(4), 2021, pp.815-835.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Neighbourhood environment has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of older people. In recent years, the increase in older Chinese immigrants globally has attracted a growing amount of research which has investigated the health and wellbeing of these elderly residents. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic literature review of empirical findings on the health and wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants and the ways in which the neighbourhood environment impacts them. A systematic search was conducted using online databases where 52 articles met specific criteria and were subsequently reviewed critically. An inductive approach was undertaken to analyse the data extracted from the selected articles. The review was categorised according to the following themes: neighbourhood social environment, neighbourhood physical environment and place attachment. The findings show that the majority of research has investigated the health status of older immigrants, and in particular, the impacts related to the social environments in which they live. The literature review indicated that there is scope for future studies to investigate the impact of the physical neighbourhood environment on this group of people. (Edited publisher abstract)
New horizons in supporting older people's health and wellbeing: is social prescribing a way forward?
- Authors:
- HAMILTON-WEST Kate, MILNE Alisoun, HOTHAM Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 49(3), 2020, p.319–326.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Older people’s health and care needs are changing. Increasing numbers live with the combined effects of age-related chronic illness or disability, social isolation and/or poor mental health. Social prescribing has potential to benefit older people by helping those with social, emotional or practical needs to access relevant services and resources within the local community. However, researchers have highlighted limitations with the existing evidence-base, while clinicians express concerns about the quality of onward referral services, liability and upfront investment required. The current article provides a critical review of evidence on social prescribing, drawing on the RE-AIM Framework (Glasgow et al., 1999) to identify questions that will need to be addressed in order to inform both the design and delivery of services and the evolving research agenda around social prescribing. The authors emphasise the need for researchers and planners to work together to develop a more robust evidence-base, advancing understanding of the impacts of social prescribing (on individuals, services and communities), factors associated with variation in outcomes and strategies needed to implement effective and sustainable programmes. They also call on policymakers to recognise the need for investment in allied initiatives to address barriers to engagement in social prescribing programmes, provide targeted support for carers and improve access to older adult mental health services. The article concludes that social prescribing has potential to support older people’s health and wellbeing, but this potential will only be realised through strategic alignment of research, local level implementation and national policy and investment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Carers and physical activity: briefing for professionals
- Author:
- CARERS UK
- Publisher:
- Carers UK
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 6
- Place of publication:
- London
A policy briefing for professionals which looks at the experiences of carers when it comes to taking part in physical activity, including the motivations and barriers. It reports the initial findings of a project being carried out by Carers UK, in partnership with Sport England, which is looking at ways to support carers in England over the age of 55 to take part in more physical activity as a way to reduce loneliness and improve their well-being. (Edited publisher abstract)
Enhancing our understanding of drinking in later life: qualitative data refreshes parts that other data cannot reach
- Author:
- FUDGE Nina
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 48(1), 2019, pp.3-5.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article considers how older people can be at risk of alcohol-related harm. It points out that qualitative studies on drinking in older age provide nuanced detail on the routines and practices behind drinking in later life. For example: most adults consider themselves responsible drinkers; ‘othering’ differentiates themselves from heavier and riskier drinkers and drinking alcohol in later life can be pleasurable, helping to ease social interactions and structure post-retirement day. It concludes that qualitative evidence can be used to develop public health interventions that speak to the people they are intended for. (Original abstract)