Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Being physically active in old age: relationships with being active earlier in life, social status and agents of socialisation
- Authors:
- MARTINEZ Jesus, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 30(7), October 2010, pp.1097-1113.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study investigates the social processes that influence older people's participation in physical activity. A questionnaire with items on personal, social and environmental characteristics was completed by a random sample of older adults in the Madrid Autonomous Region. Significant relationships were found between the type of physical activity participation and being physically active at earlier life stages. Other relationships were found including socio-economic status, the encouragement of others or social support in being active, and the knowledge and availability of local facilities. Some cases were observed of re-socialisation into physical activity among those who had been inactive earlier in life, and both appropriate environmental and supportive social conditions appeared instrumental. The authors concluded that the study could inform the design of future social programmes to promote active lifestyles in later life. However, given the complexity of the socialisation processes, it would be advisable for future studies to examine other than the four factors featured in this paper, such as the role of cultural differences.
Establishing the well-being of the rural-urban elderly population: a case study of Indonesia
- Authors:
- MOHD Saidatulakmal, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Hong Kong Journal of Social Work, 44(2), Winter 2010, pp.105-120.
- Publisher:
- World Scientific Publishing Company
- Place of publication:
- Singapore
Indonesia is experiencing an aging population due to longer life expectancy and a decline in fertility. This paper examines the influence of various demographic factors (age, marital status, social class and perceived health) and economic conditions as well as living and familial arrangements on the well-being of the elderly. Data was collected from 302 elderly people covering the rural and urban areas of Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bali using a survey-interview method. The participants were: 157 elderly with a mean age of 70 in the urban areas; and 145 elderly with a mean age of 74 in the rural areas. A causal model of well-being was employed to analyse the data obtained. The model of well-being was then tested using path analysis to test the causal relationships among the variables. In general, the well-being of the elderly in the urban and rural areas did not show much difference. The causal model of well-being of elderly in the rural areas indicated direct relationships between well-being and age, living arrangement and social status. The causal model of well-being of elderly in the urban areas were more complex, showing direct relationships between well-being and age, familial arrangement, social status and perceived health.
Successful aging: early influences and contemporary characteristics
- Authors:
- PRUCHNO Rachel A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 50(6), December 2010, pp.821-833.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article examines successful aging and the extent to which early life experiences affect successful aging. The study investigated how early influences and contemporary health behaviours and social support distinguish people who are aging successfully from those who are not. Data were gathered from 5,688 persons aged 50 to 74 years living in New Jersey who participated in telephone interviews. Latent profile analysis defined people into four groups: those who were ageing successfully according to both objective and subjective criteria; those who were not successful according to both objective and subject criteria; those who were successful according to objective criteria only; and those who were successful according to subjective criteria only. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the extent to which early influences and contemporary characteristics predicted group membership. The results showed that, although characteristics observable early in life predict group membership, their influence is modified by current health behaviours and social support. The roles of education and incarceration feature prominently. Marital, work, and volunteer statuses, as well as moderate alcohol consumption, distinguish those aging successfully. The results help to define successful aging as a multidimensional construct having both objective and subjective dimensions, provide greater clarity regarding its correlates, and increase understanding of its modifiable aspects.
Videoconference program enhances social support, loneliness, and depressive status of elderly nursing home residents
- Authors:
- TSAI Hsiu-Hsin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 14(8), November 2010, pp.947-954.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
An important aspect of social support for older nursing home residents is the continued involvement of family members, but many family members may have limited time to visit residents in person. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a videoconference intervention programme in improving nursing home residents' social support, loneliness, and depressive status. Fourteen nursing homes were selected from various areas of Taiwan by purposive sampling, and 24 elderly residents were recruited to the experimental group and 33 to the control group. The experimental group received five minutes per week of videoconference interaction with their family members for three months, and the control group received regular care only. Data were collected through face-to face interviews on social support, loneliness, and depressive status using the Social Supportive Behaviour Scale, University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Data were analysed using the generalised estimating equation approach. The results indicated that subjects in the experimental group had significantly higher mean emotional and appraisal social support scores at one week and 3 months after baseline than those in the control group. Subjects in the experimental group also had lower mean loneliness scores at one week and three months after baseline than those in the control group, and lower mean depressive status scores at three months after baseline. The findings suggest that this programme could be used for residents of long-term care institutions.
REPRINTS: Effects of an intergenerational health promotion program for older adults in Japan
- Authors:
- FUJIWARA Yoshinori, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 7(1), March 2010, pp.17-39.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia
It is argued that rather than focusing on the economic burden that may fall on the younger generation because of the expected growth in demand for welfare and health care among the older generations, Japan should be prioritising the social participation of older adults for the benefit of society as a whole. This article describes one such intervention research project, REPRINTS (REsearch of PRoductivity by INTtegrated Sympathy), in which senior volunteers read picture books to children. Sixty-nine volunteers and 72 controls, all aged 60 years and over, living in three urban locations, underwent a baseline health check. After completion of a three-month training seminar, volunteers visited public elementary schools and kindergartens in groups of 6 to 10 for an 18 month period. They were assessed by a follow-up health check. Social network scores (frequency of contact with grandchildren and others around the neighbourhood) and self-rated health improved or was maintained at a significantly higher rate for the 37 individuals volunteering most intensively compared to those who did not volunteer or volunteered minimally. Some effects were also seen on physical performance but these attenuated over the latter part of the study, possibly because both groups were healthy and active at baseline. The authors suggest this warrants further study.
What makes you good and happy? Effects of internal and external resources to adaptation and psychological well-being for the disabled elderly in Taiwan
- Authors:
- HSU Hui-Chuan, TUNG Ho-Jui
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 14(7), September 2010, pp.851-860.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study explores the reasons why some elderly people can adapt to disability and maintain a high degree of psychological well-being by investigating the effect of internal adaptation and external resources on psychological well-being. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews with physically disabled elderly people, including institutional and community-based long-term care service users in middle Taiwan. The number of persons interviewed was 563, of whom 505 completed the survey and met the disability criteria. Internal resources (coping strategies and self-management of health) and external resources (social support and environmental support) were hypothesised to be related to difficulty in adapting to disability, and had a further impact on depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. The results showed that acceptance-action coping strategies were beneficial in the adaptation process and in psychological well-being, and self-management of health was positively related to successful adaptation. Social support and environmental support were beneficial to adaptation and psychological well-being, although the effects were modest. In general, the effect of internal resources was larger than the external resources to adaptation and psychological well-being.
‘I feel less lonely’: what older people say about participating in a social networking website
- Authors:
- BALLANTYNE Alison, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 11(3), September 2010, pp.25-35.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article highlights results from a pilot project that implemented an internet social networking intervention and evaluated the effect it had on older people's experience of temporal loneliness. The project was implemented over a three-month period and utilised an in-home, one-on-one education strategy. Six people aged 69 to 85 years were recruited from a community aged care programme in South Australia. All participants were connected to the internet and provided with one-on-one tutoring in how to use the social networking site. In-depth interviews were held with participants at the commencement and completion of the project. Findings revealed four major themes: the participants' experience of loneliness; technology as an enabler; providing a supportive environment; and connectivity. A case study is outlined to provide in-depth understanding of how social networking can help reduce the participants' experience of loneliness. The study concluded that the utilisation of a social networking site has the potential to reduce loneliness in older people. Recommendations for further research and practice implementation are made.
A lesbian older adult managing identity disclosure: a case study
- Authors:
- JENKINS David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 53(5), July 2010, pp.402-420.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This case study details one older lesbian's experience in an assisted living facility to explore the experience of an older lesbian in managing the disclosure of her sexual identity. The participant was a 78-year-old woman living alone in a long-term care facility in a large metropolitan area in the southwest United States. Two in-depth interviews were conducted and transcribed. Analysis identified five themes: keeping her own counsel (a decision to be guided by her personal decisions about what she chose to do and share about her life); maintaining "family" connection (maintaining a connection to other lesbian and gay family and loved ones in the larger community); celebrating second chances (significant chances and changes in her life); living outside the L box (finding ways to nurture her gay self while identifying with a broader group of aging women in multiple and socially rewarding roles); staying morally centred (decision-making reflecting her own sense of morality). The authors discuss the practice and research implications.
Wellbeing depends on social relationship characteristics: comparing different types and providers of support to older adults
- Authors:
- MERZ Eva-Maria, HUNHOLD Oliver
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 30(5), July 2010, pp.843-857.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Data from 1,146 older people, from the (2002) second wave, of the ‘German Ageing Survey’ is used to explore different types of support, the providers, and the wellbeing of people over 65-years of age in Germany. Emphasis is given to wellbeing differences associated with kin (family member) or non-kin providers, emotional and instrumental types of support and the quality of the relationships with kin and non-kin. Emotional support from kin and instrumental support from non-kin were positively associated with wellbeing. Emotional support from non-kin providers did not associate with wellbeing whereas instrumental support from kin providers had a negative association with one aspect of wellbeing. High relationship quality from either kin or non-kin positively related to wellbeing, agreeing with the authors’ expectations that a good relationship would buffer negative impacts of both kin/non-kin instrumental supports. The authors conclude that when family carer relationships are of high quality, the challenges, frailties and decreasing capabilities associated with ageing can be met with support without compromising wellbeing.
'Nowadays you don't even see your neighbours': loneliness in the everyday lives of older Australians
- Authors:
- STANLEY Mandy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 18(4), July 2010, pp.407-414.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Although loneliness is a pressing social issue for older people globally, there is a lack of studies on how older people themselves perceive loneliness and how service providers can support them. This study, using in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 60 older people and 8 focus groups with aged care service providers, in Australia in 2007, sought to address the gap. Participants aged 65 years and over were recruited from four large service providers in two Australian states. Findings indicated that loneliness is influenced by private, relational and temporal dimensions and whether older people feel that they have, or are seen by others as having, a sense of connectedness with the community in general. All participants communicated the importance of maintaining social contact and having a sense of connection and belonging to the community. The authors indicated how the research highlights both the significance of gathering the views of older people to generate an understanding about loneliness and the need to recognise loneliness as a diverse and complex experience, bound to the context in which it is understood and perceived, and not just synonymous with social isolation. In conclusion, the authors suggest that such an understanding can be used to both evaluate and improve upon programmes that address loneliness and to help maintain an integration of older people in the community.