Loneliness, Sociodemographic and Mental Health Variables in Spanish Adults over 65 Years Old

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berta Ausín ◽  
Manuel Muñoz ◽  
Miguel A. Castellanos

AbstractLoneliness is a risk factor for morbidity as well as mortality. Older people are more vulnerable to feeling alone due to age-associated changes and losses they might experience. This study aimed to analyze sociodemographic, psychosocial, and mental health variables related to loneliness in the elderly. A random sample of 419 people over 65 years old from the Community of Madrid was used. The UCLA Loneliness Scale, the CIDI65+ Diagnostic Interview, and the WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Measure were administered. A regression p model was estimated to identify the variables that best predict loneliness associated with old age. Loneliness-associated variables included living alone t(161.41) = 2.07; p < .040, marital status F(5, 404) = 4.52; p < .001, frequency of economic problems F(1, 408 ) = 4.86; p < .028, quality of life F(4, 405) = 7.36; p < .001, satisfaction with life F(4, 405) = 3.80; p < .005, satisfaction with social relationships F(4, 405) = 19.50; p < .001, presence of a mental disorder (t(98.70) = 2.92; p < .004), and having an anxiety disorder (t(51.11) = 2.19; p < .033). The results presented in this paper highlight some predictors of loneliness in older people that could be useful in intervention, to minimize harmful conditions that can lead to loneliness in people over 65.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeng-Rong Luo ◽  
Dong-Shan Liao ◽  
Liang-Wan Chen

Abstract Background To compare postoperative sexual dysfunction (SD) and quality of life (QOL) in Type A Aortic Dissection (AAD) Patients of Different Ages. Methods From January 2018 to December 2019, 204 AAD postoperative survivors in Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University were selected and were divided into young group (less than 50 years old) and elderly group (more than 50 years old). We evaluated SD according to the male International Erectile Dysfunction Index (IIEF-5) and female sexual function index (FSFI). The Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) were used to investigate the QOL, Quick Inventory Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to investigate depressive symptoms. Results One hundred seventy-five patients completed all the questionnaire (85.8%). The total SD prevalence rate was 38.9% (68 cases), with 27.4% of the young (20 cases) and 47.1% of the elderly (48 cases). The age of non-SD and SD patients was 49.0 ± 11.5 and 56.9 ± 10.8 years, respectively (P = 0.03). Compared with non-SD patients, the total physical health of SD patients was significantly worse (P = 0.04), however, the mental health was not significantly worse (P = 0.77); the depressive symptoms did not expressed a significant difference between the SD and non-SD groups (QIDS-SR P = 0.15, BDI-II P = 0.06). Total physical health scores in the young SD group did not show significant better than elderly SD group (P = 0.24), however, total mental health scores showed significantly worse (P = 0.04), depressive symptoms scores were significantly higher (QIDS-SR P = 0.03, BDI-II P = 0.04). Conclusion The postoperative AAD SD prevalence of elderly is higher than that of young, and the total physical health of SD patients is poorer than those without SD patients. The young SD patients did not show a significant higher physical health scores than the elderly SD patients, instead, the young SD patients were more psychologically affected than the elderly SD patients, whose mental health was worse, and depression symptoms were more obvious, suggesting that the factors affecting the QOL of postoperative SD patients are related to physical factors, but the young postoperative SD patients mainly affected by psychological factors.


Author(s):  
Chia-Jung Lee ◽  
Yen Hsu

This study explored the technology learning model of the elderly in a senior learning center under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many senior learning centers were closed during the pandemic, and many of them adopted the mode of online education. However, problems such as decreased motivation and a lack of peer interaction still exist. To solve these problems, this study used the easy-to-implement calligraphy AR approach and E-book approach to conduct a quasi-experiment on the elderly of a calligraphy course offered by a senior learning center. The results show a higher learning motivation among the elderly who use calligraphy AR. The learning effectiveness and technology acceptance of the elderly in the E-book learning group were higher than those in the calligraphy AR group. The elderly mentioned that the E-book learning approach is more user-friendly. In general, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the suspension of classes in senior centers, education through the development of technology has stimulated the growth of education in advanced learning centers. Through this kind of scientific and technological learning method, it will bring a whole new experience to the elderly. It can improve the stress relief methods, mental health, and quality of life of the elderly during the COVID-19 emergency shutdown, and provide a novel calligraphy technique learning experience for the elderly. Therefore, we believe that the calligraphy AR learning approach and the calligraphy E-book learning approach are practical and may promote quality of life and mental health of the elderly during the emergency closures due to COVID-19, providing elderly attendees with a novel calligraphy technology learning experience.


Author(s):  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Hilde Thygesen ◽  
Janni Leung ◽  
Mary C. Ruffolo ◽  
Mariyana Schoultz ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to examine the use of video-based communication and its association with loneliness, mental health and quality of life in older adults (60-69 years versus 70+ years) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Norway, UK, USA and Australia during April/May 2020, and 836 participants in the relevant age groups were included in the analysis. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between use of video-based communication tools and loneliness, mental health and quality of life within age groups, while adjusting by sociodemographic variables. Video-based communication tools were found to be more often used among participants aged 60-69 years (60.1%), compared to participants aged 70 or above (51.8%, p &lt; 0.05). Adjusting for all variables, use of video-based communication was associated with less loneliness (&beta; = -0.12, p &lt; 0.01) and higher quality of life (&beta; = 0.14, p &lt; 0.01) among participants aged 60-69 years, while no associations occurred for participants in the oldest age group. The use of video-based communication tools was therefore associated with favorable psychological outcomes among participants in their sixties, but not among participants in the oldest age group. The study results support the notion that age may influence the association between use of video-based communication tools and psychological outcomes amongst older people.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Nouri ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Hamidreza Roohafza ◽  
Masoumeh Sadeghi ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Abstract Background and objectives A short form of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is a useful screening instrument for assessing mental health. Furthermore, Quality of life (QoL) is a critical treatment outcome in many clinical and health care research settings. This study aimed to reassess the dimensionality of GHQ-12 using Multidimensional Graded Response Model (MGRM) and evaluate how its extracted dimensions are associated with the QoL's domains. Methods Isfahan Cohort Study 2 (ICS2) is a population-based, ongoing prospective cohort study among adults aged 35 years and older who were free of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) at the beginning of the study in 2013. A total of 1316 participants, all living in urban and rural areas of Isfahan and Najafabad, Iran was completed the GHQ-12 and WHO QoL-brief version at baseline. Five competing MGRMs with different latent structures were specified for GHQ-12. Factor scores derived from the best fitted model were used to associate with various domains of QoL. Results: The Three-Dimensional model for GHQ-12 was the best-fitted model explaining the Social Function (SF), Self Confidence (SC), and Anxiety/Depression (A/D) as three correlated yet different latent dimensions of mental health. Our findings in full adjusted multivariate regression models showed that a one-SD increase in dimensions of SC and SF was associated with a 38- to 48%-SD and 27- to 38%-SD increase in the domains scores of QoL, respectively. Moreover, for each one‐SD increase in score of A/D dimension, the domains scores of QoL decreased by 29- to 40%-SD. The highest to the lowest standardized coefficients for all latent dimensions of mental health were respectively related to the psychological, physical health, social relationships, and environmental condition domains of QoL. Furthermore, SC, A/D, and SF dimensions of GHQ-12 showed the highest to the lowest degree of association with all domains of QoL. Conclusions Our findings confirm that the GHQ-12 as a multidimensional rather than unitary instrument measures distinct dimensions of mental health. Furthermore, all aspects of QoL changed when the intensity of latent dimensions of mental health increased. Moreover, the psychological domain of QoL is the most affected by all latent dimensions of mental health, followed by physical health, social relationships, and environmental condition domains. It seems that in an attempt to full recovery as assessed by improved QoL outcomes, treatment of clinical symptoms may not be sufficient. Identifying and differentiating the structures of mental health in each community as well as implementing intervention programs aimed at focusing on specific dimensions may help in the prevention of further deterioration of mental health and improved QoL in the community.


Author(s):  
Feliciano Villar ◽  
Rodrigo Serrat ◽  
Annette Bilfeldt ◽  
Joe Larragy

AbstractLiving in a long-term care (LTC) institution provides older people experiencing health and social problems with a comprehensive range of support services that address their quality of life. Despite access to such services, challenges arise in relation to their participation in key activities both within and outside the institution. This chapter examines such challenges, reviewing and describing ways to prevent exclusion along various domains, specifically social relationships, civic participation and socio-cultural life. Firstly, we discuss ways in which bio-medical models of care and the quality control systems, which are dominant in LTC services, standardise care, tending to put decisions exclusively in hands of staff, taking away residents’ autonomy, and ultimately curtailing rights and citizenship status. Secondly, we examine how LTC services might prevent such exclusion and promote older people’s participation in at least four respects: (1) prompting and supporting residents’ ability to take decisions on their own care, (2) favouring the maintenance and creation of social relationships, (3) enabling residents’ participation in the activities and management of the institution, and (4) guaranteeing residents’ rights and full access to citizenship. We discuss the impact and limitations of recent initiatives put into practice in these areas of practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-yung Leung ◽  
Ibukun Oluwadara Famakin ◽  
Chendi Wang

Purpose The growth rate of the aging population raises the demand for and challenges of public and subsidized (P&S) housing for the elderly. The decline in elderly ability increases their dependence on the quality of facilities provided by their residential apartment. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated indoor built environment–quality of life model for the elderly in P&S housing estates. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey, including scales for 4 quality of life (QoL) domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and overall QoL), and 13 indoor built environment (BE) components were identified. In total, 365 survey data were collected from the elderly in 18 political districts of Hong Kong, while reliability analysis, multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were adopted in the data analysis. Findings Based on the congruence of results of these statistical analyses, it was revealed that: furniture and fixtures predict all the four QoL domains of the elderly; lighting and color induce social relationships; and overall QoL is predicted by distance and handrails. Originality/value Several recommendations were made in accordance with the research results, such as review minimum spacing requirements to provide walking distance for elderly physical activity, investigate the micro-climate for appropriate building orientation, consider the changing body size of the elderly for supply of furniture, use warm colors with high levels of illumination, and so on.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Ailshire ◽  
Eileen M. Crimmins

Recent growth in the number of adults surviving to advanced ages raises questions about the quality of life associated with increased longevity. Psychosocial factors have received relatively little attention in research on quality of life among the oldest-old. This study uses nationally representative data on older US adults to examine how social relationships, feelings of loneliness, and satisfaction with life and the aging experience differ between the oldest-old, those who have survived to age 90 or older, and older adults in their 70s. We find that the oldest-old are able to maintain social relationships with family and friends and receive more social support than younger elderly adults. Yet, the oldest-old are more likely to feel lonely due to their greater rates of widowhood. Satisfaction with life was higher among the oldest-old, but the oldest-old had more negative perceptions of the aging experience. Psychosocial dimensions of longevity should be considered in research on quality of life among the oldest-old.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (20) ◽  
pp. 1188-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana S Oliveira ◽  
Cathie Sherrington ◽  
Elizabeth R Y Zheng ◽  
Marcia Rodrigues Franco ◽  
Anne Tiedemann

BackgroundOlder people are at high risk of physical inactivity. Activity trackers can facilitate physical activity. We aimed to investigate the effect of interventions using activity trackers on physical activity, mobility, quality of life and mental health among people aged 60+ years.MethodsFor this systematic review, we searched eight databases, including MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL from inception to April 2018. Randomised controlled trials of interventions that used activity trackers to promote physical activity among people aged 60+ years were included in the analyses. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42017065250.ResultsWe identified 23 eligible trials. Interventions using activity trackers had a moderate effect on physical activity (23 studies; standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.55; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.70; I2=86%) and increased steps/day by 1558 (95% CI 1099 to 2018 steps/day; I2=92%) compared with usual care, no intervention and wait-list control. Longer duration activity tracker-based interventions were more effective than short duration interventions (18 studies, SMD=0.70; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.93 vs 5 studies, SMD=0.14; 95% CI −0.26 to 0.54, p for comparison=0.02). Interventions that used activity trackers improved mobility (three studies; SMD=0.61; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.90; I2=10%), but not quality of life (nine studies; SMD=0.09; 95% CI −0.07 to 0.25; I2=45%). Only one trial included mental health outcomes and it reported similar effects of the activity tracker intervention compared with control.ConclusionsInterventions using activity trackers improve physical activity levels and mobility among older people compared with control. However, the impact of activity tracker interventions on quality of life, and mental health is unknown.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matej Stuhec ◽  
Nika Bratović ◽  
Aleš Mrhar

AbstractMental health problems (MHPs) are very common in the elderly and can have an important influence on their quality of life (QoL). There is almost no data on the impact of clinical pharmacists’ (CPs) interventions on the QoL including elderly patients and MHPs. The main aim of this study was to determinate the impact of (CP’s) interventions on the QoL and quality of pharmacotherapy. A prospective non-randomized pre-post study was designed which included residents of a nursing home aged 65 age or more with at least one MHP. Each patient also filled out the EQ-5D questionnaire. The medical review MR included drug-related problems (DRPs) and potentially drug-drug interactions (pDDIs), as well as potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). After 2 months, the participants were interviewed again. The mean number of medications before the intervention was 12,2 ± 3,1 per patient and decreased to 10,3 ± 3,0 medications per patient (p < 0,05) (n = 24). The total number of PIMs and pDDIs was also reduced and QoL was also significantly higher (p < 0,05). A collaborative care approach with a CP led to a decrease of DRPs, pDDIs, PIMs, the total number of medications and to an improvement in the patients’ QoL.


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