Preserving Cognitive Vitality in Older Adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-55
Author(s):  
Janet Simon Schreck
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Preventive Intervention ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
Screening And Prevention ◽  
Older Adult Population

As the population of older adults burgeons, preservation of cognitive vitality is quickly becoming a national public health concern. Speech-language pathologists are in a unique position to provide screening and prevention for cognitive-communication skills in the older adult population. In this article, I review medical and lifestyle factors currently associated with preservation of cognitive functioning. I also discuss the potential role of the speech-language pathologist with regard to screening, identification, and preventive intervention for this population.

scholarly journals “Gymmy”: Designing and Testing a Robot for Physical and Cognitive Training of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6431
Author(s):  
Maya Krakovski ◽  
Shikhar Kumar ◽  
Shai Givati ◽  
Moshe Bardea ◽  
Oded Zafrani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Robotic System ◽  
Personal Trainers ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Personal Trainer ◽  
Cognitive Activities ◽  
Older Adult Population

Physical and cognitive training can maintain and improve older adults’ independence and quality of life. Given the demographic growth of the older adult population and the shortage of caregivers, there is a need for personal trainers for physical and cognitive activities. This study suggests that social robots can satisfy this demand and presents the development of “Gymmy”, a robotic system for the physical and cognitive training of older adults. The system design includes a humanoid mechanical-looking robot to demonstrate exercises, an RGB-Depth (RGB-D) camera to measure performance and a touch screen and speakers to provide instructions and feedback. Experiments with 26 older adults (65–84 years of age) were performed in home environments to examine the effect of users’ characteristics (age, gender, education and attitude toward robots), the addition of cognitive training and the success rate of the acceptability of a robot trainer. The results showed that age, attitude and education influenced the acceptance of the robotic system. The findings highlight the importance of customizing the system to the needs of different users and the role of meaningful feedback. The system was proven to be robust and reliable, demonstrating clear potential to be used as a personal trainer and as a means of motivating older adults.

Life-Threatening Injuries in Older Adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-139
Author(s):  
Linda J. Scheetz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Metabolic Response ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Goal Directed Therapy ◽  
The Us ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
The Impact

Unintentional injuries are among the leading causes of death and disability in older adults. Although older adults account for approximately 12% of the US population, in 2008, they accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities, 14% of all vehicle occupant fatalities, and 18% of all pedestrian fatalities. Severely injured older adults have far worse outcomes than younger adults. Despite this difference, many survive with aggressive resuscitation and goal-directed therapy. This article describes the impact of life-threatening injuries in the older adult population, specifically injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions, and how these injuries relate to anatomic and physiologic changes of aging, the metabolic response to injury, the role of preexisting diseases and medications taken to treat these diseases, and complications.

Religion and mental health among older adults in Thailand: a national survey study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suriya Klangrit ◽  
David D. Perrodin ◽  
Yasotara Siripaprapakon ◽  
Fahad Riaz Choudhry ◽  
Thittayawadee Intaranggkul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Role Of Religion

Purpose This study aims to investigate the association between mental health and religion among Thailand’s elderly population. The role of religion and culture remains limited despite the significant number of devout followers of religions in Thailand. Thai cultural and religious contexts have a dominant and persuasive influence on the lives of Thai older adults. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected in 2018 via face-to-face interaction using a structured questionnaire by the Thailand National Statistical Office. The sample consisted of 67,454 individuals, with 13,800 elderly Thai people aged 60 years or older selected for the study. Findings The results showed logistic regression with the association between religious activities and mental health in the understudied context of Buddhist elderly in Thailand. The variables were significantly associated with mental health at a 95% confidence level. Originality/value The model revealed that particular demographic and socioeconomic factors (age, education and marital status) were related to mental health for older adults. Regression analysis also revealed Buddhist religious activities (giving food to monks, mediation, monkhood, New Year praying, learning Dhamma for solving life’s problems, belief in Buddhism and practicing Buddhist principles) were significantly associated with the mental health of the older adult population in Thailand.

Considerations for Older Patients With Diabetes in Long-Term Care Settings

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-125
Author(s):  
Shabeli Farooq ◽  
Katherine Felix ◽  
Sara Asif Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Older Adult Population

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a public health concern and a burden on the older adult population. Management among older adults can be arduous because of potential complications, especially in various long-term care settings. This manuscript outlines recent updates in geriatric care concerning DM and will discuss guidelines for management of DM in older adults, specifically in long-term care. It is crucial to analyze comorbidities and develop individualized treatment goals to improve overall quality of care.

scholarly journals Frailty transitions and cognitive function among South Korean older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Nari ◽  
Bich Na Jang ◽  
Hin Moi Youn ◽  
Wonjeong Jeong ◽  
Sung-In Jang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Geriatric Syndrome ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Adl Disability ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
State Examination

AbstractFrailty is considered a multidimensional geriatric syndrome, manifested by the accumulation of age-associated deficits. The consequences of frailty transitions are still understudied. This study evaluated the influence of frailty transitions on cognitive function in the older adult population. We used data derived from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) (2008–2018) on older adults aged ≥ 65 years. Frailty was assessed using a validated Korean frailty measure known as the frailty instrument (FI), and cognitive function was measured using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE). Transitions in frailty and their relationship with cognitive function were investigated using lagged generalized estimating equations (GEE), t-tests, and ANOVA. Respondents who experienced frailty transitions (those with ameliorating frailty), those who developed frailty, and whose frailty remained constant, were more likely to have a lower cognitive function than those who were consistently non-frail. Older age, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, and instrumental ADL disability were more negatively associated with declining cognitive function, especially in the “frail → frail” group. Changes in all individual components of the frailty instrument were significantly associated with impaired cognitive function. The results suggest an association between frailty transitions and cognitive impairment. Over a 2-year span, the remaining frail individuals had the highest rate of cognitive decline in men, while the change from non-frail to frail state in women was significantly associated with the lowest cognitive function values. We recommend early interventions and prevention strategies in older adults to help ameliorate or slow down both frailty and cognitive function decline.

The Brief Odor Detection Test (B-ODT) for Very Early Diagnosis of Cognitive Decline: A Preliminary Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-210
Author(s):  
Dimitra Savvoulidou ◽  
Efthymia Totikidou ◽  
Chariklia Varvesiotou ◽  
Magda Iakovidou ◽  
Ourania Sfakianaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Odor Detection ◽  
Olfactory Impairment ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Olfactory impairment in older adults is associated with cognitive decline. This study describes the development of a Brief Odor Detection Test (B-ODT), and its pilot administration in community-dwelling older adults. The study aimed at examining whether the test could differentiate older adults with very mild cognitive impairment from their cognitively healthy counterparts. The sample consisted of 34 older adults (22 women), aged from 65 to 87 years. Participants were divided into two groups according to their general cognitive functioning. Odor detection was measured via vanillin solutions at the following concentrations: 150 mg/L, 30 mg/L, 15 mg/L, 3 mg/L, and .03 mg/L. The first condition of the test involved a scale administration of vanillin solutions. The second condition examined the change in air odour and it required vanillin solution of 30 mg/L and a metric ruler of 30 cm. The examiner had to place the solution at a specific distance point from each nostril. Odour identification sensitivity was secondarily measured. The results showed statistically significant differences in odour detection threshold between the two groups. In the unirhinal testing, left nostril differences of the two groups were definite. Hence, the B-ODT seems a promising instrument for very early cognitive impairment screening in older adult population.

The Future of Aging Research: Should the Focus Be On Not Growing Old or Growing Old Better?

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-74
Author(s):  
Debra J. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Inquiry ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Older Adult Population

Despite the significant increase in years that an individual can now expect to live in the 21st century, there is growing evidence that the price for greater longevity may be worsening health due to the higher prevalence of nonfatal but disabling conditions. This sobering news suggests the need for expanded scientific inquiry directed at understanding the multilevel factors that promote or prevent physical activity (PA) participation and the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors and the types of intervention strategies that will be most effective in positively changing behavior at different life stages. Fruitful areas of future scientific inquiry include exploring other types and intensities of PA aimed at increasing PA participation while reducing sedentary behavior, better understanding the role of the physical and social environment in promoting PA participation, and designing and evaluating multilevel PA interventions that are better tailored to the activity preferences, goals, and expectations of a diverse older adult population, and flexibly delivered in real-world settings. Finally, conducting research aimed at better differentiating normal age-associated changes from those that are disease-related will be fundamental to reversing the negative stereotypes that currently shape the public’s view of the aging process.

scholarly journals COLAEVA: Visual Analytics and Data Mining Web-Based Tool for Virtual Coaching of Older Adult Populations

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 7991
Author(s):  
Jon Kerexeta Sarriegi ◽  
Andoni Beristain Iraola ◽  
Roberto Álvarez Sánchez ◽  
Manuel Graña ◽  
Kristin May Rebescher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Visual Analytics ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Virtual Coaching ◽  
Evolution Analysis ◽  
Older Adult Population

The global population is aging in an unprecedented manner and the challenges for improving the lives of older adults are currently both a strong priority in the political and healthcare arena. In this sense, preventive measures and telemedicine have the potential to play an important role in improving the number of healthy years older adults may experience and virtual coaching is a promising research area to support this process. This paper presents COLAEVA, an interactive web application for older adult population clustering and evolution analysis. Its objective is to support caregivers in the design, validation and refinement of coaching plans adapted to specific population groups. COLAEVA enables coaching caregivers to interactively group similar older adults based on preliminary assessment data, using AI features, and to evaluate the influence of coaching plans once the final assessment is carried out for a baseline comparison. To evaluate COLAEVA, a usability test was carried out with 9 test participants obtaining an average SUS score of 71.1. Moreover, COLAEVA is available online to use and explore.

Communicating with the Older Adult Cancer Patient

2021 ◽  
pp. 678-684
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Parker ◽  
Smita C. Banerjee ◽  
Beatriz Korc-Grodzicki
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Multiple Morbidity ◽  
Older Adult Population

The older adult population continues to increase. Among all known risk factors for developing cancer, the most important is growing old. Thus, caring for older adults with cancer is of increasing importance. This chapter describes important considerations involved in communicating with cancer patients including sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, multiple morbidity, polypharmacy, and psychological distress. It also describes how stereotyping and ageism affect communication with older adults with cancer. Finally, the chapter discusses ways to facilitate communication with older adult cancer patients and their families and provides an example of a training program that was created specifically to enhance communication between healthcare providers and older adult cancer patients and their families.

Applying the Pikes Peak Model of Treatment Competency to the Use of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies with Older Adults

2011 ◽  
pp. 67-83
Author(s):  
Forrest Scogin ◽  
Andrew Presnell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Problem Solving Therapy ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments ◽  
Behavioral Therapies ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapies ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Peak Model

Chapter 6 examines specifically the application of Beck’s cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and problem-solving therapy (PST), an adaptation of cognitive-behavioral techniques, with the older adult population. It also uses the Pikes Peak Model to identify the focal areas needed for competent delivery of these treatments with older adults. It also covers the Pikes Peak Model, which outlines six areas to be considered in the competent application of treatment: applying interventions with appropriate modifications, using evidence-based treatments, developing appropriate treatments when there is a lack of evidence available, proficiently employing common late-life intervention, using interventions to enhance the health of diverse elderly persons, and intervening across settings.

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