scholarly journals Positive and negative experiences and life satisfaction among spousal caregivers for frail older adults in urban China: a parallel process model

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 622-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Nan Lu ◽  
Qian Sun ◽  
Vivian W Q Lou

Abstract Objectives Previous literature has suggested that negative and positive aspects of spousal caregiving co-exist. However, positive and negative experiences were often examined independently. This study aimed to empirically test a parallel process model of spousal caregiving. Methods This cross-sectional survey of family caregiving involved 269 frail older adults living in Shanghai, China, in 2016. Quota sampling was conducted to find community-dwelling frail older adults with a primary caregiver. Path analysis was used to identify the relationship between negative and positive caregiving experiences and life satisfaction. Results We found two independent paths towards life satisfaction: (i) activities of daily living were negatively associated with burden, and burden was associated with lower life satisfaction; and (ii) spousal caregivers’ self-reported health and financial state were positively associated with positive appraisal, and positive appraisal was associated with higher life satisfaction. Caregiving time contributed to both aspects of caregiving experiences. The covariance between caregiving burden and positive appraisals was not statistically significant. Conclusion Spousal caregiving involves a parallel process. Negative and positive experiences are separate constructs and their associations with life satisfaction vary. We advocate for policy and interventions that promote positive views of caregiving that encourage caregivers to develop a high level of overall life satisfaction despite the hardships of their caregiving tasks.

Author(s):  
Nien Xiang Tou ◽  
Shiou-Liang Wee ◽  
Wei Ting Seah ◽  
Daniella Hui Min Ng ◽  
Benedict Wei Jun Pang ◽  
...  

AbstractTranslation of community-based functional training for older adults to reduce frailty is still lacking. We evaluated the effectiveness and implementation of a community-delivered group-based functional power training (FPT) program for frail older adults within their neighborhoods. A two-arm, multicenter assessor-blind stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted at four local senior activity centers in Singapore. Sixty-one community-dwelling older adults with low handgrip strength were randomized to intervention (IG) or control (CG) group. The IG underwent the FPT program (power and balance exercises using simple equipment) delivered by a community service provider. The 12-week program comprised 2 × 60 min sessions/week. CG continued usual activities at the centers. Functional performance, muscle strength, and frailty status were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Program implementation was evaluated using RE-AIM framework. The program was halted due to Coronavirus Disease 2019-related suspension of senior center activities. Results are reported from four centers, which completed the program. IG showed significantly greater improvement in the Short Physical Performance Battery test as compared to CG (p = 0.047). No effects were found for timed up and go test performance, muscle strength, and frailty status. The community program exhibited good reach, effectiveness, adoption, and implementation. Our study demonstrated that FPT was associated with greater improvement in physical function in pre-frail/frail participants as compared to exercise activities offered at local senior activity centers. It is a feasible intervention that can be successfully implemented for frail older adults in their neighborhoods. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04438876. Registered 19 June 2020–retrospectively registered.


2014 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Maria Giné-Garriga ◽  
Marta Roqué-Fíguls ◽  
Laura Coll-Planas ◽  
Mercè Sitjà-Rabert ◽  
Carme Martin-Borràs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Giovanna De Roza ◽  
David Wei Liang Ng ◽  
Blessy Koottappal Mathew ◽  
Teena Jose ◽  
Ling Jia Goh ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundFalls in older adults is a common problem worldwide. Fear of falling (FoF) is a consequence of falls which has far-reaching implications including activity restriction, functional decline and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with FoF in a segment of Singapore’s community-dwelling older adults. MethodsThis descriptive cross-sectional study recruited a convenience sample of adults aged 65 and above from 4 primary care clinics from September 2020 to March 2021. Data were collected on demographic factors and clinical factors including history of falls and frailty as determined by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). FoF was measured using the Short Falls Efficacy Scale–International (Short FES-I), cut-off score of 14 and above indicated high FoF. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of high FoF.ResultsOut of 360 older adults, 78.1% were Chinese and 59.7% females. The mean age was 78.3 years and 76 (21.1%) had a history of falls in the past six months. Almost half (43.1%) were mildly to moderately frail and most (80.6%) had three or more chronic conditions. The mean FoF score was 15.5 (SD 5.97) and 60.8% reported high FoF. Logistic regression found that Malay ethnicity (OR = 5.81, 95% CI 1.77 – 19.13), use of walking aids (OR = 3.67, 95% CI = 1.54 – 8.77) and increasing frailty were significant predictors for high FoF. The odds of high FoF were significantly higher in pre frail older adults (OR = 6.87, 95% CI = 2.66 – 17.37), mildly frail older adults (OR =18.58, 95% CI = 4.88 – 70.34) and moderately frail older adults (OR = 144.78, 95% CI = 13.86 – 1512.60).ConclusionsFoF is a prevalent and compelling issue in community-dwelling older adults, particularly those with frailty. The demographic and clinical factors identified in this study will be helpful to develop targeted and tailored interventions for FoF.


2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
C.O. KIM

Background:Protein-energy malnutrition is a major cause of functional decline in the elderly and isclearly an important component of frailty. However, limited evidence is available about how to select frailindividuals most benefiting from protein-energy supplementation. Objectives:1) To investigate factors associatedwith stronger benefits from protein-energy supplementation, and 2) to test the hypothesis that the severity offrailty is associated with the efficacy of protein-energy supplementation. Design:Secondary analysis of data froma pre-post-intervention study and a clinical trial. Setting:National Home Healthcare Services in Gangbuk-gu,Seoul, South Korea. Participants:123 community-dwelling frail older adults [usual gait speed (UGS) <0.6m/secand Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) <24]. Intervention:Each participant was received with two 200 mL perday of commercial liquid formula (providing additional 400 kcal of energy and 25 g of protein per day) for 12weeks. Measurements:Relative change in the Physical Functioning (PF) and Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB) score between the baseline and 12-week follow-up assessments were measured. Results:Multilevelmixed-effect linear regression analysis showed that a lower level of baseline UGS was associated with a greaterimprovement in PF and SPPB score after adjustment for age, gender, education, living status, beneficiary ofpublic assistance, number of chronic diseases, compliance, and type of dataset (p<0.001). A lower level ofbaseline MNA score was associated with greater change in PF and SPPB score after adjustment for multiplecovariates (p<0.045). Participants with severe frailty (UGS <0.3 m/sec + MNA <17) showed 52.4% and 44.6%more relevant improvements in PF and SPPB score, respectively, than those with mild frailty (UGS 0.3-0.6 m/sec+ MNA 17-24) (p<0.001). Conclusion:Slower UGS and lower MNA score are independently associated with thegreater efficacy of protein-energy supplementation on functional status.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S243-S244
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Jie Hua Lu

Abstract As the number of older adults in the U.S. and China continues to increase, promoting healthy aging is essential for individuals, family, and society. Both countries face many similar issues due to their aging populations, including prolonging healthy life expectancy and providing quality of care. However, the change in demographics brings with it unique challenges for both the U.S and China. This forum invites scholars and researchers from these two countries to share their knowledge and insights on promoting healthy aging and improving care for older adults. This forum includes five presentations and one-panel discussion. Two presentations will focus on long-term care (LTC) in China, one is to forecast the needs of LTC in the next five decades, and the other is to evaluate the current LTC needs and discuss LTC policy. Using the data from the Health and Retirement Study, the third presentation aims to re-conceptualize spousal caregiving as a dyad-level phenomenon and provides a dynamic view of the spousal caregiving experiences. The last two presentations will focus on promoting healthy aging through clinical interventions. The fourth one is to evaluate the effectiveness of adaptive computer-based cognitive training among community-dwelling older adults in China. The last presentation provides some examples of using pragmatic clinical trials to improve the care of older adults in skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. After the five presentations, the three panelists will provide feedback to the presentations and share their views on healthy aging with the audience.


1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen F. Binder ◽  
Marybeth Brown ◽  
Suzanne Craft ◽  
Kenneth B. Schechtman ◽  
Stanley J. Birge

Fifteen community dwelling older adults, ages 66 to 97 years, with at least one risk factor for recurrent falls, attended a thrice weekly group exercise class for 8 weeks. In post- versus preexercise comparisons, knee extensor torque at 0°/sec increased by 16.5% (p= 0.055); time to perform the stand-up test once, and five times consecutively, improved by 29.4 and 27.4%, respectively (p= 0.05,p= 0.01); gait speed for 24 feet increased by 16.5% (p< 0.001); and performance of the progressive Romberg test of balance improved with a mean increase of 1.1 ± 0.9 positions (p= 0.001). Participants reported a significant increase in the mean number of times per week that they went out of their apartment/home independent of exercising, and a significant increase in the mean number of city blocks they could walk. Performance data for nine exercise participants at 1-yr postintervention are presented. A low- to moderate-intensity groups exercise program can effect improvements in lower extremity strength, gait speed, balance, and self-reported mobility function in frail older adults.


2003 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek M. Isaacowitz ◽  
George E. Vaillant ◽  
Martin E. P. Seligman

Positive psychology has recently developed a classification of human strengths (Peterson & Seligman, in press). We aimed to evaluate these strengths by investigating the strengths and life satisfaction in three adult samples recruited from the community (young adult, middle-aged, and older adult), as well as in the surviving men of the Grant study of Harvard graduates. In general, older adults had higher levels of interpersonal and self-regulatory strengths, whereas younger adults reported higher levels of strengths related to exploring the world. Grant study men tended to report lower strength levels than older adults from the community. Among the young adults, only hope significantly predicted life satisfaction, whereas among the middle-aged individuals, the capacity for loving relationships was the only predictor. Among community-dwelling older adults, hope, citizenship, and loving relationships all positively and uniquely predicted life satisfaction, compared with loving relationships and appreciation of beauty in the Grant sample.


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