IS THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN FOOD SECURITY SCALE AN APPROPRIATE INSTRUMENT FOR MEXICAN URBAN OLDER ADULTS?

2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
M. VILAR-COMPTE ◽  
A. BERNAL-STUART ◽  
D. ORTA-ALEMAN ◽  
T. OCHOA-RIVERA ◽  
R. PEREZ-ESCAMILLA
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Face ◽  
Latin American And Caribbean

Background: Older adults in Mexico are a growing share of the population and are a largely vulnerablegroup with increased risk of food insecurity and potential detrimental health effects stemming from it.Objectives:This study assesses the face validity of the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale(ELCSA) among Mexican urban older adults of low socioeconomic status. Design: Qualitative study based on 4focus groups. Setting: The focus groups were conducted in community organizations for the elderly in an areaof Mexico City with a high proportion of poverty. Participants: The focus groups included a total of 36 olderadults aged 65 and over who consented to participate. Measurements:Two initial focus groups were conductedto assess how older adults understood the food security construct and each of the ELCSA items. Based on thesefindings, ELCSA was modified and retested for face validity through two additional focus groups. Results:Theinitial focus groups suggested that several of the scale items were not well understood, leading to editorialmodifications of the scale. The final focus groups indicated that the modified version of the scale improvedsubstantially ELCSA’s face validity in this sample. Conclusions: The modified ELCSA led to a greaterunderstanding of most scale items. Further qualitative research is needed to improve food insecuritymeasurements among older adults in Latin America.

scholarly journals Use of seroprevalence to guide dengue vaccination plans for older adults in a dengue non-endemic country

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. e0009312
Author(s):  
Yi-Hua Pan ◽  
Mei-Ying Liao ◽  
Yu-Wen Chien ◽  
Tzong-Shiann Ho ◽  
Hui-Ying Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Denv Infection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Southern Taiwan ◽  
Older Populations ◽  
Age Range

A shift in dengue cases toward the adult population, accompanied by an increased risk of severe cases of dengue in the elderly, has created an important emerging issue in the past decade. To understand the level of past DENV infection among older adults after a large dengue outbreak occurred in southern Taiwan in 2015, we screened 1498 and 2603 serum samples from healthy residents aged ≥ 40 years in Kaohsiung City and Tainan City, respectively, to assess the seroprevalence of anti-DENV IgG in 2016. Seropositive samples were verified to exclude cross-reaction from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), using DENV/JEV-NS1 indirect IgG ELISA. We further identified viral serotypes and secondary DENV infections among positive samples in the two cities. The overall age-standardized seroprevalence of DENV-IgG among participants was 25.77% in Kaohsiung and 11.40% in Tainan, and the seroprevalence was significantly higher in older age groups of both cities. Although the percentages of secondary DENV infection in Kaohsiung and Tainan were very similar (43.09% and 44.76%, respectively), DENV-1 and DENV-2 spanned a wider age range in Kaohsiung, whereas DENV-2 was dominant in Tainan. As very few studies have obtained the serostatus of DENV infection in older adults and the elderly, this study highlights the need for further investigation into antibody status, as well as the safety and efficacy of dengue vaccination in these older populations.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Exploration of Choral Singing in Community-dwelling Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 340-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darina V. Petrovsky ◽  
Justine S. Sefcik ◽  
Pamela Z. Cacchione
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Choral Singing ◽  
Care For The Elderly ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Participatory Arts

Recent research has recognized the value of participatory arts, including choirs, as a strategy to engage older adults in the community. Less is known about the participation of minority older adults of low socioeconomic status (SES) in choirs. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the perceived benefits of choral singing among older adults from Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) day centers. We elicited perceptions from 19 choir participants from three focus groups, the majority of whom were Black or African American (N =17/19), each held at a different PACE center. One main theme emerged, “Something for us to do that we love,” with two subthemes, “Joyful time together” and “Uplifting experience performing for others.” These study findings have implications for promoting choir singing in older adults to serve as a place for engagement in social interactions in a lifelong activity they love.

Prevalence of Impaired Kidney Function in the German Elderly: Results from the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II)

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian König ◽  
Maik Gollasch ◽  
Ilja Demuth ◽  
Elisabeth Steinhagen-Thiessen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Aging Study

Background: In aging populations with an ever-growing burden of risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the rise. However, little is known about its exact prevalence among elderly adults, and often albuminuria is not included in the definition of CKD. Moreover, novel equations for the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) have recently emerged, which have not been applied comprehensively to older adults. Data on CKD awareness among the elderly are sparse. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of CKD among older adults by eGFR and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), compare the performance of 6 established and novel eGFR formulas, explore risk factors, and determine the awareness of CKD in a large cohort of community-dwelling elderly from Germany. Methods: A total of 1,628 subjects from the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II) were included in this analysis (mean age 68.7 years; 51.2% female). Extensive cross-sectional data on sociodemographics, lifestyle, medication, and diagnoses were inquired during structured interviews and a medical examination, and blood and urine parameters were measured. Results: In all, 77.1% of the subjects had hypertension, 12.4% had diabetes, and 18.3% were obese. The prevalence of CKD strongly depended on the eGFR equations used: 25.4% (full age spectrum [FAS] equation), 24.6% (Berlin Initiative Study), 23.1% (Lund-Malmö revised), 19.3% (Cockcroft-Gault), 16.4% (Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration [CKD-EPI]), and 14.7% (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD]). Of the subjects with an eGFRFAS <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or an ACR >30 mg/g, only 3.9% were aware of having CKD. Polypharmacy, age, BMI, coronary artery disease, non-HDL cholesterol, and female sex were independently associated with CKD. Conclusions: CKD is prevalent among older adults in Germany, but awareness is low. The FAS equation detects higher rates of CKD than MDRD and CKD-EPI, which are most widely used at present. Also, when CKD is defined based on eGFR and albuminuria, considerably more people are identified than by eGFR alone. Finally, polypharmacy is associated with an increased risk for CKD in the elderly.

scholarly journals Local attributable burden disease to PM2.5 ambient air pollution in Medellín, Colombia, 2010–2016

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 428
Author(s):  
Hugo Grisales-Romero ◽  
Juan Gabriel Piñeros-Jiménez ◽  
Emmanuel Nieto ◽  
Sandra Porras-Cataño ◽  
Nora Montealegre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Population Attributable Fraction ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The City

Background: Exposure to 2.5-micron diameter air pollutants (PM2.5) has been associated with an increased risk of illness and death worldwide; however, in Latin American health impacts assessment of this risk factor is scarce. Medellín is one of the most polluted cities in the region, with a population growth rate that is twice as high as that of other Colombian cities, which implies a growing population at risk. Methods: A descriptive study of the disease burden was carried out using the city as the unit of observation. Health events were selected based on epidemiologic evidence and the availability of the population attributable fraction associated with PM2.5. The mortality records were taken from the module of deceased of the Single Registry of Affiliates of the Health System; the morbidity records were taken from the Individual Health Services Registries. For the estimation of the burden of disease, the current Global Burden of Disease guidelines were followed. Results: Attributable disability-adjusted life years to exposure to ambient PM2.5 pollution (DALYsPM2.5) constituted 13.8% of total burden of the city. Males showed the greatest loss of DALYsPM2.5 due to acute events, while in women the greatest loss was due to chronic events. Ischemic heart disease, chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract, and influenza and pneumonia were the events that contributed the most to DALYsPM2.5. 71.4% of the DALYsPM2.5 corresponded to mortality, mainly in the population over 65 years of age. Regarding attributable morbidity, acute events were more prevalent in both sexes, especially due to respiratory diseases Conclusion: Premature death among the elderly population has the greatest weight on burden of disease attributable to ambient PM2.5 pollution, mainly due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, without significant differences according to gender.

scholarly journals Suicide trends in the elderly during the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic- a public health urgency

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (40) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Ashish Sarangi ◽  
Sozan Fares ◽  
Noha Eskander
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Many ◽  
Main Components

Background: Older adults experience an increased risk for suicide compared to the overall population, and therefore the circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may potentiate this risk. COVID-19 pandemic social distancing policies and ethical guidelines for COVID-19 treatment may exacerbate experiences of social isolation, perceived expendability, and exposure to suffering, which are associated with the three main components of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (i.e., thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness to society, and capability for suicide).  The COVID-19 pandemic poses a drain on services and has drawn ethical debates about policies around treating younger adults first. These experiences may lead older adults to possess reduced access to needed medical and psychiatric services and should convey damaging messages of expendability. Furthermore, the potential prolonged stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may affect neurological, immunological, and health functioning—exacerbating suicide risk. Potential venues to extend treatment options and reduce social isolation are discussed. Conclusion: We acknowledge optimistic effects also, like “pulling together” as a society and therefore the many valuable ways older adults may contribute during this crisis.

scholarly journals Translation, adaptation and pilot testing of the Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale (PFFS) for use in Malaysia – The PFFS-Malay version (PFFS-M)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-36
Author(s):  
Sally Suriani Ahip ◽  
Sazlina Shariff-Ghazali ◽  
Sabrina Lukas ◽  
Azah Abdul Samad ◽  
Ummu Kalsum Mustapha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Domains ◽  
Important Health ◽  
The Face ◽  
Important Health Issue

Background: Frailty is an important health issue in an aging population; it is a state of vulnerability that renders the elderly susceptible to adverse health outcomes, including disability, hospitalization, long-term care admission and death. Early frailty stages are recognizable through screening and are reversible with targeted interventions. To date, however, there is no screening tool for use in Malaysia. The English Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale (PFFS) is a visual tool that assesses a person’s fitness-frailty level in 14 health domains, with higher scores indicating higher frailty. Objective: The aim was to translate and adapt the English PFFS for use in Malaysian clinical settings. Methods: The original English PFFS underwent forward and backward-translation by two bilingual translators to and from the Malay language. A finalized version, the PFFS-Malay (PFFS-M), was formed after expert reviewers’ consensus and was pilot tested with 20 patients, 20 caregivers, 16 healthcare assistants, 17 nurses and 22 doctors. Score agreement between patients and their caregivers and among healthcare professionals were assessed. All participants rated their understanding of the scale using the feasibility survey forms. Results: A total of 95 participants were included. There were high percentages of scoring agreements among all participants on the scale (66.7% to 98.9%). Overall feedback from all respondents were positive and supported the face validity of the PFFS-M. Conclusion: The PFFS-M reflects an accurate translation for the Malaysian population. The scale is usable and feasible and has face validity. Reliability and predictive validity assessments of the PFFS-M are currently underway.

scholarly journals Mental Disorders, Cognitive Impairment and the Risk of Suicide in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Kułak-Bejda ◽  
Grzegorz Bejda ◽  
Napoleon Waszkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Older People ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The World

More than 600 million people are aged 60 years and over are living in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that this number will double by 2025 to 2 billion older people. Suicide among people over the age of 60 is one of the most acute problems. The factors strongly associated with suicide are mentioned: physical illnesses, such as cancer, neurologic disorder, pain, liver disease, genital disorders, or rheumatoid disorders. Moreover, neurologic conditions, especially stroke, may affect decision-making processes, cognitive capacity, and language deficit. In addition to dementia, the most common mental disorders are mood and anxiety disorders. A common symptom of these disorders in the elderly is cognitive impairment. This study aimed to present the relationship between cognitive impairment due to dementia, mood disorders and anxiety, and an increased risk of suicide among older people. Dementia is a disease where the risk of suicide is significant. Many studies demonstrated that older adults with dementia had an increased risk of suicide death than those without dementia. Similar conclusions apply to prodromal dementia Depression is also a disease with a high risk of suicide. Many researchers found that a higher level of depression was associated with suicide attempts and suicide ideation. Bipolar disorder is the second entity in mood disorders with an increased risk of suicide among the elderly. Apart from suicidal thoughts, bipolar disorder is characterized by high mortality. In the group of anxiety disorders, the most significant risk of suicide occurs when depression is present. In turn, suicide thoughts are more common in social phobia than in other anxiety disorders. Suicide among the elderly is a serious public health problem. There is a positive correlation between mental disorders such as dementia, depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety and the prevalence of suicide in the elderly. Therefore, the elderly should be comprehensively provided with psychiatric and psychological support.

scholarly journals The Impact of Education and Literacy Levels on Cancer Screening among Older Latin American and Caribbean Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Reyes-Ortiz ◽  
Maria E. Camacho ◽  
Luis F. Amador ◽  
Luis F. Velez ◽  
Kenneth J. Ottenbacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Latin American And Caribbean

Background There is limited information related to the effects of education and literacy on cancer screening practices among older adults in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Methods To determine the association between education and cancer screening use, we developed a cross-sectional study using data from the Health, Well-Being and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean Study. The sample included 4,183 men and 6,708 women aged 60 years and older from seven cities. The outcomes are mammogram and Pap smear use in women and prostate examination use in men within the last 2 years. Results In general, illiterate or lower-educated older men and women have the lowest rates of cancer screening use compared with higher-educated counterparts. Multivariate logistic models, by city and in a combined sample of six cities showed that high education is associated with higher odds of having a mammogram or a Pap smear in women and a prostate examination in men. Conclusions Older adults with low educational or literacy levels should be targeted for screening programs in these populations.

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