scholarly journals Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals Towards Older Adults’ Abilities to Use Digital Technology (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ittay Mannheim ◽  
Eveline J.M. Wouters ◽  
Leonieke C. van Boekel ◽  
Yvonne van Zaalen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Specific Domain ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Stereotype Activation ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
N 93

BACKGROUND Digital technologies (DT) for older adults focus mainly on healthcare, and are considered to have the potential to improve the wellbeing of older adults. However, adoption rates of such DT is considered low. While previous research has investigated possible reasons for adoption and acceptance of DT, age-based stereotypes (of e.g. healthcare professionals) towards the abilities of older adults to use DT have yet to be considered as possible barriers to adoption of DT. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ageism and negative attitudes related to DT, as a specific domain of ageism that might influence the use and adoption of DT in healthcare. METHODS A new measurement of Attitudes Towards Older Adults Using Technology (ATOAUT-10) was developed and used in two studies. Study I described the development of the ATOAUT-10 scale using a principal component analysis, and further examines healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards the use of healthcare DT and correlations with ageism. Study II further explored the correlation between ageism and ATOAUT in an experimental design with healthcare professionals. RESULTS In study I, physiotherapists (N=97) rated older adults as young as 50, as less able to use healthcare DT compared to younger adults (p < 0.001). A multiple regression analysis revealed that higher levels of ageism were predictive of more negative ATOAUT, beyond other predictors (β = 0.36, t = 3.73, p < 0.001). In Study II the salience of age was manipulated. Healthcare professionals (N=93) were randomly assigned to rate the abilities of a young or old person to use healthcare DT. Old age salience moderated the correlation between ageism and ATOAUT (R2 = 0.19, F(6,85) = 3.35, p = 0.005), such that higher levels of ageism correlated with more negative ATOAUT, in the old age salient condition, but not the young condition. Stereotype activation accounted for healthcare professionals’ attitudes, more than experience of working with older patients or the professional’s age. CONCLUSIONS Negative and ageist attitudes of healthcare professionals can potentially affect how older adults are viewed in relation to DT, and consequently influence actual use and adoption of technology-based treatment. Future studies should broaden the validation of the ATOAUT scale by focusing on the discriminatory aspect of ageism, as well as self-ageism of older adults. This study calls for a focus on ageism as a determinant of adoption of DT.

Usability of a tablet computer designed for older adults: a qualitative approach based on an intra-hospital living-lab for healthcare (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Sacco ◽  
Pauline Carliez ◽  
Frédéric Noublanche ◽  
Romain Simon ◽  
Anne Renaudin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Satisfaction Score ◽  
Tablet Computer ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Perceived Usability

BACKGROUND Usability is the keystone in the evolution of tablet technology in healthcare. The Ardoiz® tablet has been designed with a simplified interface for older adults. OBJECTIVE To assess the perceived usability and satisfaction of the Ardoiz® tablet. METHODS We conducted a mixed methods with cross-sectional study using System Usability Scale (SUS), satisfaction score and workshops, including geriatric patients, healthcare professional and caregivers. RESULTS Between September 25, 2019 and March 11, 2020, 58 participants were included in a cross-sectional study (including 38 patients, mean ±SD 85±6 years, 66% women), 26 in workshops (including 5 patients, mean ±SD 86.4±2.9, 40% women). The SUS was 74±12/100, the satisfaction score was 2.8±0.9/4, with 59% of satisfied participants with the use of Ardoiz® pads. The intent to acquire remained low with 18% (n=6) of participants who would be interested in acquiring the tablet. This tablet computer seemed to be difficult to use by geriatric patients and healthcare professionals, mainly because of its complex homepage. Nevertheless, former caregivers and healthcare professionals thought that the tablet could be of great interest to hospitals for leisure and medical use. The main feedback in order to improve the tablet is to simplify the home page with fewer and more static icons (without switching). CONCLUSIONS Notwithstanding the usability of the tablet, the intent to acquire of Ardoiz® tablet remained low. The interface should be simplified for older adults in order to improve usability and adherence. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04091152

scholarly journals Older workers imagining retirement: the collapse of agency, or freedom at last?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Anne Skevik Grødem ◽  
Ragni Hege Kitterød
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Meaning ◽  
Active Engagement ◽  
Work Patterns ◽  
Ideal Types ◽  
Retirement Decisions ◽  
The Ideal

Abstract Images of what retirement is and ought to be are changing. Older workers are being encouraged to work for longer, at the same time, older adults increasingly voice expectations of a ‘third age’ of active engagement and new life prospects. In this article, we draw on the literature on older workers’ work patterns and retirement transitions (noting push/pull/stay/stuck/jump factors), and on scholarship on the changing social meaning of old age, most importantly the notions of a ‘third’ and ‘fourth’ age. The analysis is based on qualitative interviews with 28 employees in the private sector in Norway, aged between 55 and 66 years. Based on the interviews, we propose three ideal-typical approaches to the work–retirement transition: ‘the logic of deadline’, ‘the logic of negotiation’ and ‘the logic of averting retirement’. The ideal-types are defined by the degree to which informants assume agency in the workplace, their orientation towards work versus retirement and the degree to which they expect to exercise agency in retirement. We emphasise how retirement decisions are informed by notions of the meaning of ageing, while also embedded in relationships with employers and partners.

scholarly journals Attitudes of the Equestrian Public towards Equine End-of-Life Decisions

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1776
Author(s):  
Catherine Bell ◽  
Suzanne Rogers
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
End Of Life Decisions ◽  
Life Decisions ◽  
End Of Life Decision ◽  
Physical Reasons ◽  
Horse Owners

A key welfare concern for the equine population in the U.K. has been identified as delayed death, leading to prolonged suffering of horses. Reasons why some horse owners fail to have their horses euthanised include financial cost, emotional attachment, peer pressure, negative attitudes towards killing and poor recognition of behavioural indicators of equine pain and stress. The Five Freedoms framework of welfare was used to build a Likert-style survey to investigate the factors underlying attitudes of horse owners towards welfare measures in an end-of-life decision. Participants were asked to respond to hypothetical welfare scenarios and to give details of any horses they had had euthanised. The survey was conducted predominantly via equestrian Facebook groups and obtained 160 participant responses. Reliability of the scale was acceptable, with Cronbach’s α=0.89. Principal Component Analysis was used to load the hypothetical scenarios onto seven factors containing 62.2% of the variance. The first four factors could be categorized according to “Ethology-informed Management”, “Traditional Horse Management”, “Emotional Issues” and “Physical Issues”. Participants were more likely to consider euthanasia for physical issues, compared with issues relating to affective state and/or ethology, although it was not clear whether this was due to disregard for welfare issues relating to mental health or failure to recognise them as such. A large number of responses stated that the scenario had no bearing on whether a horse should be euthanised, again suggesting a lack of recognition of welfare issues and their implications. When asked to state their reasons for euthanising their horses, participants cited almost exclusively physical reasons, with the exception of those citing dangerous behaviour. Only a small number of responses also included consideration of affective and/or ethological factors, suggesting that welfare issues concerning affective state and/or behaviour are at risk of omission from end-of-life decisions.

scholarly journals Self-compassion as predictor of daily physical symptoms and chronic illness across older adulthood

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532110023
Author(s):  
Heather Herriot ◽  
Carsten Wrosch
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Chronic Illness ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Early Old Age

This study examined whether self-compassion could benefit daily physical symptoms and chronic illness in early and advanced old age. The hypotheses were evaluated in a 4-year longitudinal study of 264 older adults. Results showed that self-compassion predicted lower levels of daily physical symptoms across the study period in advanced, but not early, old age ( T-ratio = −1.93, p = 0.05). In addition, self-compassion was associated with fewer increases in chronic illness in advanced, but not early, old age ( T-ratio = − 2.45, p < 0.02). The results of this study suggest that self-compassion may be particularly adaptive towards the end of life.

scholarly journals Role of social integration in the protection against depression in the Chilean elderly population

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L de Albuquerque Araújo ◽  
N Bello Escamilla ◽  
V Sabando Franulic
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
National Study ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Negative Gradient

Abstract Chile has improved survival however this process occurs under a framework of socioeconomic and gender inequalities, which results in an impact of mental health, especially in vulnerable groups. The objective was to determine the association between depression and social integration in Chilean older adults. Cross-sectional study from the National Study of Dependence in Old Person 2010. The risk of depression was amount with Geriatric Depression Scale (&gt;5). The social integration were quantity as frequency of meeting with close relatives (child, partner, daughter/ son-in-law, grandchildren); with other relatives (brother, brothers-in-law, nephews or other relatives) and with friends and neighbors in the last 12 months in 5 categories (never visit; less frequently; 1-2 times a month; 1-2 times a week; every day or almost). Logistic regression models considered the sampling design of the survey to identify association with odd ratio (OR) (never as reference category), adjustment for sex, age, ethnicity, household income, education, housing arrangement and chronic diseases (p ≤ 0,5). Total of 4179 older adults 25,3% reported risk of depression, the significative association with close relatives was in daily or almost frequency OR:0.42 (95%CI 0.27-0.67), 1-2 times a week OR: 0,57 (95%CI 0,33-0,99), 1-2 times/month OR: 0,56 (95%CI 0,99); other relatives were lower frequency OR: 0.54 (95%CI 0.38-0.78); 1-2 times/month OR; 0.50 (95%CI 0.31-0.81); 1-2 times/week OR:0.35 (95%CI 0.22-0.55); daily or almost OR:0.27 (95%CI 0.18-0.42). And meeting with friends and neighbors in the same frequency order were OR: 0.66 (95%CI 0.44-0.99); OR:0.43 (95%CI 0.26-0.73); OR:0.4 (95%CI 0.25-0.62); OR: 0.32 (95%CI 0.21-0.47). There is a negative gradient between depression and the frequency of meeting with friends, neighbors and family, independent of sociodemographic and health characteristics. Social integration must be promoted as a protective factor of mental health in elderly. Key messages Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in old age and we found a negative gradient between the frequency of meeting friends, neighbors and family and the possibility of depression. It seems essential for public health to have strategies that address social life in old age to strengthen quality of live and mental health.

7 Exploring healthcare professionals’ attitudes to future care planning with older adults in hospital: qualitative research co-design through multi-professional patient and carer involvement

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 362.2-362
Author(s):  
Anna-Maria Bielinska ◽  
Stephanie Archer ◽  
Catherine Urch ◽  
Ara Darzi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
List Type ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Topic Guide ◽  
Future Care ◽  
Advance Care

IntroductionDespite evidence that advance care planning in older hospital inpatients improves the quality of end-of-life care (Detering 2010) future care planning (FCP) with older adults remains to be normalised in hospital culture. It is therefore crucial to understand the attitudes of healthcare professionals to FCP in older patients in the hospital setting. Co-design with patients carers and healthcare professionals can generate more detailed meaningful data through better conversations.AimsTo co-design a semi-structured interview (SSI) topic guide to explore healthcare professionals’ attitudes to FCP with older adults in hospital.MethodsA multi-professional research group including a panel of patient and carer representatives co-designed an in-depth topic guide for a SSI exploring healthcare professionals’ attitudes to FCP with older adults in hospital.ResultsThe co-designed topic guide encourages participants to explore personal and system-level factors that may influence attitudes to FCP and practice in hospital amongst healthcare staff. Co-designed topics for inclusion in the SSI schedule include:Potential differences between specialist and generalist approaches to FCPThe influence of perceived hierarchy and emergency–decision making ability in professionals on FCP discussionsThe relevance to transitions of careAttitudes to FCP beyond the biomedical paradigm including perceived well–being and psychosocial aspects of careDigital FCP tools including patient–led FCP.ConclusionCo-designing qualitative research with older people and multi-disciplinary professionals may narrow translational gaps in implementing FCP by setting joint research priorities. Data generated from a co-designed study may expand understanding of hospital-based anticipatory decision-making with older adults.Reference. Detering KM, Hancock AD, Reade MC, Silvester W. The impact of advance care planning on end of life care in elderly patients: randomised controlled trial. BMJ23 March 2010;340:c1345.

scholarly journals Prevalence of High Resilience in Old Age and Association with Perceived Threat of COVID-19—Results from a Representative Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7173
Author(s):  
Elena Caroline Weitzel ◽  
Margrit Löbner ◽  
Susanne Röhr ◽  
Alexander Pabst ◽  
Ulrich Reininghaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Representative Survey ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Perception Of Threat ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Demographic Correlates ◽  
Education Levels

Little is known about resilience in old age and its manifestation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of high resilience in the German old age population. We further examine the socio-demographic correlates and whether high resilience reflects on older adults’ perception of the threat posed by COVID-19. The data were derived from a representative telephone survey of n = 1005 older adults (≥65 years) during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Assessments included socio-demographic variables, the perceived threat of COVID-19, and high resilience (Brief Resilience Scale; cutoff: ≥4.31). The association between high resilience and threat from COVID-19 was analyzed using ordinal logistic regression. The study sample had a mean age (SD) of 75.5 (7.1) years, and n = 566 (56.3%) were female. The estimated prevalence of high resilience was 18.7% (95% CI = [16.3; 21.2]). High resilience was more prevalent in the younger age group and participants with higher education levels. High resilience was significantly associated with a lower perception of threat from COVID-19. The results of the representative survey in the German old age population showed that one out of five adults aged 65 years and older had high resilience. Older adults with high resilience tended to feel less threatened by COVID-19. Further research on resilience in old age is needed to support vulnerable groups in the context of care.

scholarly journals Sex in Late Life: Assessing Adults’ Expectations and the Role of Healthcare Professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 313-313
Author(s):  
Jill Naar ◽  
Raven Weaver ◽  
Shelbie Turner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Growth Curve Models ◽  
The Us ◽  
Sexual Health Behaviors ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Sexual activity contributes to quality of life throughout the lifespan. However, stigma about sex in late life influences older adults’ perceptions and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of older adults’ sexual health/behaviors. Using a multi-methods approach, we examined attitudes and knowledge about sexual health/behaviors in late life. Using longitudinal data from the Midlife in the US Study (Wave 1-3; N=7049), we ran age-based growth curve models to analyze changes in levels of optimism about sex in their future. We also piloted a survey with healthcare professionals assessing attitudes, knowledge, and awareness of policy about sexual health/behaviors among older adults. Adults’ expectations became less optimistic with increased age (β = -0.1, SE = 0.003, p &lt; .0001). Men were more optimistic than women at age 20 (p = 0.016), but men’s optimism decreased over the life course at a faster rate than did women’s (p &lt; .0001), so that from ages 40-93, men were less optimistic than women. Among healthcare professionals (N=21), the majority indicated never or rarely asking their clients about sexual history or health/behaviors; however, they indicated some knowledge about issues relevant to older adults (e.g., safe-sex practices, sexual dysfunction). Few indicated awareness about policies related to sexual behavior among residents (i.e., issues of consent, STIs). Among adults, there is a need to address declining optimism for expectations about sex in late life. Health professionals are well-situated to raise awareness and normalize discussions about sexual health, thus countering negative stigma and contributing to increasing optimism for expectations to remain sexually active.

The ‘loneliness pandemic’: implications for gerontological nursing

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 652-655
Author(s):  
Carlos Laranjeira
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Gerontological Nursing

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled states to limit free movement, in order to protect at-risk and more vulnerable groups, particularly older adults. Due to old age or debilitating chronic diseases, this group is also more vulnerable to loneliness (perceived discrepancy between actual and desired social relationships) and social isolation (feeling that one does not belong to society). This forced isolation has negative consequences for the health of older people, particularly their mental health. This is an especially challenging time for gerontological nursing, but it is also an opportunity for professionals to combat age stereotypes reinforced with COVID-19, to urge the measurement of loneliness and social isolation, and to rethink how to further adjust interventions in times of crisis, such as considering technology-mediated interventions in these uncertain times.

scholarly journals The media image of Chinese older people: From stigmatic stereotype to diverse self-representation

2021 ◽  
pp. 205943642110125
Author(s):  
Kun Li
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Media Studies ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Media Image ◽  
Past Life ◽  
The Media ◽  
Leisure And Recreation ◽  
Chinese Older People

From the perspective of communication and media studies, this article explores a comparison between the image of older adults presented on media and online self-representation facilitated by the use of smartphones. The qualitative textual analysis was conducted with a sample (228 posts, from 1 January to 31 December,2019) selected from a representative WeChat Public Account targeting at older adults in China. The results demonstrate that leisure and recreation is the most frequently mentioned topic (58%) with memories of past life receiving the least references (3%). The striking features of popular posts among older people include a highly emotional tone, bright colours and multimedia. Sentiment analyses shows 68.42%, 13.16% and 18.42% of positive, neutral and negative emotions, respectively. A generally positive attitude of self-representation is in a sharp contrast with the stigmatic media image of older adults. The article concludes that the visibility of Chinese older people may help to reduce the stigma surrounding old age in China.

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