scholarly journals Obstacles to Using Assistive Technology for Older Adults – Results from a Focus Group Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Fotteler ◽  
Beate Risch ◽  
Petra Gaugisch ◽  
Jan-Lukas Furmanek ◽  
Walter Swoboda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Related Case ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Coherent Information

Much hope is placed in the use of assistive technologies (AT) to support older adults and retain their independence and quality of life. AT could also be a way to help fulfill the increasing requirements of caring for an aging population. While many devices are freely available, successful and broad adoption is progressing slowly. In a qualitative analysis, we investigated the popularity of AT and the willingness to and obstacles for use. Eleven older adults aged 62–85 participated in three groups, each focusing on a specific age-related case example. Using content analysis, statements have been categorized into three levels: the affected person, their surroundings, and supportive devices. Information (knowledge, consultation) was the topic spoken about the most (n=101), followed by statements focusing on everyday life and the use of assistive devices (n=99). Comments on economic topics carried the least weight (n=28). The biggest obstacles for the reluctant adoption of AT don’t seem to be acceptance issues but rather a lack of knowledge of AT and where to get counseling. Thus, the provision and promotion of coherent information material and accessible consultation for users and relatives should be prioritized. AT training for healthcare professionals can provide further opportunities.

scholarly journals Gaming Technology to Support Leisure Activities Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
Walter Boot
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Gaming Technology ◽  
Research And Education

Abstract There has been a great deal of research on technology to support older adults in their performance of Activities and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. There has been substantially less research, however, on exploring technology solutions that support hobbies and leisure. This is unfortunate, as quality of life and well-being are determined by more than just one’s ability to manage everyday tasks. An overview will be presented of research the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) has conducted over two decades with the goals of understanding and supporting older adults’ performance of technology-based leisure activities. Many of these studies have involved videogaming, where there exists a substantial age-related digital divide. CREATE has evaluated older adults’ attitudes and game experiences through survey and research studies and has even recorded longitudinal gameplay. How these findings can be applied to support technology-based leisure activities will be expanded upon. Part of a symposium sponsored by Technology and Aging Interest Group.

Internet Use among Older Adults

2013 ◽  
pp. 124-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiwei Chen ◽  
Bob Lee ◽  
Robert M. Kirk
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Selective Optimization With Compensation ◽  
Emotional Processes ◽  
Age Related

Older adults (65 and above) are the fastest growing population to use computers and the Internet in their everyday lives. The primary purpose of this chapter is to use a Lifespan Developmental Perspective to examine both the constraints and the opportunities of Internet use among older adults. Given age-related changes in physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional processes, older adults may encounter different constraints in Internet use from younger adults. The Selective Optimization with Compensation model is used to explore opportunities for older adults in using the Internet to improve quality of life. Future product designs and training programs should take into account older adults’ physical and cognitive limitations, as well as their socio-emotional needs. It is also recommended that social policies should help older adults overcome these constraints in order to reduce age-related digital divide and promote quality of life for older adults.

The Influence of Social Support and Coping on Quality of Life Among Elderly With Age-Related Hearing Loss

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Moser ◽  
Wolfgang Luxenberger ◽  
Wolfgang Freidl
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
World Health ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss

Purpose The consequences of hearing loss hinder the everyday life of older adults and are associated with reduced well-being. The research aim was to explore the influence of hearing problems, various coping strategies, and perceived social support on quality of life. Method Sixty-five older adults with age-related hearing loss (≥55 years) in Austria participated and completed a paper–pencil survey with standardized questionnaires: Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (Ventry and Weinstein, 1982), Assessment for Coping and Stress (Laireiter, 1997), short form of the Social Support Questionnaire (Fydrich, Sommer, Tydecks, & Brähler, 2009), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale–Brief Version (World Health Organization, 1996). Results Quality of life was predicted by perceived social support and the number of comorbid diseases (i.e., the physical, psychological, environmental, and social quality of life was better the greater the extent of perceived social support and poorer the more diseases from which the participants suffered). Conclusions Perceived social support may be a relevant factor to focus on in auditory rehabilitation programs, in particular, for participants who communicate little support in hearing-related situations and are, hence, at a relative disadvantage. The involvement of significant others in counseling could facilitate the everyday life for older adults with age-related hearing loss and their significant others.

“I Could Do Stereotypical Old People Things … but I Feel Like I Would Get Bored With That Stuff”: College Students’ Proactive Steps to Avoid Negative Aspects of Aging

2020 ◽  
pp. 009141502098188
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Hahn ◽  
Jennifer M. Kinney
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
College Students ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Old People ◽  
Interpretive Phenomenology ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Age Related

The preventive and corrective proactivity model explores how internal and external resources mediate age-related stressors to counter negative outcomes of aging. Older adults’ proactivity about their future is consistently associated with higher quality of life, but research has not explored younger adults’ perceptions of their aging. We used interpretive phenomenology analysis to analyze 24 students’ essays from the beginning and end of an introductory gerontology course to understand anticipated adaptation to their 75-year-old self. The superordinate theme proactive steps to avoid negative aspects of aging comprised five subordinate themes (being productive, exercising and eating right, being financially stable, being socially connected, and the roles of older adults). Students presented unrealistically positive selves at 75 and discussed how to maintain and adapt to redefine their aging experience. Findings have implications for research on adaption, proactivity, and the future-self, and suggest that pedagogy incorporates realistic expectations of aging.

scholarly journals Caloric Restriction May Help Delay the Onset of Frailty and Support Frailty Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pan Liu ◽  
Yun Li ◽  
Lina Ma
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Caloric Restriction ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Frailty is an age-related clinical syndrome that may increase the risk of falls, disability, hospitalization, and death in older adults. Delaying the progression of frailty helps improve the quality of life in older adults. Caloric restriction (CR) may extend lifespan and reduce the risk of age-related diseases. However, few studies have explored the relationship between CR and frailty. In this review, we focused on the impact of CR on frailty and aimed to identify potential associated mechanisms. Although CR may help prevent frailty, further studies are required to determine the underlying mechanisms and specific CR regimens suitable for use in humans.

scholarly journals Kinesiophobia dilemma for older adults: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alebtekin Ahangari ◽  
Mohammad Abdolrahmani
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Age Related

Kinesiophobia is one of the pain complications which eventually might cause disability. Several studies showed correlation between age-related problems with kinsiophobia. The objective was to investigate clinical trials about managing kinesiophobia among older adults aged +65 years until March 2020. PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO databases were electronically searched until March 2020. All studies about kinesiophobia, with clinical trials, and randomized trials study design among older adults aged +65 years were included in the review. Two set of searching terms including ‘kinesiophobia AND intervention’ and ‘fear of movement AND intervention’ were used. From a total of 2669 articles, after excluding for different reasons, only three articles with total of 87 participants, mean age 68.5, all from Turkey related to the objectives of this study remained. Two of them were evaluated using two different physiotherapy approaches to manage neck pain and low back pain and one of them was regarding falls. Kinesiophobia was used as measure for the effectiveness of treatments. Older adults with routine and properly designed exercise and activity are healthier, with a lower probability for disability and therefore higher quality of life and longer healthy life. But to reach those goals, agerelated diseases and barriers should be investigated.

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND AGING IN PLACE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S330-S330
Author(s):  
George Mois ◽  
Tiffany R Washington ◽  
Jenay M Beer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Self Confidence

Abstract Many of the challenges that often accompany longevity can affect older adults’ quality of life (QOL). Adoption of an assistive technology ecosystem presents the potential to alleviate these challenges and improve QOL. An assistive technology ecosystem refers to the use of multiple assistive technologies to address a set of challenges affecting single or multiple characteristics of older adults’ QOL. However, little is known how technology can influence characteristics of older adult’s QOL. The purpose of this study was to investigate how using technology can improve older adults QOL. Data from the 2016 wave of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) were analyzed using four logistic regression models. The sample included are older adults age 65+ (N=5,488). The dependent variables used in this study were QOL indicators such as self-confidence, continue improving life, likes living arrangement, and self-determination. The variables used to measure technology included computer, cell phone, tablet, and internet use. Older adults who used the internet had significantly higher odds of reporting self-determination (OR=1.68), like living arrangement (OR= 1.97) and continue improving life. Tablet users had significantly higher odds of continuing to improve their life (OR= 1.249) and increased self-determination (OR= 1.174). Cellphone users had significantly higher odds of having self-confidence (OR= 2.814). These findings support the need for a network of resources accessed through an ecosystem of technologies to address the challenges encountered by older adults aging in place. This study’s findings can inform technology education programs, interventions, and assist with the development of support networks.

scholarly journals Muscular Strength and Quality of Life in Older Adults: The Role of ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1055
Author(s):  
Ana Fernández-Araque ◽  
Andrea Giaquinta-Aranda ◽  
Jose Andrés Rodríguez-Díez ◽  
Silvia Carretero-Molinero ◽  
Jorge López-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Regression Coefficient ◽  
Hand Grip Strength ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Age Related

As longevity is increasing, the 65-year-old and older population is projected to increase in the next decades, as are the consequences of age-related muscle deterioration on the quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of the ACTN3R577X polymorphism with quality of life and muscular strength in an older Spanish population. In total, 281 older adults participated in this study. Anthropometric measurements, chronic diseases, prescribed medications, quality of life, hand grip strength, and physical activity and nutritional status data were collected. ACTN3 R577X genotyping was determined using Taqman probes. Multivariate regression analysis revealed in adjusted model that, in men, the ACTN3 R577X genotype was significantly associated with hand grip strength (HGS), regression coefficient (β) = 1.23, p = 0.008, dimension 1 of the five-dimension questionnaire EuroQoL (EQ-5D, mobility), (β) = −1.44, p = 0.006, and clinical group risk (CGR) category (β) = −1.38, p = 0.006. In women, a marginal association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and the CGR category was observed, with a regression coefficient of (β) = −0.97, (p = 0.024). Our findings suggest that the ACTN3 R577X genotype may influence the decline in muscle strength and quality of life in older Spanish adult males.

scholarly journals Sense of Community and Quality of Life for Older Adults In Puerto Rico 2 Years After Hurricane Maria

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 23-23
Author(s):  
Tommy Buckley ◽  
Denise Burnette ◽  
Humberto Fabelo ◽  
Mauricio Yabar
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Psychological sense of community plays an important role in the wellbeing of older adults, especially in cultures that revolve around community involvement and support. In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, deeply altering community structure and social life. This study draws on the Ecological Theory of Aging to test the proposition that older adults’ sense of community is associated with self-assessed quality of life two years later. We conducted face-to-face interviews with a non-probability sample of 154 community-dwelling adults aged 60+ in Puerto Rico. We measured sense of community with the Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) (range 0-32, mean= 24.75, SD= 6.04) and quality of life (QOL) with the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index (range 0-32, mean= 21.61, SD=5.92). We used multiple linear regression to test the association of sense of community and quality of life while controlling for relevant covariates. Higher levels of sense of community were associated with better quality of life (β=0.270, p<0.001), while increased mental health symptoms (β=-0.557, p<0.001) and poor self-rated health (β=2.964, SE=7.17, p<0.001) were associated with lower quality of life. Findings indicate that sense of community is an important contributor to older adult’s quality of life in Puerto Rico, perhaps in part due to cultural and age-related factors. Moreover, sense of community may serve as a protective factor against adverse outcomes after large scale natural disasters. Researchers should continue to examine this association while advocating for and developing policies and programs that promote older adults' sense of community in post-disaster contexts.

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