scholarly journals Sexuality Beyond Young Adulthood: Affordances and Barriers to Sexual Expression in the Nursing Home

2020 ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
Angela Schubert ◽  
Mark Pope
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Human Sexuality ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Sexual Expression ◽  
Staff Perceptions ◽  
Nursing Facility ◽  
Almost All

Human sexuality is part of life, regardless of age or where someone resides. Previous research on older adult sexual expression in nursing homes has primarily focused on staff perceptions – almost all of which was conducted using quantitative methods. This phenomenological study aimed to explore sexual expression as it was perceived, experienced, and practiced by ten older adults, ages 65 and older, residing in a nursing facility. This paper will explore themes associated with the self-perception of affordances and barriers to engage in sexual expression, and how we as mental health counselors may best serve the needs of older adults and advocate for affirming policies.

Intergenerational Choir: A Qualitative Exploration of Lived Experiences of Older Adults and Student Music Therapists

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sekyung Jang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
New Members ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Research And Education

Abstract The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the essence of an intergenerational choir experience for older adults and student music therapists. Data were gathered through a series of open-ended individual interviews with older adult participants (n = 10) and student participants (n = 5). Analysis of data revealed four emerging themes common to both older adults and students: mutual learning, social bonding and support, feelings of accomplishment, and appreciation and enjoyment. Emerging themes unique to the older adult community members were that (a) participation challenges came from differences in musical culture; (b) intergenerational choir promoted experience of emotional health and helped maintain an active lifestyle; and (c) community members were passionate about recruiting new members to expand the choir. Emerging themes unique to the student music therapists were that (a) intergenerational choir provided unique ensemble experiences and (b) students reported positive changes in perception of older adults. Implications of intergenerational music engagement for music therapy clinical practice, research, and education are discussed.

Counselor Knowledge of the Age-Specific Features of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-162
Author(s):  
Joselyn Salaz ◽  
Antonio P. Gutierrez ◽  
Cass Dykeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Training And Research

Abstract. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder in older adults. To date, however, no measure exists to assess counselor knowledge of older-adult GAD including these age-specific features. A measure entitled the Counseling Older Adult GAD Knowledge Inventory (COGI) was developed to fill this gap. Based on research with other areas of counselor knowledge, we hypothesized a unidimensional factor structure to this area of knowledge and tested the COGI on 100 practicing mental-health counselors. A minimum average partial test revealed one factor of 13 items. This factor was entitled: Knowledge of GAD in Older Adults. No item querying prevalence was retained. Potential uses of the COGI in training and research were discussed.

Talk or Walk? Gait Speed over Self-Report in Association with Cognitive Speed in Healthy Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-52
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Costello ◽  
Shane J. Sizemore ◽  
Kimberly E. O’Brien ◽  
Lydia K. Manning
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Subjective Report ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Relative Value ◽  
Cognitive Speed ◽  
Age Range

Abstract. This study explores the relative value of both subjectively reported cognitive speed and gait speed in association with objectively derived cognitive speed. It also explores how these factors are affected by psychological and physical well-being. A group of 90 cognitively healthy older adults ( M = 73.38, SD = 8.06 years, range = 60–89 years) were tested in a three-task cognitive battery to determine objective cognitive speed as well as measures of gait speed, well-being, and subjective cognitive speed. Analyses indicated that gait speed was associated with objective cognitive speed to a greater degree than was subjective report, the latter being more closely related to well-being than to objective cognitive speed. These results were largely invariant across the 30-year age range of our older adult sample.

Prescription of Exercise in Older Adults, Physiotherapeutic Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Exercise Prescription

• Identify the changes related to aging that must be taken into account for the prescription of the exercise • Define the appropriate functional assessmentsforthe prescription of the exercise in the older adult • Recognize the factors that influence the adherence to exercise by older adults • Describe according to the objectives the correct exercise prescription for older adults.

scholarly journals Physical Inactivity in Older Adult Couples: A Dyadic Analysis Using Continuous In-Home Monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 412-412
Author(s):  
Chao-Yi Wu ◽  
Lyndsey Miller ◽  
Rachel Wall ◽  
Zachary Beattie ◽  
Jeffrey Kaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Home Monitoring ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Dyadic Analysis ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Aging Research

Abstract Many older adults remain inactive despite the known positive health implications of physical activity (e.g. improved mood, reduced mortality risk). Physical inactivity is a known interdependent phenomenon in couples, but the majority of research identifies determinants of physical inactivity at the individual level. We estimated the average amount of physical inactivity for older adult couples and, using dyadic analysis, identified physical and mental health determinants thereof. Forty-eight heterosexual older adult couples (mean age=70.6, SD=6.63) from the Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 cohort of the Collaborative Aging Research using Technology (CART) initiative were included in this study. Both dyad members wore actigraph devices for a month. The average number per day of inactive periods (defined as no movement or sleep activity for ≥ 30 minutes) was estimated. Multilevel modeling revealed that, within couples, there was no difference between partners in the average number of inactive periods, but on average across couples, males had more inactive periods per day (13.4, SD=4.43) than females (12.3, SD=4.87). For males, older age was the only variable associated with more inactive periods (β=0.13, p=.013). For females, more depressive symptoms in men were associated with fewer inactive periods (β=-0.37, p=.002), and more dependence in completing their own IADLs predicted more inactive periods (β=2.80, p<.001). All models were adjusted for covariates. Viewing couples’ activity as a unit, rather than as separate individuals, provides a novel approach to identifying pathways to reduce inactivity in older adults, especially when focusing on mental health issues and decreased independence within the couple.

scholarly journals Sex Difference in Self-Reported Sexual Functioning Among Frail Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 313-313
Author(s):  
Brianne Olivieri-Mui ◽  
Sandra Shi ◽  
Ellen McCarthy ◽  
Dae Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Frailty may differentially impact how older adult males and females perceive sexual functioning, an important part of well-being. We assessed the level of frailty (robust, pre-frail, frail) for anyone with data on 11 sexual functioning questions asked in wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, 2010-2011 (n=2060). Questions covered five domains: overall sexual function (OSF), sexual function anxiety (SFA), changes in sexual function (CSF), erectile/vaginal dysfunction (EVD), and masturbation. Logistic regression identified sex differences in frailty and reporting worse sexual functioning. Linear regression predicted the number of domains reported as worse. Among males (n=1057), pre-frailty meant higher odds of reporting SFA (OR 1.8 95%CI 1.2-6.6), CSF (OR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.7), and EVD (OR 1.5 95%CI 1.0-2.2). Among females (n=1003), there was no difference in reporting by frailty. Females were more likely to report worse OSF (Robust: OR 7.4, 95%CI 4.8-11.4; Pre-frail: OR 6.2, 95%CI 3.9-9.9; Frail: OR 3.4 95%CI 1.7-6.6), but less likely to report SFA (Robust OR .3, 95%CI .2-.5; Pre-frail OR .2, 95%CI .1-.3; Frail OR .2 95%CI .1-.3). Pre-frail and frail females reported fewer domains as worse (Pre-frail coefficient -0.21 SE 0.09, Frail -0.43 SE 0.14). As frailty worsened, males reported more domains as worse (Pre-frail 0.24 SE 0.07, Frail 0.29 SE 0.08). Self-reported sexual functioning differs by sex at all levels of frailty, and reporting by males, but not females, changes with frailty. Providers should be aware that sexual functioning is of importance to both sexes despite varying degrees of frailty.

Depressive Symptoms Among Rural “Left-Behind” Older Adults: A Test of the High Outmigration Penalty Hypothesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Song ◽  
Haowei Wang ◽  
Jeffery A Burr
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Adult Density ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Older Chinese Adults

Abstract Objectives We investigated whether there was a “high outmigration penalty” for psychological health among older adults in rural China by assessing 2 potential community stressors associated with major sociodemographic changes in the community—increased outmigration and older adult density. We also investigated whether disparities in community economic conditions moderated the association between community stressors and depressive symptoms. Methods We employed 3 waves of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011–2015), using multilevel negative binomial models to address our research questions. Results Our results supported the “high outmigration penalty” hypothesis. Older adults living in low-income rural communities may experience an aggravated mental health penalty compared to those living in high-income rural communities. Higher older adult density was also associated with more depressive symptoms but only in less wealthy communities. Community differences in economic conditions were key factors buffering the high outmigration disadvantage associated with the psychological health of older Chinese adults. Discussion Rural outmigration may have deepened existing intercommunity health disparities among older adults. Policies should be developed to address community-level factors negatively associated with the well-being of older Chinese adults living in high outmigration and less wealthy rural communities.

scholarly journals Older Adults as Citizen Scientists and Policy and Planning Voices in Higher Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 547-547
Author(s):  
Lenard Kaye ◽  
Sarah Burby
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Retirement Communities ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
University Policy ◽  
Adult Participation ◽  
Life Education ◽  
Older Citizens

Abstract The University of Maine is embarking on achieving AFU status. In addition to maximizing older adult participation in all facets of campus life (education, recreation, culture, etc.), their presence in nontraditional sectors of university activity will be emphasized. Building on the principles of community-based, participatory research, focal points of UMaine’s AFU strategy will be to ensure that age-specific, engagement mechanisms are created and maintained that ensure older citizens play an influential role in guiding and interpreting academic research and development and curricula innovation across multiple professions and disciplines. Using a state-wide, older adult research registry, and co-design, community test-beds in partnership with continuing care retirement communities, older adults will serve as citizen scientists. Other empowerment strategies for maximizing elder voice include expanding the number of departments that incorporate life span perspectives in their mission statements and expanding the number of older adult advisory bodies that inform university policy and practice.

Enhancing Wellbeing for Older Adults With Serious Mental Illnesses: Co-Producing a Positive Psychology Course With Certified Older Adult Peer Specialists

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232199204
Author(s):  
Lydia P. Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Peer Specialists ◽  
Psychology Course ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses

Compared to peers in the general population, persons aging with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) face physical health disparities, increased isolation, and decreased subjective experiences of quality of life and wellbeing. To date, limited intervention research focuses on addressing specific needs of persons aging with SMIs and no interventions targeted for that population are informed by the theory and science of positive psychology. With the aim of co-producing a positive-psychology-based program to enhance wellbeing for older adults with SMIs, the author held a series of focus groups and individual interviews with six certified older adult peer specialists. Analysis of the data developed in-depth insights into helpful processes, values, and priorities of individuals aging with SMIs, as well as the creation of a wellbeing-enhancing course curriculum.

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