scholarly journals Predictors of Loneliness among Older Adults in South-Eastern Nigeria : Implications for Social Workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-19
Author(s):  
Samuel O. Ebimgbo ◽  
Chiemezie S. Atama ◽  
Chinyere E. Onalu ◽  
Inyomoma A. Obasi-Igwe ◽  
Gabriel U. Aghaedo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Binary Regression Analysis

Old-age loneliness is a crucial public health issue with mortality consequences as well as other negative health conditions and lifestyles including depression, substance abuse, sedentary lifestyles, and suicide ideation. This study investigated the predictors of loneliness among older adults in Nigeria’s southeast in order to articulate some interventions that will plummet the issue. A structured questionnaire (N = 516), in-depth interviews (N = 8), and focus group discussion (N = 16) were used to collect data from respondents aged 60 years or older. The quantitative data sets were subjected to chi-square and binary regression analysis, while a thematic analysis was adopted for the qualitative data. The study’s findings show that some demographic factors such as the number of children (p < .002), health status (p < .023), and social support (p < .014), among others, were statistically significant in predicting loneliness among older adults. The study, therefore, recommends the consideration of community-based services to enable elderly adults to buffer the experience of loneliness. Social workers should also influence the various organs responsible for social policies to formulate and promote policies that address the well-being of older adults.

scholarly journals Self-reported morbidities, nutritional characteristics, and associated factors in institutionalized and non-institutionalized older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelhafid Benksim ◽  
Rachid Ait Addi ◽  
Elhassania Khalloufi ◽  
Aziz Habibi ◽  
Mohamed Cherkaoui
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Nutritional Characteristics

Abstract Background As the world’s population ages and people live longer, it seems important to ensure that older people have a good quality of life and positive subjective well-being. The objective of this study is to determine socio-economic, health and nutritional characteristics of institutionalized and non-institutionalized elders in the province of Marrakech. Methods This study was conducted among 368 older adults in the province of Marrakech between March 2017 and June 2019. Of all participants, 180 older adults reside in a public institution and 188 of them live in their own homes. Data on health conditions, nutritional status, functional and socio-economic characteristics were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 16.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Institutionalized elders were illiterate (80.0%), had low incomes (95.5%), and unmarried (73.3%), they reported also no children (56.1%) and no health insurance (98.9%). Institutional residents suffered from malnutrition (22.2%), hearing impairments (35.6%) and severe edentulism (43.3%). There was no significant difference between both groups on daily activities and depression. A multivariate analysis identified a model with three significant variables associated with non-institutionalized elders: health insurance (P = 0.001; OR = 107.49), number of children (P = 0.001; OR = 1.74) and nutritional status (p = 0.001; OR = 3.853). Conclusions This study shows that the institutionalization of older adults is considerably induced by various factors such as nutritional problems, lack of health insurance and family structure. To mitigate the effects of this phenomenon, home care strategies and preventive actions should be implemented to delay the institutionalization of older adults and therefore keep them socially active in their own homes.

scholarly journals LONELINESS AND SUICIDE IDEATION IN OLDER ADULTS: A LONGITUDINAL INVESTIGATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S594-S594
Author(s):  
Marnin J Heisel
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Canadian City ◽  
Psychological Risk

Abstract Older adults have the highest rates of suicide globally, necessitating theory and research investigating suicide and its prevention in later-life. The experience of loneliness is significantly associated with depression, hopelessness, negative health outcomes, and mortality among older adults. Yet, relatively little research has focused on the role of loneliness in conferring suicide risk in later life. The purpose of the present study was thus to investigate the potential associations between loneliness and suicide ideation and behavior in a sample of community-residing older adults recruited into a larger two-year longitudinal study of psychological risk and resiliency to later-life suicide ideation. We specifically recruited 173 adults, 65 years or older, from community locations in a medium-sized Canadian city, for a study on “healthy aging.” Participants completed measures of positive and negative psychological variables, including depression, loneliness, and suicide ideation at a baseline assessment, and again at 2-4 week, 6-12 month, and 1-2 year follow-up points. Findings indicated that loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale) was significantly positively associated with concurrent depression and suicide ideation, negatively associated with psychological well-being and perceived social support, and differentiated between participants who endorsed or denied having ever engaged in suicide behavior. Baseline loneliness also explained significant variability in the onset of suicide ideation over a 1-2 year period of follow-up, controlling for age, sex, and baseline depression and suicide ideation. These findings will be discussed in the context of the need for increased focus on psychosocial factors when assessing and intervening to reduce suicide risk in older adults.

scholarly journals Elder Mistreatment and Psychological Well-Being among Older Americans

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7525
Author(s):  
Ronald W. Berkowsky
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Elder Mistreatment ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Older Americans

Elder mistreatment is a major public health issue both in the US and around the globe. While extensive research has elucidated the association between elder mistreatment and health in older adults, little is known about the relationship between elder mistreatment and more eudaimonic measures of psychological well-being. Using data from the 2011 wave of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, this project examined the association between older adults’ experience with varied forms of elder mistreatment and eudaimonic dimensions of psychological well-being including autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Ordinary least squares regression analyses found significant associations between experiences of elder mistreatment and psychological well-being. In particular, older adults who reported feeling that someone was too controlling over their daily lives and older adults who reported making donations to organizations they later worried were not legitimate reported significantly lower scores on all six psychological well-being dimensions. The results of this study suggest the negative effects of elder mistreatment can extend to more eudaimonic feelings of well-being, and programs designed to treat victims of elder mistreatment should incorporate strategies that help strengthen psychological well-being.

Covid-19 and Older Adults: The Paradox of Control Measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-305
Author(s):  
Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu ◽  
Christopher Ndubuisi Ngwu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
The World

It is no longer news that Covid-19 pandemic has become a major public health issue around the world and affected day to day activities of public life. Medical experts around the world were overwhelmed by the Covid-19 virus outbreak and for a long time were unable to provide a vaccine or any pharmaceutical treatment. Countries were therefore forced to adopt unprecedented Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures to mitigate the spread and impact of the virus. These measures which are non-pharmacological includes, social distancing, social isolation, lockdown, constant washing of hands, wearing of face mask and protective gloves etc. However, these measures aimed at protecting the health care systems, have had some side effects on the health and well-being of older adults. In this letter, we have highlighted social distancing as the main challenge and a paradox for older peoples wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. The merits of the IPC measures notwithstanding, its long and short term consequences for the mental health of older adults calls for concern. Among other recommendations, professionals of ageing and geriatrics are recommended to help set a balance in IPC measures and mental health of older people in this Covid-19 era.

scholarly journals THE UNIQUE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIP QUALITY FOR COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S962-S963
Author(s):  
Ashley M Tate ◽  
Lynn Martire
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Network Growth ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Future Work

Abstract Social networks can directly influence the health and well-being of older adults. Some work has suggested that network growth is associated with increased well-being. However, little is known about how the quality of relationships with confidants may be associated with better psychological well-being over and above the number of confidants. We aimed to test the hypothesis that feeling closer to confidants would be associated with lower anxiety and fewer depressive symptoms above and beyond the influence of the number of confidants as well as the number of children and grandchildren. To test this hypothesis, we collected data during face-to-face interviews with 131 community-dwelling adults who were between the ages of 58 and 94. Participants’ gender, age, marital status, self-rated health, and cognitive function were included as covariates in the models. In line with predictions, regression analyses showed that average closeness with confidants predicted significantly lower reports of anxiety (p &lt; .05) and depressive symptoms (p &lt; .001). Additionally, the number of confidants was not significantly associated with anxiety or depressive symptoms. Interestingly, having a greater number of children and grandchildren was associated with increased anxiety symptoms. These results extend previous work by suggesting that the quality of the relationship with confidants is more important for psychological well-being than the number of confidants. Future work should test these associations longitudinally so that directionality can be inferred.

scholarly journals “Stuck at Home”: Empowering Homebound Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kelling ◽  
Hee Soon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Nutritional Risk ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Basic Human Needs ◽  
Homebound Older Adults

Homebound older adults are a highly vulnerable and isolated population that social workers serve. The objective of this study is to understand the daily needs and challenges of this group to understand how social workers can empower this population to enhance well-being and help meet basic human needs. Existing data was accessed from assessment forms at a local senior center to understand more about 502 home-delivered meal recipients.  Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed to see common characteristics and prevalent needs in the sample. Logistic regression analysis reveals that those who are living alone are 2.1 times more live-in poverty than those who live with someone. Likewise, those who are living alone are 8.4 times more at high nutritional risk than those who live with someone. Qualitative data revealed the importance of agency services and strong social supports to help older adults meet basic human needs on a daily basis. This article discusses what further can be done to support homebound older adults by identifying problem areas relating to living and eating alone.

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Economic Activities and Well-being of Older Adults in South-eastern Nigeria: Lessons for Gerontological Social Workers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Patricia Uju Agbawodikeizu ◽  
Chigozie Donatus Ezulike ◽  
Prince Chiagozie Ekoh ◽  
Elizabeth Onyedikachi George ◽  
Uzoma Odera Okoye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Gerontological Social Workers ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONALS’ PERCEPTIONS OF AGE-FRIENDLY EMPLOYMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S803-S803
Author(s):  
Mi Sun Choi ◽  
Holly Dabelko-Schoeny ◽  
Katie White ◽  
Marisa Sheldon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Second Phase

Abstract Many researchers have attempted to find alternative ways to address the challenges of the aging workforce. Applying the concept of age-friendly to work settings may be a promising strategy to promote older adults’ well-being in the workplace. However, age-friendly employment is an abstract concept, and empirical research identifying its features is lacking. Also, few studies adequately represented the diverse characteristics of different industries and stakeholder’s perceptions of age-friendly work environments. This study used focus group data and the Delphi method, along with existing literature to create an instrument to measure age-friendliness in diverse work environments. In partnership with a senior employment organization serving central Ohio, six human resources (HR) professionals participated in a focus group discussion and 10 HR professionals participated in a two-round Delphi study. In the focus group discussion, HR professionals identified flexibility, mobility, ergonomics, health benefits, and respect as age-friendly aspects in the workplace. We developed 37 items within five subcategories: accommodation, development, maintenance, utilization, and inclusion. In the first round, HR professionals assessed the importance of each item, presenting training opportunities for employees of all ages as the most important practice; four weeks later they examined the revised 33 items in regard to the feasibility of their real-world implementation, showing 100% agreements among experts in career advice, opportunities for promotion, involving decision making, educating age discrimination, and formal acknowledgment. The second phase of this study will include scale evaluation to confirm its reliability and validity with a broader number of HR professionals and older adults.

scholarly journals Driving Frequency and Well-Being in Older Adulthood

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 753-753
Author(s):  
Zainab Suntai ◽  
Kefentse Kubanga ◽  
Abhay Lidbe ◽  
Emmanuel Adanu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Driving Frequency ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Social Events ◽  
Theory Of Aging

Abstract The activity theory of aging suggests that older adults age successfully when they remain active and engaged. While many older adults are still able to drive, not all are as engaged in social activities, despite having the transportation to be able to do so. As such, this study aimed to examine the association between the frequency of driving and overall well-being among older adults. The hypothesis is that older adults who drive more frequently would have higher well-being, as they are likely driving to engaging activities. A sample of 1,663 older adults who reported that they are able to drive were derived from the 2018 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). The NHATS is an annual longitudinal panel of survey of adults aged 65 and older living in the United States. Chi-square tests were used for bivariate analyses and a weighted multivariable logistic regression model was used to predict well-being based on driving frequency. Results showed that compared to those who drive every day, those who drive most days (OR=0.771, CI= [0.768-0.775]), some days (OR=0.495, CI= [0.492-0.497]), rarely (OR=0.558, CI= [0.555-0.562]) or never (OR=0.371, CI= [0.367-0.374]) were less likely to have high well-being. Interventions geared at improving well-being among older adults should therefore consider increasing awareness of social events, to ensure that older adults who are able to drive can have a good quality of life by driving to social activities.

scholarly journals Religion, Spirituality, and Well-Being: An Underexplored Aspect of Growing Older in the United Kingdom?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 678-678
Author(s):  
Christina Victor ◽  
Ruth Lamont ◽  
Isla Rippon ◽  
Linda Clare
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
European Social Survey ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Religion And Spirituality ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Uk

Abstract There is a rich literature from The United States looking at the importance of religion and spirituality in the lives of older adults where it is positively linked with wellbeing. Despite the increased interest in wellbeing in the UK comparatively little interest has been show in the role of religion and spirituality in promoting wellbeing including quality of life, life satisfaction and loneliness. In this paper we explore these issues using three data sets: the European Social Survey (ESS), the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and the IDEAL cohort of people with dementia and their carers to examine (a) the variation in religious practice by older adults, those aged 50+, across Europe; (b) the epidemiology of religious practice among older adults within England and (c) using both ELSA and IDEAL consider the relationship between religion and wellbeing in later life.

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