{"title":"Development and Peer Review of an Evidence-Based Decision-Support Tool for Non-Drug Prescribing for Healthy Ageing","authors":"Zara Quail, M. Carter, Charles Young","doi":"10.3390/jal3020010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3020010","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Promoting healthy ageing is increasingly important to maintain functional ability and wellbeing in older age. However, there is a lack of consolidated evidence-based information to support the selection of non-drug interventions to support healthy ageing outcomes for individuals. Methods: A narrative review of the evidence-based literature on non-drug interventions to support healthy ageing was performed. Evidence for intervention benefits was evaluated and mapped into the Systematic Wellness Intervention Pathway framework and aligned to relevant goals, needs and outcomes relating to physical fitness and function, emotional wellbeing, cognitive health, sleep and diet and nutrition. Comments from a modified Delphi survey of 75 expert peer reviewers were analysed to inform the development of the next Pathway iteration. Results: The narrative review identified key healthy ageing interventions, including physical activity, social interaction, interventions for emotional wellbeing, creative and cognitively stimulating activities and diet and nutrition. Peer review survey results indicated majority agreement with all domains and non-drug interventions for healthy ageing in the Pathway, and suggested interventions and outcome revisions informed Pathway iteration. Conclusion: The Pathway could be a step forward in operationalising the delivery of non-drug interventions in an accessible and scalable way, supplementing conventional health and social care, to enable older people to live well for longer.","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48276249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Fernandes, Camila Neto, Catarina Silva, Sara Dionísio, Susana Oliveira, Isabel Amorim, Alice Delerue Matos, Maria Manuela Martins
{"title":"“The Ark of Rights”: Development of a Board Game to Empower Older Adults Regarding Their Rights","authors":"C. Fernandes, Camila Neto, Catarina Silva, Sara Dionísio, Susana Oliveira, Isabel Amorim, Alice Delerue Matos, Maria Manuela Martins","doi":"10.3390/jal3010009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010009","url":null,"abstract":"There is an urgent need to ensure the rights of older adults. In particular, there is a lack of awareness of human rights by older adults themselves, for which intervention strategies should be developed. Due to the need for intervention at this level, a board game was created to empower older adults regarding their rights using a dynamic and interactive method. This article aims to describe the development stages of the board game “The Ark of Rights”® up to its pilot study. Its development followed three stages: A first phase to review the scientific literature and benchmarks on the rights of older persons, a second phase to define the game design and collect statements from older people for the game, and a third phase to test the game. The European Portuguese Validation of the System Usability Scale (SUS) was used to assess the latter phase. Approximately 200 older people contributed to the game’s contents (second phase), and 74 participated and positively evaluated the game’s usability and their satisfaction with its use (third phase). In summary, the game “The Ark of Rights” revealed itself to be a resource for empowering older adults regarding their rights. It also enables the identification of possible human rights violations among older adults and subsequent intervention.","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47232164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heart rate variability in people with metabolic syndrome","authors":"Kostiantyn Apykhtin, Svitlana Drozdovska, Olha Hurenko, Anastasiia Nahorna, Anatoly Pisaruk, Yuliia Panchenko, Olena Andrieieva","doi":"10.47855/jal9020-2023-1-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.47855/jal9020-2023-1-1","url":null,"abstract":"Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by disorders of carbohydrate and fat metabolism, which can lead to the development of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN). Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is used to assess the state of autonomic regulation. A decrease in HRV indicates unfavourable changes in autonomic regulation and the development of CAN. The purpose of this study was to compare HRV parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome and healthy individuals without signs of MS. We examined 74 patients with metabolic syndrome (mean age 54.4 ± 1.1 years) and 61 healthy subjects (without signs of MS) (mean age 57.0 ± 1.6 years). The results of the study indicate a significant decrease in HRV in people with MS. However, they had significantly lower values of the SDNN index (by 26%), which characterizes the overall power of neurohumoral regulation of heart rate. Differences in the indicators characterizing short-term, vagal influences were especially pronounced: in patients with MS, RMSSD (by 44%) and HF (by 69%) were lower than in controls. The activity of the baroreflex center of the medulla oblongata, assessed by the spectral power of low-frequency waves (LF), was 55% lower in patients with MS compared to controls. There were no significant differences in the mean duration of the R-R interval, the spectral power of very low frequency (VLF) waves, or the ratio of the spectral powers of low and high frequencies (LF/HF, LFn, HFn) in patients with MS compared to controls. No significant shift in the autonomic balance towards sympathicotonia was found in patients with MS. The analysis of variance confirmed the significant effect of the metabolic syndrome factor on HRV. Thus, the data obtained indicate the development of CAN in people with metabolic syndrome, which is an unfavourable prognostic sign. To assess the effect of MS on the rate of aging, the biological age (BA) of the examined people with MS was calculated. The formula for calculating BA was obtained on a group of people without MS. The method of multiple stepwise regression was used. The aging rate was calculated as the difference between biological and chronological age (CA). The average BA in the group of people with MS was 63,20 ± 1,81 years, in the control group – 53.99 ± 1.71 years (p< 0.05). The difference between BA and CA is 8,81 ± 0,94 years in the group of people with MS and -1.01 ± 0.61 in control group (p< 0.05). From this we can conclude that MS can be a factor accelerating aging. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: metabolic syndrome, heart rate variability, biological age","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":"282 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135036060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Religious Bodies–Lutheran Chaplains Interpreting and Asserting Religiousness of People with Severe Dementia in Finnish Nursing Homes","authors":"Jari Pirhonen, A. Vähäkangas, S. Saarelainen","doi":"10.3390/jal3010008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010008","url":null,"abstract":"The prevalence of dementia is increasing globally as populations grow older. Moderate and severe dementia are the main reasons for older people entering long-term care in Finland, and the vast majority of nursing home residents have it. Regarding mild dementia, religiousness is known to slow the progress of the disease, offer solace, and maintain a life-long identity. However, we know practically nothing about the religiousness of people with severe dementia. This study sought to fill the gap by interviewing Lutheran chaplains working in Finnish nursing homes. The data were subjected to qualitative content analysis to understand: (I) how people with severe dementia may express their remaining religiousness and (II) how the chaplains asserted the religiousness of people whom their words often did not reach. The clearest expressions of religiousness found were bodily, including expressions of emotions and fumbling liturgical movements. The chaplains utilized prayer services, active presence, and generational intelligence to respond to residents’ religiousness. The main conclusion is that people with severe dementia can express their faith and are eager to practice it when opportunities are provided to do so. Our research challenges care providers and religious communities to better acknowledge the religiousness of people with severe dementia.","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47338818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Journal of Ageing and Longevity in 2022","authors":"","doi":"10.3390/jal3010007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010007","url":null,"abstract":"High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42050141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erica Frechman, Harleah G. Buck, M. Dietrich, B. Rhoten, A. Davis, Cathy A. Maxwell
{"title":"Planning for Aging and Frailty: A Qualitative Study on Older Adults’ Perceptions, Facilitators, and Barriers","authors":"Erica Frechman, Harleah G. Buck, M. Dietrich, B. Rhoten, A. Davis, Cathy A. Maxwell","doi":"10.3390/jal3010006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010006","url":null,"abstract":"Aging is often accompanied by health events that may disrupt older adults’ desires to age in place. Understanding older adults’ perceptions of planning for their aging process was a priority to identify how planning behaviors occur. Our study explored how people perceive the concept of planning for aging and frailty, and identified the facilitators and barriers involved in the planning process. Using conventional qualitative content analysis, we used the data from semi-structured interviews of twenty community-dwelling older adults aged 50–80 years old. Demographic information was obtained, followed by the participant interviews. Seventeen code categories surfaced including six categories in the perception domain (i.e., internal, external, and future-oriented), seven categories in the facilitators domain (i.e., internal, external, and systems), and four categories in the barriers domain (i.e., internal, and systems). The emergent categories included understanding one’s perception of planning through a holistic lens, the importance of experiences with self/others as facilitators, and the physical/cognitive/emotional factors that serve as barriers within a larger sphere of societal influence. Planning for aging and frailty is an innovative concept that normalizes the aging process and promotes planning through an awareness of aging across the life-course domains. Future research is warranted for intervention development to help older adults recognize and actively plan for aging and to address the barriers involved.","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45971956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How Families’ Use of Digital Technology Can Be a Tool for Reducing Loneliness and Improving Food Intake among Older Adults","authors":"I. S. Grini, Ø. Ueland","doi":"10.3390/jal3010004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010004","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this study was to explore how a technical solution implemented among older adults and connected with an app supervised by an app administrator can reduce loneliness, prevent malnutrition, and inspire social eating and networking. In October 2020, a survey was distributed to 3500 administrators of the one-button computer communication tool Komp. Komp consists of a screen placed with older adults and an app used by the administrator of the tool. The survey addresses aspects that can provide new insights into how older adults can use digital solutions as a link to family and external networks. The study results show that due to COVID-19, 65% of respondents said they used Komp more frequently than before, but only 5% of current use was associated with eating meals together. However, 54% of the app administrators indicated that this could be a good future activity. Furthermore, 88% thought Komp could contribute to more socializing through shared meals. This study elicited almost 1650 constructive comments on experience, use, and recommendations. The study results show that digital solutions can be a link between older adults and their families and external network. Such tools can address needs connected to loneliness, social isolation, and food intake.","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46890844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. F. Buhl, P. Ø. Olsen, T. Thilsing, P. Caserotti
{"title":"Association between Malnutrition Risk Factors and Physical Function in Community-Dwelling Adults ≥80 Years","authors":"S. F. Buhl, P. Ø. Olsen, T. Thilsing, P. Caserotti","doi":"10.3390/jal3010003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010003","url":null,"abstract":"Malnutrition is associated with accelerated loss of physical function in old adults, but the assessment of malnutrition in primary prevention is challenging. This study aimed to investigate if malnutrition risk factors; poor appetite, dysphagia, and poor dental state, were associated with reduced physical function in community-dwelling adults ≥80 years. The study is based on data from two cross-sectional studies. Physical function was assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (score ≤ 9 indicate reduced physical function) and poor appetite, dysphagia and poor dental status was assessed by single questions. A total of 900 participants were included (age 85.1 ± 3.7 years; 60.9% females; 62.8% had reduced physical function). Participants with reduced physical function were older, had a higher BMI, more polypharmacy, more falls, and lower quality of life. Poor appetite was reported by 10.8% and associated with reduced physical function (adjusted-OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.18–3.15). No association was identified between dysphagia, poor dental state and reduced physical function (adjusted-OR 0.96, 95%CI 0.53–1.75 and adjusted-OR 0.99, 95%CI 0.41–2.35, respectively). The assessment of appetite during primary preventive strategies was feasible and may offer an opportunity for identification of very old community-dwelling adults at risk of reduced physical function.","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47394443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lisa Reber, Nasya S W Tan, Michelle A Meade, Martin Forchheimer, Denise G Tate, Philippa Clarke
{"title":"Arbiters of Time: The Experience of Adults Aging with Spinal Cord Injury.","authors":"Lisa Reber, Nasya S W Tan, Michelle A Meade, Martin Forchheimer, Denise G Tate, Philippa Clarke","doi":"10.3390/jal3010005","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jal3010005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Time is a fundamental component of our lives. It is both objective, a structure outside of ourselves, and subjective, an element that is relative to the life we live and how we experience it. The disabled body must come to terms with time to understand the future impact of the injury and its progression, as well as how the injury will impose a new more accelerated aging process in the body, resulting in a compressed lifespan. The body also challenges time's control of the body. This paper extends the literature on the study of time to the experience of adults aging with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Drawing from interviews conducted with adults with long-term SCI, it examines how their narratives about aging and the proactive management of their lives reflect their orientation toward and anticipation of the future. Recognizing that the spoken word often carries a multiplicity of meanings, it considers what participants' words might imply about their engagement with time. The results of this study show that the process of aging is characterized by uncertainty and the expectations of functional and health decline, requiring a sense of urgency and vigilance in the face of the uncertain course of aging with SCI. Participants understood that their lifespan was compressed due to the physiological impact of accelerated aging. Knowledge of this compression made time a scarce resource. Yet, despite it being the arbiters of their futures, so too were they the arbiters of time.</p>","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10961950/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48135999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nobuko Shimizu, Takako Yamada, Nobuyuki Honda, Miyako Mochizuki, Mayumi Kato, Noboru Hasegawa, H. Sethabouppha, N. Suwankruhasn, Chalinee Suvanayos
{"title":"Qualitative Study on Important Elements of Life for Japanese and Thai Older Adults","authors":"Nobuko Shimizu, Takako Yamada, Nobuyuki Honda, Miyako Mochizuki, Mayumi Kato, Noboru Hasegawa, H. Sethabouppha, N. Suwankruhasn, Chalinee Suvanayos","doi":"10.3390/jal3010002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010002","url":null,"abstract":"Previous studies have demonstrated relationships between religiosity, physical and mental health-related outcomes, and healthy collective longevity. This qualitative study investigated the elements of pleasure and fulfillment in older adults living in the super-aged society of Japan and the rapidly super-aging society of Thailand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 older adults—seven from Japan, and seven from Thailand, covering five topics: (1) pleasures in daily life; (2) purpose in daily life; (3) thoughts about aging; (4) things they do actively for their health; and (5) things they worry about. Data were analyzed using the Steps for Coding and Theorization method. Japanese older adults mostly engaged in individually accomplished pleasures, whereas Thai older adults aimed to experience pleasures involving others. Thai older adults viewed aging as a natural phenomenon and stressed the importance of self-regulation. The Japanese participants, however, focused on activities that would avoid the burden of long-term care, maintain their current lifestyle, and help with self-improvement and lifetime learning. Although Thai older adults derived pleasure and fulfillment from being helpful toward others, Japanese older adults’ narratives indicated that they tended to worry about others. Differences between the two countries’ lifestyles, environments, beliefs, and religious contexts explain the differences in the mechanisms by which Japanese and Thai older adults experience joy, fulfillment, and purpose in life. These results suggest ways to improve quality of life, extend healthy life expectancy, and prevent cognitive decline in older adults thriving in aging societies.","PeriodicalId":73588,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ageing and longevity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47945486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}