Embracing Aging in Place: Fostering Healthy Cognitive Aging in the Community

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2790

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Psychology of Adulthood and Aging, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer 4025000, Israel
Interests: healthy aging; cognitive psychology; mindfulness

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Most older adults age in the community. A higher quality of life and psychological well-being in old age is important not only for the aging person but also for their family, who may experience psychological distress themselves, as well as for the welfare and economy of the society.

“Aging in place” is defined as “the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level” [1]. In other words, aging in place involves ensuring that older adults have access to the necessary resources to remain in their own environment, thereby maintaining their independence, autonomy, and social network [2], all of which contribute to their mental health and cognitive functioning.

This Special Issue aims to bring together research on various interventions that promote healthy cognitive aging in the community. Psychological integrations and age-related interventions, as well as research reviews, are welcome.

  1. Healthy Places Terminology. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/terminology.htm. (accessed on 16 April 2024)
  2. Wiles, J. L.; Leibing, A.; Guberman, N.; Reeve, J.; Allen, R. E. S. The Meaning of “Aging in Place” to Older People. Gerontologist 2011, 52, 357–366. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnr098.

Dr. Daniela Aisenberg-Shafran
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • aging
  • cognitive abilities
  • psychological well-being
  • aging in place
  • interventions

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 1932 KiB  
Article
Investigating Elderly Individuals’ Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Companion Robots: The Influence of Individual Characteristics
by Jing Liu, Xingang Wang and Jiaqi Zhang
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050697 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 128
Abstract
The emergence of AI companion robots is transforming the landscape of elderly care, offering numerous conveniences to senior citizens when their children are not around. This trend is particularly pertinent in ageing societies such as China. Against this backdrop, the present study aims [...] Read more.
The emergence of AI companion robots is transforming the landscape of elderly care, offering numerous conveniences to senior citizens when their children are not around. This trend is particularly pertinent in ageing societies such as China. Against this backdrop, the present study aims to explore the acceptance of AI companion robots among the elderly from a user-centric perspective. By leveraging insights from existing studies in the literature, we identified three individual characteristic variables—technology optimism, innovativeness, and familiarity—to extend the Artificial Intelligence Device Use Acceptance (AIDUA) model. Subsequently, we developed a conceptual model which was empirically tested through structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis. Our dataset comprised responses from 452 elderly individuals in China. The results revealed that technology optimism and innovativeness were positively associated with performance expectancy and effort expectancy, whereas familiarity inversely predicted perceived risk. Furthermore, emotion was found to be positively influenced by performance expectancy and effort expectancy but negatively impacted by perceived risk. This research extends the AIDUA model within the context of AI companion robots by integrating individual characteristic variables. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and development of companion robots and enrich the domain of Human–Robot Interaction (HRI). Full article
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23 pages, 2124 KiB  
Article
Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Seniors—An Exploratory Semi-Randomized Examination of Decentering Effects on Cognitive Functions and Psychological Distress
by Ophir Katzenelenbogen and Daniela Aisenberg-Shafran
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040466 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 632
Abstract
The need for psychological treatment in the community, specifically in times of crisis and for those in isolation, calls for finding suitable interventions, especially for older adults. The present study examined the effect of a short mindfulness-based intervention emphasizing a ’decentering’ component and [...] Read more.
The need for psychological treatment in the community, specifically in times of crisis and for those in isolation, calls for finding suitable interventions, especially for older adults. The present study examined the effect of a short mindfulness-based intervention emphasizing a ’decentering’ component and an equivalent guided-imagery intervention on cognitive and emotional measures in seniors living in the community. Thirty community seniors (Mage = 74.7) performed either ’decentering’ or matched guided-imagery intervention, or care as usual as a control. The 8-week interventions included weekly 20 min sessions and daily 10 min home practice. Participants underwent a cognitive and emotional assessment before and after the interventions, which included filling out questionnaires and performing the cognitive Simon task. The results showed improvements only for intervention groups: cognitively, reduced response time and improved accuracy rate were found in the Simon task. Emotionally, reported depression levels were decreased and an increase in reported positive relationships was found. Our study, hence, introduces two intervention protocols, with promising positive effects on psychological and cognitive status. This contributes evidence-based treatments, easy to deliver in nursing homes or retirement communities, for improving the life quality of older adults. Full article
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13 pages, 460 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Marital Satisfaction and Spiritual Well-Being of Chinese Older Adults: The Mediating Effect of Psychological Security and Aging Expectations
by Longxing Tang, Yachi Yang, Zhiwei An, Yalian Huang and Ping Tang
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100949 - 15 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1580
Abstract
This study explores the relationship between marital satisfaction and spiritual well-being in older adults and the role of psychological security and aging expectations in older adult relationships. A convenient sample cross-sectional research method collected data from 367 older adults in Sichuan Province, China. [...] Read more.
This study explores the relationship between marital satisfaction and spiritual well-being in older adults and the role of psychological security and aging expectations in older adult relationships. A convenient sample cross-sectional research method collected data from 367 older adults in Sichuan Province, China. A chain mediation model was constructed using quantitative analysis methods to test the relationship between marital satisfaction and older adults’ spiritual well-being and the potential mediating roles of psychological security and aging expectations. The research conclusions are as follows: marital satisfaction positively correlates with spiritual well-being, and psychological security and aging expectations play independent chain mediating roles. Full article
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