Journal of Ageing and Longevity

Aging research indicates that there is increased sedentary behaviour and insufficient physical activity levels across the older adult population. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that pet ownership can have beneficial physical and mental health effects. Data were drawn from the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA). This questionnaire measured general social demographics such as gender, age, and marital status while also examining elements of physical activity, lifestyle factors (drinking status, smoking status), and education. Two items from the short form International Physical Activity Questionnaire recorded moderate and vigorous activity. Respondents were asked if they owned a pet (Yes/No). The results are based on a secondary data analysis. An ordinal logistic regression revealed that an increase in moderate activity days was associated with pet ownership with an odds ratio of 0.111 (95% CI, −0.036 to 0.337), Wald χ² (1) 15.013, p < 0.001. An increase in vigorous activity days was associated with pet ownership with an odds ratio of 0.039 (95% CI, 0.004 to 0.342), Wald χ² (1) 8.952, p = 0.003). Amongst older adults in Northern Ireland, those with a pet were more likely to engage in regular physical activity. This study was based on a small specific sample of the population and showed differences in physical activity levels between pet owners and non-pet owners. Additionally, the study showed that physical activity is extremely low among the older adult population, therefore further investigation is warranted on the reasons for these low levels. Full article

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. Full article

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. Full article

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. Full article

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. Full article

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. Full article

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. Full article

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. Full article

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. Full article

Immune cells are thought to be involved in a destructive cycle of sterile cerebral inflammatory responses in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Despite their peripheral origin, immune cells may enter the CNS due to impaired blood–brain barrier function and may potentially contribute to neuronal damage. Hence, specific characteristics of peripherally activated immune cells could help in understanding neurodegeneration in PD and could potentially serve as accessible disease markers. To investigate immune cell activation status, the expression of receptors for cell surface molecules CD161, NKG2A, NKG2C and NKG2D as well as chemokine receptors CCR6, CXCR2, CXCR3 and CCR5 associated with neurodegenerative diseases was investigated. The frequencies of peripheral CD8+ T-cells expressing the inhibitory and activating receptors NKG2A and NKG2C, and the activating receptor NKG2D were higher in PD patients than in healthy matched controls. The frequencies of NKG2C+CD8− cells were also higher, whereas the frequencies of CD161+ cells were not significantly different. Of the chemokine receptor-expressing cells, only the proportion of CD4−CD56+CCR5+ T-cells was higher in PD patients than in the controls. These observations support the hypothesis that an imbalance in the activation state of T-cells plays a role in the pathological processes of PD and suggest that peripheral blood immune cell phenotypes could be specific early markers for inflammation in PD. Full article

Annual influenza vaccination is important for older adults to prevent morbidity and mortality from seasonal influenza. Although the United States has had limited success in increasing influenza vaccination, the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 may have changed older adults’ approach to vaccination. The objective of this study is to determine factors associated with influenza vaccination in 2019 and 2020 and compare their degree of associations across the two years. Data from the 2019 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional interview, were collected for variables relating to annual influenza vaccination and possible associated factors. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. The results show that never having received a vaccination for pneumonia increased the odds of receiving an influenza vaccination by 6.79–7.80 times. Recent specialist care for eye or oral health significantly increased the odds of receiving an influenza vaccination. Being a smoker, identifying as African American, and considering oneself to have excellent overall health were associated with significantly lower odds of receiving a vaccination. Although self-reported feelings of anxiety were not associated with vaccination in 2019, they increased the odds in 2020. Overall, influenza vaccination in older adults may be tied to reliable healthcare access and perceived susceptibility to infectious respiratory diseases. Full article

Prior research suggests that people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may experience a form of accelerated biological aging. In other populations, loneliness has been shown to elevate risk for many of the same components of accelerated biological aging, and other deleterious outcomes, as seen in people with PTSD. Although standard diagnostic criteria for PTSD include “feelings of detachment or estrangement from others”, the relationship of such feelings to the concept of loneliness remains uncertain, in par potentially due to a failure to distinguish between loneliness versus objective social isolation. In order to catalyze wider research attention to loneliness in PTSD, and the potential contribution to accelerated biological aging, the present paper provides three components: (1) a conceptual overview of the relevant constructs and potential interrelationships, (2) a review of the limited extant empirical literature, and (3) suggested directions for future research. The existing empirical literature is too small to support many definitive conclusions, but there is evidence of an association between loneliness and symptoms of PTSD. The nature of this association may be complex, and the causal direction(s) uncertain. Guided by the conceptual overview and review of existing literature, we also highlight key areas for further research. The ultimate goal of this line of work is to elucidate mechanisms underlying any link between loneliness and accelerated aging in PTSD, and to develop, validate, and refine prevention and treatment efforts. Full article

The need for communication and collaboration increases when an older patient is discharged from the hospital, as the transition of care is complex for older patients living with multiple concurrent diseases. An intervention: The outgoing geriatric team was developed and initiated to address these patients’ complex needs. The outgoing geriatric team aimed to collaborate with healthcare professionals at a skilled nursing facility. This study explored how the intervention was experienced by the healthcare professionals from both the outgoing geriatric team and the skilled nursing facility. The study employed a qualitative explorative design using semi-structured interviews. Fourteen healthcare professionals participated in the interviews. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clark’s thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: (1) The need for personal contact and communication; (2) the need for competent care and sensitive observation; and (3) the need for clarification of responsibilities. The study emphasized the importance of meeting face-to-face during cross-sectoral collaboration when treating and caring for patients with complex care needs. Full article

Limited studies have investigated the socio-cultural factors influencing the management and control of Meningococcal Meningitis among older adults in Northern Nigeria. This study explored the lived experiences of older individuals with Meningococcal Meningitis and relationships with their caregivers in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Twenty (20) Meningococcal Meningitis patients aged 65+, their caregivers, and three (3) traditional healers were purposely selected for in-depth interviews. Results show that some older adults believed that their health conditions were caused by supernatural forces, thereby influencing the scope and type of care they receive. For such participants, traditional treatment options are fundamental for addressing the root causes of their ailment. Few participants mentioned that their health conditions were caused by excessive heat in their community and were more likely to consider biomedical treatments as the most effective for diagnosing, treating, and managing the ailment. Additionally, Meningococcal Meningitis might have caused physical, cognitive, and psychological frailties and impairments among the older patients, compelling family caregivers to support the older adult patients in their homes. We discuss the need for a policy that would benefit both those who care for older adults and the older adults themselves. Full article

This article aims to analyze the memories of incarcerated elderly people about family. This is an exploratory and analytical study, with a qualitative approach, carried out in three prison units in Bahia, with 31 incarcerated elderly people, through semi-structured interview. Most are male (30), between 60 to 65-years-old (21), married (12) and with three to four children (10). The results show that the 10 most evoked words were: family; sons; mom; father; women; life; cry; today; brothers; and longing. The study showed that the family constitution is maintained because the experiences that are symbolized in it have socially crystallized definitions as references. Anchored by social frames of memories that remain, since they remain alive in the groups and are permanently maintained. It was also found that the family plays an extremely important role in their lives and that the mother is the central point of this family. Full article

Stroke is a progressive disease with remissions and exacerbations; it significantly reduces the quality of life of patients and their family and caregivers. Primary prevention is necessary to reduce the growing incidence of stroke globally. In this study, we determined the risk factors for cerebral infarction in elderly Japanese residents and proposed a primary care strategy to prevent cerebral infarction. We investigated the relationship between the incidence of cerebral infarction and the results of checkups 10 years ago. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the variables related to the occurrence of cerebral infarction in biochemical tests and questionnaires administered ten years ago. Hypertension and abnormal creatinine levels were related to increased risk of cerebral infarction based on our findings of the health checkups conducted 10 years previously. Furthermore, weight gain or loss of >3 kg over the last year and habit of eating an evening meal within 2 h before going to bed were associated with an increased risk of cerebral infarction based on the questionnaire results from the specific health checkups. Long-term, large-scale prospective studies are required to determine the specific health items related to increased risk of cerebral infarction. Full article

Personal identity is often dictated by the social roles a person fulfills (e.g., mother, son, partner, employee, etc.) and these social roles are defined by the greater family unit and surrounding social environments. Monumental events, such as death, often change a person’s social roles and demand a reorganization of the family unit. To provide comprehensive end-of-life care, human services professionals become an integral piece of care provisions as they are trained in serving the mothers, fathers, and children of the world, more so than treating the biological aspects of illness. It is for this reason that understanding the impacts of education on social science majors is important. To date, research on the effects of end-of-life education has largely focused on the negative affect among those in healthcare-related programs, leaving gaps in the literature surrounding the impacts, both negative and positive, of death education on future human services professionals. The current study explores pre–post semester changes in negative and positive affect among social science students (n = 92) enrolled in courses focused on end-of-life compared to those in an aging and human services-focused courses. Using paired and individual samples t-tests, within- and between-group changes were explored. Students in the experimental group reported lower death anxiety scores post-semester (M = 4.34, 95% CI [2.60, 6.08], t(74) = 4.97, p < 0.05), but this was not the case for the control group. Between group differences revealed that students in the experimental group displayed a greater decrease in fear of others dying (x = 4.08, sd = 6.23) than those in the control group (x = 1.24, sd = 0.95) and they reported larger increases in subjective happiness by an average of 0.61 points (sd = 2.42) when compared to those in the control group who reported an average increase of 0.10 points (sd = 2.45). Findings are discussed in terms of within- and between-group differences and suggestions for future research are provided. Full article

Recent levels of dementia literacy in older Australian adults remains relatively unexplored. Our purpose was to identify whether dementia literacy has changed in older Australians, sociodemographic characteristics associated with better literacy, and barriers to dementia risk reduction. A 32-item adapted British Social Attitudes Survey was administered to 834 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 73.3, SD = 6.0, range 65–94) on dementia awareness and knowledge of dementia risk and protective factors. Descriptive analyses, logistic, and multiple linear regressions were used to examine sociodemographic factors on dementia awareness and literacy. Most respondents (61%) were aware of the relationship between different lifestyle factors and dementia risk, with the majority reporting cognitive (85.0%) and physical inactivity (83.4%) as key risk factors. Few were able to identify less well-known factors (e.g., chronic kidney disease; 15.8%). Individuals with higher educational attainment were more likely to agree that dementia is modifiable (OR 1.228, 95% CI 1.02–1.47). Younger age (β = −0.089, 95% CI −0.736–−0.065, p = 0.019) was significantly associated with a higher number of correctly-identified dementia risk factors. Lack of knowledge was the key barrier to hindering dementia risk reduction. A tailored, evidence-informed, population-based lifespan approach targeting dementia literacy may help alleviate commonly reported barriers and support dementia risk reduction. Full article