Can Autonomous Sensor Systems Improve the Well-being of People Living at Home with Neurodegenerative Disorders?

abstract Introduction: The evolution of information technologies has become part of our daily life and directly or indirectly affects the elderly population. The presence of these technologies, such as mobile phones, smartphones, computers, and tablets, at home where elderly persons live with their families demonstrates the necessity of including the elderly population in the technological universe. Objective: The aim of the present study was to describe the benefits obtained by the elderly from using such Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), the effect of such use on their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and which physio-gerontological contributions resulted in the best use of the ICTs. Method: A convenience sample (n=30) was performed of individuals aged over 60 years who were students at the Instituto Henrique da Silva Semente (IHESS). Demographic and social data, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were considered. The data was collected between April and May 2014. Results: The average age was 67.9 years with a predominance of women (76.7%). Among the respondents 83.3% used a computer at home; 66.6% had some kind of difficulty in using computers; and 86.6% used ICTs in their daily lives. Despite the difficulties in using the devices resulting from the limitations imposed by age, it was observed that the equality of the age range encouraged interaction with friends and family, and as a result 100% of respondents displayed excellent interpersonal relationships with the class group. It was also observed that the elderly persons had a great desire to learn and interact through the use of technological devices, and that females were involved in recreational and educational activities, with wives encouraging their husbands to attend the computer class. However, there were exemplary risks of the misuse of these devices, such as poor posture when handling electronic devices or spending long spells in unsuitable positions, demonstrating the need for physical therapy and geriatric guidelines to ensure the well-being of the elderly. Conclusion: The inclusion of elderly persons in the IHESS or in any other educational activity should consider the familiar environment in which they live as well as providing professional support in physiotherapeutic and gerontologic areas in order to assure well-being and quality of life, especially at this stage of life, senescence.

Download Full-text

HOUSEHOLD GARDENING AS PREFERENCE ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY RESILIENCE DURING PANDEMIC COVID-19

The Journal of Synergy Landscape ◽

10.25105/tjsl.v1i1.9943 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 64

Author(s):

Irina Mildawani ◽

Arief Rahman

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Ornamental Plants ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Community Gardening ◽

Landscape Architect ◽

Urban Gardening ◽

Physical Interactions ◽

Professional Assistance ◽

At Home

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected countries across the world and sudden disruptions to everyday life and impact well-being. The implementation of exceptional procedures of social distancing includes working places and schools’ closures urged people to stay at home to reduce the number of close physical interactions and decrease the spreading of pandemic. With the long hours of family members staying at home, people prefer to do some activities at home. Doing gardening is seen as one of the preferences of urban inhabitants. However, few studies have measured the preference of urban gardening, particularly during household gardening in Jabodetabek, Indonesia. This paper examines people preferences on household gardening during the pandemic of Covid-19, comparing it with their activities before and predict it with possibility after the pandemic. We explore how type of gardening varies between vegetable or ornamental plants, community or household garden type, and the persons involved during gardening. Using google form, 148 respondents in Jabodetabek were answering between July-Dec 2020. Our study examines the emotional well-being (EWB) using Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA), applying codes and categories. Gardening as one of the favorable activities considered to generate happy time with family and they would like to continue the activities after the pandemic. However, landscape architect was not yet chosen as the gardener when they need professional assistance. This might rise a future research about the role of landscape architect in gardening movement in urban community gardening

Download Full-text

Someone to live for: social well-being, parenthood status, and decision-making in oncology.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.1995.13.5.1255 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1255-1264 ◽

Cited By ~ 101

Author(s):

S B Yellen ◽

D F Cella

Keyword(s):

Cancer Therapy ◽

Marital Status ◽

Advanced Disease ◽

Well Being ◽

Treatment Preferences ◽

Aggressive Treatment ◽

Switch Point ◽

The Impact ◽

Treatment Acceptance ◽

At Home

PURPOSE Little is known about the influence of social factors on treatment preferences and desire for aggressive cancer therapy. The present study assessed subjective and objective social indicators in patient preferences for treatment. METHODS Cancer patients (N = 296) with diverse diagnoses and stages read sets of hypothetical vignettes describing patients with early-stage and advanced disease. In the first set, patients made decisions about treatment acceptance given varying levels of either increasing cure or extending survival. In the second set, the point at which patients shifted preferences from mild to severe treatment to improve likelihood of 1-year survival (switch point) was the dependent measure. We assessed the impact of quality-of-life (QL) domains measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), having children, marital status, and living arrangements on treatment preferences and switch points. RESULTS The Social Well-Being (SWB) subscale of the FACT-G predicted both treatment acceptance (P = .007) and switch point (P = .043) in the advanced-disease vignettes, with lower SWB associated with less aggressive preferences. Children living at home was likewise associated with more aggressive intent both in treatment preferences (P = .003, advanced-disease vignette) and switch point (P < .001 and P = .001 for early- and advanced-disease vignettes, respectively). Living with others predicted more aggressive intent in the advanced-disease vignette (P = .03). Marital status did not predict either treatment acceptance or switch point. CONCLUSION Positive social well-being, as well as having children living at home, predicted patient willingness to accept aggressive treatment. Willingness to receive aggressive treatment may explain or mediate previously reported salutory effects of social support on cancer outcomes.

Download Full-text

Start at home: Testing what works to advance employee financial well-being

AEA Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

10.1257/rct.8149 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amanda Utevsky

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

What Works ◽

Home Testing ◽

At Home

Download Full-text

Addressing Burnout Syndrome From a Critical Care Specialty Organization Perspective

AACN Advanced Critical Care ◽

10.4037/aacnacc2020579 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 158-166

Author(s):

Kathryn L. Cochran ◽

Kathleen Doo ◽

Allison Squires ◽

Tina Shah ◽

Seppo Rinne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Electronic Health Record ◽

High Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

American Thoracic Society ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Health Record ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Electronic Health ◽

At Home

Background: Health care specialty organizations are an important resource for their membership; however, it is not clear how specialty societies should approach combating stress and burnout on an organizational scale. Objective: To understand the prevalence of burnout syndrome in American Thoracic Society members, identify specialty-specific risk factors, and generate strategies for health care societies to combat burnout. Methods: Cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey in a sample of 2018 American Thoracic Society International Conference attendees to assess levels of burnout syndrome, work satisfaction, and stress. Results: Of the 130 respondents, 69% reported high stress, 38% met burnout criteria, and 20% confirmed chaotic work environments. Significant associations included sex and stress level; clinical time and at-home electronic health record work; and US practice and at-home electronic health record work. There were no significant associations between burnout syndrome and the selected demographics. Participants indicated patient care as the most meaningful aspect of work, whereas the highest contributors to burnout were workload and electronic health record documentation. Importantly, most respondents were unaware of available resources for burnout. Conclusions: Health care specialty societies have access to each level of the health system, creating an opportunity to monitor trends, disseminate resources, and influence the direction of efforts to reduce workplace stress and enhance clinician well-being.

Download Full-text

A rapid review of mental and physical health effects of working at home: how do we optimise health?

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09875-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jodi Oakman ◽

Natasha Kinsman ◽

Rwth Stuckey ◽

Melissa Graham ◽

Victoria Weale

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Physical Health ◽

Selection Criteria ◽

Well Being ◽

Rapid Review ◽

Foreseeable Future ◽

Working At Home ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental And Physical Health ◽

At Home

Abstract Background The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in changes to the working arrangements of millions of employees who are now based at home and may continue to work at home, in some capacity, for the foreseeable future. Decisions on how to promote employees’ health whilst working at home (WAH) need to be based on the best available evidence to optimise worker outcomes. The aim of this rapid review was to review the impact of WAH on individual workers’ mental and physical health, and determine any gender difference, to develop recommendations for employers and employees to optimise workers’ health. Method A search was undertaken in three databases, PsychInfo, ProQuest, and Web of Science, from 2007 to May 2020. Selection criteria included studies which involved employees who regularly worked at home, and specifically reported on physical or mental health-related outcomes. Two review authors independently screened studies for inclusion, one author extracted data and conducted risk of bias assessments with review by a second author. Results Twenty-three papers meet the selection criteria for this review. Ten health outcomes were reported: pain, self-reported health, safety, well-being, stress, depression, fatigue, quality of life, strain and happiness. The impact on health outcomes was strongly influenced by the degree of organisational support available to employees, colleague support, social connectedness (outside of work), and levels of work to family conflict. Overall, women were less likely to experience improved health outcomes when WAH. Conclusions This review identified several health outcomes affected by WAH. The health/work relationship is complex and requires consideration of broader system factors to optimise the effects of WAH on workers’ health. It is likely mandated WAH will continue to some degree for the foreseeable future; organisations will need to implement formalised WAH policies that consider work-home boundary management support, role clarity, workload, performance indicators, technical support, facilitation of co-worker networking, and training for managers.

Download Full-text