Nutritional issues and potential interventions in older people

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine R Hankey ◽  
Wilma S Leslie
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Improve Health

SummaryThe prevalence of undernutrition in older individuals, living independently in a community setting, or living in a supported setting, is considerable. The negative health effects of undernutrition are wide ranging, with implications for quality of life (QOL), well-being and general health, through to the individual's ability to recovery from acute disease. There are a number of key measures that indicate both nutritional status and the effectiveness of any intervention. These include conventional anthropometric and biochemical measures of nutrient status, as well as measures of QOL, well-being and depression. The latter have huge importance to the life of the individual, and to date appear to have undergone only preliminary investigation. This review suggests that the efficacy of interventions to address undernutrition and improve health in older people living in a variety of settings is highly variable, and that considerable opportunities for research in this area exist.

scholarly journals Understanding the Link between Family Caregiver Quality of Life and the Care Provided to Older People With Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 153-154
Author(s):  
Afeez Hazzan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiver ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Dementia is one of the most rapidly growing diseases in the United States. In 2018, the direct costs to American society of caring for older people with dementia was approximately $277 billion. Primary informal caregivers are mainly responsible for the care of older people with dementia including Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers perform a myriad of duties ranging from shopping for their loved ones’ groceries, helping with medications, and managing finances. The caregiving role becomes more demanding as the disease progresses over time, and studies have shown that the quality-of-life (QoL) experienced by caregivers of older adults who have dementia is lower than the QoL of caregivers for older people who do not have dementia. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no research conducted to investigate whether lower caregiver QoL affects the level or quality of care that caregivers provide to persons with dementia. In the current study, we interviewed family caregivers living in Rochester, New York to inquire about their quality of life and the care provided to older people living with dementia. Further, caregivers completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) as well as a draft questionnaire for measuring the quality of care provided to older people living with dementia. Both quantitative and qualitative findings from this study reveals important relationships between family caregiver QoL and the care provided, including the impact of social support and financial well-being. The study findings could have significant impact, particularly for the provision of much needed support for family caregivers.

scholarly journals Community ageing research 75+ study (CARE75+): an experimental ageing and frailty research cohort

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e026744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Heaven ◽  
Lesley Brown ◽  
John Young ◽  
Elizabeth Teale ◽  
Rebecca Hawkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Science Studies ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Ageing Research ◽  
Study Results

IntroductionThe Community Ageing Research 75+ Study (CARE75+) is a longitudinal cohort study collecting an extensive range of health, social and economic data, with a focus on frailty, independence and quality of life in older age. CARE75+ is the first international experimental frailty research cohort designed using Trial within Cohorts (TwiCs) methodology, to align applied epidemiological research with clinical trial evaluation of interventions to improve the health and well-being of older people living with frailty.Methods and analysisProspective cohort study using a TwiCs design. One thousand community-dwelling older people (≥75 years) will be recruited from UK general practices. Nursing home residents, those with an estimated life expectancy of 3 months or less and people receiving palliative care will be excluded. Data collection assessments will be face to face in the person’s home at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and 48 months, including assessments of frailty, cognition, mood, health-related quality of life, comorbidity, medications, resilience, loneliness, pain and self-efficacy. A modified protocol for follow-up by telephone or web based will be offered at 6 months. Consent will be sought for data linkage and invitations to additional studies, including intervention studies using the TwiCs design. A blood sample biobank will be established for future basic science studies.Ethics and disseminationCARE75+ was approved by the NRES Committee Yorkshire and the Humber—Bradford Leeds 10 October 2014 (14/YH/1120). Formal written consent is sought if an individual is willing to participate and has capacity to provide informed consent. Consultee assent is sought if an individual lacks capacity.Study results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals and scientific conferences. Key study results will be summarised and disseminated to all study participants via newsletters, local older people’s publications and local engagement events. Results will be reported on a bespoke CARE75+ website.Trial registration numberISRCTN16588124;Results stage

scholarly journals Well Being of Older Gay and Bisexual Men and Women in England: Results of a Cross-Sectional Population Based Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Grabovac ◽  
L Smith ◽  
D T McDermott ◽  
S Stefanac ◽  
L Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Older People ◽  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Bisexual

Abstract Background Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older people are an under-represented population in research, with limited research noting more depression, loneliness, rejection, overall poorer health and well-being outcomes. Our study compared well-being, defined as quality of life (QOL), life satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and depression, among LGB people with their heterosexual peers’. Methods Cross-sectional data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, collected 2012-2013. A total of 5691 participants were included in the analysis, with 326 (5.7%) self-identifying as LGB. We used CASP-19 questionnaire for well-being; the Satisfaction with Life Scale for life satisfaction; and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for depressive symptoms. The question “During the past three months, how satisfied have you been with your overall sex life?” was used for sexual satisfaction. T-test and chi-square tests were used for differences in sociodemographic characteristics between LGB and heterosexual participants. Regression models were used to test associations between sexual orientation and well-being outcomes. Results LGB participants reported significantly lower mean quality of life and life satisfaction, and had significantly lower odds of reporting satisfaction with their overall sex life and higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms in unadjusted models. After adjustment for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, there remained significant differences between groups in mean QOL scores (B= -0.96, 95% [CI] -1.87 to -0.06) and odds of sexual satisfaction (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.82). Conclusions LGB older people report lower quality of life and lower sexual satisfaction than their heterosexual counterparts, possibly associated with experiencing lifelong social discrimination. Main message: Older lesbian, gay and bisexual people in England report significantly lower QOL and sexual satisfaction in comparison to heterosexual counterparts.

scholarly journals MAKING THE AGING EXPERIENCE WORTHWHILE: HOW SOCIAL INTERACTION CONTRIBUTES TO ACTIVE AGING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S533-S533
Author(s):  
Daniel Doh ◽  
Kwadwo Adusei-Asante ◽  
Vicki Banham
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
World Health ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Country Level ◽  
The World ◽  
The Individual

Abstract In most parts of the world, people are now living longer lives, which presents both opportunities and concerns over how to make the ageing process a worthwhile experience. The World Health Organisation’s Active Ageing model became a prominent global policy response since 2002 and has evolved into different country-level ageing policies. While a considerable volume of literature exists on active ageing – testing the validity of its various components, there is limited empirical evidence of how social interaction contributes to active ageing for older people and how it can be promoted through policy. In this paper, we examine social interaction and how it contributes to lived experiences of active ageing among a sample of 30 older Ghanaians living in Australia and Ghana. Our findings confirm the significance of social interaction for active ageing, and shows that social interaction creates a sense of purpose for living, which leads to the ability of the individual to build resilience, which mitigates anxieties and pains associated with ill health (especially for frail older people); enhances self-motivation for play and fun; empowers the individual to explore opportunities for continuous activity including leisure, and improves the general feeling of happiness resulting in active ageing – quality of life. The paper’s main argument is that social interaction presents potentials for improving the quality of life (active ageing) for older people and needs to be carefully considered in policy, research and practice.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF A PARO INTERVENTION ON DEPRESSION AND WELL-BEING IN OLDER ADULTS WITH DEPRESSION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S341-S341
Author(s):  
Shu-Chuan Chen ◽  
Wendy Moyle ◽  
Cindy Jones
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to explore the effect of a social robot Paro intervention on depression and well-being in older adults with depression living in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Methods: This study was adopted a single group and quasi-experimental with repeated measures design. Each participant participated in two stages: observation and Paro intervention stages. Stage 1 was an 8-week observation stage in long-term care facilities where the purpose was to observe the normal mood, behaviour and activities of older adults with depression. In stage 2, each participant was given a Paro by the researcher to keep for 24 hours for 7 days in for 8 weeks. Outcome measurements were obtained 4 times: a week before the intervention (T1), immediately the end of 8-week observation (T2), mid-point of Paro intervention (T3), and immediately the end of 8-week Paro intervention (T4). Instruments included the Geriatric Depression Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale version 3, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-OLD. Results: There were 20 participants completed the study. The mean age of participants was 81.1years (SD = 8.2). After 8-week Paro intervention, statistically significant differences in changes were found on depression, loneliness, and quality of life from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Conclusion: This study was found that Paro intervention has beneficial effects on depression and mental well-being for older people with depression in long-term care facilities. Paro Intervention might be a suitable psychosocial intervention for older people with depression and should be considered as a useful tool in clinical practice.

Health literacy and its effects on well-being: how vulnerable healthcare service users integrate online resources

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-715
Author(s):  
Justine Virlée ◽  
Allard C.R. van Riel ◽  
Wafa Hammedi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

Purpose This study aims to develop a better understanding of how online health community (OHC) members with different health literacy (HL) levels benefit from their participation, through the analysis and comparison of their resource integration (RI) processes. It investigates through a RI lens how the vulnerability of community members – captured as their level of HL – affects the benefits they derive from participation. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to investigate the effects of healthcare service users’ vulnerability. Data were collected about their profiles and levels of HL. Furthermore, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted. Findings The study demonstrates how low levels of HL act as a barrier to the integration of available online health resources. Participation in OHCs appears less beneficial for vulnerable users. Three types of benefits were identified at the individual level, namely, psychological quality-of-life, physical quality-of-life and learning. Benefits identified at the community level were: content generation and participation in the development of the community. Originality/value This study has implications for the understanding of how service users’ activities affect their own outcomes and how the vulnerability of users could be anticipated and considered in the design of the community.

scholarly journals Quality of Life as an Indicator for Care Delivery in Clinical Oncology Using FHIR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal N.L. Beutter ◽  
Jan Ross ◽  
Patrick Werner ◽  
Dilyana Vladimirova ◽  
Uwe M. Martens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Element ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
First Results ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Individual

Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) as a parameter for patient well-being is becoming increasingly important.[1] Nevertheless, it is mainly used as an endpoint in studies rather than as an indicator for adjustments in therapy. In this paper we will present an approach to gradually integrate quality of life (QoL) as a control element into the care delivery of oncology. Concept: Acceptance, usability, interoperability and data protection were identified and integrated as key indicators for the development. As an initial approach, a questionnaire tool was developed to provide patients a simplified answering of questionnaires and physicians a clearer presentation of the results. Implementation: As communication standard HL7 FHIR was used and known security concepts like OpenID Concept were integrated. In a usability study, first results were achieved by asking patients in the waiting room to answer a questionnaire, which will be discussed with the physician in the appointment. This study was conducted in 2019 at theSLK Clinics Heilbronn and achieved 86% participation of all respondents with an average age of 67 years. Discussion: Although the evaluation study could prove positive results in usability and acceptance, it is necessary to aim for longitudinal surveys in order to include QoL as a control element in the therapy. However, a longitudinal survey through questionnaires leads to decreasing compliance and increasing response bias. [2] For this reason, the concept needs to be expanded. With sensors a continuous monitoring can be carried out and the data can be mapped to the individual, interpreted by machine learning. Conclusion: Questionnaires are a concept that has been successfully applied in studies for years. However, since care delivery poses different challenges, the integration of new concepts is inevitable. The authors are currently working on an extension of the use of questionnaires with patient generated data through sensors.

scholarly journals Strengths in the elderly as a factor that increases wellbeing

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-195
Author(s):  
Encarnación Ramírez ◽  
Ana R. Ortega ◽  
Rafael Martos
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Emotional Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Moral Value ◽  
Traditional Therapy ◽  
Psychological Strengths

In the last decades there has been increased the study of the psychological strengths as factor that concerns the well-being. They are considered as a subset of features of personality to which a moral value is added, being defined as natural qualities that the persons are intrinsically motivated to use as they increase the quality of life. The investigations demonstrate that they act as factors of protection and prevention of the psychopathology and of the problems of behavior in the different stages of life. There are strengths that are more relevant in older people and their training would try to influence the behavior and the emotional functioning to increase the satisfaction with the life. In the present work we analyze the strengths that predominate in older and we propose a program of intervention to promote the improve their health and quality of life. This is a new proposal because, until now, interventions in this area have been aimed at palliate various problems or as a complement to traditional therapy but not to prevent the onset of common disorders in the elderly.

scholarly journals Well-being, capabilities and philosophical practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-120
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Bulatovic
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Philosophical Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
Unique Definition ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Assess Quality

The concept of well being has become the main criterion to assess quality of life in contemporary society. Individual well-being describes the individual quality of life, while social well-being refers to quality of life in a society. Given that well-being has a multitude of dimensions, a unique definition of it is elusive to scholars. In this article social well-being is conceptualised as a dynamic process within the context set by social integration as one?s relationship to society and the community. This includes the quality of interaction between the individual and society and one?s ?social actualisation? understood as the realisation of one?s social capacities. Social actualisation also involves one?s ability to influence social processes and to benefit from social cohesion, which consists, in any society, of the quality, organisation and functioning of the social world. Hence the ability to impact society is an integral part of individual well being. This paper suggests that philosophical practice as a new paradigm in the humanities holds out promise for the improvement of both individual and social well-being.

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