"You Don't Want to Ask for the Help" The Imperative of Independence: Is It Related to Social Exclusion?
Independence is highly valued in Western society. The emphasis on independence and consequent fear of dependence may, however, have a downside, potentially leading to social exclusion. Through photovoice methodology, we explored what older adults say about the importance of independence in their lives and how independence may relate to social exclusion. Data consisted of photographs, journals, interviews, and focus group transcripts from 30 participants residing in Manitoba, Canada, collected as part of a larger program of research on "age-friendly" communities. Findings highlighted the importance of resources and supports...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Bell, S., Menec, V. Tags: Original Articles (E-Only) Source Type: research
Results of a Community Translation of the "Women Take PRIDE" Heart Disease Self-Management Program
This article reports the results of a community demonstration of an evidence-based heart disease self-management program for older women. Women Take PRIDE (WTP) is a group-based education and behavior modification program, based on social cognitive theory, designed to enhance heart disease self-management among older women. We implemented the program in community settings with 129 participants. Evaluation data was collected at baseline and at 4- and 12-month follow-ups. Outcomes included general health status, functional health status, and knowledge. Results showed significant improvements in self-rated health, energy, soc...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gallant, M. P., Pettinger, T. M., Coyle, C. L., Spokane, L. S. Tags: Translational Science Source Type: research
Aging in Community: Mobilizing a New Paradigm of Older Adults as a Core Social Resource
Dignity and independence are widely considered as core concepts to aging well, yet little research has explored how older adults perceive these issues in the context of community life. Moreover, little is known regarding the ways in which the broader public views and enhances aging with dignity and independence with their older residents. Using participatory action research, multiple methods of qualitative inquiry, and tenets of appreciative inquiry, this article reports on a community-based initiative aimed to better understand the positive aspects of aging with dignity and independence. Synthesized findings yielded 6 "ac...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Black, K., Dobbs, D., Young, T. L. Tags: Process Evaluation Source Type: research
"Another Day in Paradise": A Photovoice Journey of Rural Older Adults Living With Diabetes
This article provides the results of a photovoice project conducted with older adults affected by diabetes living in three rural counties in the southern region of the United States. Photovoice is a community-based participatory action methodology that puts the tools of research in the hands of participants. This project was an initial community engagement activity that promoted trust-building and formed part of a larger comprehensive community needs assessment. The process revealed themes of personal and community resilience focused on the daily living with diabetes, formal and informal supports, barriers to taking care o...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Yankeelov, P. A., Faul, A. C., D'Ambrosio, J. G., Collins, W. L., Gordon, B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Leaving Home: How Older Adults Prepare for Intensive Volunteering
Using the concepts in the Fogg Behavioral Model, 37 volunteers aged 50 and older described their preparation for intensive volunteering with faith-based organizations. Their multistage preparation process included decision points where respondents needed to choose whether to drop out or continue preparation. Ability was a stronger determinant of serving than motivation, particularly in terms of health and finances. This model can facilitate understanding of the barriers to volunteering and aid organizations in tailoring support at crucial points for potential older volunteers in intensive service. (Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Cheek, C., Piercy, K. W., Grainger, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Do Age-Friendly Characteristics Influence the Expectation to Age in Place? A Comparison of Low-Income and Higher Income Detroit Elders
Currently there is limited evidence linking age-friendly characteristics to outcomes in elders. Using a representative sample of 1,376 adults aged 60 and older living in Detroit, this study examined the association between age-friendly social and physical environmental characteristics and the expectation to age in place, and the potential differences between low- and higher-income elders. Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) age-friendly guide, we identified six factors reflecting age-friendly characteristics. Logistic regression models indicated that regardless of income level only neighborhood prob...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Lehning, A. J., Smith, R. J., Dunkle, R. E. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The Needs and Use of Programs by Service Providers Working With Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Grandparents who raise grandchildren often need support services. Yet, little is known about what service providers' need in order to better serve grandparents. As a result, qualitative methods were used to understand service providers’ views about programs and services they use when assisting grandparents raising grandchildren. We conducted telephone interviews with professional service providers (N = 16) from agencies serving grandparents. Data were transcribed verbatim and transcripts were analyzed using an inductive, constant comparison approach. Findings revealed two themes reflecting the types of services and s...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Fruhauf, C. A., Pevney, B., Bundy-Fazioli, K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Aging of Communities: Communities of Aging
(Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gaugler, J. E. Tags: Editor ' s Introduction Source Type: research
The Effect of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study
Equine assisted activities (hippotherapy and therapeutic riding) improve balance in patients with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, but have not been systematically studied in older adults, at risk of falls due to balance deficits. We conducted a 10-week, single blind, controlled trial of the effect of a therapeutic horseback riding course on measures of balance in community-dwelling adults 65 years and older. Nine riders and six controls completed the trial. Controls were age matched to riders and all participants were recruited from the local community. Both groups showed improvements in balance during the trial, but ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - December 29, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Homnick, T. D., Henning, K. M., Swain, C. V., Homnick, D. N. Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research
Waist Circumference Cutoff Points for Central Obesity in the Korean Elderly Population
The aim is to determine the appropriate cutoff values of waist circumference (WC) for an increased risk of the metabolic syndrome in the Korean elderly population. We analyzed the WC cutoff values of four groups divided according to sex and age with a total of 2,224 elderly participants aged 65 years old and above from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey using the receiver operating characteristic curve and multiple logistic regression. The WC cutoff values associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome were 89.6 cm for men and 90.5 cm for women for those who were 65 to 74 years old,...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - December 29, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: So, E. S., Yoo, K. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Factors Buffering Against the Effects of Job Demands: How Does Age Matter?
This study adds to previous research by addressing how the factors thought to buffer against the effects of job demands differ cross-sectionally by age. (Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - December 29, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Besen, E., Matz-Costa, C., James, J. B., Pitt-Catsouphes, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Sleep and Everyday Functioning in Older Adulthood
As individuals age they report increasing numbers of sleep problems (e.g., increased nighttime wakings) and this poorer sleep quality has been associated with increased risk for various medical conditions; however limited research has focused on the implications of sleep quality on everyday functioning in older adulthood. We compared three methods of sleep data collection (wrist actigraphy, self-report questionnaires, and sleep diary) and evaluated their relationships with three approaches to assessing everyday functioning (direct observation, self-report, and paper-and-pencil-based problem-solving tasks) in cognitively he...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - December 29, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Parsey, C. M., Schmitter-Edgecombe, M., Belenky, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Daily Mood and Out-of-Home Mobility in Older Adults: Does Cognitive Impairment Matter?
In conclusion, cognitive status in old age appears to impact on mobility and mood as such, rather than on the mood and out-of-home behavior connection. (Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - December 29, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Kaspar, R., Oswald, F., Wahl, H.-W., Voss, E., Wettstein, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Out-of-Home Behavior and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: Findings of the SenTra Project
This study explores differences in the out-of-home behavior of community-dwelling older adults with different cognitive impairment. Three levels of complexity of out-of-home behavior were distinguished: (a) mostly automatized walking behavior (low complexity), (b) global out-of-home mobility (medium complexity), and (c) defined units of concrete out-of-home activities, particularly cognitively demanding activities (high complexity). A sample of 257 older adults aged 59 to 91 years (M = 72.9 years, SD = 6.4 years) included 35 persons with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 76 persons with mild cognitive impairment ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - December 29, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Wettstein, M., Wahl, H.-W., Shoval, N., Oswald, F., Voss, E., Seidl, U., Frolich, L., Auslander, G., Heinik, J., Landau, R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Responding to Home Maintenance Challenge Scenarios: The Role of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation in Aging-in-Place
This study examined potential issues faced by older adults in managing their homes and their proposed solutions for overcoming hypothetical difficulties. Forty-four diverse, independently living older adults (66-85) participated in structured group interviews in which they discussed potential solutions to manage difficulties presented in four scenarios: perceptual, mobility, physical, and cognitive difficulties. The proposed solutions were classified using the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) model. Participants indicated they would continue performing most tasks and reported a range of strategies to manage ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - October 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Kelly, A. J., Fausset, C. B., Rogers, W., Fisk, A. D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
