Consideration of Forgiveness to Enhance the Health Status of Older Male Prisoners Confronting Spiritual, Social, or Emotional Vulnerability
Participants in this study included 261 men, aged 45 and older, residing within state-managed correctional facilities in Oklahoma. Path analysis was used to examine an integrated mediation model. Spiritual ambivalence, loneliness, and depressive affect had direct negative associations with forgiveness, controlling for age, race, education, and type of crime. Forgiveness also maintained a direct positive association with perceived health status, whereas depressive affect maintained a direct negative association with perceived health status. In addition, a significant indirect effect of depressive affect on perceived health ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - October 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Bishop, A. J., Randall, G. K., Merten, M. J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
How Case Characteristics Differ across Four Types of Elder Maltreatment: Implications for Tailoring Interventions to Increase Victim Safety
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether case characteristics are differentially associated with four forms of elder maltreatment. Method: Triangulated interviews were conducted with 71 APS caseworkers, 55 victims of substantiated abuse whose cases they managed, and 35 third party persons. Results: Pure financial exploitation (PFE) was characterized by victim unawareness of financial exploitation and living alone. Physical abuse (PA) was characterized by victim’s desire to protect the abusive individual. Neglect was characterized by isolation and victim’s residing with the abusive individual....
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - October 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Jackson, S. L., Hafemeister, T. L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
An Exploratory Study of the Effectiveness of Memory Aids for Older People Living in Supported Accommodation
There is increasing evidence that electronic and other aids can support older people’s memory. In an effectiveness study, we explored whether assistive technologies could benefit 200 potential beneficiaries in a naturalistic setting. We first interviewed 50 participants to assess needs and preferences for memory aids, then researched, developed and trialled specific aids, and finally administered a follow-up questionnaire assessing future use of aids. Matching aids to needs was not easy. Relatively few people were interested in trailing aids. Simpler aids were most successful. Participants were curious about electron...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - October 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Collerton, D., Forster, E., Packham, D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Validation of a Self-Administered Computerized System to Detect Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
There is increasing interest in the development of economical and accurate approaches to identifying persons in the community who have mild, undetected cognitive impairments. Computerized assessment systems have been suggested as a viable approach to identifying these persons. The validity of a computerized assessment system for identification of memory and executive deficits in older individuals was evaluated in the current study. Volunteers (N = 235) completed a 3-hr battery of neuropsychological tests and a computerized cognitive assessment system. Participants were classified as impaired (n = 78) or unimpaired (n = 157...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - October 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Brinkman, S. D., Reese, R. J., Norsworthy, L. A., Dellaria, D. K., Kinkade, J. W., Benge, J., Brown, K., Ratka, A., Simpkins, J. W. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Volunteers Supporting Older People in Formal Care Settings in England: Personal and Local Factors Influencing Prevalence and Type of Participation
This article investigate the levels and profile of contribution of volunteers in the LTC sector using a large national data set, National Minimum Data Set for Social Care, linked to local area levels of rurality and socio-economic status. The analysis shows that volunteer activity in formal care services varies between sectors and service types, with no strong relationship between local area deprivation, unemployment levels, and levels of volunteering. However, some significant association was found with level of rurality. The contribution of volunteers is most evident in provision of counseling, support, advocacy, and adv...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - October 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Hussein, S., Manthorpe, J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
2014 Year in Review
(Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - October 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gaugler, J. E. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
The Impact of Activity Interventions on the Well-Being of Older Adults in Continuing Care Communities
This study evaluates the impacts of participation in discretionary activities on life satisfaction, social isolation, and loneliness, using data from a longitudinal study of older adults in AICs. Older adults who participated in 8 weeks of discretionary activities reported greater life satisfaction and lower levels of social isolation compared with non-participants. Forming alliances and group identities is the key for building new relationships and maintaining relationships in the community. Determining the impact participation in activities has on residents is vital to being able to help develop a more comprehensive unde...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 16, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Winstead, V., Yost, E. A., Cotten, S. R., Berkowsky, R. W., Anderson, W. A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Low-Intensity Walking Activity Is Associated With Better Health
We examined the cross-sectional association between low-intensity walking activity (<100 steps/min) and health and physical function in a group of older adults. Participants (N = 187; age = 66.8; 91.4% African American; 76.5% female) wore a StepWatch Activity Monitor to measure components of low-intensity walking activity. Only 7% of participants met physical activity guidelines and moderate-intensity activity (≥100 steps/min) contributed only 10% of the total steps/day and 2% of the total min/day. Greater amount, frequency, and duration of low-intensity activity were associated with better self-report and performanc...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 16, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Varma, V. R., Tan, E. J., Wang, T., Xue, Q.-L., Fried, L. P., Seplaki, C. L., King, A. C., Seeman, T. E., Rebok, G. W., Carlson, M. C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Validation of Housing Standards Addressing Accessibility: Exploration of an Activity-Based Approach
The aim was to explore the use of an activity-based approach to determine the validity of a set of housing standards addressing accessibility. This included examination of the frequency and the extent of accessibility problems among older people with physical functional limitations who used no mobility device (n = 10) or who used a wheelchair (n = 10) or a rollator (n = 10). The setting was a kitchen designed according to present housing standards. The participants prepared lunch in the kitchen. Accessibility problems were assessed by observation and self-report. Differences between the three participant groups were examin...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 16, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Helle, T., Iwarsson, S., Brandt, A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Socioeconomic Status, Comorbidity, Activity Limitation, and Healthy Life Expectancy in Older Men and Women: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study in Japan
In conclusion, elderly people with higher SES were more likely to live longer with good self-rated health, via living with less chronic diseases and better performance in daily living activities, especially for elderly women. (Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 16, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Yang, S., Hoshi, T., Wang, S., Nakayama, N., Kong, F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
A Population-Based Study of Physical Function and Risk for Elder Abuse Reported to Social Service Agency: Findings from the Chicago Health and Aging Project
We examined the association between physical function and the risk for reported elder abuse. In the Chicago Health and Aging Project (N = 8,932), 238 participants had reported elder abuse. The independent variable was objectively assessed physical function using both directly observed physical performance testing and self-reported physical function (Katz activity of daily living scale, Nagi physical activity scale, and Rosow Breslau mobility scales). Outcomes were elder abuse and specific subtypes of elder abuse. After adjusting for confounders, lower levels of physical performance testing (OR, 2.71[1.58-4.64]), Katz impai...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 16, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Dong, X., Simon, M., Evans, D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
A Longitudinal Examination of Sleep Quality and Physical Activity in Older Adults
The relationship between sleep quality and physical activity is bidirectional, yet prior research on older adults has mainly focused on investigating whether increasing levels of physical activity leads to improvements in sleep quality. The current longitudinal study examined both directional relationships by assessing sleep quality and physical activity twice over a two-year period among 426 community-dwelling older adults (ages 61-100). A cross-lagged panel analysis that included age, gender, perceived stress, functional ability, and severity of chronic health conditions as covariates, revealed that better initial sleep ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 16, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Holfeld, B., Ruthig, J. C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Activity and Its Importance in Aging
(Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 16, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gaugler, J. E. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Assessing the Educational and Support Needs of Nursing Staff Serving Older Adults: A Case Study of a Community Coalition/University Partnership
Given the expected changes in demography and dependent care ratios, communities are preparing for the needs of older populations. Sometimes, communities form coalitions to address health-care needs. This case study evaluates a coalition/university partnership formed to assess the educational and support needs of nursing staff who are taking care of older adults across all service settings in one geographically defined community. A 17-member community-based coalition contracted with researchers from an external university to determine the perceptions of three key stakeholder groups: older adults and their families, all leve...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - August 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Perry, T. E., Ziemba, R. Tags: Process Evaluation Source Type: research
Why and How Do Nursing Homes Implement Culture Change Practices? Insights From Qualitative Interviews in a Mixed Methods Study
To understand the process of instituting culture change (CC) practices in nursing homes (NHs). NH Directors of Nursing (DONs) and Administrators (NHAs) at 4,149 United States NHs were surveyed about CC practices. Follow-up interviews with 64 NHAs were conducted and analyzed by a multidisciplinary team which reconciled interpretations recorded in an audit trail. Results: The themes include: (a) Reasons for implementing CC practices vary; (b) NH approaches to implementing CC practices are diverse; (c) NHs consider resident mix in deciding to implement practices; (d) NHAs note benefits and few costs to implementing CC practic...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - August 20, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Shield, R. R., Looze, J., Tyler, D., Lepore, M., Miller, S. C. Tags: Mixed Methods Source Type: research
