J. Ageing Longev., Volume 4, Issue 3 (September 2024) – 9 articles

The growing population of aging adults, coupled with the widespread adoption of technology, including within virtual environments, prompts the need to understand technology engagement preferences among older adults. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of older adults engaging with a client-centered immersive virtual reality (IVR) protocol tailored to their specific occupational interests. Employing a mixed methods approach, the research combined the quantitative System Usability Scale (SUS) assessment with qualitative interviews to examine the feasibility, usability, and learning experiences of community-dwelling older adults. Fifteen (n = 15) older adult participants trialed an IVR session tailored to match their chosen occupations of importance. Findings revealed that the usability of IVR varied significantly among participants, with an average SUS score of 55, indicating a need for further investigation into usability issues. Qualitative analysis identified three themes: IVR is usable when it is intuitive and with training, balance the apps for success, and overall lasting impressions were related to the perceived implementation for the participant. The incorporation of meaningful occupations in IVR programming is feasible and can be integrated into healthy aging-in-place programming; however, expanding available leisure-based apps and increasing the learning time before engagement should be considered. Full article

The global centenarian population is expected to reach 4 million by 2050, yet little is known about the health status of centenarians in Sub-Saharan Africa. A case study examined the health conditions and functionality of nine Ethiopian centenarians. In-depth interviews revealed that all nine were Orthodox Christians and lived with extended family; eight were male. Aside from minor health complaints, centenarians in rural Ethiopia perceived that their sensory/cognitive functionality was normal until their late 90s. Despite a lack of medical care, the centenarians included two survivors, four delayers, and three escapers. Centenarians in rural Ethiopia were embedded in closely knit, religious, multigenerational households and communities and aspired to live resiliently. These findings call for the consideration of the unique health status of centenarians in Global South nations in their own cultural context. Full article

Quality of life, resilience, and life satisfaction are influential variables during periods of change and adaptation, such as retirement. To assess the relationships between these variables and to analyze differences based on sex and length of time in retirement. This descriptive-correlational study was conducted with a sample of 63 participants, aged 50 to 84 years, who were effectively retired and residing in Spain. Participants completed a form measuring levels of resilience, quality of life, life satisfaction, and sociodemographic data. The data showed a positive and significant correlation between resilience and life satisfaction, and between quality of life and life satisfaction. Significant differences were found in quality of life based on the length of time in retirement. This study has elucidated the relationships between quality of life, resilience, and life satisfaction, as well as the influence of sociodemographic variables on these factors. These insights will aid in developing effective intervention programs for the retirement stage that promote quality of life, resilience, and life satisfaction among retired individuals. Full article

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder typically beginning in middle or late life, with risk increasing with age. Accessing health services for people living with Parkinson’s disease can be challenging and stressful, often resulting in the worsening of current symptoms, the development of new symptoms, including infection, fatigue, and confusion, or medication changes. This can lead to an increased length of stay in hospital and/or readmission, further worsening symptoms. The aim of this scoping review is to explore how quality improvement and healthcare redesign initiatives have contributed to understanding issues around length of stay and readmission to hospital for people living with Parkinson’s disease. The review was guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist. The Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), Medline, and Cumulated Index in Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases were searched for relevant articles published between 2019 and 2023. The included articles were categorised using thematic analysis. Ten articles were included in this review, resulting in the following three major categories: issues contributing to length of stay and readmission, interventions, and recommendations. Quality improvement and healthcare redesign can improve the length of stay and readmission rates for people living with Parkinson’s disease through robust design, delivery, and evaluation. Full article

Background: The global increase in the ageing population underscores the importance of a holistic approach to gerontological research. Social frailty, a state of vulnerability, is a growing concern that significantly affects the well-being and health outcomes of older people. With Hong Kong projected to have the world’s largest ageing population by 2050, research on social frailty within this demographic is crucial. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of social frailty among older adults in Hong Kong and examine its association with demographic characteristics. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using data from an online survey on older adults in Hong Kong, yielding 200 respondents. The survey encompassed demographic details, the Social Frailty Scale (SFS-8), and health-related factors. Results: Participants were categorized into three groups: social non-frailty (SNF, 41.5%), social pre-frailty (SPF, 34.5%), and social frailty (SF, 24%). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed that self-rated health status negatively correlates with social frailty (SF) (r = −0.19, p < 0.001) and the number of diagnosed health conditions (r = −0.29, p < 0.001) but positively correlates with education level (r = 0.14, p < 0.05). Notably, the SPF group exhibited the highest prevalence of high cholesterol, hypertension, visual impairments, and diabetes, followed by the SF and SNF groups. No significant relationship was found between gender and SF, the total number of diagnosed health conditions and SF, or individual chronic diseases and SF. Conclusion: This survey on social frailty among older people in Hong Kong found a higher prevalence of pre-frail and socially frail individuals compared to other regions. While many benefit from strong social support, socially pre-frail and socially frail individuals have reduced interactions, highlighting the importance of social connectedness. The higher incidence of social frailty, especially among the pre-frail, underscores the need to consider Hong Kong’s unique socio-cultural and economic contexts. As the first of its kind in the region, this study paves the way for further research and emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate assessment tools to better understand and address social frailty. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurocognitive disorder characterized by gradual onset and gradual progression, presenting a wide range of symptoms, with one of its main features being episodic memory impairment, present from the early stages of the disease. Currently, there is no cure for AD, so a multidimensional approach combining pharmacology with other non-pharmacological treatments is recommended to halt or delay cognitive and functional decline in patients. In this regard, music therapy emerges as a promising non-pharmacological treatment for memory in patients with AD, as musical memory appears to be preserved, retaining the ability to recall familiar songs and the memories associated with them. Therefore, the aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the current state of scientific research on the effects of music therapy on the memory of patients with AD in mild and moderate stages. A search was conducted in the Google Scholar, ProQuest, Summon, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, finding 15 articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results seem to support the use of music-based interventions for memory in patients with AD, especially regarding autobiographical memory. However, given the limitations encountered, we consider that the results pave the way for future research rather than providing solid conclusions about their effectiveness. Full article

Background: Self-perceptions of aging are important predictors of physical and mental health, longevity, and quality of life. The Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ) is the most promising scale of self-perceptions about aging and has been translated into many languages. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the B-APQ and examine its validity and reliability. Methods: A web-based survey of 1500 people aged 65 and older was conducted in Japan. Of the participants, 651 were men and 849 were women. The average age was 72.97 years. Results: No significant distributional biases were found for any items of the Japanese version of the B-APQ. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using the same model as the previous studies. The results of CFA showed that the goodness of fit indices met the acceptability criteria. Two-tailed Pearson correlations showed significant relationships between each factor of the Japanese version of the B-APQ as well as the cognitive and physical functioning, depression, and well-being of older adults. Conclusions: The Japanese version of the B-APQ has high internal consistency and significant factorial and construct-related validity. The Japanese version of the B-APQ is expected to be used to measure the self-perceptions of aging for further study in Japan. Full article

Intergenerational contact offers an under-explored strategic approach to challenging age stereotypes and positively influencing health behaviors in older adults and children. It is postulated that through the application of the constructs of Contact Theory, an effective platform for change could be established. Using an instrumental case study, the experiential effects of the intergenerational contact phenomenon were pragmatically explored from the perspective of a single familial dyad (61-year-old woman; 9-year-old boy). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant, both during and following engagement with a remote, 12-week, technology-driven physical activity intervention focused on using daily step counts (acquired via any activity of their choice, using physical activity trackers) to collaboratively complete virtual walk routes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through reflexive thematic analysis and interpretation of the data in line with the study’s aim and propositions, four core themes were identified: Reciprocal Encounter; Opportunity for Reflection and Re-evaluation; Platform for Change; and COVID-19. In addition to the perceived positive effects on targeted health outcomes (physical activity, sedentary behavior, health-related quality of life), facilitating intergenerational contact through virtual methods could also, through opportunities to nurture and build relationships, challenge age stereotypes. Full article

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults were considered one of the most vulnerable groups as they faced obstacles when traveling for daily activities. This study examined the impact of the pandemic on travel behaviors among older adults, aiming to shed light on the challenges they faced and potential strategies for support. Methods: We conducted semi-structured, individual interviews with older adults. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. In addition, their trip frequencies and usage of different transportation modes were descriptively analyzed. Results: While the participants reduced overall trip frequency during the pandemic, they were more observant when discussing essential needs. Study participants emphasized their reliance on family members for rides to essential destinations. Non-drivers faced added stressors and fears, particularly regarding safety measures and hygiene protocols on public transportation. Several individuals embraced ride-hailing services as a viable transportation solution, indicating benefits such as reduced exposure to crowded public transit and increased convenience. Conclusions: Macro-level efforts should include supplementary technological and transportation assistance services, along with increased awareness of safety protocols within public transit. These initiatives are expected to enhance the accessibility of existing mobility systems for older adults. Full article