The Relationship Between Time Spent by Older Adults in Leisure Activities and Life Satisfaction

This study looked at the relationship between time spent in leisure and the life satisfaction of older adults. Questionnaires regarding demographics, life satisfaction, and time spent in leisure were distributed to 51 subjects, age sixty and older. The hypothesis, life satisfaction is higher in older adults who spend a greater amount of time engaged in leisure activity each week, was tested at an alpha level of .05. The results from this study were not statistically significant, and the hypothesis was rejected; however, the life satisfaction of this group of subjects was found to be normal to high while their degree of leisure participation was also high.     

Informal Care Networks of Older Adults with an Intellectual Disability

This report describes a study of people with intellectual disability over the age of 40 years who were still living with relatives in the family home. Previous studies have revealed that there exist different types of social networks and that identifying network type and available informal support is important for planning effective service delivery. The main focus of this investigation was on the structure and characteristics of informal support networks and the pattern of support that occurred. The sample consisted of 32 individuals with an intellectual disability, mean age 46.7 years. Overall, the study found that carers received little support from other family members and the wider community in performing personal and household care tasks. The informal networks of older adults with learning disability operated on a hierarchical basis with primary family members, particularly parents and siblings, providing the bulk of informal support. Other relatives and friends and neighbours played a less significant role in informal care networks. The study also draws attention to the increasing number of elderly carers who, often single-handedly, provide the primary sources of care for older adults with learning disability. Contrary to what might be expected, it was found that the size of an individual's network, in terms of numbers of localised kin members, was not related to the amount of support the main carer received from others.     

Physical Training and Well‐being in Older Adults with Mild Intellectual Disability: A Residential Care Study

Background Exercise is important for health and well‐being. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical training on general well‐being and self‐image in older people with intellectual disability. Methods This study evaluated older adults with intellectual disability in residential care in Israel. The concept of well‐being perceived by the participants was measured by direct interview with a questionnaire consisting of 37 structural statements. The physical training programme was conducted three times a week for 10 consecutive months. Results Statistical analyses suggested a positive relationship between perceived well‐being and physical training between the experimental and control group. Conclusions This positive relation supports the important role of physical training to improve perceived well‐being among older adults with intellectual disability.     

Internet Use and Life Satisfaction in Individuals with Physical Disabilities

Rehabilitation aims to make necessary changes to help individuals achieve maximum life satisfaction. This study focused on Internet competence and use as factors related to life satisfaction for individuals with physical disabilities. Data from the 2016 Information Divide Index of the National Information Society Agency were analyzed. Regression analyses indicated a negative correlation between Internet use related to life services and life satisfaction; however, findings also suggested Internet use has positive effects on life satisfaction for individuals with physical disabilities. Internet use can help improve the life satisfaction of individuals with physical disabilities, and measures to increase competence and use are necessary.

     

Depression, Physical Health Impairment and Service Use Among Older Adults

Abstract The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare service use and need among 80 community-dwelling older adults (55 women and 25 men): and (2) to examine the influence of depression on service use and need. Participants were divided into three groups based on their depression scores (no depression, mild depression, severe depression) and compared on a wide range of services (e.g., medical services, social/recreational, transportation) typically used by older adults. There were no significant differences among the three groups for demographic characteristics and chronic illness types, but there were significant differences for physical health impairment (PHI). When controlling for PHI, significant differences were found among the groups for mental health services, psychotropic medications, number of sick days, hospitalizations, home help, frequency of transportation, social/recreational services, and sports-related activities. Mildly and severely depressed older adults used and needed more medical services than did their non-depressed cohorts, but used less of other types of services (e.g., social/recreational services). Depression was a significant predictor of social/recreational service use. and for need of mental health services, psychotropic medications, financial assistance, and assessment and referral services. A consistent pattern was found of depression influencing service use and need.     

Love Over Gold—The Correlation of Happiness Level with Some Life Satisfaction Factors Between Persons with and Without Physical Disability

The aim of this research was to examine levels of happiness among persons with and without physical disability, and to study prediction of happiness from satisfaction with various life aspects. A group of persons with physical disability (N = 397) and the control group of persons from the general population (N = 913) filled in the Fordyce instrument (Social Indicators Research, 20:355–381, 1988) to evaluate levels of happiness and the “International Well-being Index” to measure satisfaction with particular life aspects. Both groups expressed positive happiness level and satisfaction with the majority of life aspects. However, happiness level of persons with disability was significantly lower. Forty-eight percent of the variance in happiness among persons with disability and 30% of the variance in happiness among the control group can be assigned to various life satisfaction aspects. Satisfaction with health, relationships, and achievements contribute to happiness in both groups, while satisfaction with physical safety and acceptance by the community are significant happiness predictors only for persons with disability. Economic status is the only significant predictor for the control group.     

慢性疼痛患者疼痛功能障碍和生活满意度的影响因素分析

目的了解慢性疼痛患者疼痛功能障碍和生活满意度的相关影响因素,以期为减轻患者功能障碍、提高患者生活满意度提供依据。方法便利抽样法选取在上海市某三级甲等医院疼痛门诊就诊的慢性疼痛患者53例作为研究对象,采用一般资料调查表、疼痛功能障碍量表和生活满意度量表对其进行调查。结果 90%的慢性疼痛患者出现了功能障碍,得分为(21.36±19.93)分;患者生活满意度得分为(22.12±8.43)分。在慢性疼痛患者的疼痛功能障碍方面,患者的过去一段时间的平均疼痛程度、疼痛带来经济压力的轻重和文化程度有统计学意义(P0.05);在慢性疼痛患者的生活满意度方面,患者疼痛带来经济压力的轻重、宗教信仰和职业状态有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论疼痛功能障碍与过去一段时间的平均疼痛程度、疼痛带来经济压力的轻重和文化程度有关,生活满意度与疼痛带来经济压力的轻重、宗教信仰和职业状态有关。为此,提供有效的缓解慢性疼痛的措施和相关知识,尽可能减少功能障碍的发生,并降低经济因素,可对慢性疼痛患者疼痛功能障碍和生活满意度方面产生积极的影响。     

Depression, Social Support, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Osteoarthritis

To develop an understanding of the quality of life of older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) with varying levels of depression and social supportas a basis for nursing interventions. Osteoarthritis in the United States is the number one chronic disease in late life and the major cause of disability in older adults. In addition to the functional disability and economic effect of OA, older people with this disease experience suffering, depression, and diminished quality of life.

Design:

For this cross-sectional survey, a convenience sample of 50 older adults with OA was recruited from two U.S. hospital-based arthritis clinics in northern Ohio for 3-months during 1995.

Methods:

During face-to-face interviews, the Arthritis Impact Scales, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Social Support Questionnaire, and Quality of Life Survey, were used to measure osteoarthritis severity, depression, informal social support, and quality of life.

Findings:

Although few formal social support services were used, high levels of satisfaction from the subjects' large informal networks of family and friends were reported. In addition, satisfaction with subjects' quality of life was extremely high despite depression, co-morbid conditions, pain, and functional limitation.

Conclusions:

Social support appeared to play an important role in moderating the effects of pain, functional limitation, and depression on these subjects' quality of life. Nurses who work with older adults are in a unique position to help them adjust to living with osteoarthritis by providing them the support needed to help them manage their disease.     

Sexuality Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Diagnosed and Undiagnosed Diabetes: A national, population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To describe sexual activity, behavior, and problems among middle-age and older adults by diabetes status.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a substudy of 1,993 community-residing adults, aged 57–85 years, from a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample (N = 3,005). In-home interviews, observed medications, and A1C were used to stratify by diagnosed diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, or no diabetes. Logistic regression was used to model associations between diabetes conditions and sexual characteristics, separately by gender.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 75.5%. More than 60% of partnered individuals with diagnosed diabetes were sexually active. Women with diagnosed diabetes were less likely than men with diagnosed diabetes (adjusted odds ratio 0.28 [95% CI 0.16–0.49]) and other women (0.63 [0.45–0.87]) to be sexually active. Partnered sexual behaviors did not differ by gender or diabetes status. The prevalence of orgasm problems was similarly elevated among men with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes compared with that for other men, but erectile difficulties were elevated only among men with diagnosed diabetes (2.51 [1.53 to 4.14]). Women with undiagnosed diabetes were less likely to have discussed sex with a physician (11%) than women with diagnosed diabetes (19%) and men with undiagnosed (28%) or diagnosed (47%) diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Many middle-age and older adults with diabetes are sexually active and engage in sexual behaviors similarly to individuals without diabetes. Women with diabetes were more likely than men to cease all sexual activity. Older women with diabetes are as likely to have sexual problems but are significantly less likely than men to discuss them.Advances in treatment for diabetes have prolonged and improved quality of life for many of the ∼12 million affected individuals aged ≥60 years in the U.S. Clinical guidelines for diabetes care include assessment and treatment of erectile problems in men (1). Sexual problems may be a warning sign of diabetes or a consequence that can lead to depression, lack of adherence to treatment, and strained intimate relationships. In contrast, older women''s sexual issues have been largely overlooked in screening for and treating diabetes (1,2). Failure to recognize and address sexual issues among middle-aged and older adults with diabetes may impair quality of life and adaptation to the disease.Some adults with diabetes maintain sexual relationships throughout their lives (3). Prior studies have focused on the pathophysiological effects of diabetes on male sexual function, primarily erection and sexual desire. The effects of diabetes on women''s sexual functioning are poorly understood and probably multifactorial (2). Sexual problems in adults with diabetes have been associated with age, disease duration, and comorbidity (1). The effects of chronic hyperglycemia, degree of diabetes control, or use of glucose-lowering drugs are less clear (4), in part because individuals with undiagnosed or preclinical diabetes are typically aggregated with control subjects in other studies (1). Psychosocial correlates of sexual problems in individuals with diagnosed diabetes have been found in younger adults. Studies including older adults find associations with depression (1), vulnerability, lifestyle restrictions due to disease management (5), and marital conflict (6).Prior data on sexuality in individuals with diabetes were derived primarily from studies that are small, have not included very old individuals or aggregated individuals ≥65 years, lacked a comparison group, and relied on convenience or other nongeneralizable samples (1,2). Comprehensive, population-based data are needed to further physicians'' understanding of the sexual norms and problems of older adults with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. Virtually nothing is known about sexual function among individuals with undiagnosed diabetes; this information could be relevant for diagnosis, motivation to engage in treatment, and prevention of sexual and nonsexual diabetes-related complications. The National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) provides disease-specific data on the sexual activity, behaviors, and problems of middle-aged and older adults affected by diabetes.     

The Prevalence and Severity of Physical Mobility Limitations in Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Background The population of older adults with intellectual disabilities is growing, creating new challenges for individuals, families and service providers. Although there has been increased research into the ageing process for adults with intellectual disabilities, there is little focused research investigating physical mobility. Materials and Methods A proxy‐response telephone survey was conducted to establish the prevalence and severity of mobility limitations among adults with intellectual disabilities, aged 45 years and over, using validated instruments to quantify mobility in a representative population‐based sample. Results Surveys were completed for 128 people. Mobility limitations were common, but the prevalence varied depending on the definition of mobility limitation. The prevalence of limitations was greater among females than males, but no clear age trend was seen. Conclusions The common nature of mobility limitations among the growing population of older adults with intellectual disabilities has implications for service providers and policy‐makers.     

老年慢性心力衰竭患者自我护理行为与其生活质量的相关性

目的探讨老年慢性心力衰竭患者自我护理行为与其生活质量的相关性,以期为开展提高患者的生活质量干预研究提供实证依据。方法 2011年5月至2012年6月,采用便利抽样法选取中山市人民医院心血管内科住院治疗的115例老年慢性心力衰竭患者为研究对象。采用心力衰竭自我护理索引V.4(self-care of heart failure index,SCHFI V.4)、明尼苏达生活质量问卷(Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire,MLHFQ)、一般情况调查表对其进行自我护理行为和生活质量测评。结果患者SCHFI V.4中自我护理的维护、自我护理的管理和自我护理信心的评分分别为(46.56±22.31)、(50.43±21.56)和(48.15±19.33)分,MLHFQ中身体领域、情绪领域及总体的健康相关生活质量的评分分别为(25.54±6.84)、(8.32±6.73)和(48.35±15.62)分。老年慢性心力衰竭患者自我护理信心与生活质量具有相关性(均P<0.01),自我护理信心是生活质量的影响因素。结论提高老年心力衰竭患者自我护理信心有助于改善患者的生活质量。     

肢残儿童四类辅助器具满意度调查①

目的调查肢残儿童四类辅助器具使用情况.方法采用整群抽样的方法,以照看者为对象,对2009年~2011年为残疾儿童免费配发的轮椅、助行器、站立架、矫形器四类辅助器具使用满意度开展问卷调查,包括辅助器具质量、使用、售后服务等.结果和结论残疾儿童及其照看者对使用的辅助器具满意.相对其他三种辅助器具,矫形器满意度较低.     

Physical Activity and the Effect of Multimorbidity on All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults

Objective

To examine the stratified and joint associations of physical activity (PA) and the number of chronic conditions on long-term all-cause mortality.