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The current qualitative study aimed to understand factors in mobility care to inform practice improvements. Data were collected at three nursing homes in Melbourne, Australia, via interviews with 10 senior staff and 15 residents, focus groups with 18 direct care staff, and observations of 46 mobility events. Thematic and content analysis of data occurred. Findings included factors (a) intrinsic to residents, (b) intrinsic to staff, and (c) extrinsic to residents and staff, such as equipment and organizational factors. A model describing associations between factors and their roles as moderators and mediators of resident mobility was generated. Staff assistance, residents’ mobility effort, and equipment used during mobility were posited as complete or partial mediators of resident mobility outcomes. Barriers that may compromise the quality of mobility care in nursing homes emerged. The model provides direction for improvements in mobility care that integrate safety, mobility optimization, and person- and relationship-centered care. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2014; 7(6):284–291.]

The research reported in this article investigated the nature and the purpose of older people's social interactions in their local neighbourhood shops. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with and observation of 11 shoppers, aged 67 years and older, and six shopkeepers. Classic grounded theory analysis method revealed a previously uncharted psycho-social process associated with these interactions entitled by the authors as Civic Socialising; it highlights that older people's interactions in their local neighbourhood shops embody authentication of themselves as individuals and as community members, and their co-construction and co-preservation of the milieu of their local neighbourhood shopping precinct with a view to sustaining their ongoing autonomy. The new conceptual theory Civic Socialising highlights that older people can be proactive, resilient and capable, dimensions integral to human fulfilment, and demonstrates that older people can play an active role in their communities where the environment is enabling. The new conceptual theory Civic Socialising has significance for the way we determine and view older people's social relationships. Crucially, in light of a burgeoning older population world-wide, it is clear that policy makers and social planners must ensure that older people can continue to interact in their communities if ageing in place is to be a satisfying and cost-effective experience. Without such consideration, ageing in place could well create dependency and despondency.

Aims The aim of this study was to identify seminal Australasian Journal on Ageing papers published over 30 years through a Delphi consensus process. Method The main data collection was a three-round Delphi consensus study with 38 past and current members of the Australasian Journal on Ageing Editorial Board, Editorial Team and Management Committee. Results Three papers were agreed as top-ranking. One of the top-ranking articles was also highly cited. One article was published in the 1990s, two in 2001. Conclusions While it is difficult to judge how well the top-ranking papers represent seminal papers arising over 30 years, these papers do represent three different research strengths in Australasia, they do span three different disciplines, and they do reflect some of the diversity that characterises ageing research in Australasia over 30 years.

Purpose of the Study: Research is needed to demonstrate the application of person- and relationship-centered care to nursing home practice. This article aimed to find a suitable person/relationshipcentered framework to assist with mobility care practice improvements in nursing homes. Design and Method: The authors discuss the task of mobility care, the nature of person- and relationship-centered care, and the significance of such approaches to mobility care. The Senses Framework (Nolan, Davies, Ryan, & Keady, 2008) is employed to develop mobility care practice improvement objectives. Results: The objectives are used to evaluate outcomes from 2 hypothetical scenarios to illustrate the possible value of the Senses Framework. Implications: The Senses Framework facilitated development of objectives for mobility care practice improvement that considers the needs of all stakeholders.

Aim Many older people lead sedentary lives. National Health Survey physical activity prevalence data provide limited coverage of the ‘old old’ (≥75 years). Method The Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project's dataset provided physical activity data for 13 420 participants. Physical activity (walking, moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities in the previous week) was measured. Data were weighted and prevalence was calculated. Results The frequency of walking in DYNOPTA was similar to that in the national sample. Walking remained relatively stable until a decline among persons aged 80 years and over; moderate and vigorous activity declined in all but a minority of persons aged 70 years and over. Although DYNOPTA participants reported more physical activity than those in the contemporary national survey, the rates of sedentary behaviour were high. Conclusion We require more information about the ‘oldest old’ (85+ years). There is great scope for increasing physical activity, even walking, among older people.

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death may be associated with depression and antidepressants, but published findings remain equivocal. The authors aimed to determine the risk of CVD incidence and death associated with several classifications of depression. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted (1994–2006) in a regionally representative sample of 1000 non-institutionalised older Australians age 65+ years (47% men). Endpoints were non-fatal CVD incidence and death over 10 and 12-years, respectively. Depression incidence was assessed at 2-years. Depression related predictors were defined by symptoms (Psychogeriatric Assessment Scales, depression scale) and/or antidepressants to determine independent and/or joint effects on endpoints. Cox regressions determined unadjusted and multiple-adjusted (for significant covariates) hazard ratios (HR). Results Baseline response rate was 70.3%. Aggregate dropout rate was approximately 24% for survivors at biennial follow-ups, but death status was ascertained for all participants. Several classifications of depression predicted death in unadjusted analyses (39–60% >1), but effects disappeared in multiple-adjusted analyses (in which all HRs became

Aim: The aim of this research was to produce evidence-based recommendations on physical activity designed to improve and maintain the health of older Australians. Methods: The authors reviewed existing guidelines and consensus statements, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and research articles. Draft recommendations were circulated to stakeholder agencies and to an expert advisory group. Final recommendations were then forwarded to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing for Ministerial approval. Results: The physical activity recommendations for older Australians complement the current National Physical Activity Guidelines for adults and the American College of Sports Medicine and American Heart Association recommendations for older adults. The recommendations provide advice developed specifically for older Australians. Conclusion: Although the recommendations may be manifested in different ways, according to specific populations or settings, they apply to older people across all levels of health and have application to community dwelling people and those in residential care accommodation.

Inactivity has been identified as a major contributor to the burden of disease among older Australians, particularly those in culturally-diverse communities. This study assessed the facilitators and barriers to physical activity in older people from culturally-diverse communities, and investigated the predictors of physical activity participation by recruiting 333 older people from seven different communities in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. A survey questionnaire that recorded physical activity and the barriers to and facilitators of activity was interviewer-administered in the participants' preferred language. The data were analysed using bivariate and multivariate inferential statistical methods. Personal barriers to physical activity, such as poor health, lacking the energy to exercise, being too tired and low motivation, were highly prevalent in all groups. Specific factors, such as ‘being self-conscious about my looks’, were more prevalent among the Vietnamese, as were concerns about the weather among Macedonians and Croatians. Across all groups, perceptions of health and safety strongly influenced physical activity behaviour, more so than the external environment. Some of the barriers can be addressed with a common approach, but others in some communities will require particular strategies.

Objective The Regenerate pilot study explored whether a 10-week, community-based progressive resistance training (PRT) program could reduce depressive symptoms in depressed chronic stroke survivors. Methods Participants were screened for depressive status using the PHQ-9 and confirmed by psychiatric assessment. Eligible people (n = 45) were randomised to PRT or a waiting-list comparison group. The PRT program included two high intensity sessions/week for 10 weeks at a community-based gymnasium. Depressive status, physical and mental health and quality of life were measured at baseline, 10 weeks and 6 months. Muscle strength was assessed using 1 repetition maximum (1-RM) for upper and lower limbs. Results The participants' median age was 69 years: 27 were male. The intervention group had lower depression scores than the comparison group at all time points. At 6-month follow-up, there was a trend for PRT participants to be more likely to be no longer depressed than the comparison group, but the difference was not significant after adjusting for baseline scores. There were modest improvements in health and wellbeing over time, but many scores were lower than reported in non-depressed people. Intervention participants demonstrated significant improvements in strength. Program adherence was good: on average 75% of the 10-week program was completed. Conclusions The intervention appeared to be feasible within a community-based setting. To optimize stroke recovery and improve the quality of life of stroke survivors, health professionals should continue to focus on helping survivors' mental health recovery as well their physical rehabilitation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective Diabetes may be associated with depression and antidepressant medication (ADM) use, but published findings remain equivocal. The authors' aimed to determine the risk of diabetes incidence associated with baseline depression exposures (symptoms and/or ADM use). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in a regionally representative sample of non-institutionalised older Australian people (N = 1000, aged 65 + year), who were followed up biennially between 1994 and 2004 (attrition was ≈24%). Analyses excluded participants for prevalent diabetes at baseline, determined by self-report or specific medications. Diabetes incidence was ascertained by first self-report at any follow-up wave. Depression exposures (baseline predictors) were defined by the Psychogeriatric Assessment Scales (PAS) depression scale and ADM use, and classified as: (1) ‘symptomatic’ (PAS score 5+); (2) ‘ADM use’; (3) ‘symptomatic or ADM use’; (4) ‘symptomatic and no ADM use’; (5) ‘asymptomatic (PAS score

Background Physical activity has a range of health benefits for older people. The aim of this study was to determine physical activity prevalence and attitudes amongst respondents to a trial screening survey. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Subjects were community dwelling older people aged ≥ 65 years, recruited via general practices in Victoria, Australia. Participants completed a mailed screening tool containing the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Active Australia survey and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire. Results Of 330 participants, 20% were ≥ 80 years. Activity levels were similar to those reported in population studies. The proportion of participants reporting physical activity was greatest for the walking category, but decreased across categories of physical activity intensity. The oldest-old were represented at all physical activity intensity levels. Over half reported exercising at levels that, according to national criteria are, 'sufficient to attain health benefit'. A greater proportion of participants aged 85 years and older were unaware of key physical activity messages, compared to participants aged less than 85 years. Conclusion Most population surveys do not provide details of older people across age categories. This survey provided information on the physical activity of people up to 91 years old. Physical activity promotion strategies should be tailored according to the individual's needs. A better understanding of the determinants of physical activity behaviour amongst older sub-groups is needed to tailor and target physical activity promotion strategies and programs to maximise physical activity related health outcomes for older people.

Background Depression is a disabling, prevalent condition. Physical activity programs may assist depression management in older people, ameliorate co-morbid conditions and reduce the need for antidepressants. The UPLIFT pilot study assessed the feasibility of older depressed people attending a community-based progressive resistance training (PRT) program. The study also aimed to determine whether PRT improves depressive status in older depressed patients. Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted. People aged ≥ 65 years with depressive symptoms were recruited via general practices. Following baseline assessment, subjects were randomly allocated to attend a local PRT program three times per week for 10 weeks or a brief advice control group. Follow-up assessment of depressive status, physical and psychological health, functional and quality of life status occurred post intervention and at six months. Results Three hundred and forty six people responded to the study invitation, of whom 22% had depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-30 score ≥ 11). Thirty two people entered the trial. There were no significant group differences on the GDS at follow-up. At six months there was a trend for the PRT intervention group to have lower GDS scores than the comparison group, but this finding did not reach significance (p = 0.08). More of the PRT group (57%) had a reduction in depressive symptoms post program, compared to 44% of the control group. It was not possible to discern which specific components of the program influenced its impact, but in post hoc analyses, improvement in depressive status appeared to be associated with the number of exercise sessions completed (r = -0.8, p < 0.01). Conclusion The UPLIFT pilot study confirmed that older people with depression can be successfully recruited to a community based PRT program. The program can be offered by existing community-based facilities, enabling its ongoing implementation for the potential benefit of other older people.