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Objectives The majority of self-perceptions of aging (SPA) research uses either a combination of the Aging-related Cognitions (AgeCog) scales of Ongoing Development and Physical Loss, or the Attitudes Towards Own Aging (ATOA) subscale to assess views on aging. Although these scales are used interchangeably, the valence (positive/negative) and the specificity of the view on aging (domain-based/general) being assessed are not consistent. This study investigates how different measures of SPA relate to one another and whether they differentially predict various types of health outcomes (psychological/physiological; well-being/ill-being). Method Data from the 2008 and 2014 waves of the German Aging Survey (DEAS; N = 3,745), a population-based representative survey of adults aged 40–95, was used to examine the relationship between the AgeCog scales and the ATOA subscale, as well as the differences in the types of health outcomes each predicts. Results The correlations between the AgeCog scales and the ATOA were higher than the correlation between the AgeCog scales (p <.001). The AgeCog scale of Ongoing Development significantly predicted psychological health outcomes across a 6-year period, while the AgeCog scale of Physical Loss and the ATOA subscale predicted both physiological and psychological health outcomes. Discussion Evidence supports using the AgeCog scale of Ongoing Development to predict domain-relevant, psychological health outcomes. However, the multidimensionality of SPA is best measured by the ATOA subscale or a combination of the two AgeCog scales. Both forms of measurement were found to maximize the amount of explained variance for psychological and physiological indicators of well-being and ill-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Although forecasting a positive future can be adaptive, it may not be when expectations are unmet. Our study examined whether such inaccurate expectations about future health status (overestimation) were maladaptive for older adults who commonly experience late life declines in physical functioning. Method We analyzed data from the nationally representative German Aging Survey (DEAS; 1996–2011; n = 2,539; age range 60–85 years) using multilevel growth models that assessed the influence of inaccurate health expectations on older adults' physical functioning over a 9-year period. Results Overestimating future health status predicted reduced day-to-day physical functioning when age, gender, and self-rated health were controlled. A Time × Overestimation interaction indicated that the negative effects of overestimation on physical functioning became more pronounced over the 9-year period. Discussion Results suggest that repeatedly unmet health expectations may undermine motivational resources and accelerate late life declines in physical functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:First, to replicate previous findings on the detrimental effect of negative self-perceptions of ageing (SPA) on physical health outcomes and to expand them to the prediction of mental health; second, to test whether an optimistic outlook to the future can buffer the effect of negative SPA on physical and mental health outcomes. Design:Data for this study comes from the 2008 and 2011 waves of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS;n = 6205), a population-based representative survey of adults aged 40–85 years. Mean age of the participants was 61.50 (±12.1), 49.5% were women. Main Outcome Measures:Self-rated health, physical functioning and depressive symptoms. Results:Multiple regression analyses indicated that negative SPA predicted deterioration in the three health outcomes over a three-year period, controlling for demographics and illnesses. The most remarkable finding is the interaction with optimism: People who were prepared for physical losses (negative SPA), and who were nevertheless optimistic, were better able to maintain better physical functioning, and lower depressive symptoms. Conclusion:A multidimensional perspective on ageing, considering both gains and losses at the same time, seems to be best for the maintenance of good health. Individual and societal positive views of ageing should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: Previous research on illness perceptions has focused on single illnesses, but most adults over 65 suffer from multiple illnesses (multimorbidity). This study tests three competing operationalisations of multiple illness perceptions in predicting physical functioning and adherence: (1) main effects and interactions model; (2) peak model with effects of the most prominent illness perception; and (3) combined model with averaged illness perceptions over multiple illnesses. Design: Longitudinal study in N = 215 individuals (65–86 years) with multimorbidity at two measurement points over six months. Participants filled in two Brief Illness Perception Questionnaires (B-IPQ) on their two most severe illnesses. Main outcome measures: Physical functioning, medication adherence. Results: Factor analyses suggest that the B-IPQ contains three dimensions; consequences, control and timeline. Multiple regression models fit the data best for (1) and (3). Timeline (β = −.18) and control (β =.21) predict adherence in (1); consequences (β =.16) and control (β =.20) in (3). Physical functioning was significantly predicted by interacting control beliefs in (1; β =.13), by peak consequences in (2; β = −.14) and by consequences (β = −.15) in (3). Conclusions: Individuals with multimorbidity hold both distinct and combined perceptions about their illnesses. To understand individual responses to multimorbidity, perceptions about all illnesses and multimorbidity as entity should be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : This study examines if education, income, and loneliness are associated with physical functioning and optimism in an ageing population in Germany. Furthermore, time trends of physical functioning and optimism as well as of associations with social inequality and loneliness are analyzed. Methods : The German Ageing Survey (DEAS), a longitudinal population-based survey of individuals aged 40 years and older, was used (four waves between 2008 and 2017, total sample size N = 23,572). Physical functioning and optimism were introduced as indicators of ageing well. Educational level, net equivalent income, and loneliness were used as predictors in linear mixed models for longitudinal data. Results : Time trends show that physical functioning decreases over time, while optimism slightly increases. Education and income are positively associated with physical functioning, while higher loneliness correlates with lower physical functioning. Higher optimism was associated with higher income and particularly with lower loneliness. Income and notable educational inequalities in physical functioning increase over time. Time trends of the associations with optimism show decreasing income inequalities and increasing disparities in loneliness. Conclusions : Increasing educational inequalities in physical functioning and a strong association of loneliness with optimism provide information for further interventions. Targeted health promotion among the aged and addressing maladaptive social cognition are options to tackle these issues. Key areas for action on healthy ageing include, for instance, the alignment of health systems to the needs of older populations or the creation of age-friendly environments.

Background: Older patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) are often lacking optimal support to continue rehabilitation after discharge from hospital. The objective of the study was to examine whether a home-based case management programme led by nurses can improve atherogenic risk factors, physical functioning, and mental health in the first year following discharge., Methods: The KORINNA study is a randomized two-armed parallel group trial including 329 patients (aged 65-92 years) from the Augsburg Hospital in southern Germany. The intervention consisted of an individualized follow-up programme with a duration of 1 year, including home visits and telephone calls. The control group received usual care. Secondary outcome measures included clinical parameters (blood pressure, lipid parameters), functional status measures, cognitive status, depressive symptoms, and nutrition risk., Results: At 1-year follow up, patients in the intervention group (n = 116) had significantly better low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (-8.4 mg/dl, 95% CI -16.4 to -0.4), hand grip strength (+2.53 kg, 95% CI 0.56 to 4.50), and SCREEN-II nutrition risk scores (+2.03, 95% CI 0.58 to 3.48) than patients in the control group (n = 136). The intervention group also had better mean scores with regard to self-reported disability, activities in daily living, and mental health, but differences were not always significant and meaningful., Conclusions: The results of the KORINNA study indicate that nurse-based case management can improve blood lipid levels, functional status, and nutrition risk of aged patients with MI., (© The European Society of Cardiology 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)