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Physical inactivity is one of the leading contributors to worldwide morbidity and mortality. The elderly are particularly susceptible since the features of physical inactivity overlap with the outcomes of natural aging - including the propensity to develop cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, sarcopenia and cognitive impairment. The age-dependent loss of immune function, or immunosenescence, refers to the progressive depletion of primary immune resources and is linked to the development of many of these conditions. Immunosenescence is primarily driven by chronic immune activation and physical activity interventions have demonstrated the potential to reduce the risk of complications in the elderly by modulating inflammation and augmenting the immune system. Since poor vaccination outcome is a hallmark of immunosenescence, the assessment of vaccine efficacy provides a window to study the immunological effects of regular physical activity. Using an accelerator-based study, we demonstrate in a Singaporean Chinese cohort that elderly women (n=56) who walk more after vaccination display greater post-vaccination expansion of monocytes and plasmablasts in peripheral blood. Active elderly female participants also demonstrated lower baseline levels of IP-10 and Eotaxin, and the upregulation of genes associated with monocyte/macrophage phagocytosis. We further describe postive correlations between the monocyte response and the post-vaccination H1N1 HAI titres of participants. Finally, active elderly women reveal a higher induction of antibodies against Flu B in their 18-month second vaccination follow-up. Altogether, our data are consistent with better immunological outcomes in those who are more physically active and highlight the pertinent contribution of monocyte activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of a study of the effect of music on the quality of life of community-dwelling older Chinese people in Hong Kong. Background. Older people's quality of life can be improved by preparing for the transition into old age. Listening to music, as a vehicle for feeling, can facilitate the non-verbal expression of emotion, reaching people's inner feelings without being threatening, and it can be a tool for emotional catharsis. Method. A randomized controlled trial design was conducted from in 2007 in a community centre in Hong Kong. A total of 66 older people (31 in music group and 35 in control group), aged from 65 to 90 years were randomly assigned to undergo either a 30-minute music intervention or a rest period for 4 weeks; quality of life outcomes were then measured. Results. Quality of life improved weekly in the music group, indicating a cumulative dose effect, and a statistically significantly better quality of life was found over time in each sub-score for those in the music group compared with the controls. However, in the music group, there were no statistically significant improvements of quality of life in each sub-score over the 4 weeks. Conclusion. Being engaged in music activities can help a person to connect with their life experiences and with other people, and to be more stimulated. Music is a non-invasive, simple and inexpensive therapeutic method of improving quality of life in community-dwelling elders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical inactivity is one of the leading contributors to worldwide morbidity and mortality. The elderly are particularly susceptible since the features of physical inactivity overlap with the outcomes of natural aging - including the propensity to develop cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, sarcopenia and cognitive impairment. The age-dependent loss of immune function, or immunosenescence, refers to the progressive depletion of primary immune resources and is linked to the development of many of these conditions. Immunosenescence is primarily driven by chronic immune activation and physical activity interventions have demonstrated the potential to reduce the risk of complications in the elderly by modulating inflammation and augmenting the immune system. Since poor vaccination outcome is a hallmark of immunosenescence, the assessment of vaccine efficacy provides a window to study the immunological effects of regular physical activity. Using an accelerator-based study, we demonstrate in a Singaporean Chinese cohort that elderly women (n=56) who walk more after vaccination display greater post-vaccination expansion of monocytes and plasmablasts in peripheral blood. Active elderly female participants also demonstrated lower baseline levels of IP-10 and Eotaxin, and the upregulation of genes associated with monocyte/macrophage phagocytosis. We further describe postive correlations between the monocyte response and the post-vaccination H1N1 HAI titres of participants. Finally, active elderly women reveal a higher induction of antibodies against Flu B in their 18-month second vaccination follow-up. Altogether, our data are consistent with better immunological outcomes in those who are more physically active and highlight the pertinent contribution of monocyte activity., (Copyright © 2019 International Society of Exercise and Immunology. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To examine the attitudes of Hong Kong Chinese elders with chronic disease with regard to advance directives and life-sustaining treatment., Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey., Setting: Medical unit of a regional teaching hospital in Hong Kong., Participants: In-patients aged 60 years or above with chronic disease., Main Outcome Measures: Demographic profiles and attitudes towards advance directives and life-sustaining treatment., Results: A total of 219 elderly patients completed the questionnaire. Their mean age was 73 (standard deviation, 8) years; 133 (61%) were female. The majority had neither heard about advance directives (81%), nor discussed the issue with others (73%) before participating in this study. After they were informed of the concept of advance directives, about half (49%) said they would consider using it if it is legislated in Hong Kong. The respondents generally supported the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment in medically futile situations. In all, 55% of them believed that the patient alone should make the decision on withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, if competent to do so. If the patient became not competent, 44% believed that the individual's family alone should make such a decision., Conclusion: The fact that most of the respondents had never heard about advance directives or discussed the concept with others points to a lack of knowledge and to the necessity to step up public education about such issues.