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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine which demographic, health-related, mood, personality, or social factors predict discrepancies between older adults' functional speech-in-noise test result and their self-reported hearing problems. Method: Data of 1,061 respondents from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were used (ages ranged from 57 to 95 years). Functional hearing problems were measured using a digit triplet speech-in-noise test. Five questions were used to assess self-reported hearing problems. Scores of both hearing measures were dichotomized. Two discrepancy outcomes were created: (a) being unaware: those with functional but without self-reported problems (reference is aware: those with functional and self-reported problems); (b) reporting false complaints: those without functional but with self-reported problems (reference is well: those without functional and self-reported hearing problems). Two multivariable prediction models (logistic regression) were built with 19 candidate predictors. The speech reception threshold in noise was kept (forced) as a predictor in both models. Results: Persons with higher self-efficacy (to initiate behavior) and higher self-esteem had a higher odds to being unaware than persons with lower self-efficacy scores (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13 and 1.11, respectively). Women had a higher odds than men (OR = 1.47). Persons with more chronic diseases and persons with worse (i.e., higher) speech-in-noise reception thresholds in noise had a lower odds to being unaware (OR = 0.85 and 0.91, respectively) than persons with less diseases and better thresholds, respectively. A higher odds to reporting false complaints was predicted by more depressive symptoms (OR = 1.06), more chronic diseases (OR = 1.21), and a larger social network (OR = 1.02). Persons with higher self-efficacy (to complete behavior) had a lower odds (OR = 0.86), whereas persons with higher self-esteem had a higher odds to report false complaints (OR = 1.21). The explained variance of both prediction models was small (Nagelkerke [R.sup.2] = .11 for the unaware model, and .10 for the false complaints model). Conclusions: The findings suggest that a small proportion of the discrepancies between older individuals' results on a speech-in-noise screening test and their self-reports of hearing problems can be explained by the unique context of these individuals. The likelihood of discrepancies partly depends on a person's health (chronic diseases), demographics (gender), personality (self-efficacy to initiate behavior and to persist in adversity, self-esteem), mood (depressive symptoms), and social situation (social network size). Implications are discussed., It is often observed that measures of self-reported hearing problems correlate to a limited degree with objective, functional measures of hearing disability, such as pure-tone audiometry or speech-in-noise test (SNT) [...]

Objectives: To study associations between perceived neighborhood resources and time spent by older adults in active travel. Methods: Respondents in six European countries, aged 65–85 years, reported on the perceived presence of neighborhood resources (parks, places to sit, public transportation, and facilities) with response options "a lot," "some," and "not at all." Daily active travel time (total minutes of transport-related walking and cycling) was self-reported at the baseline (n = 2,695) and 12–18 months later (n = 2,189). Results: Reporting a lot of any of the separate resources (range B's = 0.19–0.29) and some or a lot for all four resources (B = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [0.09, 0.35]) was associated with longer active travel time than reporting none or fewer resources. Associations remained over the follow-up, but the changes in travel time were similar, regardless of the neighborhood resources. Discussion: Perceiving multiple neighborhood resources may support older adults' active travel. Potential interventions, for example, the provision of new resources or increasing awareness of existing resources, require further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the longitudinal relationship between transitions in the use of long-term care and older adults' depressive symptoms and to investigate whether this relationship could be explained by markers of older adults' underlying health, or other variables including demographics, personality, and partner status. Design and Methods: Data were from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, which consists of a random, community-based sample of 3,107 older Dutch people (55-85 years of age) stratified by age and gender. The use of informal care, professional home care, and institutional care was recorded, and respondents were screened on depressive symptoms. Follow-up measurements took place at 3 and 6 years. Results: Longitudinal analyses showed significant associations between the enduring use of professional long-term care and an increase in depressive symptoms. Transitions to professional home care or institutional care were also associated with considerably more depressive symptoms after 3 years, whereas transitions from professional home care or institutional care to no care or informal care only were not associated with a change in depressive symptoms. Most of the associations remained significant after indicators of underlying health and other covariates were adjusted for, and also after the data were reanalyzed for respondents with and without functional limitations. Implications: This study does not involve a controlled experiment of professional long-term care among older adults. However, the findings suggest the possibility that receiving professional long-term care could introduce new stressors and increase the risk of depressive symptoms. Our analyses illuminate the concerns of elders regarding their use of professional long-term care and may help in planning for more effective delivery of this type of care.

Objective To validate Kalache & Kickbusch's model: namely, that functional capacity peaks in early adulthood, then declines at a rate dependent on fitness level until a 'disability threshold' is reached. Methods Data came from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, which followed three cohorts from 1996 to 2011: a young, a mid-aged and an older cohort (born in 1973-78, 1946-51 and 1921-26, respectively). The Short Form (36) Health Survey was used to measure physical functioning (score 1-100). The disability threshold was the mean physical functioning score in older women requiring assistance with daily activities (62.8).The relationship between age and physical functioning was modelled using spline regression for the entire sample, and by baseline physical functioning quintile and physical activity level. Findings Physical decline quickened with age: 0.05 annual units (95% confidence interval, C1:-0.13 to 0.22) at ages 18- 23 years (i.e. no decline); -2.43 (95% C1:-2.64 to -2.23) at ages 82-90 years. Decline was faster in quintiles with lower baseline physical functioning in the younger and mid-age cohorts and in quintiles with higher baseline physical functioning in the older cohort. The disability threshold was reached at a mean age of 79 years, but the range was 45-88 years, depending on baseline physical functioning and physical activity. Conclusion Age and physical decline are not linearly related, as traditionally believed; decline accelerates with age. However, baseline physical functioning, but not physical activity, influences the rate of decline. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] Objectif Valider le modele de Kalache & Kickbusch, selon lequel la capacite fonctionnelle connait un pic chez [es jeunes adultes, puis diminue a une vitesse dependant du niveau de forme physiquejusqu'a ce qu'un <> soit atteint. Methodes Les donnees proviennent de J'etude australienne Iongitudinale sur la sante des retomes, qui a suivi trois cohortes de sujets de 1996 a 2011: un groupejeune, un groupe d'age moyen et un groupe plus age (sujets nes entre 1973 et 1978, entre 1946 et 1951 et entre 1921 et 1926, respectivement). Le court formulaire (36 questions) sur la sante a ete utilise pour mesurer le fonctionnement physique (note de 1 a 100). Le seuil dlncapacite a ete la note moyenne de fonctionnement physique chez les femmes agees necessitant une assistance pour les activitesquotidiennes (62,8). La relation entre l'ageet le fonctionnement physique a ete modelisee a l'aide d'une regression par spline pour lensemble de lechantillon, et par quintile de fonctionnement physique de base et de niveau d'activite physique. Resultats Le declin physique s'accelere avec l'age: 0,05 unites annuelles (intervalle de confiance a 95%, IC:-0,13 a 0,22) entre 18 et 23 ans (pas de declin); -2,43 (IC a 95%:-2,64 a -2,23) entre 82 et 90 ans. Le declin a ete plus rapide pour les quintiles a fonctionnement physique de base inferieur dans les cohortes jeune et d'age moyen et pour les quintiles a fonctionnement physique de base plus eleve dans la cohorte plus agee. Le seuil dlncapacite a ete atteint a un age moyen de 79 ans, mais la fourchette allait de 45 a 88 ans, selon le niveau de fonctionnement physique de base et l'activite physique. Conclusion Lage et le declin physique ne sont pas lies de facon lineaire, comme on le croit traditionnellement. Le declin s'accelere avec l'age. Cependant, le fonctionnement physique de base influe sur la vitesse du declin, contrairement a l'activite physique. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] Objetivo Validar el modelo de Kalache y Kickbusch; a saber, que la capacidad funcional alcanza su punto maximo en la edad adulta temprana y disminuye luego a un ritmo que depende dei nivel de condicion fisica hasta alcanzar el 'umbral de la discapacidad'. Metodos Se tomaron los datos del Estudio Longitudinal Australiano sobre la salud de la mujer, que realizo el seguimiento de tres cohortes desde 1996 a 2011: una cohorte joven, una de mediana edad y una de edad avanzada (nacidas en 1973-1978, 1946-1951 y 1921-1926, respectivamente). Se utilizo el Cuestionario de Salud SF-36 para medir la funcion fisica (puntuacion 1-100). El umbral de la discapacidad fue la puntuacion media de la funcion fisica en Ias mujeres mayores que necesitan ayuda con Ias actividades cotidianas (62,8). Se concibio la relacion entre la edad y la funcion fisica mediante una regresion por spline para toda la muestra, asi como por quintil de funcionamiento fisico basal y el nivel de actividad fisica. Resultados El deterioro fisico se acelero con la edad: 0,05 unidades anuales (intervalo de confianza dei 95%, 1C-0,13 a 0,22) a Ias edades de 18 a 23 anos (es decir, sin deterioro); -2,43 (IC dei 95%:-2,64 a -2,23) a Ias edades de 82 a 90 anos. El deterioro fue mas rapido en los quintiles de menor funcion fisica basal en Ias cohortes masjovenesyde mediana edad y en los quintiles de mayor funcionamiento fisico basal en la cohorte de mayor edad. Se alcanzo el umbral de la discapacidad a una edad media de 79 anos, pero el rango fue de 45 a 88 anos, en funcion dei funcionamiento fisico basal y la actividad fisica. Conclusion A diferencia de la creencia tradicional, la edad y el deterioro fisico no guardan relacionan lineal, aunque el deterioro se acelera con la edad. Sin embargo, el funcionamiento fisico basal, aunque no la actividad fisica, influye en la tasa de deterioro. Una perspectiva sobre el funcionamiento fisico en Ias mujeres a Io largo dei ciclo vital, Introduction In 1997, Kalache & Kickbusch, then of the World Health Organization's Ageing and Health programme, published a report (1) containing a figure (Fig. 1) that summarized a concept unchallenged [...]

The study compares the formal and informal social participation of 60-69 year olds in The Netherlands in 1992 and 2002, and examines which attributes of the two cohorts favour social participation. Using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, it was found that cohort differences in formal participation (as members of organisations, in volunteer work and in religious organisations) and in informal participation (having a large social network, and in cultural and recreational activities) associated with cohort differences in individual characteristics (level of education, health, employment status and marital status). Descriptive analyses showed an increase between 1992 and 2002 in all forms of participation except religions involvement. The 2002 cohort members were more educated and more engaged in employment, but in worse health and had a higher prevalence of divorce than the I992 cohort members. Logistic regression analyses showed that the positive effect on social participation of the recent cohort's higher educational level was suppressed by the negative effect of their worse health. Being divorced had mixed effects on formal and informal participation, but the difference in the number of divorcees did not explain cohort differences in social participation. Interaction effects showed that the influence of sex and health on volunteer work and religious involvement changed over time. The paper concludes with a discussion of the prospects for higher levels of formal and informal social participation among future cohorts of young-older people. KEY WORDS--formal and informal social participation, young-old, cohort differences. doi: 10.1017/S0144686X09990638

Background. There is growing evidence that higher levels of inflammatory markers are associated with physical decline in older persons, possibly through the catabolic effects of inflammatory markers on muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum levels of inflammatory markers and loss of muscle mass and strength in older persons. Methods. Using data on 2,177 men and women in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study, we examined 5-year change in thigh muscle area estimated by computed tomography and grip and knee extensor strength in relation to serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-[alpha]), and soluble receptors (measured in a subsample) at baseline. Results. Higher levels of inflammatory markers were generally associated with greater 5-year decline in thigh muscle area. Most associations, with the exception of soluble receptors, were attenuated by adjustment for 5-year change in weight. Higher TNF-[alpha] and interleukin-6 soluble receptor levels remained associated with greater decline in grip strength in men. Analyses in a subgroup of weight-stable persons showed that higher levels of TNF-[alpha] and its soluble receptors were associated with 5-year decline in thigh muscle area and that higher levels of TNF-[alpha] were associated with decline in grip strength. Conclusions. TNF-[alpha] and its soluble receptors showed the most consistent associations with decline in muscle mass and strength. The results suggest a weight-associated pathway for inflammation in sarcopenia. Key Words: Muscle--Inflammatory markers--Aging--Weight. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glp097