Search

We investigated robot-assisted recreation (RAR) for improving the quality of life (QoL) of older adults with dementia in an aged care facility. However, as a simple method to evaluate RAR has not been established at the field level, limited scientific data exists to show its effectiveness. To solve this problem, we studied a method to evaluate RAR based on speech analysis, which can reduce the burden on subjects (older adults) and data analysts. This study conducted both subjective and objective analyses of speech data. Subjective analysis based on the transcripts of speech data resulted in findings that supported and added to the knowledge of previous research, such as an increased willingness to participate in RAR, positive feelings toward the future, and interest in interacting with others. The results of the objective analysis based on the fundamental frequency (F0) demonstrated that there was a difference in the distribution of F0 during RAR and the interviews conducted before and after RAR. This study thus provides the prospect for easy evaluation of recreational activities, including RAR, in aged care facilities at the field level using speech analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To examine whether leisure-time physical activity is associated with all-cause disability retirement as well as disability retirement due to musculoskeletal and mental causes. Methods: The baseline data were collected by questionnaire surveys in 2000-2002 among 40- to 60-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki. Disability retirement data were derived from the registry of the Finnish Centre for Pensions (maximum follow-up time 6.8 years). The analysis included 4920 women and 1355 men. Physical activity was converted to metabolic equivalent (MET) index. We classified the participants into 4 groups according to physical activity recommendations and according to the participation in vigorous intensity activities. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios. Results: Physical activity decreased the risk of all-cause disability retirement among both genders, however, women engaging in recommended volume of moderate-intensity activity only did not have reduced risk. Those engaging in vigorous activity with sufficient total volume had clearly reduced risk of disability retirement. The association was similar when examining disability retirement due to musculoskeletal and mental causes. Conclusion: For healthy middle-aged engaging in moderate-intensity physical activity additional vigorous exercise may be useful for maintaining musculoskeletal and mental health and thus lower the risk of subsequent disability retirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Regular walking improves overall health and functional ability of older adults, yet most are sedentary. Dog ownership/pet responsibility may increase walking in older adults. Goals of this study were to identify factors that influence older adult walking and compare physical activity, functional ability and psychosocial characteristics by dog ownership status. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, older adults (65-95 years of age, n = 1091) completed and returned questionnaires via postal mail. Measures included: Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, Physical Functioning Questionnaire and Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire. Results: Dog owner/dog walkers (n = 77) reported significantly (P < .05) more total walking, walking frequency, leisure and total physical activity and higher total functional ability than dog owner/nondog walkers (n = 83) and nondog owners (n = 931). Dog owner/nondog walkers reported lower intention and perceived behavioral control and a less positive attitude than dog owner/dog walkers (P < .05). Conclusions: Dog owner/ dog walkers were significantly different than the nondog walker groups in nearly every study variable. Many dog owners (48.1%) reported walking their dogs regularly and the dog owner/dog walkers participated in nearly 50% more total walking than the 2 nondog walking groups, suggesting that pet obligation may provide a purposeful activity that motivates some older dog owners to walk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neighborhood walkability shows significant positive relationship with residents' walking for transport in cross-sectional studies. We examined prospective relationships of neighborhood walkability with the change in walking behaviors over 4 years among middle-to-older aged adults (50-65 years) residing in Adelaide, Australia. Methods: A baseline survey was conducted during 2003-2004, and a follow-up survey during 2007-2008. Walking for transport and walking for recreation were assessed at both times among 504 adults aged 50-65 years living in objectively determined high- and low-walkable neighborhoods. Multilevel linear regression analyses examined the associations of neighborhood walkability with changes over 4 years in walking for transport and walking for recreation. Results: On average, participants decreased their time spent in walking for transport (-4.1 min/day) and for recreation (-3.7 min/day) between the baseline and 4-year follow-up. However, those living in high-walkable neighborhoods showed significantly smaller reduction (adjusted mean change: -1.1 min/day) in their time spent in walking for transport than did those living in low-walkable neighborhoods (-6.7 min/day). No such statistically-significant differences were found with the changes in walking for recreation. Conclusions: High-walkable neighborhoods may help middle-to-older aged adults to maintain their walking for transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent research highlights the potential value of differentiating between categories of physical activity intensities as predictors of health and well-being. This study sought to assess reliability and concurrent validity of sedentary (ie, 1 METs), low-light (ie, >1 and ≤2 METs;eg, playing cards), high-light (ie, >2 and <3 METs; eg, light walking), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA, ≥3 METs), and "total activity" (≥2 METs) from the CHAMPS survey. Further, this study explored over-reporting and double-reporting. Methods: CHAMPS data were gathered from the Seniors Neighborhood Quality of Life Study, an observational study of adults aged 65+ years conducted in 2 US regions. Results: Participants (N = 870) were 75.3 ± 6.8 years old, with 56% women and 71% white. The CHAMPS sedentary, low-light, high-light, total activity, and MVPA variables had acceptable test-retest reliability (ICCs 0.56-0.70). The CHAMPS high-light (p = 0.27), total activity (p = 0.34), and MVPA (p = 0.37) duration scales were moderately associated with accelerometry minutes of corresponding intensity, and the sedentary scale (p = 0.12) had a lower, but significant correlation. Results suggested that several CHAMPS items may be susceptible to over-reporting (eg, walking, housework). Conclusions: CHAMPS items effectively measured high-light, total activity, and MVPA in seniors, but further refinement is needed for sedentary and low-light activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the concept of so-called active aging for older people, particularly how that idea is used to promote exercise and physical fitness for older people. Claims that exercise by older people have both health and social benefits are considered. Public policy documents, research papers and reports in mass media on those alleged benefits are examined in terms of the concept of moral panic. It notes that promotion of exercise among older people creates a market for the products and services they need to engage in.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether multidimensional perceptual-cognitive skills training, including situational awareness, anticipation, and decision making, improves on-court performance in older adults when compared with a physical training program, including stroke and footwork development. Senior tennis players (N = 27) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: perceptual-cognitive skills training, technique-footwork training, or no training. Results indicated that participants receiving perceptual-cognitive skills training had significantly faster response speeds, higher percentage of accurate responses, and higher percentage of performance decision making in posttest match situations. Findings provide clear evidence that perceptual-cognitive skills can be trained in aged individuals. Implications and suggestions for future research are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the visual attention of older expert orienteers and older adults not practicing activities with high attentional and psychomotor demands, and considered whether prolonged practice of orienteering may counteract the age-related deterioration of visual attentional performance both at rest and under acute exercise. In two discriminative reaction time experiments, performed both at rest and under submaximal physical workload, visual attention was cued by means of spatial cues of different sizes followed, at different stimulus-onset asynchronies, by compound stimuli with local and global target features. Orienteers, as compared to nonathletes, showed a faster reaction speed and a complex pattern of attentional differences depending on the time constraints of the attentional task, the demands on endogenous attentional control, and the presence or absence of a concomitant effortful motor task. Results suggest that older expert orienteers have developed attentional skills that outweigh, at least at rest, the age-related deficits of visual attentional focusing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based rehabilitative exercise programs might be an effective means to improve functional outcomes for hip-fracture patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community exercise program (CEP) for older adults recovering from hip fracture. Twenty-five older adults (mean age 80.0 ± 6.0 years; 24 women; 71 ± 23 days post-hip fracture) participated in this pilot study (17 exercise, 8 control). The CEP involved functional stepping and lower extremity-strengthening exercises. Control participants received only standard outpatient therapy. Measures of functional mobility, balance confidence, falls efficacy, lower extremity strength, and daily physical activity were evaluated at baseline and at 16 weeks. Improvements for self-reported physical activity, mobility, balance, and knee-extensor strength were observed for the CEP group. This study demonstrated that a CEP is beneficial for community-dwelling older adults post-hip fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although much has been learned about the global determinants of physical activity in adults, there has been a lack of specific focus on gender, age, and urban/rural differences. In this church-based community sample of Appalachian adults (N = 1,239), the primary correlates of physical activity included age, gender, obesity, and self-efficacy. Overall, 42% of all participants and 31% of adults age 65 years or older met recommended guidelines for physical activity, which suggests that most participants do not engage in adequate levels of physical activity. Of participants who met physical activity guidelines, the most common modes of moderate and vigorous activity were walking briskly or uphill, heavy housework or gardening, light strength training, and biking. These particular activities that focus on building self-efficacy might be viable targets for intervention among older adults in rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was associated with health-care utilization in a racially diverse sample of rural and urban older adults. Community-dwelling adults (N = 1,000, 75.32 ± 6.72 years old) self-reported participating in LTPA and their use of the health-care system (physician visits, number and length of hospitalizations, and emergency-room visits). After controlling for variables associated with health and health-care utilization, older adults who reported lower levels of LTPA also reported a greater number of nights in the hospital in the preceding year. There was no support, however, for a relationship between LTPA and the other indicators of health-care utilization. Our findings suggest that being physically active might translate to a quicker recovery for older adults who are hospitalized. Being physically active might not only have health benefits for older persons but also lead to lower health-care costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed a range of activities reported by older women in Australia. Women between 75 and 81 years of age (N = 3,955) from the older cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health responded to a request in a self-report survey for additional information concerning their health. Of these 3,955 women, 509 reported taking part in a variety of activities. Qualitative analysis of responses identified 55 coded categories of activities that were subsequently classified into four major themes: physical activities, creative pursuits, lifestyle, and social interaction. The data show that these older women are taking part in a wide range of activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of older athletes is growing with the aging of populations across the developed world. This article reviews studies from a variety of disciplines that focus specifically on the motives and experiences of older adults competing in physically demanding sports at events such as masters and veterans competitions in Australia or the Senior Olympics in North America. It is shown that the majority of research into this phenomenon has taken a quantitative approach or failed to consider older athletes' experiences in the context of broader sociocultural discourses. Therefore, using the author's research into the experiences of older Australian masters athletes as a catalyst, the need for and strength of sociological qualitative research in this area is discussed. The use of qualitative methods, such as in-depth interviews and observations, and interpretive analysis provided alternative ways of making sense of older adults and their relationship with competitive sport to what is typically found in the sport and aging literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia and in many parts of the world, older people participate in line dancing. Our phenomenological study explored whether attending a regular line dancing class might offer a group of older people opportunities for active and successful ageing. Our research investigated the meanings and practices fostered in a community line dancing class in Melbourne. We gathered data via an interview with the teacher of the group, observation of a class and two focus group interviews with 25 members. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis that is reported thematically under headings of: Belief in the efficacy of line dancing, Physical and emotional benefits, YouTube clips as instructional reinforcement and promotion, and Socialising. The findings show that participation in the class offered older student's opportunities for dance and music engagement, active and successful ageing, health and well-being, social connection and purposeful leisure. The teacher of the class modelled serious and successful leisure and advocates for dance as holistic training for older people. We position our participants on a continuum of leisure engagement that ranges from the casual to the serious. Further research is required to support arguments for the efficacy of dance as a leisure pursuit for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Validate the content of care activities for elderly developed in day-care centers. Methods: Methodological study, with content validation carried out by nine specialists, based on the attributes relevance, clearness, pertinence and simplicity. The established consensus rate was at 80%. The data collection period was between September and November 2014. Results: Eight activities were validated and two included. In the health dimension, the activities were: functional capacity and frailty, food and nutrition, hygiene and comfort, drugs of continuous use, handling and cognitive stimulation; concerning participation: the socio-cultural activities, acceptance and monitoring, spiritual/religious support; concerning safety: accessibility and control of risk factors in falls; and concerning education: educational activities. Among 82 items assessed, 100% were considered relevant; 91,4% were considered clear; 97,5% were considered pertinent; and 92,6% were considered simple. Conclusion: We believe that validation and systematization of activities contribute to support the assessment of quality in this type of attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationships between specific types of leisure activities and well-being variables (i.e. health perception, life satisfaction and optimism) in older adults. A convenience sample of 188 participants ranging in age from 60 to 90 years (M = 74.99, SD = 5.49) was recruited from three different senior centres in Korea. Three hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between specific types of leisure activities (outdoor, physical, hobbies and indoor, cultural, home-centred and social and volunteering) and outcome variables. After controlling for covariates, it was revealed that home-centred and social activities were associated with all outcome variables. Volunteer activities were positively related to health perception and life satisfaction. Positive relationships were also observed between life satisfaction and physical activities, optimism and cultural activities and health perception and outdoor activities. These findings suggest that promoting positive social interaction in recreational settings and encouraging participation in volunteer activities are important factors contributing to successful ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from a stated preferences experiment in the Netherlands, we find that replacing full-time pension schemes with schemes that offer gradual retirement opportunities induce workers to retire one year later on average. Total lifetime labour supply, however, decreases by 3.4 months, because the positive effect of delayed retirement on labour supply is cancelled out by a reduction in working hours in the years before full retirement. The impact of gradual retirement schemes is, however, heterogeneous across groups of workers. Workers in bad health who gain access to gradual retirement postpone their retirement by 1.7 months more than workers in good health. This suggests that introduction of gradual retirement alleviates, to a certain extent, the health-related burden that employees in poor health may experience in carrying out their work. Nevertheless, introduction of gradual retirement reduces the total labour supply of both groups of workers. Financial incentives, either in terms of changing pension income or the price of leisure, also affect expected retirement age, but the impact of these financial incentives does not differ with the possibility of gradual retirement. Finally, we find that gradual retirement is not a preferred option among workers, as the large majority prefers full retirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present article aims to measure the extent to which the physical and recreational needs of elderly persons in the communities of Posorja and Puna are being met. Nowadays, it is known that physical activity is beneficial for the elderly, as it helps to diminish illness and all kinds of diseases. Method: The population in this study is comprised on 378 elderly persons between 65 and 90 years of age: 200 belong to the community of Posorja and 178, to the community of Puna in Guayas Province. The tools used for this research include, among others, the ADL Test (Activities of Daily Living), which evaluates the degree of self-care and mobility; the Lawton and Brody Scale, which is an appropriate instrument to evaluate the level of independence and skills; and the MMT (Mini Mental Test), which evaluates cognitive functions such as memory, language, praxis and attention. They all are essential to detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer´s disease. Results: Various statistical techniques were used to obtain the results, such as descriptive analysis, contingency tables and main components. Conclusions: The population between 65 and 90 years of age was analyzed and it accounted for 35.9% of the total population back in 2010, which means there was a variation. Nowadays, it represents 56.6% of the obtained sample. This generational group refers to the elderly, who should be favored by public policies that are intended to improve health programs, generate recreational areas, and create senior care centers. Generally, the demographic dynamics of Posorja show a structured pyramid, with an expanding population, a large amount of young people and adults who contribute to the economic dynamics and productivity of the area. The questionnaire could be adapted and contain the specifications required to suit the true dimensions of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of online social connectedness as a buffer against depression in older adults who cease driving. A survey of 108 over-65 year olds ( M = 73.7, SD = 7.37) was conducted. Measures included online and offline social connectedness; depression; online activities; and general health. The online activities in which older adults most frequently engaged were communicating with family and friends, reading the news, and banking. Face-to-face social connectedness was by far the strongest predictor of depression. However, online social connectedness did significantly moderate the effects of driving cessation on depression. The results suggest that online social connectedness can help protect older people from depressive symptoms following driving cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on a study which examined the involvement of nursing home residents in formal volunteering to improve social interaction and add healthy benefits for older adults. Topics discussed include barriers to volunteerism with nursing home residents and the need for human service professionals to identify which types of volunteer activities are both of interest to residents and their family members and feasible for nursing homes and volunteer programs.

The 2011 National Household Survey found that the number of Aboriginal peoples in Canada aged 65 and over has increased by over 46 % since the 2006 Canadian Census (Statistics Canada 2011). Despite this dramatic increase in older Aboriginal peoples, there is a dearth of research concerning this cohort, especially regarding their engagement with physical activity. Using a case study methodology, this research sought to examine if the Northwest Territories (NWT) Recreation and Parks Association's (NWTRPA) Elders in Motion (EIM) program is culturally relevant for the participants. For this research we used a postcolonial theoretical framework since many of the participants in EIM are Aboriginal older adults and have experienced, and continue to experience, the effects of colonialism. To address this aim we conducted nine semi-structured interviews with EIM program leaders and NWTRPA staff, and supplemented these with archival research of EIM program documents. The findings show that the NWTRPA has adapted many EIM program documents for the participants and thus attempts to be culturally relevant for the participants. There are, however, aspects of the program that are not culturally relevant and actually reinforce colonialism, specifically with the program content (i.e. activities that are a part of EIM). In light of these findings, recommendations are offered for the NWTRPA on how the EIM program can become more culturally relevant for its Aboriginal participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a description of salient themes that emerged from an investigation examining perceptions of leisure engagement by older adults who attend senior centers. A qualitative study initially using four focus groups was conducted with 34 older adults (ages 64–95,M= 78.24, SD = 8.24), including 27 women. As a follow-up, participants from the original focus groups and demographically similar older adults attended five focus groups that were used as member check events. Data were generated from the original four focus groups and five member check sessions totalling nine focus groups. Eighteen themes emerged to create the foundation for a framework based on self-determination theory that provides insight into the complex experiences described by senior center users. Although challenges associated with aging threaten the ability of older adults to meet their self-determination needs, they develop adaptation strategies to overcome these difficulties and achieve autonomy, competence, and relatedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its proximity to daily activities functional training becomes more important for older adults. Sling training, a form of functional training, was primarily developed for therapy and rehabilitation. Due to its effects (core muscle activation, strength and balance improvements), sling training may be relevant for older adults. However, to our knowledge no recent sling training program for healthy older adults included a detailed training control which is indeed an essential component in designing and implementing this type of training to reach positive effects. The purpose of this study was to develop a TRX Suspension Training for healthy older adults (TRX-OldAge) and to evaluate its feasibility. Eleven participants finished the 12 week intervention study. All participants trained in the TRX-OldAge whole-body workout which consists of seven exercises including 3-4 progressively advancing stages of difficulty for every exercise. At each stage, intensity could be increased through changes in position. Feasibility data was evaluated in terms of training compliance and a self-developed questionnaire for rating TRX-OldAge. The training compliance was 85 %. After study period, 91 % of the participants were motivated to continue with the program. The training intensity, duration and frequency were rated as optimal. All participants noted positive effects whereas strength gains were the most. On the basis of the detailed information about training control, TRX-OldAge can be individually adapted for each older adult appropriate to its precondition, demands and preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of choral singing in psychological well-being in older adult amateur choristers. The participants consisted of 496 men and women who ranged in age between 64 and 78 years (M=69). They were distributed into 2 groups according to whether they participated or not in a choir. Participants completed a Spanish version adapted from the Ryff well-being psychological scales using a 6-point Likert scale. Results showed that psychological well-being was more positive in choristers than non-choristers. Implications for the use of choirs in older adults are examined and limitations of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficial effect of creative activities on individuals' subjective wellbeing has become a popular and academic given in recent years. Yet the creative processes occurring in a complex, non-drug intervention and their relationship with perceived beneficial effects on wellbeing are difficult to define. Health professionals, arts practitioners and commentators alike identify the need for the development of a multi-disciplinary vocabulary that reflects the interests and values inherent in this rapidly developing discipline. Newcastle University's "Ageing Creatively" project was an 18-month pilot study to explore the relationship of creative arts interventions to wellbeing in later life (Adams, Thomas & Thomson, 2014). This paper presents the results of metaphor analysis in a series of exit interviews with 31 participants. One-to-one interviews were administered by telephone or in person by specialist, creative arts researchers and each interview was semi-structured using the CASP-12 questionnaire, which aims to measure quality of life in the third age (Sim et al., 2011). The Metaphor Identification Procedure was applied (double-blind) by hand to the transcribed corpus of c.93,000 words, inputted into MS Excel and then discursively coded with vehicles by the researchers. Two dominant vehicle groupings emerged that suggest subjective wellbeing amongst the participant group is conceptualized using the CONTAINER image schema and the SOURCE-PATH-GOAL image schema. We therefore propose two systematic, novel metaphors - WELLBEING IS A CONTAINER AND WELLBEING IS A JOURNEY - as meaningful alternatives to Lakoff and Johnson's conceptual metaphor WELLBEING IS WEALTH, especially in the search to better understand the relationship between creative activities and subjective wellbeing. Our findings suggest that systematic metaphor analysis may be usefully incorporated into the range of social science methodologies available for the measurement of subjective wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on a previous initial analysis of a cooperation project with a social entity in the Canton of Otavalo (Ecuador), aimed to include physical activity and games in the integral service for the elderly living in indigence. In order to gather information about the context of the target population, their previous experiences and expectations, a research was conducted based on the histories of life of the elderly. Furthermore, the policies of "Buen Vivir" Program (Good Living) for the elderly were analyzed, based on the current legislation and in-depth interviews with key informants. Using a multidisciplinary approach, reflections about constituent elements of "Buen vivir" are presented, and it is emphasized the importance of integral interventions for the promotion of the "Buen vivir" for older adults based on their past, their points of view, and the territorial resources of support and help available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bewegungsbasierte Videospiele für Senioren erfreuen sich immer größerer Beliebtheit, da sie eine geeignete Möglichkeit darstellen, ältere Menschen zu körperlicher Aktivität zu motivieren. In diesem Zusammenhang ist es wichtig zu gewährleisten, dass bewegungsbasierte Eingabegeräte für entsprechende Spiele leicht zugänglich sind, und dass Eingabeparadigmen kein Verletzungsrisiko für ältere Nutzer darstellen. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über traditionelle und bewegungsbasierte Spielinteraktion für Senioren, und zeigt Möglichkeiten auf, wie es gebrechlichen älteren Menschen ermöglicht werden kann, ihren Körper in den Interaktionsprozess einzubringen. Weiterhin fasst dieser Artikel potentielle Anwendungsfälle für bewegungsbasierte Spielinteraktion für Senioren zusammen. Motion-based video games for older adults have become increasingly popular as they are a means of providing physical activity for senior citizens. In this context, it is important to ensure that motion-based game controls are accessible to older adults, and that they can apply them in a safe and enjoyable manner. In this paper, we provide an overview of sedentary and motion-based game controls for older adults, we show how full-body motion-based game input can be designed to be suitable for institutionalized older adults, and we outline potential applications of motion-based systems for senior citizens with a focus on video games, applications for therapy, and projects beyond games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to examine the talk of older athletes, with particular focus on how the context of sport helps them negotiate the ageing process. It draws on personal stories provided by 44 World Masters Games competitors (23 women; 21 men; aged 56–90 years;M= 72). Four themes emerged: ‘There's no such thing as old’ (a story of avoiding old age); ‘Keep moving’ (a story of fighting the ageing process); ‘Fun, fitness, friendship … [and] competing’ (a story of redefining self and ‘old age’) and; ‘Making the most of your life … with the capabilities that you still have’ (a story of adaptation and acceptance). Together, the four themes show how through sports participation older individuals can simultaneously resist, redefine and accept the ageing process. These stories of a ‘sporting later life’ allow for alternative meanings to the dominant ‘declining body’ narrative of ageing. Therefore, these narratives present the possibility for personal, pedagogical and social transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study of ageing is becoming increasingly prominent in academic research, the media and policy debates with the rapid growth of the world’s ageing population. In particular is the perception that older people should engage in active leisure pursuits to address the actual and perceived effects of the ageing process. However, there remains limited understanding of the experiences of ageing, longevity and lifestyle choices. This paper addresses this by drawing on fictional accounts of ageing, which are viewed as an important gerontological resource for understanding how ideas about ageing are shaped by culture, and how alternative images of ageing may be constructed and made possible through literary fiction. This paper is framed by a critical interactionist perspective. Fiction, whether written, sung or acted, is itself a form of symbolic interaction, since the audience members use their imagination to interpret the script according to their own sense of self and ideas about social life; in this way, fictional representations of ageing may develop understanding of the personal and social aspects of growing older. I will explore the ways in which fictional representations of older people might perpetuate and/or challenge stereotypes of ageing and influence involvement in leisure activities in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence in the international literature that engagement in the arts can enhance the physical and psychological wellbeing of older people. Such engagement can increase the self-confidence and morale of older people and provide opportunities for increased social connections, leading to higher levels of social cohesion. This article is based on an evaluation of a national arts festival in Ireland called Bealtaine that celebrates creativity in older people each year during the month of May. The festival is unique in the wide range of arts-related activities it includes and the different types of organisations involved, such as local authorities, libraries, educational institutions, health and social care organisations, and voluntary bodies for older people. It includes both long-standing professionally facilitated arts programmes and one-off events at local and national levels. The evaluation used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse two major postal surveys with organisers and consumers of the festival and face-to-face interviews with older participants, artists and organisers. The findings are overwhelmingly positive in terms of the personal and social gains arising from participation in the festival. In this context, the study provides support for the provision of enhanced and sustained funding for creative programmes for older people and, more generally, for the development of an integrated policy for older people and the arts in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The population of aging adults in America is growing. An important dimension of successful aging is maintaining active engagement with life. This engagement can take many forms, but is frequently associated with physical and social activity. Community recreation programs aimed at promoting physical and social activity can facilitate successful aging and good health for older adults in their communities. One model that has promoted physical and social health is North Carolina Senior Games (NCSG, 2011). The vision of NCSG since its inception in 1983 is to create a year-round health promotion and education program for North Carolinians using a holistic approach in communities emphasizing staying fit and enjoying the company of friends, family, spectators, and volunteers. The purpose of this study is to describe the behaviors, importance of the reasons for participation, and perceived outcomes associated with NCSG. A random sample of registered local games participants from 2010 were invited to participate in this study with a response rate of 36% (N = 408). Respondents are involved primarily in sports activities although a number of individuals also participated in other activities offered by NCSG (i.e., sports, Silver Arts, SilverStriders, Senior Games Clinics and Workshops, SilverLiners, Senior Games volunteer). Over three-fourths of the respondents indicated that training and preparation for participation in NCSG is part of their regular weekly activity. In addition, two-thirds indicate that their participation in NCSG had motivated them to be more physically active, and a similar number indicate that their participation in NCSG motivates them to be more socially active. The important reasons for NCSG participation were highest for fun, health, social opportunities, competition, creative expression, and doctor recommendation. The perceived outcomes associated with NCSG are changes in self-esteem, general health, and physiology. Many respondents perceive that NCSG makes a contribution to their physical and social engagement in their communities. Community park and recreation staff working with older adults in communities either through local recreation centers or a program like Senior Games may want to focus on findings from this study such as the emphasis on fun. Offering a variety of physical and social activities to choose may also complement opportunities for fun. Further, the nature of a community program related to year-round participation is also important. Structured programs that can provide encouragement and reinforcement from the cohorts themselves seem important to consider. Facilitating older adults in assessing their own community needs and aiding involvement in planning programs will likely appeal to social and physical needs and interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine the intergenerational gaming practices of four generations of console gamers, from ages 3 to 83 and, in particular, the roles that gamers of different generations take on when playing together in groups. Our data highlight the extent to which existing gaming technologies support interactions within collocated intergenerational groups, and our analysis reveals a more generationally flexible suite of roles in these computer-mediated interactions than have been documented by previous studies of more traditional collocated, intergenerational interactions. Finally, we offer implications for game designers who wish to make console games more accessible to intergenerational groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research was to evaluate cognitive ability and the quality of life's perception of older persons who participated in a group of folkloric dance, one of Latin popular dance and other of physical and recreational activities, to determine if the type of recreational activity in which they participated influenced is these two variables. The SF-36 questionnaire perception of the quality of life and Raven test were used. The study was conduct with a sample of 39 women, aged from 54 to 78 years. The 1-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc analysis, applied to the data obtained with the SF-36 and Raven's Test showed that the only significant difference between groups was in the General Health component, between the group of physical and recreational activities and folkloric dance group. Recreational activities group showed more positive perception of general health status than the group of folk dances. No significant difference exists regarding the cognitive ability of the different research groups. Taking into account the maximum value that could be obtained in this test, the averages were within the normal range (between 0 and + 1 SD). In conclusion the three study groups have a perception of positive quality of life and cognitive ability within the normal range regardless of the type of activity involved. The mean of the quality of life questionnaire SF-36 in the three groups were assessed above the average of the Spanish reference values. It should offer recreational programs that provide excellence and efficiency to this age group, taking into account the specific recommendations on the type of recreational activities outlined in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An engaged lifestyle is seen as an important component of successful ageing. Many older adults with high participation in social and leisure activities report positive wellbeing, a fact that fuelled the original activity theory and that continues to influence researchers, theorists and practitioners. This study's purpose is to review the conceptualisation and measurement of activity among older adults and the associations reported in the gerontological literature between specific dimensions of activity and wellbeing. We searched published studies that focused on social and leisure activity and wellbeing, and found 42 studies in 44 articles published between 1995 and 2009. They reported from one to 13 activity domains, the majority reporting two or three, such as informal, formal and solitary, or productive versus leisure. Domains associated with subjective wellbeing, health or survival included social, leisure, productive, physical, intellectual, service and solitary activities. Informal social activity has accumulated the most evidence of an influence on wellbeing. Individual descriptors such as gender or physical functioning sometimes moderate these associations, while contextual variables such as choice, meaning or perceived quality play intervening roles. Differences in definitions and measurement make it difficult to draw inferences about this body of evidence on the associations between activity and wellbeing. Activity theory serves as shorthand for these associations, but gerontology must better integrate developmental and psychological constructs into a refined, comprehensive activity theory. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) progress despite optimized medical treatment. The present study investigated the effects of a flexibility and relaxation programme, walking, and Nordic walking (NW) on walking speed, stride length, stride length variability, Parkinson-specific disability (UPDRS), and health-related quality of life (PDQ 39). 90 PD patients were randomly allocated to the 3 treatment groups. Patients participated in a 6-month study with 3 exercise sessions per week, each lasting 70 min. Assessment after completion of the training showed that pain was reduced in all groups, and balance and health-related quality of life were improved. Furthermore, walking, and Nordic walking improved stride length, gait variability, maximal walking speed, exercise capacity at submaximal level, and PD disease-specific disability on the UPDRS in addition. Nordic walking was superior to the flexibility and relaxation programme and walking in improving postural stability, stride length, gait pattern and gait variability. No significant injuries occurred during the training. All patients of the Nordic walking group continued Nordic walking after completing the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article includes the analysis of the recreational necessities and interests of senior citizens at "Albergue San José Obrero" in Siquirres, and a recreational proposal that meets their requirements. The approach used in this research was an investigative-action qualitative research, thus qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, checklists and field diaries were used as measuring instruments. Information about recreational necessities and interests were obtained through an institutional analysis, information about the general condition of the elderly and the opinions from older people about their recreational experiences and preferences. The data was analyzed using the summary and systematization techniques. The study showed the necessities in this population to maintain their physical and cognitive status, their relationship with society, their sense of belonging, a sense of usefulness and self-sufficiency; plus interest to participate in crafts, outings, learning activities, physical activities, planting, fishing, storytelling, bingo and cooking activities. Based on the conclusions of the diagnosis, a recreational proposal was elaborated with the description of twelve recreational activities to be implemented in the study population. The proposed activities include: induction to recreation, cooking activities, crafts, games, walks, planting, physical and intellectual activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo discute el proceso de envejecimiento desde el punto de vista fisiológico y la adopción de un estilo de vida sano, tomando como referencia el caso de los padres de la autora, de 95 y 86 años. La autora ofrece consejos sobre bienestar físico y espiritual para asegurar una vejez sana, como en el caso estudiado.