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The authors discuss the need for patient advocacy in geriatric medicine. They mention the difficulties of finding entry points into advocacy, how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problems facing older adults, and presents a list of organizations that assist older people with health care, economic and social issues, and end-of-life care.

Background/Objectives: Older adults' susceptibility to mistreatment may be affected by their participation in social activities, but little is known about relationships between social participation and elder mistreatment. Design Cross‐sectional analysis. Setting/Participants: National probability sample of older community‐dwelling U.S. adults interviewed in 2015–2016, including 1268 women and 973 men (mean age 75 years and 76 years, respectively; 82% non‐Hispanic white). Measurements: Frequency of participation in formal activities (organized meetings, religious services, and volunteering) and informal social activities (visiting friends and family) was assessed by questionnaire. Elder mistreatment included emotional (four items), physical (two items), and financial mistreatment (two items) since age 60. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between each type of social participation and elder mistreatment among men and women, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, and comorbidity. Results: Forty percent of women and 22% of men reported at least one form of mistreatment (emotional, physical, or financial). Women reporting at least monthly engagement in formal social activities were more likely to report emotional mistreatment (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–2.33). Among men, monthly organized meeting attendance was associated with increased odds of emotional mistreatment (AOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.01–1.93). Weekly informal socializing was inversely associated with emotional mistreatment (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.44–0.78) and financial mistreatment (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.42–0.85) among women. Conclusion: In this national cohort, older adults who were frequently engaged in formal social activities reported similar or higher levels of mistreatment than those with less frequent organized social participation. Older women with regular informal contact with family or friends were less likely to report some kinds of mistreatment. Strategies for detecting and mitigating elder mistreatment should consider differences in patterns of formal and informal social participation and their potential contribution to mistreatment risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimates of the number of homeless older adults are highly variable, but the proportion is expected to increase in Western countries as the general population ages. Much of the current literature on homelessness among older adults focuses on the causes of homelessness in later life, along with the health outcomes and service needs of this population. However, there is a dearth of research investigating potential shelter/housing solutions specific to homeless older adults that would meet their unique needs. This scoping review investigated the needs for housing homeless older adults and potential solutions. Based on thematic analysis of findings from 19 sources of primary research, we developed a conceptual model that suggests distinct, senior-specific needs and shelter/housing solutions of both newly and chronically homeless older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some product categories, older consumers (aged 65+) tend to be more brand loyal, have smaller consideration sets and defer purchase more than younger consumers. This conservative behaviour may arise, in part, because older people are more socially isolated and thus receive less social influence relating to product options. In this multi-study research, the volume of word of mouth (WOM) is used as an indicator of social influence. The WOM received by men and women falls substantially beyond age 65, indicating that a deficit in advice may be part of the explanation for conservative decision-making. To test this proposition, the duration of customer tenure of the current brand (how long the respondent has been a customer) is used as a measure of purchase deferral and, as predicted, tenure is longer when less WOM is received. This evidence indicates that some older consumers experience a degree of social isolation, which affects their decision-making. In marketing and social policy, there is a need to promote procedures, technologies and institutions that help older people to connect with others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The so-called rational discourse of present-day society values individuals for their ability to see, speak and act. But this prioritisation of voice and bodily agency neglects the subjectivity of disabled people, especially the disabled elderly, and how they address their existential dilemma. Based on in-depth interviews and a survey of 260 disabled older adults in NT Township, Shanxi Province, China, this study explores 'productive ageing' among them. Drawing on the experience of rural older adults with disabilities, five aspects of productive ageing were identified and examined: economic productivity, caring for the family, volunteering, lifelong learning and community work. The results demonstrate that, given the current official discourse on elderly care, senior adults with disabilities see themselves as needing to become self-reliant by making themselves productive despite their age. They do this by acting within a personal social support network aimed at providing security and comfort in their old age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The present study aims to examine challenges encountered by elderly people in Quetta city of Balochistan. The socio-economic problems faced by elderly and the attitude of family members towards them were explored in this study. Methods: A random sample of 200 respondents comprising both women and men of age 60 years and above was selected and data was collected through semi-structured interview schedule. The data collected has been processed through SPSS and simple frequency designed tables. Results: The results show several problems were encountered by elderly including discrimination (65%), limited decision making power (44%), acts of neglect and maltreatment from families (42%), verbal and physical abuse (41%), reduced social interaction (68%) and economic dependency (55.5%). These challenges were reported to have serious implications on the lives of elderly. Conclusion: The findings of this study imply that the majority of problems faced by elderly were largely due to breakdown of traditional family system of the country. To address these issues the attention of the state is needed especially in providing alternative means of living for the elderly who spend their lives in serving the nation. This may include setting up elderly homes, introducing elderly allowances and increasing pension amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Old age is one of the most crucial stages of human development that encompasses the dynamics of biological processes, perception, growth and development and maturity, as a natural process of life. The elderly as one of the vulnerable groups, they face different biological, psychological and social needs. As the population gets older, the elderly will need more support in their daily activities, and these will put more pressure on family members. Failure of families to take care of the elderly as well as specific social conditions such as urbanization, modernization, change in traditional values, contradiction of the new and old generation value system, and failure to accept care of an elderly family enables the family to fulfill its role and duties. In such circumstances, the elderly may be at risk of domestic elder abuse. Elder abuse is in fact the intentional or unintentional behavior of the elderly, which may be of a physical, emotional or psychological nature and may cause complications such as unnecessary suffering, injury or physical pain, violating the human rights and impairing the quality of life of the elderly person. The present study aimed to provide definitions and theories of elder abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the multiple temporalities of lifestyle migration through the study of the Houniao ("snowbirds"), mostly retirees from northern China. It attends to their seasonal migration to Sanya and Haikou, and explores the reconstruction of everyday practices, experience, and identities in association with their perceptions of past, present, and future. Personal biographies and national socioeconomic transformation over time encourage them to strike a balance between frugality and quality of life, and raise their generational awareness. The post-migration life and identities of the "snowbirds" are also affected by their future aspirations and active ageing practices. The production of the Houniao's present life is further examined in relation to their perceptions of everyday rhythms and the negotiation of cultural and regional identities. This paper underlines the centrality of time in (lifestyle) migration. It offers insight into the time-spaces and complexity of lifestyle migration and changing elderly life in modern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The range of films dealing with later age has increased enormously over the past 50 years; just like the variety of elderly people’s lifestyles. The article examines this film corpus offering numerous examples with regard to prominent topics and motives - such as changing social relationships and partnerships, opening up new liveworlds or dealing with personal sexuality - and gives a look behind the supposed limits and linearities of common age categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corona pandemic has already produced a wealth of research work that deals with the effects of the crisis on different areas of social action and life. To what extent is research on ageing (media) devoted to the crisis? The article explores thematic accents and offers suggestions for further discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to discuss the social representations of people aged >65 years about being elderly or aged. Method: research outlined in the Theory of Social Representations. Elderly people from Minas Gerais Basic Health Unit participated. Sociodemographic characterization data were collected and evocation technique and recorded interviews were applied in 2015, with prototypical and content analyzes, supported by softwares. Results: 93 elderly people participated, mostly women (62.4%), aged 72 years on average and with <8 years of education (88.15%). Nuclear contents were identified - common: "evaluates-being-old" and distinct: "age-arrives" and "experience" (being elderly) and "difficult-bad" (being aged). In the procedural approach, engagement to deal with new demands was identified, despite the recognition of secondary limitations to the aging process. Conclusion: there was an absence of objective nuclear contents, with behaviors and thoughts anchored in one's experiences and in other people's, linked to the level of (in)dependency, living conditions and support networks, carrying similarities and distinctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legislation for dementia care needs to be continually rethought, if the rights of older persons and other persons with dementia are to be addressed properly. We propose a theoretical framework for understanding vulnerability and dependency, which enables us to problematize the currently prevailing legal conception of adults as always able — irrespective of health or age — to act autonomously in their everyday lives. Such an approach gives rise to difficult dilemmas when persons with dementia are forced to make decisions on their own about basic living conditions, such as housing and care, without decision-making support. In Sweden, for example, such matters are frequently left to the person him- or herself to decide, often without any assistance from social workers, and with family members serving as caregivers of last resort. Using vulnerability theory as the framework for our discussion, we argue that policymakers should not apply a group-oriented approach (based on factors like age, legal status, or mental capacity) to persons suffering from dementia. The needs of such individuals are as complex and varied as they themselves are. We discuss our findings from an interdisciplinary (law/social work) research project in which we examine the dilemma that social workers face when they are required, under the terms of the Swedish Social Services Act, to determine whether persons with dementia are to be granted support. We argue further that a cross-disciplinary approach — in which vulnerability theory furnishes the framework — opens up for new ways of understanding and developing social welfare law and practice. This, we believe, can help us better address the rights, interests, and needs of people with dementia, of their families, and of professionals in the social welfare system. Finally, many of the problems faced by ageing societies in general can be understood on the basis of such an approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-five years have passed since my first exposure to the field of "elder law." From a "young" master's student I have become a law professor and a gerontologist who specializes in law and aging. The journey I have personally experienced in the last quarter-century provided me with some perspective regarding the field of elder law (or, as I prefer to call it, law and aging). In this Article, I try to summarize my experience and share some personal insights on the field. This is naturally a very personal and subjective experience. However, it may be constructive to others in shaping the next twenty-five years of the field. Hence, the goal of this Article is to provide both an integrative description of the developments in the field and some propositions for possible future directions. [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.

OBJECTIVES: Little population‐level evidence exists to guide the development of interventions for people with dementia in non–nursing home settings. We hypothesized people living at home with moderately severe dementia would differ in social, functional, and medical characteristics from those in either residential care or nursing home settings. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using pooled data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, an annual survey of a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries. SETTING: US national sample. PARTICIPANTS: Respondents newly meeting criteria for incident moderately severe dementia, defined as probable dementia with functional impairment: 728 older adults met our definition between 2012 and 2016. MEASUREMENTS: Social characteristics examined included age, sex, race/ethnicity, country of origin, income, educational attainment, partnership status, and household size. Functional characteristics included help with daily activities, falls, mobility device use, and limitation to home or bed. Medical characteristics included comorbid conditions, self‐rated health, hospital stay, symptoms, and dementia behaviors. RESULTS: Extrapolated to the population, an estimated 3.3 million older adults developed incident moderately severe dementia between 2012 and 2016. Within this cohort, 64% received care at home, 19% in residential care, and 17% in a nursing facility. social, functional, and medical characteristics differed across care settings. Older adults living at home were 2 to 5 times more likely to be members of disadvantaged populations and had more medical needs: 71% reported bothersome pain compared with 60% in residential care or 59% in nursing homes. CONCLUSION: Over a 5‐year period, 2.1 million people lived at home with incident moderately severe dementia. People living at home had a higher prevalence of demographic characteristics associated with systematic patterns of disadvantage, more social support, less functional impairment, worse health, and more symptoms compared with people living in residential care or nursing facilities. This novel study provides insight into setting‐specific differences among people with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1907–1912, 2019 See related editorial by Joanne Lynn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a 2‐year multidomain lifestyle intervention on daily functioning of older people. DESIGN: A 2‐year randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01041989). SETTING: Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1260 older adults, with a mean age of 69 years at the baseline, who were at risk of cognitive decline. INTERVENTION: A multidomain intervention, including simultaneous physical activity intervention, nutritional counseling, vascular risk monitoring and management, and cognitive training and social activity. MEASUREMENTS: The ability to perform daily activities (activities of daily living [ADLs] and instrumental ADLs) and physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery). RESULTS: The mean baseline ADL score was 18.1 (SD = 2.6) points; the scale ranges from 17 (no difficulties) to 85 (total ADL dependence). During the 2‐year intervention, the ADL disability score slightly increased in the control group, while in the intervention group, it remained relatively stable. Based on the latent growth curve model, the difference in the change between the intervention and control groups was −0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.61 to −0.28) after 1 year and −1.20 (95% CI = −2.02 to −0.38) after 2 years. In terms of physical performance, the intervention group had a slightly higher probability of improvement (from score 3 to score 4; P = .041) and a lower probability of decline (from score 3 to scores 0‐2; P = .043) for chair rise compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: A 2‐year lifestyle intervention was able to maintain the daily functioning of the at‐risk older population. The clinical significance of these results in this fairly well‐functioning population remains uncertain, but the study results hold promise that healthy eating, exercise, and cognitive and social activity may have favorable effects on functional independence in older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of disability in activities of daily livings is higher among Indian elderly as compared to other ageing countries in Asia. This study provides an overview of the prevalence of disability by gender and region (rural and urban) among the tribal elderly in West Bengal, India. Cross-tabulation method was employed to examine the pattern of tribal ageing disability in all 19 districts of West Bengal. Based on Census 2011 data, the study showed that prevalence of disability among tribal elderly was significantly higher than general elderly population. The study also validated the low socio-economic and vulnerable condition of the ethnic groups in different districts of the State. The governments should implement the public health policies to reduce the burden of disability by providing healthcare services, education and social and economic security particularly to the rural tribal elderly disabled people for their better quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of help received from home care workers and volunteers to the life satisfaction of community-dwelling older adults is vital but uncharted. To address the effectiveness, this study aims to optimize the use of social resources for the older adults' life quality. The study thus surveyed 398 community-dwelling older adults in a city of China about the help and life satisfaction. Results showed a significant positive effect of help from home care workers, but not that from volunteers, on the older adult's life satisfaction. Moreover, the effect of help from volunteers was significantly greater when the older adult had higher education or lower family income. These effects are explicable with resource theory and need fulfillment theory. They imply the worth of promoting help from home care workers generally and volunteers conditionally to champion older adults' life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulgaria is one of the most aging countries in Europe. The low birth rate, the emigration flow mainly from working-age people and the increasing life expectancy lead to an increase in the number of persons aged 65 and over in the country. Undoubtedly, the aging population in Bulgaria brings with it a change in the priorities of the state policy. The pace with which the population ages requires an adequate response from the community to meet the needs of the population in this direction. Increasing the share of elderly people requires the provision and development of services that meet the growing needs of the population for specialized social and medical care. Older adults have specific needs because of their reduced self-service capabilities associated with polymorbidity in many. Another problem that accompanies aging is loneliness. Many elderly people live alone, most often as a result of widowhood. This makes it more difficult to cope with everyday activities and the treatment of their illnesses. This article discusses the problems related to the normative regulation of social services provided to persons aged 65 and over in Bulgaria. The legal framework for the provision of such services in the country is presented. All kinds of social services for the elderly are described and systematized. The two main types of services are clearly distinguished according to the place of supply. The first includes all services provided in the community, and the second - the services in specialized institutions. After exhaustion of the possibilities of the social services provided in the community, it goes to institutionalization. Institutional social services for the elderly include elderly homes as well as homes for disabled adults. Specialized institutions are boarding-house homes where people are separated from their home environment. The legal framework for categorizing the sources of financing of the necessary social services has been considered. The mechanisms for financing by the state and municipalities are described in detail. The important role of the Social Assistance Agency as an executive body with the Minister of Labor and Social Policy is also presented. It is a secondary subcontractor for financial support for social assistance. Every aspect of the implementation of social services for people aged 65 and over is of great importance with a view to timely limiting the socio-medical problems of these persons. In order to ensure a decent life for people aged 65 years and over, it is necessary to have a good organization in the provision, control and financing of social services for the elderly in the country. In the future, the need for this will become more and more tangible given current demographic trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text presents an overview of aging in Brazil and information that highlights the need to create instruments to deal with the exponential increase of the elderly population, particularly those who lose their physical, cognitive, mental/emotional, and social autonomy. Examples of public policies created by European countries, notably Spain, show how they act to protect the most vulnerable individuals and provide support to their families, especially to the informal caregivers. The whole process of protection for the longlived is perceived as a form of social solidarity in which the State and sub-national entities, society, the families and the elderly people themselves participate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses factors influencing social inclusion for older adult immigrants. Topics discussed including receiving less social support, experiencing loneliness and depression, and association of immigration in older adulthood with family reunification and with older immigrants arriving in the host country to live with family.

This article analyzes whether many Americans over age 50 want to return to work. It estimates that among males ages 55 to 64 and females ages 50 to 59 currently not working 1.1 million persons are ready and able to work, have substantial skills and education, would work in high demand occupations, and are flexible about conditions of employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast majority of us say that we want to "age in place," to stay in our homes as long as possible as we get older. However, there are instances when aging in place doesn't make sense—when some form of shared or communal living would be the best alternative. We take a closer look at the choice to move or age in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses old age according to English sociologist John Vincent as a period of life before death and theories by Danishphilosopher Søren Kierkegaard. The author notes that Old age is a cultural category, configured by kinship networks, economic systems, and basic value orientations, rather than a stage defined in specific biological terms. Also discussed is claims related to Social Security safety net to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Objective: This present study aims to estimate the structural validity, internal consistency reliability of the LSNS-6 and examine the associations between the LSNS-6 and suicidal outcomes among mainland Chinese older adults. Methods: This validation study used a big representative sample (N = 2819) of older adults in Beijing from the Sample Survey on Aged Population in Urban/Rural China. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were applied to examine the factor structures of the Chinese version of LSNS-6. Internal consistency reliability of the LSNS-6 was examined by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and the corrected item-total correlation. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the associations between the LSNS-6 and late-life death wishes, suicidal ideation in mainland Chinese. Findings: This present study showed good internal consistency and consistent factor structure of the LSNS-6 as well as its subscales. The present data demonstrated the LSNS-6 could be a useful tool for assessing social networks among older mainland Chinese. Interestingly, among the mainland Chinese, late-life suicidality was highly associated with the LSNS-6 family subscale, rather than the friends subscale. Conclusion: The LSNS-6 could be a useful tool for assessing social networks among older mainland Chinese. In addition, suggestion is made to improve social networks, especially in family bonds and support, as a promising strategy in reducing late-life suicide risks in mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the association between history of several types of abuse and falling. Design: Cross‐sectional population‐based study. Setting: Data from the Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (Health, Well‐being, and Aging) Bogotá Study. Participants: Community‐dwelling adults aged 60 and older living in Bogotá, Colombia (n=2,000). Measurements: Falling was defined as the number of times a person had fallen during the previous 12 months. History of abuse was assessed according to self‐report. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between elder abuse and falling, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Multivariate data analyses showed significant higher odds of any falls (≥1 vs 0) for past emotional (odds ratio (OR)=1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.23–1.90), physical (OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.57–2.51), or sexual (OR=3.08, 95% CI=1.78–5.32) abuse. Similarly, the odds of recurrent falls (≥2 vs 0–1) were significantly higher with each type of abuse. In addition, the odds of any falls and recurrent falls were significant higher in participants with polyvictimization (≥2 types of abuse) than in those with no history of abuse or 1 type of abuse. Conclusion: History of abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual) was strongly associated with falling in older adults living in Bogota. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and further delineate the independent effects of elder abuse on fall risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aims to use the theory of third places to understand how different kinds of social interactions in small hospitality businesses, such as restaurants and cafes, can enhance senior customers’ experiences and alleviate their loneliness.Design/methodology/approach The target population of this study were Hong Kong residents of age 60 or older. The sampling frame comprised respondents who visited a Cha Chaan Teng (i.e. a Hong Kong-style tea restaurant) more than once a year. The authors distributed 500 questionnaires and collected 411 valid responses in 2016. They used structural equation modeling for data analysis.Findings The results show that social interactions (service manner and need identification) with employees and other customers have a positive effect on senior customers’ experiences, while the service manner of employees reduces senior customers’ loneliness.Originality/value This study demonstrates the respective contributions of social interactions with employees and those with other customers to enhancing senior customers’ experiences and alleviating their loneliness. This study’s findings may provide a foundation for future research into the relationships between social interactions, customer experience and loneliness in third places (that are, informal public places that offer individuals opportunities to escape from home and the workplace and to enjoy voluntary conversation, entertainment and gatherings). Further, this study also demonstrates the specific role and importance of the hospitality industry in addressing a contemporary social problem in the form of seniors’ loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper examines the implications of providing care to elderly parents for adult children's retirement plans using micro data from a Japanese survey. We find no significant effect of caregiving on family caregivers’ planned retirement age if we do not take into account caregiving intensity but find a negative and significant effect on retirement plans for intensive caregivers, particularly among women. These findings suggest that relying on family members to provide elderly care can pose a serious challenge to the ongoing efforts of the government to promote the labor supply of women and the elderly as a way of addressing the shrinkage of the working‐age population in Japan. The estimation results suggest that ensuring access to formal care services can help family members reconcile their paid work with caregiving requirements, thereby alleviating the adverse effect of caregiving on their retirement plans. The results also suggest that the financial burden of formal care services could require caregivers to postpone retirement in some cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connections between the built environment and quality of life are major concerns in the fields of geography and urban planning. Given that some developing countries, such as China, have a rapidly aging society, elderly people have become a social group that attracts growing interest among scholars and policy makers. However, the relationship between neighbourhood environments and the quality of life of the elderly has scarcely been referenced in previous literature. Based on a recent survey in Nanjing, China, this article investigates such connections through structural equations models. It notes that population density exerts an insignificant influence on the life satisfaction of the elderly, whereas built year has the largest impact, indicating the importance of interior environment to subjective wellbeing for the elderly in China. The other built environment factors (informal space and danwei) that have Chinese features are negatively related to the quality of life of older people. Among life domains, the effects of health conditions, residential environments and transportation are stronger than those of social interaction, meaning that the elderly in China place greater emphasis on their basic needs than on higher life needs. This article has some policy implications for policy makers, including on urban form, informal spaces and style of residential communities. Relevant policies need to be carried out to promote the life satisfaction of elderly people in urban China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse the relationship between parenthood and quality of life in old age. Our main rationale is that the effect of having children on the quality of life varies with individual financial well-being as well as with the societal context, e.g. the welfare state and the economy. Analyses are based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (wave 2 and 4) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (wave 6) with respondents aged 50 plus from 19 European countries in all. We find the effect of parenthood on quality of life to depend on individual resources, the economy and social service expenditures. Older persons with difficulties in making ends meet, living in less affluent countries with lower gross domestic product per capita and welfare states with higher spending on social services benefit the most from parenthood in late life. Women and men in financial ease do not benefit from parenthood in old age. We do not find substantial gender differences in the relationship of parenthood and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies poverty persistence and the role of social security programmes on poverty among elderly in the US. We use a Latent Markov model to disentangle unobserved heterogeneity and state dependence. Because of its dynamic nature, unobserved heterogeneity is modelled to vary over time. This allows to capture different latent states of poverty that change over time. Result indicates the existence of three unobserved types evolving over time according to their propensity to be poor. Moreover, a strong persistence in poverty especially for women, individuals living alone and ethnic minorities is found. Finally, the estimates indicate that giving social assistance tends to reduce poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Scientific research has slowly been incorporating the factors that influence the process of ageing. Among them, gender has been considered a cross determinant which affects all other factors of Active Ageing (World Health Organization, 2002). This paper provides a review of the role of gender on ageing well. Methods: A bibliographical database with 2143 references, selected from several national and international referenced databases, was used. These references were obtained by a systematic search of terms related to ageing well (active, healthy, successful, productive) in Spanish and English, carried out through title, keywords, and abstract. Eligible studies were published between 1997 and 2015. This systematic review was complemented with a snowball strategy. Results: From the general database, 214 references were initially selected, in which sex or gender had some sort of importance. But only 33 studies that provide a gender perspective were retained from reviewing the abstract and/or the complete document, especially on those related to Social Sciences, which developed the concepts of Active Ageing or Successful Ageing. The most relevant treated areas were focused on: i) differences between men and women caused by different labour force roles (paid work and domestic work, including care activities); ii) consequences of gender roles on participation; iii) psychosocial health status on older people. Conclusions: Although the policy framework for Active Ageing gives importance to gender as a cross determinant, research carried out from a gender perspective is yet limited. Future research may consider these results to revitalize and create knowledge about gender influence on ageing well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic ageing is one of the most relevant social and political challenges in recent decades. There are several approaches to the fact of ageing, depending on the emphasis on biomedical, social or political aspects. The approach to ageing from a social construction perspective implies thinking about how we get older and how we achieve it with quality of life. In an unequal society in relation to gender relations, the fact of ageing is not confronted in the same way as women or men. In addition, in the study of ageing are important different social variables, health and physical environment. These variables converge in the social construction of an object of study that over the years has been diversifying its axis according to devote a greater emphasis to the fragility or, on the contrary, to the potentiality that encloses aging well, with dignity, with decency. The paradigm of care as a model that reflects on the daily maintenance of the world, our bodies, our environment, our lives, would contribute to the concept of active ageing, with the view on the notion of human vulnerability constituent and therefore considering care as a complex and transversal process that contributes to the quality of life of all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Chile, the increase in the elderly population has raised concerns about learning more regarding their level of well-being, which is affected by multiple categories of social differentiation (socioeconomic level, gender, ethnicity). This article presents results from an anthropological study, whose objective was to understand how access to well-being for working class older women is affected by the place that care work and paid work has occupied in their lives. Through the life stories of 9 older women from the district of Independencia -Santiago de Chile-, it shows how they were able to combine care work and paid work throughout their lives thanks to the support of female family members, and how they continue to do so also in their old age. Among the results, it is emphasized that accepting as natural the way women manage care work and paid work implies a failure to recognize the time that women invest in them throughout their lives and, consequently, to understand why their well-being when they are older, is affected by this accumulation of responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multimorbidity is among the most disabling geriatric conditions. In this study, we explored whether a rapid development of multimorbidity potentiates its impact on the functional independence of older adults, and whether different sociodemographic factors play a role beyond the rate of chronic disease accumulation.Methods: A random sample of persons aged ≥60 years (n = 2387) from the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) was followed over 6 years. The speed of multimorbidity development was estimated as the rate of chronic disease accumulation (linear mixed models) and further dichotomized into the upper versus the three lower rate quartiles. Binomial negative mixed models were used to analyse the association between speed of multimorbidity development and disability (impaired basic and instrumental activities of daily living), expressed as the incidence rate ratio (IRR). The effect of sociodemographic factors, including sex, education, occupation and social network, was investigated.Results: The risk of new activity impairment was higher among participants who developed multimorbidity faster (IRR 2.4, 95% CI 1.9-3.1) compared with those who accumulated diseases more slowly overtime, even after considering the baseline number of chronic conditions. Only female sex (IRR for women vs. men 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.0) and social network (IRR for poor vs. rich social network 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2) showed an effect on disability beyond the rate of chronic disease accumulation.Conclusions: Rapidly developing multimorbidity is a negative prognostic factor for disability. However, sociodemographic factors such as sex and social network may determine older adults' reserves of functional ability, helping them to live independently despite the rapid accumulation of chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The number of older people in South Korea is growing dramatically, and the socio‐psychological needs of these people have begun to change from those of elderly people in the previous Confucian culture. The anti‐aging industry is popular among older South Korean consumers, and the Korean mass media have begun to broadcast new images of older people. The purpose of this research was to explore older Korean people's anti‐aging needs by examining their consumption‐related thoughts and behaviours in daily life. A theoretical framework is formulated to organize the coping processes and psychological mechanisms used by older Koreans to meet their anti‐aging needs. A total of 25 older Korean consumers were interviewed, and the qualitative data are analysed to determine the main causes and, attributes of, and reactions to their anti‐aging needs. The analysis of the in‐depth‐interviews shows that the older consumers’ negative age stereotypes act as a stressor and that their need for anti‐aging products is a defensive reaction. It is also found that older Korean consumers change their consumption behaviours to cope with negative age stereotypes and to satisfy their anti‐aging needs, and two types of coping behaviours (problem‐focused and emotion‐focused) are revealed. The results of this study contribute to the academic explanations of the anti‐aging phenomenon among older Koreans and enhance understanding of the perspectives of older Eastern consumers by revealing the existence of their anti‐aging needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elders in the society used to receive lot of prominence in their families in the older days because of strong bondage among family. But due to changes in the family values, leading to loosening of the bondage the elders are not getting as much importance as they used to get earlier. This situation is responsible for drastic changes in the socio-economic and health status of the elders. It is in this context the present study was planned to analyse the socio-economic and health status of the elders in rural and urban areas of Mysore district. The present study is based on the field survey carried out by the researchers. Out of 1,242 villages in Mysore district, 12 villages (1% samples) were selected. On the other hand, out of 193 wards in eight urban centres, 10 wards (5% samples) were selected by random sampling technique. Total 570 elderly 60 years and above (357 from rural areas and 213 from urban areas) of both the sexes were selected for thus study. These subject were interviewed individually. The study revealed that the elders especially elderly women, have relatively poor socio-economic and health status especially in urban areas. Therefore, it is concluded that, elders especially women need better care, more facilities from the government and the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a new instrument to assess social networks and social support (IMIAS-SNSS) for different types of social ties in an international sample of older adults. The study sample included n = 1995 community dwelling older people aged between 65 and 74 years from the baseline of the longitudinal International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS). In order to measure social networks for each type of social tie, participants were asked about the number of contacts, the number of contacts they see at least once a month or have a very good relationship with, or speak with at least once a month. For social support, participants had to rate the level of social support provided by the four types of contacts for five Likert scale items. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted to determine the goodness of fit of the measurement models. Satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices confirmed the satisfactory factorial structure of the IMIAS-SNSS instrument. Reliability coefficients were 0.80, 0.81, 0.85, and 0.88 for friends, children, family, and partner models, respectively. The models were confirmed by CFA for each type of social tie. Moreover, IMIAS-SNSS detected gender differences in the older adult populations of IMIAS. These results provide evidence supporting that IMIAS-SNSS is a psychometrically sound instrument and of its validity and reliability for international populations of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-ratings of health (SRH) indicate current health-related quality of life and independently predict mortality. Studies show the SRH of older adults appears less influenced by physical health than the SRH of younger adults. But if physical health accounts less for the SRH of older adults, what factors take its place? To understand the relative contributions of social, emotional, and physical states to SRH by age, we analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey 2006 to 2011 ( N = 153,341). In age-stratified regressions, physical health and functional limitations declined as correlates of SRH for older age strata, while social factors, such as gender and race, increased in importance. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition showed that if younger respondents had similar health conditions, they would rate their health more poorly than current cohorts of older adults do. The declining influence of physical health on SRH in old age appears to be due in part to displacement by social factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]