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Background: As global aging continues to intensify, the health status of the older people requires urgent attention, and health education provides a pathway for active aging. However, the current outlook on health education for older people in rural areas of China is not optimistic. This study used Social Ecosystems Theory and explored the deep-rooted influencing factors on the acceptance of health education from the perspective of the rural older people. Methods: In this study, a purposive sampling method was adopted, and eligible rural older individuals were selected from Hebi city, Henan Province, China, from March to May 2023 as the research participants. A semistructured interview method was used to explore the factors affecting the acceptance of health education by older people. The interview data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method to obtain relevant themes and subthemes. Results: A total of 14 participants were recruited for the interviews; 8 were male, 6 were female, most had an elementary school education, and most were farmers. The results of the thematic analysis revealed a total of nine facilitators and nine barriers in micro, meso and macro levels. Among the findings, our important and unique finding is that inadequate intergenerational support somewhat hinders older adults' exposure to health education. Conclusion: There are numerous and complex facilitators of and barriers to accessing health education for rural older adults; of these, a lack of intergenerational support is particularly important. In the future, health education needs to be centered on the families of older people with the assistance of village committees so that older people and their children can learn and communicate together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Provincial Council of Álava has carried out a pilot study to evaluate the quality of care in residential centers for the elderly. Indicators have been validated to measure quality in collaboration with service providers. More than 70 professionals from public and private centers have participated in the project. The study has analyzed different indicators, such as falls, pressure ulcers, and physical restraints, and has found significant associations between some of these variables. It is concluded that the indicators used can be valid for comparing the quality of care in residential centers, but adjustments must be made in the collection of information and in the definition of the indicators. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Latinos are more likely than non-Latino Whites to develop dementia and be prescribed antipsychotics for dementia-related behavioral symptoms. Antipsychotics have significant risks yet are often overprescribed. Our understanding of how Latino caregivers of Latino older adults living with dementia perceive and address behavioral issues is limited, impeding our ability to address the root causes of antipsychotic overprescribing. Methods: We interviewed Latino older adults' caregivers and community-based organization workers serving older adults with cognitive impairment (key informants), focusing on the management of behavioral symptoms and experiences with health services. Results: We interviewed 8 caregivers and 2 key informants. Caregivers were the spouses, children, or grandchildren of the older adult living with cognitive impairment; their ages ranged from 30 to 95. We identified three categories of how caregivers learned about, managed, and coped with behavioral symptoms: caregivers often faced shortcomings with dementia care in the medical system, receiving limited guidance and support; caregivers found community organizations and senior day centers to be lifelines, as they received relevant, timely advice and support, caregivers often devised their own creative strategies to manage behavioral symptoms. Conclusion: In-depth interviews suggest that the healthcare system is failing to provide support for behavioral symptoms from dementia; caregivers of Latino older adults rely on community organizations instead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postural imbalance is a leading cause of injury in older adults. Our study investigated the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based interventions on balance ability in this population. Here, we examined 21 older, healthy adults (75.8 ± 5.2 years old). Participants performed 6 weeks of balance training, twice per week for 30 min; the experimental group donned an Oculus VR headset during the training while control participants did not. To assess balance ability, a force platform measured displacement of the center of pressure (COP) during quiet standing in double-leg, tandem, and single-leg stances with eyes closed pre- and post-assessment. COP measurements included mediolateral (ML) and anterior–posterior (AP) directions for root mean square (RMS), peak-to-peak displacement (MAXD), total excursion (TE), and 95% confidence area ellipse (AE) parameters. Post-training assessments showed improvements (significant decreases) in the COP parameters. Control group COP parameters improved in various stances ranging from a 3% to 40% decrease on average. The VR group improved MAXD, TE, and 95% AE ranging from a 5% to 47% decrease, on average, across various stances post- compared to pre-training. VR-based exercise training programs may encourage older adults to engage in mobility exercises, leading to a reduced risk of falls or injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban squares are the main place for older adults' daily activities. The spatial layout of the urban square is not only related to the construction of a healthy city and the equitable distribution of public resources, but also of great significance in enhancing the sense of gain, security, and happiness of older adults. This essay takes "health needs of older adults" as the perspective, and constructs a multi-dimensional evaluation index system of urban square space for elderly suitability in terms of physiological, psychological, and social health. It also takes six urban squares in Yiyang city center as an example and analyzes and evaluates them using GIS network analysis and the entropy weight method. The results of the study show that (1) Yiyang city center squares show the distribution characteristics of "dense in the middle and scattered around", and the spatial distribution is not balanced, which leads to a small service area. (2) The overall intervention value of urban square space is mainly distributed between 0.291 and 0.710, with an average value of 0.481, and the overall intervention effect of the square is good. The reasons for differences in health interventions for older adults in urban square spaces centered on six aspects: the quality of the square space, the variety and convenience of travel lines, the tidiness of the environment, physical activities, safety, and social interaction. Based on this, this essay proposes three optimization strategies for the renewal of urban squares, the construction of characteristic squares, and the reconstruction of the urban square space system. The aim is to provide a reference for the future design and renewal of the elderly suitability of urban squares, so as to promote the construction of a healthy city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in the numbers of older adults with mental health and substance use concerns compel us to identify best practices in training to address these issues. Senior Centers are an ideal location for behavioral health education programs as they are the go-to place for many older adults. This paper describes an online certificate program in Behavioral Health and Aging offered by the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research at Boston University School of Social Work in collaboration with the National Council on Aging to increase senior center staff knowledge and skills. A total of 228 senior center staff in Illinois, Florida, and Wisconsin completed the online certificate program. There were statistically significant changes in key competencies for all courses based on pre-post assessment. We held key informant interviews to assess the impact of training and participants stated that their knowledge, skills, and behaviors were influenced by the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to care services in communities such as senior day care centers. Maintaining health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in frail older adults is important for managing long-term care. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore the impact of physical, mental, and cognitive factors, particularly central sensitization-related symptoms (CSSs), on the HRQOL among frail older adults in senior day care centers. HRQOL, physical, mental, and cognitive factors, and severity of CSSs were comprehensively measured using validated methods. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors affecting HRQOL among frail older adults in senior day care centers. The results showed that the timed up and go test significantly affected the HRQOL among frail older adults at senior day care centers. Additionally, knee extension muscle strength, number of pain sites, depressive tendencies, and CSS severity showed a significant negative correlation with HRQOL but were not significant influencing factors. This suggests that functional mobility assessments and approaches are important for maintaining and improving the HRQOL in frail older adults at senior day care centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Companions (i.e. friends who spend time together) are important for the well-being of older adults. Senior centers in the United States are places for older adults to participate in group activities and form and maintain companionships. However, differences in mobility and transportation may affect the ability of older adults to leverage senior center activities into actual companionships. Methods This social network analysis was conducted to characterize the companionship network among members of a senior center in relation to their life-space mobility and transportation resources. An exponential random graph model was estimated to identify mobility- and transportation-related correlates of the likelihood of a companionship tie among senior center members (N  = 42). Results Members had an average of 2 companionships with one another (M  = 2.2, SD  = 2.7). Companionships were more likely for members with greater life-space mobility (p  = .009), who attended the senior center more frequently (p  = .004), with automobile ownership in their households (p  = .034), and who were not transportation cost-burdened (i.e. spent less than 15% of their income on transportation, p  = .005). Demographic characteristics, limitations on instrumental activities of daily living, and being at risk for depression were not significantly associated with the likelihood of companionships. Discussion These findings extend previous knowledge of the role of life-space mobility and transportation in supporting general social participation for older adults to include the importance of transportation and mobility for having companions within a senior center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of community elderly care facilities (CECF) is pivotal for promoting healthy aging and "aging in place" for older people. This study focuses on the low utilization rates of community elderly care facilities in the Dongcheng and Xicheng Districts, core areas of Beijing. The explainable machine learning method is used to analyze data across three dimensions: the elderly's individual attributes, characteristics of the community elderly care station (CECS), and features of the built environment around CECS and subdistrict, to identify the important factors that influence the usage frequency of overall CECS and its different functional spaces, and also the correlation between factors and usage frequency of CECS. It shows that the most important factors are the features of CSCF, including the degree of space acceptance and satisfaction with services provided, which influence the usage frequency of nine functional spaces (R2 ≥ 0.68) and overall (R2 = 0.56). In addition, older people's individual factors, such as age and physical condition, significantly influence the usage of specific spaces such as rehabilitation therapy rooms and assistive bathing rooms. The influence of built environment characteristics is relatively low, with factors such as the density of bus stations and housing prices within the subdistrict and the mean distance from CECF to the nearest subway stations being more important. These findings provide a reference for the construction of indoor environments, management of service quality, and optimal site selection for future community elderly care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC) Program sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)./ Topics discussed include goal of the program, factor to which the OAIC Program's success can be attributed, and research themes of the OAICs.

Introduction: Public health strategies aim to promote and maintain older people's functional capacity for health and well-being. However, little is known about the functional capacity in Colombian older adults. Objective: To describe the functional capacity of institutionalized and non-institutionalized older people in the Social and Health Care Centers of Quindío, Colombia. Method: A descriptive study was designed with a stratified probabilistic sampling of older adults. Functional capacity was assessed with the Barthel Index and the Short Physical Performance Battery. Results: 306 older adults participated in the study. 57.5% of non- institutionalized people attended Day Centers, and 42.5% of the institutionalized population attended Social Protection Centers for the Elderly. 37.6% of the population presented some level of functional dependency, and 64.0% some degree of fragility. Conclusions: The prevalence of frailty in the population participating in social health centers is significantly high, representing an imminent risk of loss of functionality in the short term. It is necessary to design intervention strategies to prevent or delay the appearance of dependence and disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mealtimes are crucial markers of daily schedules and hold significant meaning for older adults in senior living facilities worldwide, extending beyond the food served. Utilizing Moustakas' transcendental phenomenological approach, this study explores the lived experiences and multifaceted meanings of mealtimes for older adults from multicultural backgrounds in senior living facilities in Malaysia. In six urban senior living facilities, 28 older adults from Malaysia's three major ethnic groups, namely Bumiputera Malays, Chinese, and Indians were interviewed through semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Five discernible themes beyond tangible aspects emerged: mealtimes as cultural bridges, memories and palate, emotional bonds through food, quality control and consumption, and comfort through personalized dining experience. This study raises awareness among senior-living facilitators, family caregivers, academics, and policymakers to acknowledge the evident complexities of mealtimes for older adults living away from the comfort of familiarity. Future research should consider the active involvement of all stakeholders in co-creating and implementing interventions that enhance older adults' mealtime experiences in senior-friendly establishments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To extend the literature on participation in intergenerational technology programs, we conducted a quasi-experimental study consisting of senior center participants, half who took part in the University of Rhode Island Engaging Generations Cyber-Seniors (URI eGen Cyber-Seniors) Program and half who did not. Findings showed that both groups were similar on most variables; however participants did have higher education levels and more positive attitudes toward younger people. We also examined if older adult program participants improved scores on social and technological measures compared to the control group, and we found participants improved on technology use, digital competence, loneliness, and doing unpaid community service measures but not the non-participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, under the influence of multiple factors such as traditional ideas and living economic conditions, the aging population in China continues to increase. Most of the elderly are more inclined to aged at home, and the first places for elderly activities are communities and the surrounding environment, which greatly affects the convenience of life and happiness of the elderly. In this paper, Changxindian area in Fengtai District of Beijing was as the research object, and detailed calculation and analysis were carried out by using POI data and arcGIS software. The relative location of residential areas and surrounding public toilets was explored, and the best location of public toilets in the daily walking area under the model of community home-based care for the elderly was further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adults often experience a loss of social relations and sense of belonging in later life, leading to the risk of social isolation. Municipal senior centres offer a potential site for intervention, as they provide social communities targeting older people. However, not all older people find it easy to access these social communities due to experiencing physical and/or psychosocial frailties and could therefore continue to experience a decline in social relations and sense of belonging, which potentiates poor physical and psychosocial health and well-being. To date, there are limited evidence-based interventions in Denmark. The present article describes the development of an intervention to increase belongingness and decrease social isolation among older people with frailties who attend Danish municipal senior centres. The development process was conducted with reference to the INDEX (IdentifyiNg and assessing different approaches to DEveloping compleX intervention) guidance. The development process resulted in a 6-month supportive intervention, consisting of four elements: skills development workshops for all staff members; a start conversation including frailty screening; allocation of a 'buddy' among existing service users; and monthly follow-up conversations with staff members. This theory-informed approach can progress to feasibility testing and outcome evaluation in order to generate an evidence base. Concurrently, the article reflects on current guidance for intervention development and how it may be used and optimized to strengthen developmental processes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Social Work / Praca Socjalna is the property of Akademia Pedagogiki Specjalnej im Marii Grzegorzewskiej and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The role of senior citizen centers is becoming more important, with a greater emphasis placed on ensuring that these establishments facilitate leisure and communication for older adults. These developments are taking place as population aging has now become an irreversible global trend. However, there is still a lack of systematic research on predicting the distribution density of senior citizen centers based on physical factors in urban planning. Therefore, this study set each administrative district in Busan as a unit and investigated physical factors affecting the distribution density of senior citizen centers around small apartment complexes to validate their effectiveness. First, the spatial hierarchy of each administrative district in Busan was examined. The city was divided into administrative districts while focusing on the distribution density of senior citizen centers (the dependent variable) around small apartment complexes where older adults live (within a 500 m radius). The spatial accessibility of senior citizen centers and the number of apartments in each administrative district were set as independent variables. This selection was made to verify the effectiveness of the physical factors by conducting an independent sample t-test, normality test, Friedman test, and two-way ANOVA. The chief findings of this study are as follows. (1) The spatial awareness of each administrative district was low, and there were large disparities in the land development density relative to the spatial scale of the administrative districts. (2) Regarding the physical factors affecting the distribution density of senior citizen centers, the spatial accessibility of senior residences was more significant than the number of small apartment complexes nearby. (3) Personal and social factors may have indirectly influenced the distribution density of senior citizen centers more than physical factors, depending on the type of house in which the older adults live. The findings will provide a theoretical basis for determining the location and distribution density of senior citizen centers in urban planning considering physical factors, as well as serve as a reference for public policy decisions related to the allocation of such centers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Architectus is the property of Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Wroclawskiej and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The onset of the digital age has sparked a significant age-related digital divide, detrimentally affecting older adults. The age-related digital disparities and the gray digital divide between the Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation in senior living facilities remains an exigent issue. This study explored the lived experiences of older adults as they confront the challenges posed by age-related digital disparities inherent in the gray digital divide in senior living facilities. In-depth, semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted with 28 older adults living in six senior living facilities in three urban locations. Moustakas's transcendental phenomenology was employed, and the Modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method was used to analyze the data. This study identified six main themes: barriers to connectivity, digital literacy, generational-rooted perceptions, navigating technology with functional limitations, social isolation, and end-of-life planning. The gray digital divide disproportionately affects older adults in senior living facilities. The study emphasizes the need for tailored interventions and targeted support to address the specific needs of each cohort and reduce age-related disparities. Addressing these disparities has significant implications for academics, policy-makers, senior living accommodations, and technology developers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of access to social bonding sessions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on older adults' exercise participation. This study examined the relationships between bridging capital, bonding capital, relationship commitment, and exercise participation intention. We surveyed 740 adults aged 50 years or over who visited welfare, health, and senior centers in South Korea. The results showed that bridging capital and bonding capital were positively associated with relationship commitment and exercise participation intention, and that the effect of bridging capital on exercise participation intention was mediated by relationship commitment. Thus, it is necessary to find ways to develop programs that can connect older adults and help them form small networks, in order to promote their exercise participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to limited access to and low consumption of fruits and vegetables, older adults are at increased risk of worsening or developing chronic diseases. This paper describes a community-academic partnership that provides a sustainable source of blackberries to attendees of a rural senior center. Qualitative research evaluated the partnership following implementation of a blackberry program. Focus groups and interviews included partners from a senior center, Cooperative Extension Service, and a detention center. Main themes: group power dynamics influenced communication between research and community leadership teams; unexpected project barriers emerged; and community leadership team suggested strategies to promote project longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Senior centers provide recreational and social opportunities to millions of older adults. As a result of COVID-19, many senior center directors were forced to adapt and provide new physical distancing opportunities for their members quickly. The study aimed to identify restrictions, challenges, and successes that Delaware senior center administrators faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews with 15 senior center administrators revealed that many sites relied upon state or federal guidelines for their policies while significantly reducing their specific class and activity offerings. These senior center administrators indicated a lack of guidance on openings, financial hardships, and lack of volunteers and employees as challenges they faced. Policies and frameworks should be developed to assist these organizations when adapting to future disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Population aging has opened up a new and broad field of study for health science in which nursing must investigate to guarantee the health autonomy of older people. Objective: To make visible the Gerontological Day Centers (CDG) and the activities of nursing professionals in these centers in Huelva. Methodology: A qualitative investigation has been carried out using questionnaires and interviews directed at the management and nursing staff of several Day Centers in Huelva and the province. Results: The CDG are an intermediate resource with multiple objectives and functions, which offer quality of life for both the elderly and their families. They are made up of a basic team of professionals who work on a non-permanent basis. The role of nursing is essential, but it has a very poor employment situation. Conclusion: These centers provide professional care and allow them to remain in their usual homes, favoring the quality of life and autonomy of this older population. The bibliography on this topic is scarce, so it is considered necessary to deepen its research along with the implementation of programs and improvement proposals that make these sociohealth centers known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine two hypotheses: 1) Users of Day Care Center for Elderly (DCCE) would have frail health and multiple age-related care needs, and 2) caregivers would have to deal with some levels of anxiety due to the burden of care, and similar levels of quality of life to the users. Materials and Methods: The current cross-sectional study was carried out at a DCCE of the regional unit of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, between March-April 2022. The study sample comprised 29 DCCE social care services users and 51 caregivers. A short questionnaire sheet was created to record sociodemographic characteristics and general health-related issues. Additionally, the Anxiety Symptom Scale (Short Anxiety Screening Test (SAST)) and the Quality of Life (SF-12) were used to measure anxiety and quality of life of the participants. Comparison analysis was performed to detect differences between the two groups. Results: The most common morbidities for users of DCCE were hypertension (58.6%), hypercholesterolemia (55.2%), rheumatoid arthritis (24.1%), diabetes (24.1%) and heart disease (41.4%). Users of social care services have significantly higher vaccination rates (influenza: 100%, COVID-19: 100%, herpes zoster: 44.8%, and pneumococcus: 86.2%) than their caregivers. About 75% (yes: 24% and sometimes: 51.8%) of the users and 45% of their caregivers (yes: 7.8%, and sometimes: 37.3%) felt lonely at least sometimes. All participants were found to have low mean levels of the SAST score (18.4, SD:4.9) and 18.7% were on the verge of severe symptoms. Users of social care services were found to have low average levels of quality of life (SF-12), with significantly lower physical health (28.2, SD: 6.6) compared to the Mental health subscale (39.6, SD: 9.3) (p <0.001). Conclusions: This study highlighted the main health-issues of DCCE users, and that they have low quality of life. Additionally, we found that caregivers faced a few health-issues, and had higher quality of life and lower SAST levels than the users. Therefore, social and health policy providers should consider our findings and assess the users' and caregivers' needs to provide holistic care, thus improving their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical cartography is one of the principal tools used in correct flood adaptation and management based on territorial planning. In fact, Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks includes the analysis and inventory of historical floods in a river basin for assessing the flood hazard and risk existing in a geographical space. This study seeks to analyse the largest flood registered in the Segura basin, occurring on 14–15 October 1879, which attracted enormous interest on a national and international level. The methodology applied is based on the consultation of historical sources and historical cartography, and the elaboration of maps using GIS, enabling comparisons to be made with current flood zones. The results show that the Santa Teresa flood was very similar to the Spanish National Cartographic Systems for Flood Areas (SNCZI) map for a 500-year return period. Furthermore, it allows the identification of the sensitive points along the course of the river or those prone to burst banks or overflowing, which practically coincide with the current maps and modelling conducted by the official bodies. Furthermore, the buildings in the floodable area in the historical cartography have been counted and reconstructed on a GIS map and the SNCZI. Massive anthropic occupation through the construction of settlements and infrastructures (hospitals, schools, centers for the elderly, roads and railways) in the Guadalentín valley and the Segura River increases the risk of flooding in the study area, despite the numerous control and regulation works carried out in the Segura River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aging is an unavoidable process characterized by a progressive decline in body organs and skeletal muscle. Sarcopenia is defined as low muscle mass and function; it is diagnosed according to the working group of sarcopenia definition; also, it can predict the adverse disability outcome and subsequent functional deterioration. Objectives: This study aims to estimating the prevalence of sarcopenia in old Iraqi adults and determines some sociodemographic factors that may be related. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 elderly aged ≥60 years in a community-dwelling and senior citizen center in Baghdad. The data were obtained from a questionnaire (sociodemographic and behavioral data) in addition to anthropometry measurements. The cut-off point score was derived from the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2. Results: Sarcopenia was present in 15%, 21.5% in males and 8.2% in females. It was positively associated with aging, significantly associated with males, marital state, retirement, nonsmoker, alcoholic, fall history, normal body mass index, and elderly. While it was negatively related to educational level and physical activity. Conclusions: Sarcopenia prevalence was presented with a considerable prevalence among old adults, as well as had a great association with all behavioral and lifestyle variants studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Today’s society is aware that healthy aging favors quality of life in the future, even more so as life expectancy increases in populations such as Europe. As in countries such as Japan, it is necessary for institutions to provide social services to support the elderly, with the aim of achieving an optimal quality of life for these people. The aim of this study is to analyze the different types of social services and activities that certain institutions provide to the elderly in order to find areas for improvement or to propose relationships between them that will benefit both users and institutions. Methods: Official data from Junta de Castilla y León (Spain) on social services for the elderly in the 9 provinces of the autonomous community of Castilla y León from 2007 to 2021 were analysed using multivariate statistical techniques. Results: Throughout the period under analysis, there is an association between the number of places in public and private non-profit residential centers for the elderly and the number of places in day-care centers or the number of students in the Inter-University Experience Programme. The variables associated with the telecare programme are related to the number of people under guardianship. On the other hand, three well-differentiated clusters of provinces of Castilla y León were observed. Discussion: Our findings have implications for the quality of life of the elderly, as the differences in social services in the areas analysed have a direct impact on the health of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supporting aging adults who wish to maintain their independence and stay in their homes is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States and worldwide. Aging-in-place is a popular term in aging literature, defined as one's ability to live as they possibly can, confidently and independently, in their private home. However, current housing design and construction considerations for aging adults are typically limited to projects specifically catering to retirement or senior communities, focusing primarily on physical accessibility. There is insufficient research or application addressing the cognitive and physical aspects of aging in residential design, construction, and operation despite the growing emphasis on smart buildings. To examine the current housing options for aging adults in the United States, this case study offerred a comprehensive comparison of two residential units in terms of internal spatial features, design, and construction costs. One unit adheres to the requirements outlined in the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, targeting individuals aged 55 and above. The other unit, with comparable dimensions, lacks the same emphasis on accommodating aging individuals. Both housing units were developed and budgeted in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in March 2021. By examining floor plans, accessibility, building systems, and costs associated with these two units, it was found that the construction cost of the housing designed for 55 years and older was 35% greater than the comparable project. The major contributor to the cost difference was the restriction of designing an accessible living space on one level rather than features that support aging. Hence, this paper provides a suggested range of current smart trends, home sensors, and aging-friendly features that cater to the various physical, cognitive, and social/psychological needs of aging adults. This research highlights the pressing need for comprehensive housing design and construction strategies that consider cognitive aging alongside physical aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in functional, psychosocial, and pain-related consequences of oral health among older men and women at two Midwest senior centers. Method: The Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was used to assess self-reported oral health--related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older men and women at two Midwest senior centers. Researchers also collected demographic information, including age, gender, marital status, level of education, annual income, and ethnicity. Results: Older women reported significantly lower overall OHRQoL than men did, and this difference was not better explained as being due to differences in annual income or marital status. Furthermore, women scored significantly lower on the Physical Functioning and Psychosocial Functioning subscales of the GOHAI, while women also had lower average scores on the Pain/Discomfort subscale. This difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Older women were reportedly more negatively impacted by OHRQoL issues than older men. Women reported significantly lower levels of physical and psychosocial functioning due to oral health problems. Data regarding gender differences in oral health related pain and discomfort were inconclusive. Further research is needed to examine this question, as well as to determine the reasons why women seem to experience lower OHRQoL than men do in old age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walking is widely recognized as one of the most common and effective forms of physical activity, particularly for older adults. This study examined the comparative effects of two types of walking interventions, including supervised group-based intervention (SGBI) and non-supervised individual-based intervention (NSIBI), on frailty syndrome, cognitive functions or skills, and health-related quality of life among sedentary older Saudi individuals. A 15-week double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) including three groups (two were intervention groups while the other was the control group) was conducted among older adults who were inactive to examine the effect of different forms of walking interventions on frailty syndrome, cognitive functions, and health-related quality of life. A total of 107 participants, including 65 males and 42 females, were divided into three groups, which include SGBI, NSIBI, and the control group. Frailty syndrome was measured using the physical performance test (PPT), while cognitive function and health-related quality of life were assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Short Form 36 (SF 36) health survey questionnaire. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with the pre- and post-tests were performed for within- and between-group differences. while post-test data for the control group participants were absent due to the change in elderly center regulation, and they were excluded from the analysis. Hence, the comparison was stated only between the intervention groups. Both of the intervention groups (SGBI and NSIBI) showed significant within-subject differences in the Physical Function subscale of the health-related quality of life scale only, with F(1,20) = 23.03, p < 0.001, and F(1,18) = 27.22, p < 0.001, respectively. On the other hand, the Physical Performance Test revealed significant [F(2,51) = 9.21, p < 0.001] between-group differences in the post-test based on the baseline values. In addition, the average step count of older adults was increased from 4000 steps per session to around 7000 steps per session in the intervention group. The average heart rate of the NSIBI group did not show a visible change, and the resting heart rate of both groups showed a slightly declining trend throughout the intervention period. The walking intervention significantly increased participants' physical function, which is a component of health-related quality of life and physical performance (frailty level), along with average daily step counts for older adults in Saudi Arabia. Regular engagement in the recommended level of walking is strongly advisable for Saudi Arabian older adults to maintain their overall quality of life at this stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to provide safe exercises with automatic service for easy access to active seniors, develop Smart One Repetition Maximum (1RM) measurement system applying electronic load that can reduce injuries, and optimize exercise effects by accurately evaluating physical functions and exercise effects. In this study, a smart, customized exercise and 1RM measurement system was developed to improve and maintain the daily living ability of healthy older adults. This system applies a power brake to provide a safe and detailed exercise load for older adults and consists of six types of exercises, including leg extension, leg press, long pull, in and out thigh, abdominal, and chest press exercises. The subjects of this study were 30 adults aged 65 years or older who had no history of musculoskeletal or nervous system disorders in the past 6 months and who attended an elderly fitness center in Gwangju city. Whole-body aerobic exercise was performed using a sedentary bicycle for 20 min before exercise. Exercise load was performed by converting the weight of 30RM based on the 1RM measured before evaluation. The exercises were chest press, long pull, abdominal flexion, hip adduction, leg extension, and leg press. All the exercises were performed 30 times in a set, three sets a day, 3–5 times a week, with 5 min of rest between workouts. As a result of the experiment, the maximum muscle strength for all exercise modes increased significantly (p < 0. 0 5), and a safe muscle strength enhancement effect for the elderly was observed. These results suggest that the smart, customized exercise system developed in this study can positively result in a safe increase in the muscle strength of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, the world experienced the threat of the COVID-19 epidemic, and seniors and chronic disease patients generally reduced their exercise and social activities to avoid increasing the risk of infection, which could lead to increased loneliness and even many diseases. Combining golf croquet games with a mobile application (App) and AIoT companion robots, this research constructs a home-based intelligent exercise system, uses the technology acceptance model (TAM), deduces users' intention to use this system based on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and adds the needs of love and belonging, esteem, cognitive, aesthetic, and self-actualization in Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory (HNT) to conduct an analysis of system needs. This study collected empirical data, totaling 320 participants including seniors and their caregivers, from elderly care centers in northern Taiwan using a cross-sectional survey and purposive sampling. Based on regression and variance analysis, the results show that participants have a high level of acceptance of this system, believing that it is easy to learn and operate and can increase interaction with others, improve self-confirmation, satisfy the thirst for knowledge, increase the feeling of happiness, and fulfill self-actualization needs. In the future, by collecting and recording the process of seniors using the App, so as to find out their health problems as soon as possible, expand their daily life through this exercise, and achieve the goal of happy living and better healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polypharmacy, defined as the simultaneous use of multiple medications by a patient, is a worldwide problem of rising prevalence. Paving the way for drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and non-adherence, it leads to negative health outcomes, increased use of healthcare services and rising costs. Since it is closely related to multimorbidity, it peaks in older adults. So far, not many polypharmacy management programs in the elderly have been introduced in practice. However, due to the rapid ageing of European societies, there is an urgent need to implement them more widely. Objective: The aim of this study was to benchmark polypharmacy management programs in the elderly available in Europe and creating a dedicated benchmarking application. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study based on an online survey targeting healthcare professionals and other stakeholders across European countries. Data collected in the survey were reused to design an online benchmarking application. Results: As many as 911 respondents from all but two EU countries took part in this study. Out of the survey participants, 496 (54.4%) reported availability of various activities or formal programs targeting polypharmacy in the elderly that were known to them. These programs had multiple goals, of which improved patient safety was indicated as the most common objective (65.1% of the cases). The most typical settings for such programs was primary care (49.4%), with pharmacists and primary care doctors being indicated most often as those providing the programs (61.7% and 35.5% of cases, respectively). Vast majority of programs applied diverse forms of drug reviews. The identified programs were assessed against four predefined dimensions of effectiveness, applicability, scalability and cost- effectiveness. The lowest scores were obtained within the last of these categories, due to unavailability of relevant data. Based on the survey results, a benchmarking application was constructed. It allows for comparing an individual polypharmacy management program targeting the elderly against the other ones, and particularly, against the national and European context. Conclusion: By providing strong evidence, the findings of this study, coupled with the benchmarking application, can prove valuable in aiding clinicians and policymakers in the implementation and expansion of polypharmacy management programs for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive choirs promote social inclusion by providing the opportunity for persons living with dementia, caregivers and volunteers to sing together as equals. The aim of this qualitative study is to present the development of an inclusive choir in a day care center through rehearsal process and the feedback from the participants. Twelve persons living with dementia, four staff members and one volunteer participated in fourteen rehearsals led by a choirmaster, leading up to a concert with Christmas-themed songs. Persons living with dementia showed confidence, enjoyment, consistency and learning contributing to their empowerment and engagement throughout the study. Regarding volunteers, a shift from stigma associated with negative representations about dementia to social inclusion were observed. Care staff were point of reference for persons living with dementia and as the study progressed, they moved from the position of carers to singing partners. For all participants, a group cohesion and a sense of being connected developed. Such approaches contribute to raise awareness of dementia and reducing the stigma associated and to promote social inclusion of persons living with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]