Older adults
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Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: Insights from Recent Research
Mobile Phones for Health in Older Adults
Feasibility and Effectiveness of Mobile Health Interventions
The use of mobile phones for health interventions among older adults has been explored across various clinical domains, including diabetes, COPD, dementia care, and osteoarthritis. Research indicates that these interventions are generally feasible and acceptable, though most studies are preliminary and require further validation to establish their effectiveness1. The largest body of research focuses on diabetes management, highlighting the potential of mobile health technologies to support chronic disease management in older populations1.
Suicide Risk Factors in Older Adults
Psychiatric and Neurocognitive Disorders
Suicidal behavior in older adults is a significant public health concern, with rates particularly high among older white men in the USA. Key risk factors include psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders, social exclusion, bereavement, cognitive impairment, and chronic physical illnesses. Effective suicide prevention programs must integrate these specific stress factors to address the complex interplay of mental and physical health in older adults2.
Inclusion of Older Adults in Clinical Trials
Barriers and Recommendations
Older adults are often underrepresented in clinical trials, which limits the applicability of research findings to this demographic. Many trials exclude older participants through age limits or criteria that disproportionately affect them. To improve the evidence base for treating older adults, it is recommended to eliminate upper age limits, reduce exclusion criteria, and focus on outcomes relevant to older individuals, such as quality of life and health status3.
Adverse Health Effects of Frailty
Risks and Prevention
Frailty in older adults significantly increases the risk of adverse health outcomes, including falls, fractures, disability, dementia, hospitalization, and death. Early assessment and intervention are crucial to mitigate these risks. Healthcare professionals should prioritize frailty assessments and implement care strategies to reduce its impact on health and well-being4.
Self-Perceptions of Aging
Impact on Well-Being
Older adults' self-perceptions of aging can profoundly influence their well-being and quality of life. Research has identified several themes, including attitudes towards aging, aging stereotypes, and self-stigma. Positive self-perceptions are associated with better health outcomes, emphasizing the need for interventions that promote positive aging attitudes5.
Experiences in Care Transitions
Challenges and Recommendations
Care transitions are critical periods for older adults, often marked by challenges in care integration and coordination. Key themes in older adults' experiences include the need for strong social networks, accessible services, and effective communication. Addressing these factors can improve the safety and quality of care transitions, particularly in small and rural communities6.
Recruitment and Retention in Aging Research
Strategies for Improvement
Recruiting and retaining older adults in clinical research is challenging due to health problems, social barriers, and consent issues. Effective strategies include early planning, minimizing exclusion criteria, securing cooperation from institutions, and using advisory boards. Tailoring recruitment strategies to specific populations and anticipating potential problems are essential for successful research participation7.
Functional Assessment in Older Adults
Importance and Methods
Functional assessment is crucial for identifying and addressing the health needs of older adults. Timely recognition of functional difficulties can lead to interventions that prevent or slow decline. Generalist clinicians should be equipped with the skills to perform functional assessments, which can be complemented by detailed evaluations from occupational therapists8.
Physical Activity Interventions
Promoting Active Lifestyles
Physical activity is vital for preventing chronic conditions in older adults, yet this age group remains the most sedentary. Effective interventions should include specific behavioral strategies and program-based approaches to promote physical activity. Future research should focus on replicating successful interventions, ensuring generalizability, and evaluating cost-effectiveness9.
Enhancing Well-Being through Purposeful Activity
Role-Based Interventions
Engaging in purposeful activities, such as volunteering or mentoring, can significantly improve the well-being and quality of life of older adults. Interventions that assign functional roles have shown the strongest evidence of effectiveness. Supporting older adults in finding meaningful activities can enhance their physical and psychological health outcomes10.
Conclusion
The health and well-being of older adults are influenced by a range of factors, from mobile health interventions and suicide risk factors to functional assessments and purposeful activities. Addressing these areas through targeted research and interventions can significantly improve the quality of life for older adults. Future studies should continue to explore and validate effective strategies to support this growing demographic.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Older adults and mobile phones for health: A review
Mobile phones show promise for older adults in various clinical domains, but more research is needed to establish a stronger evidence base for their effectiveness.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedSuicide in older adults: current perspectives
Integrating specific stress factors like social disconnectedness, neurocognitive impairment, and chronic physical illnesses into suicide models and prevention programs can improve treatment of depressive disorders and prevent suicidal thoughts and acts in older adults.
Systematic Review
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedExamining the Evidence: A Systematic Review of the Inclusion and Analysis of Older Adults in Randomized Controlled Trials
Clinical trial evidence guiding treatment of complex, older adults could be improved by eliminating upper age limits, reducing eligibility criteria that disproportionately affect multimorbid patients, evaluating relevant outcomes, and adherence to recommended analytic methods for evaluating differential treatment effects by age.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedAdverse Health Effects of Frailty: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Implications for Evidence-Based Practice.
Frail middle-aged and older adults are at higher risk of adverse health effects like falls, bone fractures, disability, dementia, hospitalization, and death.
Meta-AnalysisOlder Older Adults' Self-Perceptions of Aging and Being Older: A Scoping Review.
Older adults' self-perceptions of aging and being older are influenced by attitudes, stereotypes, self-stigma, identity construction, subjective age, and future self-views.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalEXPLORING OLDER ADULTS’ EXPERIENCES IN CARE TRANSITIONS
Older adults need strong social networks, accessible services, and effective communication during care transitions to adapt to new limitations and maintain independence.
Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalRecruitment and Retention of Older Adults in Aging Research
Effective recruitment and retention strategies can overcome barriers to older adult participation in clinical research, ensuring more accurate treatment plans for aging populations.
Highly CitedFunctional assessment in older people
Functional assessment of older adults by generalist clinicians can help identify and prevent functional decline, potentially leading to independence and reduced institutional care.
Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalHighly CitedPhysical activity interventions targeting older adults. A critical review and recommendations.
Physical activity interventions targeting older adults show promise, but more research is needed on specific strategies, implementation, and cost-effectiveness evaluation.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedEnhancing Older Adults' Well-Being and Quality of Life through Purposeful Activity: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.
Purposeful activity interventions, particularly those involving taking on a functional role, can improve well-being and quality of life in older adults aged 80 years and over.
Systematic ReviewRigorous Journal