Having rich social networks is associated with better physical and cognitive health, however older adults entering long-term care may experience an increased risk of social isolation and consequent ...negative impacts on cognitive function. Our study aimed to identify if there is an association between accessing specific types of services or activities within long-term care on social networks and cognition.
A cross-sectional study of 96 residents from 2 aged care providers in New South Wales, Australia. Residents were given a battery of assessments measuring social network structure (Lubben Social Network Scale, LSNS-12), quality of life (EuroQol 5D, Eq. 5D5L) and cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA). Demographic factors and service use factors were also collected from aged care providers' electronic records. Independent sample t-test, ANOVA and linear regression analyses were used to explore associated factors for cognition.
Residents had a mean age of 82.7 ± 9.4 years (median = 81) and 64.6% were women. Most residents had cognitive impairment (70.8%) and reported moderate sized social networks (26.7/60) (Lubben Social Network Scale, LSNS-12). Residents who had larger social networks of both family and friends had significantly better cognitive performance. Service type and frequency of attendance were not associated with cognitive function.
Among individuals most at risk of social isolation, having supportive and fulfilling social networks was associated with preserved cognitive function. The relationship between service provision and social interactions that offer psychosocial support within long-term facilities and its impact over time on cognitive function requires further exploration.
Little is known about what drives older adults' motivation to change their behaviour and whether that is associated with their personal dementia risk profile. Our aims were to (i) understand what ...sociodemographic factors are associated with older Australians' motivation to change behaviour to reduce their dementia risk, and (ii) explore the relationship between socio-demographic factors and motivation to reduce dementia risk with health- and lifestyle-based dementia risk scores in older adults.
A cross-sectional online postal or telephone survey was administered to community-dwelling older adults in New South Wales, Australia between January and March 2021. Measures included socioeconomic status, locality, and health status, the Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviours for Dementia Risk Reduction (MCLHB-DRR) scale and the lifestyle-based dementia risk score (LIBRA index). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the associations for (i) sociodemographic factors and motivation to reduce dementia risk (MCLHB-DRR scales) and (ii) sociodemographic factors and motivation to reduce dementia risk with health- and lifestyle-based dementia risk (LIBRA index).
A total of 857 older adults (mean age 73.3 years, SD = 6.0, range 65-94; 70% women; 34.6% less than grade 6 education) completed the survey. Respondents reported high levels of motivation to adopt behaviour changes, agreeing on the importance of good health. Individuals who were younger were more likely to have greater motivation to modify lifestyle to reduce dementia risk and had higher perceived benefits to gain by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Dementia risk scores were moderately low (mean LIBRA index =- 2.8 SD = 2.0, range - 5.9-3.8), indicating relatively moderate-to-good brain health. Men with low socioeconomic status and higher perceived barriers to lifestyle change had higher dementia risk scores.
Public health campaigns need to overcome motivational barriers to support reductions in dementia risk. A multifaceted and inclusive approach targeting both sociodemographic differences and impediments to brain healthy lifestyles is required to achieve genuine change.
ACTRN12621000165886, Date of registration: 17/02/2021.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The relationship between social contact and quality of life is well-established within the general population. However, limited data exist about the extent of social interactions in residential aged ...care facilities (RACFs) providing long-term accommodation and care. We aimed to record the frequency and duration of interpersonal interactions among residents in RACFs and identify the association between residents' interpersonal interactions and quality of life (QoL). A multi-methods study, including time and motion observations and a QoL survey, was conducted between September 2019 to January 2020. Thirty-nine residents from six Australian RACFs were observed between 09:30-17:30 on weekdays. Observations included residents' actions, location of the action, and who the resident was with during the action. At the end of the observation period, residents completed a QoL survey. The proportion of time residents spent on different actions, in which location, and with whom were calculated, and correlations between these factors and QoL were analysed. A total of 312 hours of observations were conducted. Residents spent the greatest proportion of time in their own room (45.2%, 95%CI 40.7-49.8), alone (47.9%, 95%CI 43.0-52.7) and being inactive (25.6%, 95%CI 22.5-28.7). Residents were also largely engaged in interpersonal communication (20.2%, 95%CI 17.9-22.5) and self-initiated or scheduled events (20.5%, 95%CI 18.0-23.0). Residents' interpersonal communication was most likely to occur in the common area (29.3%, 95%CI 22.9-35.7), residents' own room (26.7%, 95%CI 21.0-32.4) or the dining room (24.6%, 95%CI 18.9-30.2), and was most likely with another resident (54.8%, 95%CI 45.7-64.2). Quality of life scores were low (median = 0.68, IQR = 0.54-0.76). Amount of time spent with other residents was positively correlated with QoL (r = 0.39, p = 0.02), whilst amount of time spent with facility staff was negatively correlated with QoL (r = -0.45, p = 0.008). Our findings confirm an established association between social interactions and improved QoL. Opportunities and activities which encourage residents to engage throughout the day in common facility areas can support resident wellbeing.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
BackgroundThe relationship between social contact and quality of life is well-established within the general population. However, limited data exist about the extent of social interactions in ...residential aged care facilities (RACFs) providing long-term accommodation and care. We aimed to record the frequency and duration of interpersonal interactions among residents in RACFs and identify the association between residents' interpersonal interactions and quality of life (QoL).Materials and methodsA multi-methods study, including time and motion observations and a QoL survey, was conducted between September 2019 to January 2020. Thirty-nine residents from six Australian RACFs were observed between 09:30-17:30 on weekdays. Observations included residents' actions, location of the action, and who the resident was with during the action. At the end of the observation period, residents completed a QoL survey. The proportion of time residents spent on different actions, in which location, and with whom were calculated, and correlations between these factors and QoL were analysed.ResultsA total of 312 hours of observations were conducted. Residents spent the greatest proportion of time in their own room (45.2%, 95%CI 40.7-49.8), alone (47.9%, 95%CI 43.0-52.7) and being inactive (25.6%, 95%CI 22.5-28.7). Residents were also largely engaged in interpersonal communication (20.2%, 95%CI 17.9-22.5) and self-initiated or scheduled events (20.5%, 95%CI 18.0-23.0). Residents' interpersonal communication was most likely to occur in the common area (29.3%, 95%CI 22.9-35.7), residents' own room (26.7%, 95%CI 21.0-32.4) or the dining room (24.6%, 95%CI 18.9-30.2), and was most likely with another resident (54.8%, 95%CI 45.7-64.2). Quality of life scores were low (median = 0.68, IQR = 0.54-0.76). Amount of time spent with other residents was positively correlated with QoL (r = 0.39, p = 0.02), whilst amount of time spent with facility staff was negatively correlated with QoL (r = -0.45, p = 0.008).Discussion and conclusionsOur findings confirm an established association between social interactions and improved QoL. Opportunities and activities which encourage residents to engage throughout the day in common facility areas can support resident wellbeing.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
BackgroundQuality of life (QoL) outcomes are used to monitor quality of care for older adults accessing aged care services, yet it remains unclear which QoL instruments best meet older adults’, ...providers’ and policymakers’ needs. This review aimed to (1) identify QoL instruments used in aged care and describe them in terms of QoL domains measured and logistical details; (2) summarise in which aged care settings the instruments have been used and (3) discuss factors to consider in deciding on the suitability of QoL instruments for use in aged care services.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesMEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and CINAHL from inception to 2021.Eligibility criteriaInstruments were included if they were designed for adults (>18 years), available in English, been applied in a peer-reviewed research study examining QoL outcomes in adults >65 years accessing aged care (including home/social care, residential/long-term care) and had reported psychometrics.Data extraction and synthesisTwo researchers independently reviewed the measures and extracted the data. Data synthesis was performed via narrative review of eligible instruments.Results292 articles reporting on 29 QoL instruments were included. Eight domains of QoL were addressed: physical health, mental health, emotional state, social connection, environment, autonomy and overall QoL. The period between 1990 and 2000 produced the greatest number of newly developed instruments. The EuroQoL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and Short Form-series were used across multiple aged care contexts including home and residential care. More recent instruments (eg, ICEpop CAPability measure for Older people (ICECAP-O) and Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT)) tend to capture emotional sentiment towards personal circumstances and higher order care needs, in comparison with more established instruments (eg, EQ-5D) which are largely focused on health status.ConclusionsA comprehensive list of QoL instruments and their characteristics is provided to inform instrument choice for use in research or for care quality assurance in aged care settings, depending on needs and interests of users.
Ongoing advancements in digital solutions support older adults' healthy aging and well-being. However, a unified synthesis of sociodemographic, cognitive, attitudinal, emotional, and environmental ...factors that influence older adults' intention to use these new digital technologies is still lacking. Understanding the salient factors that influence older adults' intention to use digital technologies will help to ensure that technology is developed appropriately and contextually. This understanding is also likely to contribute to developing technology acceptance models specifically for the aging generation, by reorganizing principles and constructing objectivity criteria for future research studies.
This review aims to identify the key factors associated with older adults' intention to use digital technologies and to provide a comprehensive conceptual framework to describe the relationships between these key factors and older adults' intention to use digital technologies.
A mapping review was conducted using 9 databases from inception to November 2022. Articles were selected for review if they had an evaluative component of older adults' intention to use digital technologies. Three researchers independently reviewed the articles and extracted the data. Data synthesis was performed via narrative review and quality appraisal was measured using 3 different tools based on each article's study design.
We identified a total of 59 articles investigating older adults' intention to use digital technologies. The majority (40/59, 68%) of articles did not use an existing framework or model for technology acceptance. Studies mostly adopted a quantitative research design (27/59, 46%). We found 119 unique factors reported to influence older adults' intention to use digital technologies. These were categorized into 6 distinct themes: Demographics and Health Status, Emotional Awareness and Needs, Knowledge and Perception, Motivation, Social Influencers, and Technology Functional Features.
Given the importance of global demographic change toward an aging society, there is surprisingly limited research on the factors that influence older adults' intention to use digital technologies. Our identification of the key factors across different types of digital technology and models supports the future integration of a comprehensive perspective encompassing environmental, psychological, and social determinants for older adults' intention to use digital technologies.
An informed understanding of older adults' perceptions of the impact (positive or negative) of recurrent COVID-19 long lockdowns is important for the development of targeted interventions and ...resources for future restrictions. This study aimed to understand self-reported impacts of COVID-19 recurrent restrictions on older adults and how technology has been used to mitigate these.
A cross-sectional national study of 257 community-dwelling older Australians based in Victoria (mean age = 67.6 years SD = 7.2; 20.6% male) completed an online or postal survey as part of a larger study examining the physical and mental health impacts of a second extended COVID-19 lockdown period. This secondary analysis reports on the findings from free-text responses to two open-ended questions included in that survey that asked participants to comment on the greatest impacts of the COVID-19 lockdowns (positive or negative) and the role of technology in supporting their wellbeing during this time. Responses were collected between July and September 2020. Data were analysed using content (COVID-19 impacts) and thematic (role of technology) analysis.
Respondents gave more negative responses (75.5%) than mixed (15.2%) and positive responses (6.2%) in reporting on the biggest impact of COVID-19 lockdowns. Inductive content analysis revealed two first-order main categories (Positive impacts and Negative impacts). Axial coding of main categories showed five second-order categories (Environmental, Physical Health, Social, Mental Health, and Personal) for both negative and positive main categories (totalling 10 second-order categories). Overall, respondents highlighted social loss as the key negative experience (70%), with acute feelings of social isolation contributing to negative impacts on mental wellbeing. The most commonly reported positive impact reported (11%) was having more time for relationships, relaxation, and new hobbies. Technology was primarily used to sustain socialisation and provide access to essential resources, services, and goods, which respondents perceived to contribute to maintaining their wellbeing.
Findings suggest a critical need for interventions that address the social loss experienced by older adults during COVID-19 recurrent lockdowns, particularly to alleviate the associated negative impact on mental wellbeing. Recognising the positive aspect of increased time for relationships and leisure activities indicates potential areas for resilience-building strategies. The pivotal role of technology in mitigating adverse effects highlights its significance in building social connections and supporting overall wellbeing during challenging times. These implications can guide future efforts to enhance older adults' resilience, mental health, and holistic wellbeing in future public health crises.
Recent levels of dementia literacy in older Australian adults remains relatively unexplored. Our purpose was to identify whether dementia literacy has changed in older Australians, sociodemographic ...characteristics associated with better literacy, and barriers to dementia risk reduction. A 32-item adapted British Social Attitudes Survey was administered to 834 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 73.3, SD = 6.0, range 65–94) on dementia awareness and knowledge of dementia risk and protective factors. Descriptive analyses, logistic, and multiple linear regressions were used to examine sociodemographic factors on dementia awareness and literacy. Most respondents (61%) were aware of the relationship between different lifestyle factors and dementia risk, with the majority reporting cognitive (85.0%) and physical inactivity (83.4%) as key risk factors. Few were able to identify less well-known factors (e.g., chronic kidney disease; 15.8%). Individuals with higher educational attainment were more likely to agree that dementia is modifiable (OR 1.228, 95% CI 1.02–1.47). Younger age (β = −0.089, 95% CI −0.736–−0.065, p = 0.019) was significantly associated with a higher number of correctly-identified dementia risk factors. Lack of knowledge was the key barrier to hindering dementia risk reduction. A tailored, evidence-informed, population-based lifespan approach targeting dementia literacy may help alleviate commonly reported barriers and support dementia risk reduction.
Social work external accrediting bodies are moving towards competency-based models that require educational providers to demonstrate that students meet specific competencies at graduation. It is ...expected that all social work students at accredited social work programs in Australia will have acquired specific graduate attributes and demonstrated the associated learning outcomes by the completion of their degree. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences and benefits of using an ePortfolio with Master of Social Work students (n = 43) to critically reflect on their own learning and demonstrate how they met the Australian Association of Social Work graduate attributes necessary for accreditation. The findings revealed that students' perceived level of readiness for practice and identity as a professional social worker increased with the successful completion of the ePortfolio. The study also identified barriers and enablers in implementing the ePortfolio as an assessment piece to document overall program learning outcomes. The conclusion discusses how ePortfolios are a viable assessment tool in the online and blended learning space that has benefit for both the student and the program in demonstrating learning outcomes and compliance with accreditation graduate standards.
IMPLICATIONS
Academic ePortfolios are an effective tool for student reflection and communication of competence of required graduate outcomes.
Student self-assessment of graduate attributes can strengthen professional identity and preparedness for professional practice.
The ePortfolios benefit students and social work educators by sharing the accreditation-obligated responsibility of ensuring that AASW graduate competencies are met.
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