Volume 1 Issue 1
Research Article: Rethinking the Local Reality Transnationally: Local Networks and Transnational Reference Points of Elderly Migrants
Sylvie Johner-Kobi* and Milena Gehrig
Switzerland, like other European countries that recruited labor migrants after World War II, faces an increasing number of elderly migrants. Most elderly individuals with a migration background wish to spend their life after retirement in their country of reception,while remaining transnationally mobile for as long as possible, thus commuting between the country of reception and the country of origin. The research and development project "Vicino - reaching elderly migrants where they live" has investigated the social networks of elderly migrants at their locality of residence in Switzerland as well as the significance of transnational reference points for them. In addition, the project explored the following questions: What impact do these reference points abroad have on their social networks within the locality of residence in Switzerland? How do these reference points affect the collaboration between existing local services (provided in the area of ageing, migration and community services) and elderly migrants? Findings show that elderly migrants' transnational reference points influence their use of local services. For example in that they use local services offered by elderly and community services only at specified times; or in that their active involvement in associations is limited due to the "commute" back to their country of origin. For persons responsible in organizations offering services for elderly or for migrants, the findings suggest that a transnational perspective is useful and necessary when working together with elderly migrants in order to be able to plan and develop services suitable for those they address.
Cite this Article: Johner-Kobi S, Gehrig M. Rethinking the Local Reality Transnationally: Local Networks and Transnational Reference Points of Elderly Migrants. Int J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2017;1(1): 030-035.
Published: 21 November 2017
Research Article: Influence of an Evidence Based Psychoeducational Intervention on Caregiving Appraisal
Heehyul Moon*, Karen M. Robinson and Kathleen C. Buckwalter
Objectives: The goal of this intervention study was to examine the influence of an individualized evidence based psychoeducational intervention on appraisal of caregivers (CGs).
Method: This pre-post longitudinal study (baseline, six, twelve and 18 months follow-up) was based on a psychoeducational intervention (Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model) and a NYU caregiver intervention with 125 informal caregivers of community dwelling people with dementia (PWD). Statistical analysis consisted of T-test, repeated measures Anova and Linear Mixed Models.
Results: Our findings identified that the intervention generally kept positive appraisal stable except for a decrease noted at 12 months. Negative appraisal experienced a slight decrease at 6 months, increased at 12 months and decreased below baseline levels at 18 months. In the Linear Mixed Models, caregivers' increased reaction to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia was associated with negative appraisal over time. Greater positive social support was associated with less negative appraisal over time. Greater negative social support was associated with greater negative appraisal over time.
Discussion: Practitioners need to incorporate specific individualized content to aid adjustment based on PWD and caregiver needs. Booster sessions offering content to decrease caregiver's upset reactions to BPSD, increase positive support, and decrease negative support might be incorporated shortly after 6 months but definitely before 12 months to improve positive appraisal and decrease negative appraisal of caregiving.
Cite this Article: Moon H, Robinson KM. , Buckwalter KC. Influence of an Evidence Based Psychoeducational Intervention on Caregiving Appraisal. Int J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2017;1(1): 021-029.
Published: 08 November 2017
KatjaHornstedt, Kerstin Nilsson, Maria Albin and Carita Hakansson*
Raising older workers' participation level is a key objective in many countries. It is important therefore, to deepen the knowledge regarding older workers' work situations.
The objective of the present study was to describe how managers perceived older workers, and an extended working life, in Sweden.
Seven focus groups, with a total of 26 managers, were conducted; with participants coming from municipal care, or from private companies. Data was analyzed using content analysis.
Five categories emerged in the analysis: Work capacity, Education, Technical devices and ergonomics, Organizational and technological changes, and Sustainable and extended working life.
Managers' attitudes range from positive to negative, confirming previous research, and strengthening the evidence. However, managers in the present study emphasized differences between blue and white collar workers' ability to extend working life. Furthermore, these managers thought that there were greater differences between different individuals than between different age groups.
Cite this Article: Hornstedt K, Nilsson K, Albin M, Hakansson C. Managers' Perceptions of Older Workers and an Extended Working Life in Sweden. Int J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2017;1(1): 014-013.
Published: 24 August 2017
Review Article: Improving Leisure Constraints in Older Adults with a Fear of Falling through Hatha Yoga: an Acceptability and Feasibility Study
Marieke Van Puymbroeck*, Arlene Schmid, Walter AA and Brent Hawkins
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in the older adult population. After a fall, many individuals become fearful that they will fall, and reduce their participation in activities. This reduction in activities, called constraints, cascades into poorer physical, emotional, and cognitive health. In this study, older adults participated in a Hatha yoga intervention led by a yoga therapist, which was designed to determine if this was feasible and acceptable in older adults, and to determine if yoga helped to reduce leisure constraints. Leisure constraints were reduced over the 12-week period, and more dramatically for individuals who had fallen in the past six-months, compared to those who had not fallen in the past six-months. The data reported here also support that the intervention was feasible and acceptable. Implications for future research and practice are included.
Keywords: Yoga; Recreational therapy; Fear of falling; Falls; Older adults; Rehabilitation; Treatment interventions
Cite this Article: Van Puymbroeck M, Schmid AA, Walter AA, Hawkins B. Improving Leisure Constraints in Older Adults with a Fear of Falling through Hatha Yoga: an Acceptability and Feasibility Study. Int J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2017;1(1): 007-013.
Published: 01 August 2017
Research Article: Favorable Hematological Profile of the Oldest Old Residents from South Central United States
Krishna P. Joshi, Priya Priyambada, Amanda Pangle, Jeanne Y. Wei, and Gohar Azhar*
We conducted a retrospective study of 178 community dwelling elderly on anemia which was defined as hemoglobin < 13 gm/ dl in males and < 12 gm/ dl in females (WHO guidelines).
Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients aged = 95 years, who were seen over a two year period at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 97 ± 2.7 years (range, 95 - 112). Sixty-five percent were White, 32% African Americans, and 3% Hispanic or other ethnicities. Approximately 60% of patients were anemic with mean hemoglobin of 11.8 ± 1.92 gm/ dl. The prevalence of anemia was higher in the African Americans (69%) versus the White, non-Hispanic (56%), although there was no significant difference in the degree of anemia between the two groups (hemoglobin: 11.4 ± 1.8 vs 11.8 ± 1.8). Approximately 60% of the anemias were normocytic, with microcytic and macrocytic comprising the rest. Serum iron levels were significantly lower in African Americans vs White, non-Hispanics (29.1 ± 7.7 vs 42.9 ± 12.9; p < 0.05, t-test). In addition, 35.8% of patients had renal failure, 30% were iron deficient, 11.3% were hypothyroid, and 17% were vitamin B12 deficient. The available data did not suggest any leukemia or lymphomas. However, 7.5% of patients (n = 8) had documented histological evidence of solid tumors.
Surprisingly, approximately 40% of the oldest old were not anemic. Our study population also appeared to have "escaped" clinically significant leukemia and lymphomas. Anemia was more prevalent in the African Americans, as were lower iron levels. More studies are needed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms for the relatively preserved hematological health in this segment of oldest old, which might have contributed to their exceptional longevity.
Cite this Article: Joshi KP, Priyambada P, Pangle A, Wei JY, Azhar G. Favorable Hematological Profile of the Oldest Old Residents from South Central United States. Int J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2017;1(1):001-006.
Published: 19 July 2017
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