Gerontology Commons^™

Primetimes Newsletter, Winter 2009-2010, Office Of Lifespan Studies

PrimeTimes Newsletter

PrimeTimes is the newsletter of the Office of Lifespan Studies in the College of Science at Coastal Carolina University.

Primetimes Newsletter, Winter 2009, Office Of Lifespan Studies

PrimeTimes Newsletter

PrimeTimes is the newsletter of the Office of Lifespan Studies in the College of Science at Coastal Carolina University.

Elderly Participation And Empowerment : Experiences Of Sage, Kam Lee Lam, Sau Lai, Teresa Lee

APIAS Monograph 專題論文

The Hong Kong Society for the Age (SAGE) established in 1977 is one of the well-known Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in responding to the rapid growing elderly population and the welfare needs of the senior in Hong Kong. Its services include Care and Attention Home, Elderly Hostels, Elderly Centres, Day Care Centres, Home Care Service. etc. The mission of SAGE is to ensure the elderly to have dignity and reasonable comfort in their old age. In 2008, SAGE aims to provide distinctive services to the elderly, i.e. elderly participation and empowerment (Homepage of Sage: http://www.sage.org.hk/eng/ideal.htm). This paper focuses how Sage …

Effects Of Caregiver Burden And Satisfaction On Affect Of Older End-Stage Renal Disease Patients And Their Spouses, Maureen Wilson-Genderson, Rachel A Pruchno, Francine P Cartwright

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

We examined the extent to which a 2-factor model of affect explains how the burdens and satisfactions experienced by caregivers influence their own well-being and that of the spouses for whom they provide care. Using data from 315 older patients with end-stage renal disease and their spouses, we extended tests of Lawton et al.'s (1991) 2-factor model both longitudinally and dyadically. Multilevel modeling analyses partially support the 2-factor model. Consistent with the model, mean caregiver burden has a stronger effect on both caregiver and patient negative affect than does mean caregiver satisfaction. Contrary to the model, mean caregiver satisfaction has …

Research Brief No. 2 - Models Of Earning And Caring: Trends, Determinants And Implications, Roderic Beaujot, Zenaida Ravanera, Jianye Liu

Population Change and Lifecourse Strategic Knowledge Cluster Research/Policy Brief

Families in Canada have undergone changes regarding the ways in which they earn a living and care for each other. Data taken from Statistics Canada time use surveys of 1986, 1992, 1998, and 2005 show changes in the average number of hours of paid and unpaid work completed by men and women.

香港視障長者生活質素調査 : 應用手冊, The Hong Kong Society For The Blind 香港盲人輔導會, Asia-Pacific Institute Of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University 嶺南大學亞太老年學研究中心

Manual & Guide 手冊及指引

隨著社會的發展，社會大眾對生活的要求亦日益提高。人們並不滿足於基本的生活程度，而是追求舒適的生活環境，高質素的服務，對身體狀況亦更加關注。

在90年代中期開始，香港的學者開始研究「生活質素」這個課題，並發展出一些適合香港使用的「生活質素」量度工具。社會上不同群體對生活質素的界定及期望，可能和一般市民有所不同，要量度以致改善他們的生活質素，便需要特定的量度工具。

香港盲人輔導會於2008年委託嶺南大學亞太老年學研究中心設計了一份有關視障長者生活質素的問卷，並成功訪問了580位55歲以上分別居住在社區及院舍的長者，以便了解他們的生活質素。

是次研究的目標為：

1. 從香港視障長者的角度出發，發展一套量化及可量度視障長者生活質素的工具；

2. 為香港視障長者的生活質素提供一個研究上的參考基數；

3. 以視障長者生活質素量度工具作日後服務管理，為服務提供方向性的指引，並成為本地視障長者服務發展的參考。

本應用手冊將會以深入淺出的方法，向大家闡述如何利用這份「視障長者生活質素調查問卷」評估服務成效及作服務管理。

The Development Of 'Hong Kong Quality Of Life For The Visually Impaired Elderly Scale' (Hkqolvies) : Research Report, The Hong Kong Society For The Blind, Asia-Pacific Institute Of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University

APIAS Research Report 研究報告

The project is a pioneer study that focuses on the development of a set of indicators for measuring the quality of life of the visually impaired elders in Hong Kong with the cooperation of Hong Kong Society for the Blind (HKSB). The study simulated the procedures for the development of WHOQoL and have developed and validated the new scale that contains a total of 43 items which grouped into 6 domains, namely, Health, Subjective Well-being, Family and Community Support, Living Condition, Finance and Interpersonal Relationship.

The study also marked the first taking of HKQoLVIES, which will serve as the benchmark …

Research Brief No. 1 - Social Inclusion Of The Oldest-Old: Toward Supportive Housing Policies, Judy Lynn Richards, Susan Sverdrup-Phillips, Jiangqin Du, Heather Maddocks, Heather Spiegel, Jennifer Brooks

Population Change and Lifecourse Strategic Knowledge Cluster Research/Policy Brief

Although most seniors aged 85+ live relatively independently in the community, research on this age group tends to focus on the negative aspects of aging. This study looks instead at seniors aged 85 and older who are living well and semi-independently in their communities with the help of an informal care provider. The study aims to identify the mechanisms that allow them to live with dignity and autonomy in their own homes and remain socially included in their communities. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 16 individuals aged 85 to 94 years and their primary informal support-persons in Southwestern Ontario, …

Intergeneration Perception Toward Happiness In Elderly Life, Yue, Natale Cheung, Chi Wai, Jackie Chan

APIAS Monograph 專題論文

According to the latest statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department, the Hong Kong population aged 65 and over was 829,300 at the end of 2004. The number of persons aged 65 or older is projected to increase by 17.9% to 978,000, representing 13.2% of population in 2013. This increase in the number and proportion of elderly will intensify the challenges of ageing, which will put further pressure on the government and the society at large. In response to Hong Kong's rapid aging population and in line with the concept of active and successful ageing, the question of how …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Job Satisfaction In Long-Term Care: A Comparison Between Licensed Nurses And Nursing Assistants, Lynne Almand

Graduate Theses

Knowledge, attitudes, and job satisfaction of long-term care workers were examined to determine if a relationship existed between these factors and if differences existed between licensed nurses and nursing assistants. Participants included 36 nurses and 60 assistants from five nursing homes in the Midland/Odessa area. Results indicated that nurses had significantly more positive attitudes toward (t(94) = -5.72, p<.05) and increased knowledge of older adults (t(94) = 2.71, p<.05) than assistants. In addition, more positive attitudes were significantly associated with more knowledge of the elderly (r(96) = -0.36, p<.05) as well as increased levels of job satisfaction (r(96) = -0.53, p<.05).

Depressive Symptoms And Marital Satisfaction In The Context Of Chronic Disease: A Longitudinal Dyadic Analysis, Rachel Pruchno, Maureen Wilson-Genderson, Francine P Cartwright

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

These analyses examined the longitudinal relationships between depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction over a 2-year period as experienced by 315 patients with end-stage renal disease and their spouses. Using multilevel modeling, the authors examined both individual and cross-partner effects of depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction on patients and spouses, testing bidirectional causality. Results indicate that mean and time-varying depressive symptoms of both patients and spouses were associated with their own marital satisfaction. Although mean marital satisfaction was associated with own depressive symptoms for both patients and spouses, time-varying marital satisfaction did not affect depressive symptoms for either patients or spouses. …

Assessing Stakeholder Opinions Of Medical Review Of Impaired Drivers And Fitness To Drive: Recommendations For Massachusetts, Nina M. Silverstein, Kelli Barton

Gerontology Institute Publications

Driving is the main mode of travel for Americans age 65 and older, and although older adults are generally found to be safe drivers, aging often brings about functional limitations and an increase in medications that can impede safe driving and fitness to drive (Rosenbloom, 2003; Kissinger, 2008; Adler & Silverstein, 2008). Effective licensing policies and Medical Advisory Board practices are critical components in identifying medically at-risk drivers and may even have a role in the transition to alternative transportation options; yet, states vary greatly in their approach to licensing and renewal practices and in the utilization, composition, and function …

State Experiences With Affordable Housing Plus Services: Report To Seniors And Persons With Disabilities, On The Move, Paula C. Carder, Erika Zoller

Institute on Aging Publications

Housing developers, providers, policy makers, and advocates, increasingly recognize that for some groups of individuals, access to affordable housing alone is "not enough." That is, some individuals require more than shelter. Examples include individuals who have chronic health conditions (e.g., HIV/AIDS), those with physical or cognitive limitations (e.g., persons with developmental disabilities, adults with physical disabilities), and those who have a combination of health conditions or who cannot thrive in traditional housing (e.g., persons who have been homeless, individuals with chronic mental illness). Increasingly, housing providers, social service agencies, advocates, states, and federal agencies have recognized the need to combine …

The Pension Factor: Assessing The Role Of Defined Benefit Plans In Reducing Elder Hardships, Frank Porell, Beth Almeida

Gerontology Institute Publications

Traditional defined benefit (DB) pension plans have long been an important source of income for elder households seeking to maintain a middle-class standard of living after a lifetime of work. Under traditional DB plans, retirees receive a guaranteed, regular stream of income after retirement that continues until death.

The monthly pension benefit is typically based on years of service to the employer, age, and salary history. Retirees also have the option to elect a joint-and-survivor benefit, to ensure that pension payments continue to a surviving spouse. DB plan participation rates among private sector American workers have sharply decreased from about …

Life Long Education Experience At Lingnan University, Ying Po Cheung, Chi Ping Kwan, Che Kau Li, Kit Ha Tong, Fat Hing Yip

APIAS Monograph 專題論文

Owing to the advancement of medical technology, food availability, improved environment and health conditions, population ageing is a phenomenon that is occurring both globally and locally. In Hong Kong, the elderly population defined as comprising people aged 65 and over, was 653,700 in 1996 (Census & Statistics Department 2005a). By 2006, it will be 839,600 (Census & Statistics Department 2004), representing a net increase of 33%. During the same period (1996—2006), the increase in the old-old group (aged 75 and over) is 59%. In Hong Kong, the decrease in birth rate coupled with an increase in average life expectancy, and …

Primetimes Newsletter, Summer 2009, Office Of Lifespan Studies

PrimeTimes Newsletter

PrimeTimes is the newsletter of the Office of Lifespan Studies in the College of Science at Coastal Carolina University.

Inspiring The Retirees Towards Active Ageing : A Case Study Of The Elderly Shop Project, Kwok Fai, Tony Leung

APIAS Monograph 專題論文

The “elderly shop” project is a project for retired elderly who are commonly identified as recipients of care and assistance, to venture into business. It provides a platform for them to be actively engaged in productive activities. This project is based on the “self-financing” business model. With the elderly as role models other social groups such as housewives and non-engaged/unemployed youths are also enlisted to provide support to this project. Together they form the service team. The transfer of “know how” and consultative support provided by the business community and professionals enable this project to provide services to those who …

Elderly Participation : My Experience As A Retiree, Fan Chun, Peter Tsang

APIAS Monograph 專題論文

Adaptation to life after retirement can be a challenge. In spite of being psychologically prepared, retirees often experience the feelings of idleness and restlessness. In order to be able to adapt, retirees must learn how to make their life more enjoyable and meaningful. Based on my experience, I suggest volunteering which is meaningful to the individual, family and the community at large. Volunteering can also result in personal growth as it is not only a process of giving but also learning as well. In this paper, I would like to share five of the most essential “ingredients” that would make …

An Evolving Practice Model In The Development Of Lifelong Education For Senior Citizens, Wai Chuen Shum

APIAS Monograph 專題論文

Promoting productive and successful aging has gradually become a main concern for society at large, in particular, public policy makers, gerontologists and social workers in ageing societies. In Hong Kong, the population aged 60 years and above has increased from 745,500 (13% of the total population) in 1991 to 1,004,400 (14.8%) in 2001 (Census & Statistics Department 2005). This figure will increase to about 2.2 million representing 27.7% of the population by 2023 within a span of about twenty years (Census & Statistics Department 2004). With this rapid growth of the elderly population, greater efforts are urgently needed to prepare …

Finding A Lost Pension, Pension Action Center, Gerontology Institute, University Of Massachusetts Boston, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Pension Action Center Publications

Workers may be tempted to shrug their shoulders and write off the pensions as “lost.” Indeed, some pensions may in fact be gone forever. In many cases, though, the pension money is sitting safely in a fund, waiting only for the worker (or a surviving spouse or beneficiary) to come forward to collect it. If you think you may be entitled to money in a pension fund, either as a participant or as a spouse or beneficiary of a participant, it makes sense to try to track it down. This booklet, which is based on the experience of pension counselors, …

Visual Impairment And Eye Care Among Older Americans: Secondary Analysis Of The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Brfss), Amy L. Freeland

Dissertations

The aim of this three-paper format dissertation is to explore three topics relevant to public health and vision loss. The three papers are independent studies, yet build upon each other by first describing the population of people aged 40 years and older in the United States in terms of visual impairment, diagnosed eye disease/injury, and their use of eye care, and then next exploring the factors that influence eye care use for both the general population and the subpopulation of people with diagnosed diabetes. The first paper provides a state-level examination of the characteristics of people aged 40 years and …

Using Internet‐Based Vignette Methods To Understand Elder Residential Choices, Francis G. Caro, Teck Ho, Daniel Mcfadden, Alison Gottlieb, Christine Yee, Taizan Chan, Joachim Winter

Gerontology Institute Publications

This paper illustrates an innovative method of administering fractional factorial surveys (vignettes) using the internet. The approach makes it possible to use video clips to deliver information. The method also provides subjects with interactive options before making judgments. A study to determine the views of older people regarding residential options is used to illustrate the method. The study found that the following characteristics of vignette persons affected subject recommendations: personal introduction, functional status, social network, and current housing characteristics. However, characteristics of retirement community features and personal financial status did not affect recommendations.

North America's Native Peoples: A Social Justice And Trauma Counseling Approach, Sherri Turner, Mark Pope

Education Sciences and Professional Programs Faculty Works

This article understands North America's indigenous peoples in the context of social justice. The authors discuss the role of legislation in shaping cultural contexts of indigenous people and influencing mental health issues in Native American communities. Trauma counseling with Native Americans is explored.Este artículo entiende a los habitantes indígenas de norteamérica en el contexto de la justicia social. Los autores discuten el papel que juega la legislación en la formación de los contextos culturales de los pueblos indígenas y la influencia que ejerce en los problemas de salud mental en las comunidades de Americanos Nativos. Se explora la terapia de …

Participants' Perception Of The Utility Of An Adult Day Health Care Center, Sherry Ann Snyder

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to assess the participants' perception of San Bernardino Adult Day Health Care. Adult day health care centers serve the mentally ill as well as the mentally disabled and elderly population, and are designed to help keep the participants in the community and free from institutionalization.

Substance Abuse Among The Aging Population: A Needs Assessment, Stephen Michael Clark

Theses Digitization Project

This needs assessment was composed of 33 clinicians' in Riverside and San Bernardino counties that work in the substance abuse field. This study was developed to test if there is a need to increase clinicians' knowledge level base when working with older adults age 65 plus with a substance abuse problem. This needs assessment looked at demographics and tested the differences between self reported knowledge and what instruments their agencies are currently using.

Caregivers' Perceptions Of Disabled Elders Preparations For A Natural Disaster, Brenda Marie Starkins

Theses Digitization Project

The focus of this research study was to evaluate caregivers' perceptions of how well disabled elders are prepared for a natural disaster. This study was conducted through the Inland Caregiver Resource Center. Participants included six hundred ninety-one caregivers who care for and support the disabled elderly population.

The Utilization Of Temporary Emergency Protective Custody Orders For At Risk Elder And Dependent Adults: An Exploratory Study, Mary Avitia-Torres

Theses Digitization Project

This study discusses how the utilization of temporary emergency protective custody orders would help Adult Protective Services (APS) social workers in San Bernardino County with their modes of interventions. This study sought to identify the gaps and challenges faced by APS social workers and help develop a theory explaining what collaborative efforts are needed by certain agencies in order to deliver effective protective services to endangered elderly and dependent adults. The research site and participants utilized for this study were APS social workers employed in the County of San Bernardino Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) Region One.

In Our Own Words: A Qualitative Study Of Bachelor And Master Of Social Work Interns At Vitas Hospice, Martha Elizabeth Romero

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of Bachelor/Master of Social Work (BSW/MSW) interns who completed a full year internship at Vitas Hospice in San Bernardino. Using the post positivist paradigm, the researcher interviewed nine previous BSW/MSW interns to find out about their experiences as interns while at Vitas Hospice. The study was conducted by interviewing the nine interns and their responses were used to develop a theory of the interns' experience. These experiences led to learning about what was helpful and what was not helpful for their development as social workers as …

Elder Depression Among Nursing Home Residents, Alejandro Paul Holguin

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this was designed to confirm the hypothesis that depression is prevalent among nursing home residents. Elder depression is a huge problem in society, especially as the older population continues to grow at an alarming rate. This study investigated the correlations between demographic information and item responses.

Veteran Baby Boomer Retirement Planning, Kahalia Tunisha Anderson

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to explore how prepared for retirement are some military veterans who are baby boomers. The retirement prospects of baby boomers have become a leading cause of public interest. Some experts contend that the poor saving routines of boomers could possibly be the breaking point of the United States' economic growth and place financial concern on government programs such as Medicare and Social Security. The study site was the Veterans Home of California Barstow (VHCB) and the surrounding community in Barstow, CA.