Gerontology Commons^™

Shineseniors: Personalized Services For Active Ageing-In-Place, Liming Bai, Alex I. Gavino, Wei Qi Lee, Jungyoon Kim, Na Liu, Hwee-Pink Tan, Hwee Xian Tan, Lee Buay Tan, Xiaoping Toh, Alvin Cerdena Valera, Elina Jia Yu, Alfred Wu, Mark S. Fox

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Singapore faces a major challenge in providing care and support for senior citizens due to its rapidlyageing population and declining old-age support ratio. The concept of Ageing-in-Place was introduced by the Singapore government [1] to allow older people to live independently in their own homes and communities so that the need for institutionalised care will only be utilised when necessary. We have three fundamental questions that this project will answer: 1. How to make community care serviceseffective through innovations in care delivery? How to lower the cost of service delivery and improve 2. productivity of caregivers, by leveraging information and …

The High Street For Elderly : Visiting Japanese Silver Hair Market, Pak Hang, Eric Tang

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

The arising elderly group is slowing transforming our society, bringing both challenges and opportunities simultaneously. There is a new form of economy targeted the elderly consumers.

Financial Preparation And Needs Of Older People, Ting Cao

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

When people enter the later phase of their lives, they are prone to have more uncertainties and face unique financial challenges in life. According to a report in 2014 from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), there are roughly 10 money-related life events or changes in one’s later life, namely: 1. planning for retirement; 2. changing housing needs; 3. starting another career; 4. coping with illness or disability; 5. converting savings into ongoing income; 6. losing partner; 7. dealing with attempted fraud or financial abuse; 8. caring for spouse or other family members; 9. travelling, and 10. making estate …

From Fear Of Death To Management Of Life : Inspirations From The Life And Death Education, Man Yin, Emily Chan

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Talking about "death" has always been a taboo for most traditionally-minded Chinese. Even though people understand that nobody could escape from death, they rather want to have a discussion on one's "life" instead. However, does not bringing "death" up the table mean that this topic is unimportant and hence negligible?

Retirement Planning : Money Matters, Wai Sun, Derek Chun, Wai Yee, Annie Ng

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Retirement denotes a cut off from monetary income generated from employment, a change of lifestyle, and the emergence of specific healthcare and social needs. A comprehensive retirement plan could be a more feasible approach for pre-retirees and retirees to cope with challenges brought by retirement.

Ageing-In-Place : Home Enhancement To Give Elderly A "Dream Home", Man Yin, Emily Chan

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Everyone has their own definition of "dream home", but there is always something in common - comfort and safety. Seniors prefer to stay in their own house for as long as possible, yet the inevitable decline of their physical functionality in the process of ageing has rendered some to rely on wheelchairs, canes and other aids. The original interior design might pose threats to them, making the house unsuitable for them.

In view of this service gap, collaborated with the Institute of Surveyors Building Surveying Cooperation, the Hong Kong Housing Society launched the "Elderly Safe Living Scheme" to enhance public …

Do You Know What I Want? : Revisiting Women Development Needs, Man Yin, Emily Chan, Wenyu, Angel Gao

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Population Ageing continues to intensify in Hong Kong while the "Feminisation" of elderly population has become a prominent trend. Since an elderly's quality of life is closely related to his/her life-course experience, Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies of Lingnan University (APIAS) accepted the Hong Kong Women Development Association's commission to develop the Women Development Index, so as to enable earlier intervention to improve women's later lives.

Must I Retire? : Optional Retirement As A Solution To Ageing Workforce, Wai Yee, Annie Ng, Wai Sun, Derek Chun, Chun Yin, Edwin Fok

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Like many developed societies, Hong Kong is suffering from a rapid ageing population, especially when taking into account the imminent retirement tide of the baby-boomers. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the proportion of the ageing population is projected to rise sharply from 13% in 2011 to 30% in 2041, making Hong Kong a "Hyper-aged Society."

Since most organisations require their older employees to leave the workforce when these employees are reaching retirement age, the experienced, skillful, and still able-to-work manpower will be completely wasted, which severely lower the city's productivity due to a shrinking labour force. In addition, …

婆婆的原宿 : 遊日本看銀髮市場, Pak Hang, Eric Tang

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

伴隨著人口不斷老化的趨勢，長者群組日益龐大，他們在不知不覺間改變著我們的社會。人口老化雖帶來種種挑戰，但也包含商機，有不少人正看準了這個新興市場，建立多姿多彩的銀髮經濟。

長者理財挑戰多 及早教育增保障, Ting Cao

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

當人們進入人生的後半段，需要面對更多的不確定性及特別的財務挑戰。據加拿大財務及消費者機構 (FCAC) 在2014年的報告，長者在生命後期，大致要面對十個有關於財務方面的挑戰，分別是：1.為退休作計劃；2.住房改變的需要；3.再就業；4.疾病與殘疾的適應；5.將儲蓄轉變為不間斷收入；6.失去配偶或者同伴；7.處理可能出現的財務詐騙或者財務虐待；8.對親人或伴侶的照顧；9.旅遊；和10.房產安排。

從懼怕死亡到管理生命 : 「晚晴+Ve」殘疾長者生命教育計劃的啟示, Man Yin, Emily Chan

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

傳統中國人視「死亡」為忌諱，即使深明每個人終將難逃一死，很多人仍會本著「只談氐，避談死」的心態，選擇避而不談「死亡」。難道不談，就代表其不重要且可以被忽略？

退休準備 : 豐儉不由人, Wai Sun, Derek Chun, Wai Yee, Annie Ng

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

退休意味著失去固定工作收入，亦標誌著生活方式的轉變，同時也會衍生出一系列的健康及社交需要。因此，應制訂一個全面的退休計劃，讓退休人士和準退休人士可更好地應對退休帶來的挑戰。

家居改善減危險 原址安老樂頤年, Man Yin, Emily Chan

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

人人對「安樂窩」的定義都不同，但必定有一個共通元素：必須令人感覺舒適安全。長者普遍希望留在原來的「安樂窩」生活，但隨著年齡增長、身體機能減弱，部分長者失能愈見嚴重，需倚靠輪椅、扶手杖等輔助工具移動。昔日居所室內設計或會變得危機四伏，不再適合他們居住。

有感現時很多居所並不能滿足長者的住屋需要，香港房屋協會與測量師學會建築測量組合作，推出「長者住安心計劃」，藉路演和講座等公眾教育、諮詢服務以及家居評估，提升市民大眾對無障礙家居設計的認識。

子非魚，焉知魚樂乎? : 重訪女性發展需求, Man Yin, Emily Chan, Wenyu, Angel Gao

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

香港老龄化情況加劇，而老年人口女性化的趨勢也更加明顯。由於長者群組之生活質素與其生命歷程有著密切的關係，因此嶺南大學亞太老年學研究中心就接受香港婦聯的委託，翼透過建立婦女發展指標，儘早介入以助改善女性之晩年生活。

人老就退休? : 以彈性退休解勞動人口老化挑戰, Wai Yee, Annie Ng, Wai Sun, Derek Chun, Chun Yin, Edwin Fok

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

和很多已發展社會一樣，香港人口也在快速老化，特別是大批戰後嬰兒潮的人口日益步入退休年齡，更加劇了香港的老齡化問題。據政府統計處統計數據顯示，香港老齡人口佔總人口數的比率將會由2011年的13%急速增長 到2041年的30%，屆時香港將進入“超老齡社會”。

大部分機構都嚴格規定了僱員的退休年齡，僱員離開熟悉的工作崗位，不僅嚴重浪費了一批有經驗、技術和能力的勞動力，亦因此削弱了整個城市的生產力。再者，在未來幾十年，隨著年長僱員陸續離開勞工市場，他們對於 社會保障以及其他福利的需求將持續增加。

Canada's Oldest Old: A Population Group Which Is Fast Growing, Poorly Apprehended And At Risk From Lack Of Appropriate Services, Jacques Légaré, Yann Décarie, Kim Deslandes, Yves Carrière

Population Change and Lifecourse Strategic Knowledge Cluster Discussion Paper Series/ Un Réseau stratégique de connaissances Changements de population et parcours de vie Document de travail

The future of population aging in industrialised countries, including Canada, will be driven not by lower fertility but by extensions in life expectancy. Declining mortality will have the most effect on the oldest age groups.

In this context, Peter Laslett’s (1989) ideas on rethinking traditional approaches to the life cycle are fundamental. He argues that we need to move from three stages of life to four: childhood; adulthood; then the new third age lasting from retirement until old age, which becomes the fourth age (or the oldest-old).

This report examines the present and future characteristics of the oldest old, and …

Senior Companion Program Volunteers: Exploring Experiences, Transformative Rituals, And Recruitment/Retention Issues, Jason S. Ulsperger, Jericho Mcelroy, Haley Robertson, Kristen Ulsperger

Faculty Publications - Behavioral Sciences

Senior Companion Programs (SCPs) help the homebound elderly. They operate through local Area Agencies on Aging, but any nonprofit institution can apply for funding and operate a SCP. Program volunteers are 55 and older. They visit qualified elderly clients, which includes people who do not have the ability to fully care for themselves. Volunteers provide social interaction to clients, but they also provide a minimal level of services, such as grocery shopping, light housekeeping, and respite for caregivers. Examining the experiences of volunteers in these programs can help us better understand why actively engaging with others is important as we …

The Lived Experience Of Aging: Listening To The Oldest-Old, Julia A. Pusztai

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although embraced as desirable by most, living into very old age is largely unexplored as a distinct season of life, with increased, varied, and cumulative changes during a unique time of vulnerability and frailty. The purpose of this study was to listen to the oldest-old, and to explore their lived experience of growing old. This hermeneutic phenomenology study examines the experience of finding meaning and living with losses and gains in advanced old age. This study design included three separate interviews one month apart with participants over 85 years of age. Purposive sampling resulted in 13 participants, 5 being male …

Aging In Boxford: Planning For An ‘Active And Involved’ Future, Nina Silverstein, Caitlin Coyle

Gerontology Institute Publications

This planning study was conducted to investigate current and anticipated needs, interests, preferences, and concerns of Boxford adults aged 45 and older. Special emphasis is placed on gauging future age-related services needed by residents, including those provided by the Boxford Council on Aging and its Senior Center (hereafter, COA), as well as the existing physical infrastructure of the COA relative to these service needs now and in the future. A primary focus of this study was whether Boxford is a town where lifelong residents will feel supported in later life.

The goals of the project were (1) to identify the …

Needs Assessment For Littleton Elder And Human Services And The Council On Aging, Jan E. Mutchler, Bernard A. Steinman, Ceara Somerville, Maryam Khaniyan, Mai See Yang

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes efforts undertaken by the Town of Littleton Council on Aging, in partnership with the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Littleton’s older population. The focus of this report was on two cohorts of Littleton residents—those aged 50 to 59 (referred to as “Boomers”), and the cohort of individuals who are currently aged 60 and over (“Seniors”). The content of this report is intended to inform the Town of Littleton, the Littleton Council on Aging and Senior …

Aging In Barnstable: Striving For High Livability In A Cape Cod Community, Bernard A. Steinman, Ceara Somerville, Hayley Gleason, Maryam Khaniyan, Mai See Yang

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes collaborative efforts undertaken by the Town of Barnstable Senior Services Division and the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging, within the Gerontology Institute at the McCormack Graduate School, University of Massachusetts Boston. Beginning in Fall 2014, these organizations partnered to conduct a study to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of the Town’s older resident population, with respect to living and aging in Barnstable. The focus of this report was on two cohorts of Barnstable residents — those aged 50 to 59 (referred to as “Boomers”), and the cohort of individuals who are currently …

Primetimes Newsletter, Fall 2015, 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.

The Alzheimer’S Association Dementia Care Coordination Program: A Process Evaluation, Executive Summary, Nina Silverstein, Frank Porell, Pamela Nadash

Gerontology Institute Publications

The Massachusetts/New Hampshire (MA/NH) Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association has long sought ways to systematically increase the number of families who utilize its services and support. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, there are 142,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that less than 30% of those individuals and their caregivers take advantage of its programs (Alzheimer’s Association, 2015). The MA/NH Chapter recognized that one major barrier to accessing services is a model that relies on families taking the initiative to seek out assistance.

In …

A Formative Evaluation Of Select Evidence-Based, Healthy Aging Programs For Seniors In East Central Illinois, Kathleen Raynor

Student Research – Stevenson Center

This study serves as a formative evaluation of two evidence-based, healthy aging programs that are funded by the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA). The first, the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, is a six-session course designed to alleviate symptoms of chronic health issues in older adults and encourage participants to act as self-advocates in regard to their health. The second program, A Matter of Balance, attempts to reduce fear and risk factors related to falls in older adults over the course of eight sessions. The methodology of this study involves focus groups with former participants of these programs …

Is The Geriatric Impact Ipad Test A Valid Measurement Of Cognitive Function In Older Adults?, Heather Elise O'Dell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The number of older adults will rapidly increase within the next generation (Brookmeyer, Johnson, Ziegler-Graham, & Arrighi, 2007). Alzheimer’s disease risk increases with age, especially after age 60 (NIA, n.d.). Aging leads to a decrease in functional independence, and this side effect is exacerbated by cognitive decline (Johnson, Lui, & Yaffe, 2007). Executive function is a predictor of Alzheimer’s disease onset and progression (Zhang, Han, Verhaeghen, & Nilsson, 2007). The Geriatric ImPACTTM test is a potential new and more convenient testing methods than traditional methods used. The purpose of this research is to validate the Geriatric ImPACTTM test by comparing …

Finding A Financial Planner, Emily G. Brown Jd

Pension Action Center Publications

This fact sheet provides information on how to find the right financial planner to help you meet your retirement planning goals. This fact sheet suggests things to consider prior to picking a financial planner and answers questions like:

• What do financial planners do?
• How do you know if you need a financial planner?
• How do you find the right financial planner?
• What type of professional title does a financial planner have?

Plenary Session Iii – Policy Track: Focus On Innovation, Emily Shea, Jessica Cicchini, Bryan Reimer, Meghan Verena Joyce, Nora Moreno Cargie, Betsey Crimmins

Older Driver Safety Summit: Planning a Safe and Mobile Future for Massachusetts

Dr. Cicchini will describe the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and how its work can inform efforts in Massachusetts to promote older driver road safety. Dr. Reimer will describe innovations in research and the implications for policy. Nora Moreno Cargie will discuss how corporate and philanthropic partners can support innovative policy developments. Meghan Verona Joyce will describe Uber’s innovative partnership with government partners as a model for other entities to consider as they face regulatory challenges. Betsey Crimmins will discuss the legal and elder justice innovations needed to keep older MA adults safe and mobile.

Plenary Session Iii – Medical Track: Reporting At-Risk Drivers To Massdot Medical Advisory Board, Michele Ellicks, Marjorie Weinberger, James Ellison, Debra Kerrigan, Jatin Dave

Older Driver Safety Summit: Planning a Safe and Mobile Future for Massachusetts

This session will address counseling the at-risk driver, healthcare provider responsibility and liability, clinician resources to provide older drivers, and procedures for reporting. This session will also include information on recognizing the sense of loss and grief experienced by someone who must relinquish a driver’s license.

Plenary Session Iii – Mobility Track: Successful Models For Senior Transportation In Massachusetts, Theadora Fisher, Jayne Colino, Tim O’Day, Erica Girgenti, Janet Seckel-Cerroti

Older Driver Safety Summit: Planning a Safe and Mobile Future for Massachusetts

This session will discuss examples of replicable, successful programs that address the transportation needs of seniors in Massachusetts, including Council on Aging programs, a partnership with a regional transit authority, and a medical escort program.

Plenary Session Ii – Medical Track: Substance And Medication Use, Mary Maguire, Michele Matthews, Stephen J. Walsh, Joanne Thomka

Older Driver Safety Summit: Planning a Safe and Mobile Future for Massachusetts

This session will provide information on drivers’ use of prescription medications, poly-pharmacy, alcohol, “medical” marijuana, and illegal drugs and the impact these substances may have on one’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.