Participation in formal learning activities of older Europeans in poor and good health

Little attention has been given to the involvement in formal learning activities (FLA) in the older population when considering different health statuses. The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which possible predictors (derived from previous research as well as a conceptual model) of FLA differ for older people in poor and good health. Data are used from SHARE 2010/2011 for the 50+ populations in 16 European countries. Poor health is defined as self-report of having two or more chronic diseases assessed by a medical doctor, i.e. multimorbidity. Possible predictors of learning activities represent individual characteristics: functional limitations, demography (age, gender, marital status and household size), human capital (achieved level of education), employment, income and participation in other social activities. To assess the predictors of FLA, logistic regression models are used and average marginal estimates are compared across groups. In addition to multimorbidity, labour market activity is used as a grouping variable. The average participation of individuals in the group with multimorbidity was nearly 50 % lower than that in the group in good health (6.5 vs. 13.3 %). Regardless of multimorbidity, human capital proved to be significant predictors of FLA, especially in those active on the labour market. However, the associations were weaker in the multimorbidity group. Also, significant associations were observed of other types of social activities, in particular cultural and leisure activity and volunteering, with FLA. This study suggests that similar factors are predictors of FLA in older people with and without multimorbidity.     

Do predictors of volunteering in older age differ by health status?

It has been widely recognised that poor health is one of the main barriers to participation in volunteer activities in older age. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the participation of older people in volunteering, especially those in poor health. Based on the resource theory of volunteering, the aim of this study is to better understand the correlates of volunteering among older people with different health statuses, namely those without health problems (neither multimorbidity nor disability), those with mild health problems (multimorbidity or disability), and those with severe health problems (multimorbidity and disability). Data were drawn from the fourth wave (2011–2012, release 1.1.1) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, which includes European people aged 50 years or older. The results showed that variables linked to volunteering were generally similar regardless of health status, but some differences were nevertheless identified. For older people with mild or severe health problems, for instance, depressive symptoms were negatively associated with their involvement in volunteer activities. We found a positive association of being widowed (rather than married) with volunteering in older people with particularly poor health, whereas high income was associated with volunteering in the case of mild health problems only. These results demonstrate that variables associated with volunteer participation partially differ between older people depending on their health status. These differences should be considered by policy makers in their attempts to promote volunteering in older people, as a means of preventing their social exclusion.     

Predictors of religious participation of older Europeans in good and poor health

Religious attendance is an important element of activity for older Europeans, especially in more traditional countries. The aim of the analysis is to explore whether it could be an element contributing to active ageing as well as to assess differences between the religious activity of older individuals with and without multimorbidity defined as an occurrence of two or more illnesses. The analysis is conducted based on the SHARE database (2010–2011) covering 57,391 individuals 50+ from 16 European countries. Logistic regressions are calculated to assess predictors of religious activity. Results point that religious activity often occurs in multimorbidity what could be driven by the need for comfort and compensation from religion. It is also significantly correlated with other types of social activities: volunteering or learning, even among the population with multimorbidity. There is a positive relation between religious activity and age, although its effect is weaker in the case of multimorbidity, as well as being female. Mobility limitations are found to decrease religious participation in both morbidity groups and might be related to discontinuation of religious practices in older age. The economic situation of older individuals is an insignificant factor for religious attendance. Religious attendance can be an element of active ageing, but also a compensation and adaptation to disadvantages occurring in older age and multimorbidity. At the same time, religious activities are often provided at the community level and targeted to population in poorer health.     

Participation in Social Activities and the Association with Socio-Demographic and Health-Related Factors among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Jamaica

Social participation is critical for maintaining independence and facilitating active ageing. The aim of this paper is to describe participation in social activities among older adults in Jamaica and to identify independently associated socio-demographic and health characteristics. We analysed data from a nationally representative, community-based survey of 2943 persons 60 years and older. Sixty-three percent of older adults attended religious services and 60 % were visited by friends at least once per month in the 12 months preceding the survey. Age was not independently associated with social participation. Persons with post-secondary level education were twice as likely as those with primary education or less, to be visited by friends and to attend meetings of formal organisations. Men, persons not in union, and those with less functional independence had reduced odds of attending meetings of formal organisations. These variables were however not independently associated with having visits with friends. Persons with a positive depression screen were between 42 % and 44 % less likely to be visited by friends. Persons who received an income through livestock/farming were more likely to visit or be visited by friends. The variables independently associated with social participation vary depending on the type of social activity considered. Where possible, health and social interventions should focus on prevention, delay and reversal of risk factors associated with reduced social participation. Social participation programmes should be prioritized and be informed by input from older adults. Future research should include other forms of social interactions and clarify older adults’ perceptions of their quality.     

Factors Predicting Civic Engagement among Older Adult Nursing Home Residents

This study examined civic engagement participation among older adult nursing home residents and determined resident characteristics that predict group membership, resident council participation, informal volunteering, and voting. Residents (N = 139) answered questions from standardized surveys during in-person interviews. The most common civic engagement activity was membership in social/community groups. Logistic regression results showed that emotional well-being and social support predict group membership and resident council participation. Age and activities of daily living predict volunteering. Study findings suggest that community groups could utilize residents in their efforts, and that future research should determine supports and adaptations for increasing civic engagement among residents.     

Fit for caring: factors associated with informal care provision by older caregivers with and without multimorbidity

Due to an increased prevalence of chronic diseases, older individuals may experience a deterioration of their health condition in older ages, limiting their capacity for social engagement and in turn their well-being in later life. Focusing on care provision to grandchildren and (older) relatives (‘informal care’) as forms of engagement, this paper aims to identify which individual characteristics may compensate for health deficits and enable individuals with multimorbidity to provide informal care. We use data from the SHARE survey (2004–2012) for individuals aged 60 years and above in 10 European countries. Logistic regression estimates for the impact of different sets of characteristics on the decision to provide care are presented separately for people with and without multimorbidity. Adapting Arber and Ginn’s resource theory, we expected that older caregivers’ resources (e.g., income or having a spouse) would facilitate informal care provision to a greater extent for people with multimorbidity compared to those without multimorbidity, but this result was not confirmed. While care provision rates are lower among individuals suffering from chronic conditions, the factors associated with caregiving for the most part do not differ significantly between the two groups. Results, however, hint at reciprocal intergenerational support patterns within families, as the very old with multimorbidity are more likely to provide care than those without multimorbidity. Also, traditional gender roles for women are likely to be weakened in the presence of health problems, as highlighted by a lack of gender differences in care provision among people with multimorbidity.     

The health impact of living with a cognitively impaired elderly spouse: depressive symptoms and social functioning

The purpose of this study was to identify the social and psychological consequences of living with a cognitively impaired spouse among community-dwelling elderly individuals. The study sample consisted of 318 spouse pairs drawn from a representative sample of noninstitutionalized elderly individuals. Our principal findings were that: (a) Cognitive impairment in wives is significantly (p less than .05) associated with depressive symptomatology in husbands, whereas cognitive impairment in husbands is only weakly (p greater than .20) associated with depressive symptomatology in wives; (b) Decreased participation in social/leisure activities is selectively related to spouses' level of cognitive functioning among both men and women; (c) The relationship between wives' cognitive impairment and husbands' depressive symptoms is influenced by perceived availability of financial support from friends and relatives, but not by ADL limitations in wives, lack of emotional or instrumental support from wives, household responsibilities among husbands, or lack of participation in social/leisure activities in husbands.     

Multiple role occupancy and social participation among midlife wives and husbands in the United Kingdom

We investigated the relationship between intensive multiple role occupancy and one key dimension of well-being, social participation (i.e., frequency of participation in social and leisure activities and meeting friends or relatives). Moreover, we examined gender differences in the association between individual, spousal and couple intensive multiple role commitments and individual social participation. Our research is based on a sample of mid-life wives (45-59) and their husbands from the 2000 British Household Panel Study (BHPS). Our findings show that, among wives whose husbands were providing care to a dependent for 20 or more hours a week, there was a negative association with social and leisure activity participation, whereas husbands' level of participation in social and leisure activities was higher if their wives were in full-time paid work. We also found lower odds of meeting friends or relatives among wives and husbands in full-time employment, and higher odds of meeting friends and relatives among wives providing care for 20 or more hours a week. Our results will aid policy thinking in addressing how people can be best supported to balance work and family commitments in order to optimize different dimensions of well-being in later life and help alleviate the pressures associated with multiple-role occupancy in mid-life.     

Exploring the Impact of a New Intervention to Increase Participation of Frail Older Adults in Meaningful Leisure Activities

Many frail older adults have difficulty maintaining social participation. We developed an innovative, personalized intervention to help frail older adults pursue meaningful leisure activities through the use of compensatory strategies. This pre-experimental pilot study conducted with 10 community-dwelling frail older adults (≥80 years) showed that the intervention improved their knowledge regarding the compensatory strategies learned and their participation in meaningful leisure activities. However, results also showed a decrease in feelings of well-being. This study provides promising results to support the implementation of an innovative intervention tailored to the needs of frail seniors and designed to foster their participation. However, further research is needed to improve our understanding of the impact of the intervention on well-being and explain the results obtained.     

Is cognitive lifestyle associated with depressive thoughts and self-reported depressive symptoms in later life?

Key components of cognitive lifestyle are educational attainment, occupational complexity and engagement in cognitively stimulating leisure activities. Each of these factors is associated with experiencing fewer depressive symptoms in later life, but no study to date has examined the relationship between overall cognitive lifestyle and depressive symptoms. This task is made more complex because relatively few older participants in cross-sectional studies will be currently experiencing depression. However, many more will show evidence of a depressive thinking style that predisposes them towards depression. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which cognitive lifestyle and its individual components are associated with depressive thoughts and symptoms. Two hundred and six community-dwelling participants aged 65+ completed the depressive cognitions scale, the geriatric depression scale and the lifetime of experiences questionnaire, which assesses cognitive lifestyle. Correlational analysis indicated that each of the individual lifestyle factors—education, occupational complexity and activities in young adulthood, mid-life and later life—and the combined cognitive lifestyle score was positively associated with each other and negatively with depressive symptoms, while all except education were negatively associated with depressive thoughts. Depressive thoughts and symptoms were strongly correlated. Cognitive lifestyle score explained 4.6 % of the variance in depressive thoughts and 10.2 % of the variance in depressive symptoms. The association of greater participation in cognitive activities, especially in later life, with fewer depressive symptoms and thoughts suggests that preventive interventions aimed at increasing participation in cognitively stimulating leisure activity could be beneficial in decreasing the risk of experiencing depressive thoughts and symptoms in later life.     

A Cross-Sectional Survey on Older Adults’ Community Mobility in an Indian Metropolis

Community mobility supports occupational participation among older adults and promotes active ageing. This study aimed to explore community mobility of older adults within an urban Indian context in view of the limited available literature in this area. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 75 older adults residing in Chennai city using a questionnaire and a non-retrospective, open format, two-day time diary. Participants engaged in community mobility and activities outside home for 10 % of time over two days. Activities and roles related to religious and spiritual activities and expression, social participation, leisure and informal personal education participation occupied most time and were engaged in most frequently. Walking was the most frequently used mode of transportation and participants reported numerous road-related hazards (lack of proper pavements, disobedience of traffic rules, difficulty crossing roads, crowded roads, and poor condition of roads). Participants used public transport less often. Public transport-related barriers (difficulty boarding and alighting buses/trains due to high steps/insufficient time, inadequate seat reservation for older adults, overcrowding and increased expense on auto rickshaws/taxis) were also expressed as concerns. Participants linked their ability to use public transport with independence and assigned relatively less value to driving. The findings emphasize the significance of community mobility to promote participation in older adults and recommend age-friendly environments in Indian cities.     

Dual sensory loss and social participation in older Europeans

The purpose of the study was to describe the prevalence of hearing difficulties, vision difficulties and dual sensory difficulties in 11 European countries, and to study whether sensory difficulties are associated with social inactivity in older Europeans. This cross-sectional study is based on the 2004 data collection of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe comprising 27,536 men and women aged 50 years and older. Hearing and vision difficulties, as well as participation in seven different social activities were assessed using a structured computer-assisted personal interview. Logistic regression models were used for analyses. Altogether, 5.9 % of the participants reported both hearing and vision difficulties (dual sensory loss), 10.2 % vision difficulties only, and 13.5 % hearing difficulties only. More than two-thirds (68.6 %) of the participants with dual sensory loss were socially inactive compared to half of those who reported no sensory difficulties. The participants who reported dual sensory loss had 2.18 (95 % CI 1.83–2.59) times higher odds for social inactivity compared to persons without hearing or vision difficulties. In a model adjusted for age, gender, mobility, depressive symptoms, cognition, education and wealth the corresponding odds ratio was 1.21 (95 % CI 1.00–1.47). According to our results, sensory difficulties were associated with social inactivity, but the higher likelihood for social inactivity among persons with sensory difficulties was attenuated by other health and socio-economic indicators. Our results suggest that various preventive and rehabilitative actions targeting older persons’ sensory functions may enhance their social activity.     

Limited English proficiency, social network characteristics, and depressive symptoms among older immigrants

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine differences in social network characteristics and their relationship to depressive symptoms among two groups of older Asian Indian immigrants: those with limited English proficiency and those proficient in English. METHODS: Telephone surveys were conducted with 226 English-speaking (Sample 1) and 114 Gujarati-speaking (Sample 2) immigrants in Atlanta. RESULTS: The samples differed significantly in demographics and patterns of social integration. Sample 2 had shorter residence in the United States, a more traditional ethnic identity, greater reliance on family for social activities, greater participation in religious events, lower likelihood of having good friends nearby, and less frequent interactions with friends. Rates of depressive symptoms did not differ, and network composition was unrelated to symptoms. For both samples, poorer health and a more traditional ethnic identity were related to depressive symptoms. Quality of relationship with children was predictive of symptoms for Sample 2. DISCUSSION: I found no differences in depressive symptoms despite differing social network structures. This may be due to the differing expectations of social ties among older immigrants. Interventions to improve well-being should focus on issues that generate acculturative stress. Cognitive and social support interventions may help individuals develop the adaptive coping strategies needed to live in a different culture.     

Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity in Older People in Northern Ireland: Levels, Demographic Patterns and Types of Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity Undertaken

Work on the health benefits of physical activity currently recommends participation in 2.5 h of moderate-vigorous physical activity/week, and advocates consideration of the physical activity gained from activities of daily living in this total. Using the inclusion of activities of daily living, this analysis aimed to investigate the physical activity undertaken by a representative sample of older people living in Northern Ireland (NI). Using a telephone questionnaire, 426 individuals (representative of the NI older population) reported participating in a mean 4.1?±?6.3 h of moderate–vigorous physical activity/week, but 225 (53 %) of these individuals reported participation in less than 2.5 h of moderate-vigorous activity/week, and 126 of these individuals reported none. Regression analyses revealed greater participation by males, younger individuals and those living in less deprived areas (smallest B?=??0.11, p?=?0.03). Males were also found to participate in more Do-It-Yourself, cycling, heavy gardening and exercise/sport in summer and less heavy housework, than females (smallest B?=??0.03, p?=?0.05), but no differences were found dependent on age or deprivation of residential area. These findings suggest a need to increase participation in moderate-vigorous physical activity in this population, with specific emphasis on females, older individuals and those living in more deprived areas. Analysis of the types of moderate-vigorous physical activity undertaken suggests that females may benefit particularly from increased opportunity or promotion of exercise/sport as a leisure activity.     

Older Adults’ Perspectives on Volunteering in an Activity-Based Social Program for People with Dementia

This qualitative study explored older adults’ perspectives on volunteering in an activity-based social program for community-dwelling people with dementia (PwD), called Stepping Stones. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight older adults who had volunteered in the Stepping Stones program. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to support in-depth exploration of interviews. Six main themes emerged, including (1) Meaning of volunteering in the program; (2) Benefits of volunteering in the program on themselves; (3) Enjoyment involving satisfaction and social relationships; (4) We are a team; (5) Emotional closeness and relationship; and (6) Volunteers’ other dementia-related experiences and volunteering experiences. The present study found that volunteering in the Stepping Stones program met older volunteers’ desires of helping PwD and in learning about dementia. This desire might be stronger in older adults who were the relatives or friends of PwD. Volunteering in an activity-based social program for community-dwelling PwD also may provide older adults with opportunities to have meaningful social relationships with others while feeling enjoyment and a sense of satisfaction, and may also help older adults have a more positive outlook on and more tolerance for themselves and others when they or their spouses experience memory changes in their daily lives.     

Learning in later life: participation in formal, non-formal and informal activities in a nationally representative Spanish sample

This article examines the participation of Spanish older people in formal, non-formal and informal learning activities and presents a profile of participants in each kind of learning activity. We used data from a nationally representative sample of Spanish people between 60 and 75 years old (n = 4,703). The data were extracted from the 2007 Encuesta sobre la Participación de la Población Adulta en Actividades de Aprendizaje (EADA, Survey on Adult Population Involvement in Learning Activities). Overall, only 22.8 % of the sample participated in a learning activity. However, there was wide variation in the participation rates for the different types of activity. Informal activities were far more common than formal ones. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that education level and involvement in social and cultural activities were associated with likelihood of participating, regardless of the type of learning activity. When these variables were taken into account, age did not predict decreasing participation, at least in non-formal and informal activities. Implications for further research, future trends and policies to promote older adult education are discussed.     

Leisure,Relatedness, and Ill-Being among Older Adults in Long-Term Care

A self-determination theoretical framework was applied to examine the relationship between leisure activity engagement and ill-being (depression and health) and the mediating role of relatedness, measured as social support, among older adults in long-term care (N = 110). Results from the latent variable structural equation models suggest that, when controlling for functional status, participating in leisure activities was related to lower ill-being. This relationship was mediated by social support, such that activity engagement facilitated relatedness and relatedness was associated with improved mental and physical health. Discussion of the importance of leisure activities and social support as well as intervention implications are included.     

Recovering from spousal bereavement in later life: does volunteer participation play a role?

OBJECTIVES: Volunteering is an important component of social life but may be interrupted by life events. This research investigated how widowhood influences subsequent volunteer participation as well as the potential moderating effect volunteer participation may have in coping with the death of a spouse. METHODS: Analysis of three waves (1986-1994) of longitudinal data from the Americans' Changing Lives study tested (a) the effect of widowhood on volunteer participation, (b) the influence of the timing since becoming widowed on volunteering and personal well-being, and (c) the interaction effects of volunteering and widowhood on personal well-being. A cross-sectional time-series design is used to test relationships with people aged 50 years and older at baseline. RESULTS: Compared with their continually married counterparts, people who experienced spousal loss reported greater likelihood of pursuing volunteer roles, not immediately but a few years after the death of their spouse. Volunteer roles adopted after spousal loss protected against depressive symptoms, and increases in volunteer hours enhanced self-efficacy. DISCUSSION: These patterns highlight the compensatory function of volunteer participation that helps to offset the negative impact of widowhood on well-being in later life.     

Predictors of perceived togetherness in very old men and women: a 5-year follow-up study

Although a considerable amount of research has been carried out on older adults’ social ties, most of it has focused on quantitative aspects and on cross-sectional samples. In this study, the subjective aspect of social interaction is described by the concept of perceived togetherness. The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which different factors predict perceived togetherness in men and women over a 5-year period. It also addresses the question of whether it is possible to identify different subgroups in perceived togetherness. The data were collected with structured interviews and laboratory tests from 225 elderly people at ages 80 and 85. The results showed that the predictors of perceived togetherness partly differed between sexes as well as within the groups of males and females. Predictors common to both genders were contacts with friends, less depressive symptoms, higher education level and better coping with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). The findings indicated the importance of friends. Widowhood and self-rated health were predictors in women but not in men. Moreover, there appeared to be two subgroups of women and men in perceived togetherness; these were labeled “socially embedded”, “socially isolated”, “socially active” and “solitary”. The results indicate diversity in perceived togetherness and its predictors. More attention should be paid to individual differences in order to prevent loneliness and to promote older adults’ well-being.     

Casino gambling among urban elders: just another social activity?

OBJECTIVES: This study explored older adults' attitudes about a range of activities and determined characteristics associated with casino participation. Activity theory was used as conceptual framework to examine casino gambling as a newer social activity and to identify characteristics related to gambling behavior among elders. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1,410 randomly selected participants, aged 60 and older, who reside in the city of Detroit. Through the use of a cross-sectional analyses, selected variables tested with casino visits included health, demographics, social activities, senior optimism, opinions about casinos, transportation, and social support network. RESULTS: Bivariate associations revealed that sociodemographic variables such as income, age, education, marriage, and transportation were significantly associated with casino participation. Additional factors associated with casino visitation included positive attitudes about casinos, social support network, and enjoying a variety of other "active" activities. DISCUSSION: The results of this study supported the theoretical perspective underlying the basis of this project. Although not a favorite activity, gambling is among several types of social activities in which older adults do participate. Results suggest further investigation of how casino activities relate to mental health and other leisure activities.