Positive Psychological Factors are Linked to Successful Cognitive Aging Among Older Persons Living with HIV/AIDS

We aimed to characterize successful cognitive aging (SCA) among older HIV-infected (HIV+) and HIV-uninfected (HIV?) adults, and to determine associations with positive psychological factors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Ninety-nine HIV+ and 46 HIV? older adults (≥ 50 years) completed measures of neurocognition, positive psychological factors, and HRQoL. Using study-defined SCA criteria (i.e., no cognitive or everyday impairment or major depressive disorder), we compared positive psychological factors and HRQoL across four groups: HIV+/SCA+, HIV+/SCA?, HIV?/SCA+, HIV?/SCA?. SCA was identified in 29% of the HIV+ sample compared to 61% of the HIV? sample (p < 0.01). HIV+/SCA+ participants had higher scores on 8 of 10 measures of positive psychological factors as well as better HRQoL (ps < 0.05) as compared to the HIV+/SCA? group. Furthermore, the HIV+/SCA+ participants had comparable scores on these factors as HIV? adults. Fewer HIV+ than HIV? participants met SCA criteria; however, the level of positive psychological factors among the HIV+/SCA+ group was comparable to the HIV? sample. Our findings present opportunities for interventions to optimize positive psychological factors and potentially improve SCA among older HIV+ adults.     

Aging in Chile

First some detailed demographic data concerning the elderly population in Chile are presented. Then their extremely deficient social and economic life conditions and the negative image of old age are described. The informal and formal systems of social security for the aged and their severe deficiencies are also reported upon. Finally, some institutions for the elderly are presented.     

Aging in Singapore

This paper outlines the aging trends in Singapore and takes stock of socioeconomic differences between Malay and Chinese elderly persons. It draws attention to the idea that policy response to the graying of Singapore has largely been confined to dealing with the consequences of population aging for the economy on the one hand and to creating social and community support for caregiving for elderly persons on the other. These policies cover employment, healthcare, housing, and social and recreational needs. Although fairly comprehensive, it is the position of this paper that further attention on supplementary programs that will address the particularities of specific ethnic groups will be required in order that the minority ethnic groups may also age gracefully.     

Aging and homelessness

Aging homeless persons have been largely neglected in the gerontological and homeless literature. This article presents an overview of homelessness and aging within the context of a testable, provisional model for explaining homelessness in this population. The author proposes 16 individual and 5 structural and programmatic variables that contribute to the etiology and sustenance of homelessness among aging persons.