Well‐being in later life through music

Objectives: This qualitative study maps the diversity of the experience of music for older people and focuses on the emotional, social and time management roles that music plays in their lives. Methods: In‐depth and focus group interviews were used to explore the meaning, importance and function of music for 54 older people living in the community aged 60 years and older. Results: The findings revealed that music provides people with ways of understanding and developing their self‐identity and maintaining well‐being. Music contributes to positive ageing by providing ways for people to maintain positive self‐esteem, feel competent, independent, and avoid feelings of isolation and loneliness. Conclusions: The study argues that music can be used by older people to facilitate and improve well‐being, and the need for gerontologists to become more aware of the potential of music.     

Pet Ownership is Not Associated with Future Health: a Nine Year Prospective Study in Older Australians

Objective : To examine the relationship between pet ownership and future health in older Australians. Method : A longitudinal study was conducted over 110 months in Dubbo, New South Wales, in a community‐based sample of subjects 60 years and over (1,235 men and 1,570 women). There was a baseline survey of demographic, psychosocial and cardiovascular risk factors in 1988–89, with follow‐up of all‐causes mortality and hospitalisation. Results were modeled using multiple logistic regression. Results : At baseline, 52% of men and 42% of women owned a pet. In comparison with non‐owners, older people who owned pets were younger and more likely to be married, yet they were less likely to live alone or use blood pressure medication. Among women only, pet owners had a greater peak expiratory flow volume than non‐owners and were less likely to have physical disability. After controlling for the confounding effects of age and other factors likely to influence mortality, there was no significant relationship between pet ownership and all‐causes mortality in either sex (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] in men 1.02 [0.75–137], in women 1.27 [0.93–1.75]). Pet ownership was associated with reduced risk of a hospitalisation in women (odds ratio 0.72 [0.54–0.96]). Conclusions : Pet ownership in older subjects is not associated with all‐causes mortality. Female owners have a slightly reduced risk of hospitalisation.     

Comorbidity Between Lifetime Eating Problems and Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Results from the Canadian Community Health Survey of Mental Health and Well‐being

This study was to examine profiles of eating problems (EPs), mood and anxiety disorders and their comorbidities; explore risk patterns for these disorders; and document differences in health service utilization in a national population. Data were from the Canadian Community Health Survey of Mental Health and Well‐being. The lifetime prevalence of EPs was 1.70% among Canadians, compared with 13.25% for mood disorder, 11.27% for anxiety disorder and 20.16% for any mood or anxiety disorder. Almost half of those with EPs also suffered with mood or anxiety disorders. A similar pattern in depressive symptoms was found among individuals with major depression and EPs, but individuals with EPs reported fewer symptoms. Factors associated with the comorbidity of EPs and mood and anxiety disorders were identified. Individuals with EPs reported more unmet needs. Patients with EPs should be concomitantly investigated for mood and anxiety disorders, as similar interventions may be effective for both. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.     

The Effects of Functional Health Status on the Everyday Life of Older People in Japan

The effects of functional health status on socio-psychological aspects of everyday life were analysed with data from 2,255 Japanese persons aged 55 years and over. The sample was randomly selected from the residents' registration (response rate was 75.2%). The socio-psychological variables were self-rated health, working status, frequency of going out, leisure activities, social networks, social supports, and subjective well-being. Health status had significant and positive effects on these variables when the effects of age, gender and educational attainment were controlled. The results seem to confirm the notion that health status is the pivotal condition of quality of life in old age and ageing.     

Health Promotion Needs of Older Aboriginal People

This paper explores the health promotion needs of older Aboriginal people. A qualitative study was conducted in Brisbane of both younger and older Aborigines' conceptions of what ageing is and what the needs of older Aborigines are. It discusses the areas of health which are identified as being particularly significant to the Aboriginal community, the difference in perceptions according to age and gender, and strategies which will increase the relevance and success of Aboriginal health programs.     

Footwear and Hip Fracture‐related Fails in Older People

Objective : To describe features of footwear worn at the time of hip fracture‐related falls. Method : Subjects were 107 persons (mean age 77 years) admitted with a hip fracture‐related fall to a hospital in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia, between February 1995 and February 1996. All subjects resided in private homes or hostels at the time of their fall. An interviewer‐administered questionnaire was used to collect data from participants on foot problems, falls history, and age and use of footwear worn at the time of hip fracture. A standardised approach was used to physically examine features of footwear worn at the time of fracture. Results : Most subjects wore slippers (33 %} or were not wearing any footwear (24%) when they fell and fractured their hip. Among the 79 subjects in footwear, most (70%) fell in footwear they wore every day and 43% of their footwear was less then six moths old. Participants chose to wear their footwear for comfort, not safety. Conclusion : Enthusiasm for developing a ‘;safe shoe’ should be tempered somewhat by the fact that many people who suffer a hip fracture are not wearing shoes at the time they fall.     

Advance Care Planning for Older Homeless‐Experienced Adults: Results from the Health Outcomes of People Experiencing Homelessness in Older Middle Age Study

Older homeless‐experienced adults have low engagement in advance care planning (ACP) despite high morbidity and mortality. We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of a cohort of 350 homeless‐experienced adults aged 50 and older in Oakland, California. We assessed the prevalence of potential surrogate decision‐makers, ACP contemplation, discussions, and ACP documentation (surrogate designation, advance directives). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine factors associated with ACP discussions and documentation. The median age of the cohort was 59 (range 52–82), 75.2% were male, and 82.1% were black. Sixty‐one percent reported a potential surrogate, 21.5% had discussed ACP, and 19.0% reported ACP documentation. In multivariable models, having 1 to 5 confidants versus none (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=5.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.7–20.0), 3 or more chronic conditions versus none (aOR=2.3, 95% CI=0.9–5.6), and a recent primary care visit (aOR=2.1, 95% CI=1.0–4.4) were associated with higher odds of ACP discussions and each additional 5 years of homelessness (aOR=0.7, 95% CI=0.5—0.9) with lower odds. Having 1 to 5 confidants (aOR=5.0, 95% CI=1.4–17.5), being black (aOR=5.5, 95% CI=1.5–19.5), and having adequate versus limited literacy (aOR=7.0, 95% CI=1.5–32.4) were associated with higher odds of ACP documentation and illicit drug use (aOR=0.3, 95% CI=0.1–0.9) with lower odds. Although the majority of older homeless‐experienced adults have a potential surrogate, few have discussed or documented their ACP wishes; the odds of both were greater with larger social networks. Future interventions must be customized for individuals with limited social networks and address the instability of homelessness, health literacy, and the constraints of safety‐net healthcare settings.     

Factors Associated with Emotional Well‐being in Primary and Secondary Caregivers of Patients with Eating Disorders

The aim of this study was to examine and identify the psychological, clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with emotional well‐being by type of caregiver. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 185 primary caregivers and 92 secondary caregivers of patients with an eating disorder using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Experience of Caregiving Inventory and the Eating Disorders Symptom Impact Scale. According to a multiple regression analysis, a total of four models were obtained accounting for 42%–47% of the variance in emotional well‐being. The variable that accounted for most of the variance of emotional well‐being in three of the models was the impact of nutrition. Improving aspects of the relationships with the patients reduced anxiety and depression levels in primary caregivers. Similarly, a positive personal experience reduced depression in secondary caregivers. A higher education level was associated with decreased anxiety levels in both types of caregivers. Specific family interventions including both types of caregivers may be useful for providing emotional and adaptive personal coping skills. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.