Adaptation and age-related expectations of older gay and lesbian adults.

Results from a study of lesbian women and gay men in the Midwest over the age of 50, who indicate high levels of involvement in the gay community, provide a picture of the aging process of these adults that builds on previous research efforts. Respondents reported acceptance of the aging process, and high levels of life satisfaction, despite predictable problems associated with aging and sexual orientation. Being active in the gay community was an asset to accepting one's own aging.     

Gender differences in physical health and psychosocial well being among four age-groups of elderly people in Israel

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the well-established gender differences in physical and psychosocial well being in adulthood persist throughout different age groups of elderly persons, in order to support one of two opposing hypotheses: the convergence and divergence hypotheses. Data were collected by structured interviews from a random sample of 987 Israeli elderly (70+) in 1994. They were divided into four age groups for analysis: 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85 and over. Findings indicate that in nearly every gender comparison by age, women score lower than men on indicators of physical and psychosocial well being, and in both genders increasing limitations on activities of daily living (ADL) were noticed. However, on all measures of physical health, except for ADL, the male advantage declines in the older age groups. This pattern is even stronger for the psychosocial indicators of well being, where no significant gender differences are found between the oldest groups. The trend of convergence among men and women thus occurs mainly in the age group of 85+. The results of multivariate analyses indicate that the sense of control of one's life is an important explanatory variable of satisfaction with life for men but not for women. The significant decline in the sense of control of men, aged 85 and over, is one of the main reasons for the more significant decline found in men's psychosocial well being in comparison to women. Our findings indicate that decline in health status, and other losses experienced with aging, affect more significantly men's sense of control over life, and therefore have a more deleterious effect on the psychosocial well being of men than on that of women. This conclusion, however, has to be supported by longitudinal studies.     

Constructing an index of physical fitness age for Japanese elderly based on 7-year longitudinal data: sex differences in estimated physical fitness age

A standardized method for assessing the physical fitness of elderly adults has not yet been established. In this study, we developed an index of physical fitness age (fitness age score, FAS) for older Japanese adults and investigated sex differences based on the estimated FAS. Healthy elderly adults (52 men, 70 women) who underwent physical fitness tests once yearly for 7 years between 2002 and 2008 were included in this study. The age of the participants at the beginning of this study ranged from 60.0 to 83.0 years. The physical fitness tests consisted of 13 items to measure balance, agility, flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance. Three criteria were used to evaluate fitness markers of aging: (1) significant cross-sectional correlation with age; (2) significant longitudinal change with age consistent with the cross-sectional correlation; and (3) significant stability of individual differences. We developed an equation to assess individual FAS values using the first principal component derived from principal component analysis. Five candidate fitness markers of aging (10-m walking time, functional reach, one leg stand with eyes open, vertical jump and grip strength) were selected from the 13 physical fitness tests. Individual FAS was predicted from these five fitness markers using a principal component model. Individual FAS showed high longitudinal stability for age-related changes. This investigation of the longitudinal changes of individual FAS revealed that women had relatively lower physical fitness compared with men, but their rate of physical fitness aging was slower than that of men.     

Optimism, satisfaction and time perspective in the elderly

In contrast to younger groups, research with the elderly suggest a predominantly present-focused temporal orientation. One aspect of satisfaction, optimism is conceptualized as a form of future perspective. Health psychology generally asserts that health-enhancing messages depend for effect on a person perceiving future benefits to actions taken in the present to enhance health or minimize ill-health risk. The extent to which the elderly perceive or value the future should impact on health maintenance behaviors. In a study of eighty-six elderly people, the dominant ways of viewing time coalesced around a variety of present time perspectives. Within-group differences revealed that as people aged, they became less satisfied with life relative to their level of optimism. For the young-old, optimism was positively correlated with satisfaction, but for the oldest-old the variables were negatively associated. Optimism increased with age while satisfaction decreased with age. The decrease in satisfaction is most probably related more to a sense of realism about the tasks of aging than a sense of "death anxiety," or avoidance of the future. As people age, temporal variables become less important in predicting optimism or satisfaction and optimism becomes less important as a predictor of satisfaction. Implications for developing models of health management in the elderly are discussed.     

Estimating quality of life with biomarkers among older Korean adults: A machine-learning approach

BackgroundWhile health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has clinical value, its determinants, particularly objective health-related measurements, have not been fully explored. This study seeks to identify the biological indicators that relate to HRQoL among a group of older Korean adults using a machine-learning approach.MethodsWe used physical and mental scores from the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to measure HRQoL among older Korean adults who participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) biomarker pilot study (N = 385). The variables for the multivariate penalized regression analysis included demographic factors, medical measurements, physical performance, and health-related behaviors.ResultsThe multivariate profiles identified several significant biomarkers that relate to quality of life. Among the 20 variables, handgrip strength was the most powerful indicator in both men and women for the SF-36 physical scores, followed by walking speed. Age and total sleep duration exclusively were significantly associated with the SF-36 physical scores only in women, whereas body mass index, blood pressure, and sit-to-stand times were unique elements in men.ConclusionsThe present study suggests significant physical indicators that explain quality of life in elderly populations, using a data-driven approach. Based on these findings, maintaining a good level of physical performance is considered a key element of successful aging.     

Attitudes toward aging: a comparative analysis of young adults from the United States and Germany

Social and cultural attitudes toward aging provide a framework for assessing one's own aging experiences as well as one's attitudes toward older men and women. Ageism, or prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory practices toward older adults (Butler, 1980), has been found to be widespread around the world. This study focuses on a comparative analysis of the attitudes of young adults from Germany and the United States. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to evaluate similarities and differences in the anxiety associated with four measurable dimensions associated with ageism: fear of old people, psychological concerns associated with aging, concern over changes in physical appearance as a result of aging, and fear of losses associated with aging. The second purpose of this study was to evaluate the age at which young adults from these two countries might consider themselves to be "old." The findings indicate significant country and gender differences across the dimensions. German participants tended to view aging much more negatively than American participants did. However, Americans considered themselves to be "old" at a much younger age than Germans. Gender differences indicated that women in both countries were more concerned with age-related changes in their physical appearance than were men. Analyses of the results are discussed in relation to the influence of ageism and negative cultural stereotypes of aging on people's self-image across the life span.     

Urinary incontinence and voiding dysfunction in elderly men

Voiding disorders, including urinary incontinence (UI), are common in elderly men. The aging process is associated with anatomic and physiologic changes that may predispose older adults to urinary problems. The epidemiology of UI in older adults is different from that in younger individuals. Costs associated with UI care—in terms of economic costs, health resource utilization, and personal psychosocial costs—can be quite high. UI is one of the geriatric syndromes that can negatively influence physical function and quality of life in the elderly. Several clinical disorders that commonly occur in older men may have important urologic correlates, such as normal pressure hydrocephalus, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and dementia. Nocturia is also highly prevalent in this population and may be somewhat difficult to treat. UI is common in nursing home residents and can be associated with declines in overall and health-related quality of life. Successful treatment can have a positive impact. Effective evaluation and management rely on a strong knowledge of the etiology and treatment options for UI in elderly men.     

The role of bacterial adherence in urinary tract infections in elderly adults

In an attempt to clarify host factors responsible for the acquisition of bacteriuria in elderly adults, bacterial adherence to uroepithelial cells obtained from 83 elderly participants and 40 young controls was studied. Seven uropathogenic strains of E. coli expressing different adhesions were used. Bacteria adhered significantly better to cells of young women than young men (p less than .0001) and elderly women than elderly men (p less than .03). The greatest adherence was in young women and the least in young men. In women without bacteriuria, aging was not associated with increased susceptibility to bacterial attachment. Moreover, there was no increase in the adherence of E. coil strains to uroepithelial cells of bacteriuric elderly women in comparison to abacteriuric elderly women. In men, however, aging was associated with increased bacterial adherence (p less than .02). Susceptibility to bacterial adherence does not appear to be responsible for the increased frequency of E. coli bacteriuria in elderly women but may be a permissive factor in elderly men.     

Men in old age--psychological and social aspects

The relevant aspects of the psychosocial situation of men in old age were listed using two different methods: Identification of contextual determinants of the male aging process. Reporting on empirically based evidence of the situation of elderly men. ad 1. The following contextual aspects of the male aging process were under consideration: generalized and personalized images of elderly men, subjective reports on "male aging", changing images of the male sex role and the aging role, male sex role typing across the life span, middle and late adulthood as relevant lifespan segments preceding old age, and sociodemographic and health statistics concerning the situation in which elderly men live. ad 2. The report on empirically based data on the psychosocial situation of old aged men included the following aspects: Social roles of men in old age, comparisons between elderly men and elderly women and between elderly and younger men, interindividual variability (classifications) among the group of old-aged men and early antecedents as "predictors" of life satisfaction in old age. Analyzing these different kinds of material, the importance of a differential approach to the multidimensionally determined situation of men in old age was stressed; on the other hand, it seemed to be possible to identify certain "typical" characteristics at least for the present cohorts of old-aged men (e.g. importance of the quality of marital life, significance of being free of stress, tendency of experiential integration etc.).     

Hormone replacement in the aging male?

The recent increase in the elderly population, current health trends, and awareness of age-related changes in the male endocrine system have led to discussions about the endocrine system being a "pacemaker" of male aging. Better prevention and treatment of "non-beneficial states of health" in aging men, such as generally decreased well-being and virility, increased visceral fat, osteopenia, atherosclerosis, and impaired cognitive function, is based on improved understanding of aging, particularly the significance of age-associated hormonal changes. Although not as dramatic as in women, men also show declining hormone serum concentrations with aging (Vermeulen and Kaufman, 1995). Because aging is associated with deleterious effects resembling the clinical signs of hypogonadism or states of subnormal hormone concentrations, the potential role of hormone supplementation in aging men paralleling hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women is the topic of discussion. The goal of hormone replacement would be to improve body composition and increase muscle strength and quality of life in men, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity. The findings so far support the need for long-term studies of hormonal supplementation in older males showing decreased hormone serum levels. Nevertheless, to date, such a use outside the context of a clinical trial is not justified.     

Hormone replacement in the aging male?

The recent increase in the elderly population, current health trends, and awareness of age-related changes in the male endocrine system have led to discussions about the endocrine system being a "pacemaker" of male aging. Better prevention and treatment of "non-beneficial states of health" in aging men, such as generally decreased well-being and virility, increased visceral fat, osteopenia, atherosclerosis, and impaired cognitive function, is based on improved understanding of aging, particularly the significance of age-associated hormonal changes. Although not as dramatic as in women, men also show declining hormone serum concentrations with aging (Vermeulen and Kaufman, 1995). Because aging is associated with deleterious effects resembling the clinical signs of hypogonadism or states of subnormal hormone concentrations, the potential role of hormone supplementation in aging men paralleling hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women is the topic of discussion. The goal of hormone replacement would be to improve body composition and increase muscle strength and quality of life in men, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity. The findings so far support the need for long-term studies of hormonal supplementation in older males showing decreased hormone serum levels. Nevertheless, to date, such a use outside the context of a clinical trial is not justified.     

Age, education, and the gender gap in the sense of control

High sense of control is related to benefits in many aspects of life, and education is known to be strongly related to sense of control. In this article we explore why women tend to feel a lower sense of control than men, and why the sense of control tends to be lower among the elderly than among younger people. In particular we explore the role played by education in explaining age- and gender differences in sense of control. The analysis is based on data from the first wave of the Norwegian NorLAG study, with a representative sample of adults aged 40-79 in 30 municipalities. We find that education accounts for some of the age and gender differences in sense of control, but the mediating effects of education are rather modest. We find an increasing gender gap in sense of control with age, and this increasing gap is completely explained by differences in education. Gender differences in sense of control is explained completely by four factors, which are related to resources and power; physical health, education, living with a partner, and leadership experience. Age differences in sense of control are only partially explained. Education, physical health and employment status cuts the age effect on sense of control to half. The effect of education on sense of control is partly mediated through what we suggest are tangible benefits of education, namely health, employment, and leadership experience. Education also influences individuals through socialization mechanisms. We view agentive orientation as a psychological benefit of education, and measure this characteristic with Bem's (1981) sex-role scale on masculinity. Agentive orientation completely explains the remaining effect of education on sense of control.     

老年妇女应力性尿失禁患病率及有关因素

目的了解北京地区老年妇女应力性尿失禁患病情况。方法被调查人群是从北京城区、郊区平原和郊区山区抽样得到的２７８３名老年人。其中老年妇女１４１５人。调查采取问卷访问及体格检查相结合的方法。有８６９名老年妇女参加了体检。结果老年妇女应力性尿失禁患病率为２９０％，明显高于老年男性患病率（１１９％，Ｐ＜００１）。男女性老年人患病率均为农村高于城市，且随增龄而增高。从事重体力劳动者患病率明显高于轻体力及脑力劳动者。多次分娩、特别是超过６胎以上者患病率明显高于分娩次数少者，且随末次分娩年龄的增高尿失禁患病率逐渐增高（Ｐ＜００１）。在并存冠心病、慢性支气管炎、糖尿病、泌尿系感染、老年性阴道炎的老年妇女中，应力性尿失禁患病率明显高于无上述并存症者。妇科检查发现应力性尿失禁患者存在膀胱膨出、子宫脱垂的比率明显高于无膀胱膨出、子宫脱垂者。应力性尿失禁与吸烟及体重指数无关。结论避免长期腹压增高和减少分娩次数，是预防老年妇女应力性尿失禁的关键     

Perception of "appropriate" age for retirement among young adults, middle-aged adults, and elderly people

The "appropriate" age for retirement as it is perceived by young adults, middle-aged adults, and elderly people has been studied. No respondents were surprised or had trouble expressing an opinion about the minimum and maximum "appropriate" ages for retirement. Representations of the "appropriate" retirement age vary primarily as a function of the perceived physical constraints involved in the occupation, and also depend on the age of the person being questioned; the younger the respondent, and lower the perceived "appropriate" minimum age. There was no tendency among the young adults to prolong the work life of older individuals. Nor was there a tendency to associate aging with the loss of intellectual capacities likely to lead to early retirement.     

Successful Aging-Utopia or the Result of Lifelong Learning? Meaning and Representations of Ageing in Romanian Elderly

Latest statistics show that the number of elderly individuals has increased in Romania but little is known about their perceptions of ageing and their strategies in coping with this issue. The present study set out to explore representations, experiences and perceptions of aging in Romanian elders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 men and 11 women, aged 65 to 90?years old. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants had predominantly negative representations of old age, associating it with illness, loneliness, disability and lack of purpose in life and needing a high amount of social support. However, elders talked about how one could be happy in old age by undergoing a continuous learning process, planning for a future and accepting one??s past and present. Findings show that the elderly have a negative view of ageing and old age but also have representations of how to age well. Results can inform interventions for promoting health assets for successful aging.     

To cut or not to cut: cosmetic surgery usage and women's age-related experiences

Part of the developmental trajectory of middle and late life presumes the adjustment to physical aging, an adjustment that is complicated for women for whom the prioritization of beauty is central to their social value in Western societies. A 60-item written questionnaire was distributed to a volunteer community sample of 202 women ages 19-86. From these data, this study tested whether women's cosmetic surgery usage would act as a protective factor in age-related experiences related to body image, self-esteem, and aging attitudes. Cosmetic surgery recipients evidenced less body satisfaction, and more appearance investment with age increases while only non-recipients showed improvements in self-esteem ratings with advancing age. Both recipients and non-recipients showed declines in body care with age, a greater felt discrepancy between actual and perceived age, and less aging anxiety--but non-recipients more so than recipients. Thus, despite having undertaken action to improve their appearance through surgical means at some point in their adult lives, cosmetic surgery recipients did not inevitably feel younger than their years, or better about themselves, compared to those who have not pursued surgery. Study limitations and implications are outlined, and given that cosmetic surgery may become normative practice in future cohorts of aging adults, it concludes with a call for nationally-representative studies using matched-control group research designs typical of public health inquiry more generally.     

Stress and sex differences in depressive symptoms among older adults

The purpose of this study was to determine whether elderly women experience more symptoms associated with depression than elderly men and, if such sex differences exist, to examine several factors that might account for the greater preponderance of psychological distress among women. Unlike previous studies of elderly adults, this study attempted to explain sex differences in depression in terms of differential-exposure and differential-vulnerability to the effects of life stress. The results from a random community survey of 351 older adults indicate that women are more depressed than men. Moreover, a series of demographic-mean decomposition analyses suggest that greater vulnerability among women to the effects of chronic life strains explains a substantial portion of the observed sex differences in distress. Stressful life events were found to be a less important factor in this process.     

Relationship of low-circulating "anti-aging" klotho hormone with disability in activities of daily living among older community-dwelling adults

The aging suppressor gene klotho encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein klotho that in mice is known to extend life span when overexpressed and to resemble accelerated aging, with skeletal muscle atrophy and decreased bone mineral density, when expression is disrupted. We sought to examine the relationship between plasma klotho and disability in activities of daily living (ADL) in older community-dwelling adults. In a cross-sectional study, plasma klotho was measured in a population-based sample of 802 adults, ≥ 65 years, who participated in the "Invecchiare in Chianti" (Aging in the Chianti Area) (InCHIANTI) study in Tuscany, Italy. The overall proportion of adults with ADL disability was 11.9%. Mean (standard deviation) klotho concentrations were 689 (238) pg/mL. From the lowest to the highest tertile of plasma klotho, 16.1%, 9.7%, and 5.6% of participants, respectively, had ADL disability (p=0.0004). Plasma klotho, per 1 standard deviation increase, was associated with ADL disability (odds ratio=0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.93, p=0.02) in a multivariate logistic regression model adjusting for age, education, cognition, physical activity, physical performance, total cholesterol, alcohol and tobacco use, and chronic diseases. Low plasma klotho concentrations were independently associated with ADL disability among older community-dwelling men and women.