Older Adults’ Experiences of Community Mobility in an Indian Metropolis: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to explore and understand how older adults experience community mobility within an urban Indian context, using a phenomenological approach. Methods: Ten older adults residing in Chennai city participated in this study. The investigator conducted individual, in-depth interviews of 60–75?minutes each. Results: Participants placed high value on community mobility, which contributed to their occupational participation and well-being. Participants identified numerous physical, social and attitudinal barriers to community mobility in their environment, leading to fear and restrictions in community mobility. Conclusion: The study findings underscore the need for the development of age-friendly communities within Indian society to promote occupational justice for older adults. Occupational therapists in India can intervene at the government, community, family and individual levels to enable older adults’ community mobility and occupational participation. Future research to investigate context-specific interventions to facilitate older adults’ community mobility is recommended.     

A Review of “Aging with HIV: Psychological,Social, and Health Issues,by Janice E. Nichols,David C. Speer,Betty J. Watson,Mary R. Watson,Tiffany L. Vergon,Coletter M. Vallee,and Joan M. Meah”

No abstract available for this article.     

USE OF A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR LIFE REVIEW:

No abstract available for this article.     

Does Quality of Life Vary with Different Types of Housing Among Older Persons? A Pilot Study

With the increasing number of persons who are elderly, identification of the characteristics of optimal housing that contribute to meeting the various needs of older persons is essential. A pilot study to identify the effects of three different housing environments (personal dwellings, specialized housing and nursing homes) on reported quality of life was conducted, using the Flanagan Quality of Life Scale plus two general health items, among persons over the age of 65 (n = 87). Significant differences were found in several quality of life issues related to relationships and satisfaction with life. Persons in specialized housing consistently reported good quality of life related to socialization. While individuals in each group reported no difference in the importance of each quality of life factor, individuals in the nursing home consistently reported the lowest quality of life. The implication of this study for housing placement, transition, planning, and creating housing contexts that promote quality of life are discussed.     

Maintaining Independence Through Home Modifications

Many different types of activities can be modified or eliminated in order to maintain older adults independently in their homes, but one activity essential to independence, the use of the telephone by older adults, has not been researched.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether older adults have made changes to their homes in order to make the telephone more accessible and if so, what changes have they made. Reasons for not making modifications are also examined.

The sample included 34 older adults, age 65 and older living alone in the community as homeowners and renters. A questionnaire was administered in the homes of participants for whom information was recorded about telephone location.

The subjects reported making few modifications to their telephone. Most subjects have three to four telephones. The most common technology related to the telephone used by subjects was an answering machine. The study has implications for physical and occupational therapists working with older homeowners who need to modify their homes in order to continue to live independently.     

Home Modifications for the Elderly

With society placing high positive value on independent living for the elderly, the need for home modification is growing. This paper will describe current information as well as psychosocial implications the occupational therapist should consider when collaborating with their elderly clients who wish to remain at home and “age in place.”     

Rheumatic heart disease and risk of incident heart failure among community-dwelling older adults: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background. Little is known about the association of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with incident heart failure (HF) among older adults.

Design. Cardiovascular Health Study, a prospective cohort study.

Methods. Of the 4,751 community-dwelling adults ≥ 65 years, free of prevalent HF at baseline, 140 had RHD, defined as self-reported physician-diagnosed RHD along with echocardiographic evidence of left-sided valvular disease. Propensity scores for RHD, estimated for each of the 4,751 participants, were used to assemble a cohort of 720, in which 124 and 596 participants with and without RHD, respectively, were balanced on 62 baseline characteristics.

Results. Incident HF developed in 33% and 22% of matched participants with and without RHD, respectively, during 13 years of follow-up (hazard ratio when RHD was compared to no-RHD 1.60; 95% confidence interval 1.13–2.28; P = 0.008). Pre-match unadjusted, multivariable-adjusted, and propensity-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for RHD-associated incident heart failure were 2.04 (1.54–2.71; P < 0.001), 1.32 (1.02–1.70; P = 0.034), and 1.55 (1.14–2.11; P = 0.005), respectively. RHD was not associated with all-cause mortality (HR 1.09; 95% CI 0.82–1.45; P = 0.568).

Conclusion. RHD is an independent risk factor for incident HF among community-dwelling older adults free of HF, but has no association with mortality.