Suchergebnisse

The prevalence of obesity in the United States is increasing in all age groups. During the past 30 years, the proportion of older adults who are obese has doubled. In this article the author describes the prevalence and causes of obesity among older adults as well as the consequences of obesity in older adults. Recommendations for interventions to address obesity are also provided. Differences between the two groups of older adults, those 50 to 65 years of age, and those over 65 years of age, will be addressed. The goal of the article is to raise nurses' awareness of the challenges of obesity in older adults.

This study examines the relationships among friends and ethnicity of older adults. Friends includes friend numbers and their quality of relationships with friends of older adults in the current study. Data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) survey (Waite et al., 2020) were used. The NSHAP study sampled persons 57-85 years of age (n=3005). The respondents completed a telephone survey in which they reported their background information (e.g., income, gender, race, age, health, retirement status, and marital status) and social network characteristics. It was hypothesized that older adults’ ethnicity differentially influenced family relations. In comparison to Anglo older adults, African and Hispanic older adults have weaker (smaller number and less cohesive) family culture. In order to identify the associations between ethnicity and friend relations, multiple regression analysis was used.

Results revealed that African American and Hispanic older adults reported larger numbers of close friends, higher quality of friend in general, and higher frequency of contact with them compared to Anglo older adults. The current study’s findings build on a convoy model to account for how older adults’ ethnicity is differentially associated with their quality and size in friend relationship for future research is to examine more diverse in friend and ethnicity variables which explain the dynamic relationships between older adults’ demographic factors and friend network.

This empirically-based study of older adults ranging in age from 70-90 years examines the influence of family relations, religious beliefs, age-related health changes, culture, and more on personal meanings of death, fears of death, and views of the dying process. Gerontologists will gain a more realistic understanding of all of the factors influencing an older individual's view of death and the dying process. These views impact the development of both effective interventions to provide appropriate emotional support and coping strategies to help persons deal with fears of approaching death

"Up-to-date guidance on assessing and treating unhealthy alcohol use in older adults. As our population ages, practitioners find themselves working with older adults more frequently. Alcohol use problems among older adults are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, and there are few treatments designed specifically for this client group. This practical guide provides practitioners with up-to-date information on assessing and treating unhealthy alcohol use among older adults. With a focus on evidence-based treatments, it is highly relevant to practitioners working across a variety of settings. Through the author's expertise, we learn about the prevalence of alcohol use among older adults, the models for understanding unhealthy use and the different screening and assessment options as well as the treatment possibilities relevant to health care and social service providers. Assessment and treatment options highlight the need to consider lifespan development when providing care, as well as the relevance of common life transitions and generational differences. Clinical pearls and vignettes illuminate treatment approaches and further sections discuss pharmacological interventions and cultural considerations. Printable tools are available in an appendix. This book is a must for practitioners from diverse settings who work with older adults."--

Understanding HIV risk in older adults
Laneshia Conner, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, discusses gaps in HIV and AIDS prevention and why greater awareness and support for HIV risk in older adults is needed. When AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) appeared in the 1980s, blood transfusions were the route of transmission and heavily impacted older adults (those aged 50 and above). Individuals deemed 'at-risk' were those who received transfusions before 1985. The social stigma surrounding HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS as a disease primarily affecting White, homosexual males or individuals living in Sub-Saharan Africa has resulted in a lack of awareness among people outside of these groups, making it difficult for them to connect with and internalise the reality that anyone can be affected by the virus.