| 1. |
- Bendayan, R., et al.
(author)
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Decline in memory, visuospatial ability, and crystalized cognitive abilities in older adults: normative aging or terminal decline?
- 2017
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2017
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study is to explore the pattern of change in multiple measures of cognitive abilities in a sample of oldest-old adults, comparing two different time metrics (chronological age and time to death) and therefore examining both underlying conceptual assumptions (age-related change and terminal decline). Moreover, the association with individual characteristics as sex, education, and dementia diagnosis was also examined. Measures of cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination and the Swedish Clock Test) and tests of crystallized (knowledge and synonyms), memory (verbal memory, nonverbal long-term memory, recognition and correspondence, and short-term memory), and visuospatial ability were included. The sample consisted of 671 older Swedish adult participants of the OCTO Twin Study. Linear mixed models with random coefficients were used to analyse change patterns and BIC indexes were used to compare models. Results showed that the time to death model was the best option in analyses of change in all the cognitive measures considered (except for the Information Test). A significant cognitive decline over time was found for all variables. Individuals diagnosed with dementia had lower scores at the study entrance and a faster decline. More educated individuals performed better in all the measures of cognition at study entry than those with poorer education, but no differences were found in the rate of change. Differences were found in age, sex, or time to death at baseline across the different measures. These results support the terminal decline hypothesis when compared to models assuming that cognitive changes are driven by normative aging processes. © 2017 R. Bendayan et al.
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| 2. |
- Brown, C.L, et al.
(author)
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Social Activity and Cognitive Functioning Over Time
- 2012
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Social activity is typically viewed as part of an engaged lifestyle that may help mitigate the deleterious effects of advanced age on cognitive function. As such, social activity has been examined in relation to cognitive abilities later in life. However, longitudinal evidence for this hypothesis thus far remains inconclusive. The current study sought to clarify the relationship between social activity and cognitive function over time using a coordinated data analysis approach across four longitudinal studies. A series of multilevel growth models with social activity included as a covariate is presented. Four domains of cognitive function were assessed: reasoning, memory, fluency, and semantic knowledge. Results suggest that baseline social activity is related to some, but not all, cognitive functions. Baseline social activity levels failed to predict rate of decline in most cognitive abilities. Changes in social activity were not consistently associated with cognitive functioning. Our findings do not provide consistent evidence that changes in social activity correspond to immediate benefits in cognitive functioning, except perhaps for verbal fluency.
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| 3. |
- Dahlberg, Lena, 1970-, et al.
(author)
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Living on the edge : Social exclusion and the receipt of informal care in older people
- 2016
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; , s. 1-10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Older people have been identified as being at risk of social exclusion. However, despite the fact that care is commonly required in later life and the majority of that care provided by informal carers, a connection between social exclusion and informal care-receipt has rarely been considered. The aim of this study was to examine how informal care-receipt is related to social exclusion.A face-to-face questionnaire survey on social exclusion and informal care-receipt was carried out among older people (n=1255) living in Barnsley, United Kingdom. Multivariable analyses examined the association between social exclusion and categories of informal care-receipt: care receiver; assurance receiver; non-receiver with no need; non-receiver with need.Compared to being a non-receiver with no need participants were more likely to be a care receiver or assurance receiver if they had higher levels of social exclusion. The highest level of social exclusion, however, was found in non-receivers with need. Despite a lack of informal care and support, formal practical support and personal care was also low in this latter group. Findings are discussed in relation to the conceptualisation of care-receipt and how contact with medical services could be an opportunity for identification and appropriate referral of non-receivers with need.
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| 4. |
- Edfors, Ellinor, et al.
(author)
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Home-living elderly people’s views on food and meals
- 2012
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. The aim of the study was to describe home-living elderly people’s views on the importance of food andmeals. Methods. Semistructured interviews with twelve elderly people. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results. Respondents described how their past influenced their present experiences and views on food and meals. Increased reliance on and need of support with food and meals frequently arose in connection with major changes in their life situations. Sudden events meant a breaking point with a transition from independence to dependence and a need for assistance from relatives and/or the community. With the perspective from the past and in the context of dependency, respondents described meals during the day, quality of food, buying, transporting, cooking, and eating food. Conclusions. Meeting the need for optimal nutritional status for older people living at home requires knowledge of individual preferences and habits, from both their earlier and current lives. It is important to pay attention to risk factors that could compromise an individual’s ability to independently manage their diet, such as major life events and hospitalisation. Individual needs for self-determination and involvement should be considered in planning and development efforts for elderly people related to food and meals.
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| 5. |
- Ekström, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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High Burden among Older Family Caregivers is Associated with High Prevalence of Symptoms: Data from the Swedish Study "Good Aging in Skane (GAS)"
- 2020
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2020
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background/Aim. Certain groups of informal caregivers have been shown to have worse health compared to noncaregivers. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the health and gender aspects of caregiving in an older Swedish population. Methods. Our study included 5457 participants from the longitudinal, general population study "Good Aging in Skane." A total of 33 self-reported symptoms were obtained from questionnaires and were then divided into seven domains: depressive, musculoskeletal, gastrourinary, symptoms related to head, cardiopulmonary, symptoms related to tension, and metabolic symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the risk of developing symptoms in each of the seven domains, regarding caregiving burden and caregiving in relation to gender. Results. We found that caregivers, compared to noncaregivers, had a higher prevalence for depressive and tension-related symptoms. High-burden caregivers exhibited significantly more individual symptoms and a higher prevalence of symptoms in the depressive, tension, and gastrourinary domains of symptoms compared to both low-burden caregivers and noncaregivers. More than 79% of high-burden caregivers reported general fatigue, and over half of the high-burden caregivers experience depressive mood. Female caregivers showed a significantly higher risk of reporting depressive symptoms (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.19-1.98) and tension-related symptoms compared to male caregivers. Conclusion. Depressive and tension-related symptoms were more common in caregivers, especially in high-burden caregivers. High-burden caregivers might be at a risk of adverse mental health, and this highlights the need to offer proper support to these groups.
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| 6. |
- Ekström, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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Physical Performance in Older Cohorts: A Comparison of 81-Year-Old Swedish Men and Women Born Twelve Years Apart - Results from the Swedish Study "good Aging in Skåne"
- 2021
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2021
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction/Aim of the Study. One way of investigating health trends at the population level is to study the physical performance and functional ability in different birth cohorts. The information obtained can be used to predict illness, disability, and future needs for care. However, contradictory findings have been reported when comparing the physical performance of older adult birth cohorts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the birth cohort is associated with the level of physical performance in 81-year-old men and women born twelve years apart. Materials and Methods. Birth cohorts of both sexes drawn from the Swedish study "Good Aging in Skåne"for the years 1920-22 and 1932-34 were compared. Walking, the step test, the chair stand test, and the handgrip strength test were used as proxies for the physical performance. The results were adjusted for lifestyle habits and common chronic geriatric diseases. Results. Both men and women in the later-born cohort walked more quickly and completed the chair stand test faster, and women were also quicker in the step test. No significant differences were found in the grip test, in either the male or female cohorts. Discussion. Normative reference values for physical tests of subjects of different ages can be misleading unless cohort effects are considered. Furthermore, age-related trajectories can also be misinterpreted if cohort effects are neglected which, in the longer perspective, could affect health care planning. Conclusion. Birth cohort effects should be considered when comparing walking speed, number of steps, chair stands, and the step test, in men and women of older age. © 2021 Henrik Ekström et al.
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| 7. |
- Fagerström, Cecilia, Docent, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Everyday Health among Older People : A Comparison between Two Countries with Variant Life Conditions
- 2017
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2017
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study described health factors of importance for everyday health, such as pain, tiredness, and sleeping problems, in a cross-national context. Data for persons 60+ years were obtained from the Poverty and Health in Aging study, Bangladesh, and the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care-Blekinge. The strongest associations with everyday health in Sweden were found for pain and tiredness, while in Bangladesh they were financial status, tiredness, and sleeping problems. As similarities were found regarding the associations of tiredness on everyday health, tiredness may be a universal predictor of everyday health in older adults irrespective of country context.
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| 8. |
- Halaweh, Hadeel, 1969, et al.
(author)
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Perspectives of older adults on aging well: A focus group study
- 2018
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2018
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. With increasing number of older adults worldwide, promoting health and well-being becomes a priority for aging well. Well-being and physical and mental health are closely related, and this relation may become more vital at older ages as it may contribute to aging well. The state of well-being is a multifaceted phenomenon that refers to an individual's subjective feelings, and exploring perspectives of older adults on aging well is developing to be an important area of research. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore perceptions on aging well among older adult Palestinians ≥60 years. Methods. A qualitative research design in the context of focus group discussions was used; seven focus groups were conducted including fifty-six participants (aged 63-81 years). Data were analyzed using a qualitative interpretative thematic approach described by Braun and Clarke. Results. Three major themes were identified, "sense of well-being," "having good physical health," and "preserving good mental health." The participants perceived that aging well is influenced by positive feelings such as being joyous, staying independent, having a life purpose, self-possessed contentment, and financially secured, in addition to be socially engaged and enjoying good physical and mental health. Conclusion. This study contributes to get a better insight concerning older adults' perspectives on aging well. Enhancing physically active lifestyle, participation in social and leisure activities, healthy eating habits, having a purpose in life, and being intellectually engaged are all contributing factors to aging well. Vital factors are to be considered in developing strategic health and rehabilitative plans for promoting aging well among older adults. © 2018 Hadeel Halaweh et al.
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| 9. |
- Hedén, Lena E, et al.
(author)
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Effects of the Intervention "reflective STRENGTH-Giving Dialogues" for Older Adults Living with Long-Term Pain : A Pilot Study
- 2020
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2020
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. Long-term musculoskeletal pain is a major, often undertreated, disabling health problem among an increasing number of older adults. Reflective STRENGTH-giving dialogues (STRENGTH) may be a tool to support older adults living with long-term pain. The main aim of this pilot study was to investigate the immediate and longitudinal effect of the intervention STRENGTH on levels of pain, wellbeing, occurrence of depression symptoms, and sense of coherence (SOC) among community-dwelling older adults suffering from musculoskeletal pain compared to a control group. Methods. The study was semiexperimental with an intervention group and a control group. The effect of a single STRENGTH intervention was reported on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) regarding pain and wellbeing. To evaluate the longitudinal effect of STRENGTH, using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), the Geriatric Depression Scale-20 (GDS-20), SOC-13 at baseline (T1), and six months after the intervention/no intervention (T2), a total of 30 older adults, aged 72 to 97 years (Mdn 86 years), were included consecutively and fulfilled the intervention series (n = 18) or untreated controls (n = 12). Results. The intervention with STRENGTH decreases pain (NRS 6 Mdn versus NRS 4 Mdn, p<0.001) and increases wellbeing (NRS 7 Mdn versus NRS 8 Mdn, p<0.001). After a six-month study period with STRENGTH, no longitudinal effect difference was found compared to baseline. Compared to the control group, there was an increasing trend between decreased pain level and increased SOC level for STRENGTH intervention. Conclusions. This pilot study supports STRENGTH's effect as a pain-alleviating model that provides a decrease in pain levels and an increase of wellbeing in older adults with long-term pain. STRENGTH dialogues could be a useful intervention to provide individually holistic care in older adults living with long-term pain.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Lindwall, Magnus, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Dynamic associations of change in physical activity and change in cognitive function: Coordinated analyses of four longitudinal studies
- 2012
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2012
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The present study used a coordinated analyses approach to examine the association of physical activity and cognitive change in four longitudinal studies. A series of multilevel growth models with physical activity included both as a fixed (between-person) and time-varying (within-person) predictor of four domains of cognitive function (reasoning, memory, fluency, and semantic knowledge) was used. Baseline physical activity predicted fluency, reasoning and memory in two studies. However, there was a consistent pattern of positive relationships between time-specific changes in physical activity and time-specific changes in cognition, controlling for expected linear trajectories over time, across all four studies. This pattern was most evident for the domains of reasoning and fluency.
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| 13. |
- Löfqvist, Charlotte, et al.
(author)
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First Steps towards Evidence-Based Preventive Home Visits: Experiences Gathered in a Swedish Municipality.
- 2012
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2012
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of preventive home visits is to promote overall health and wellbeing in old age. The aim of this paper was to describe the process of the development of evidence-based preventive home visits, targeting independent community-living older persons. The evidence base was generated from published studies and practical experiences. The results demonstrate that preventive home visits should be directed to persons 80 years old and older and involve various professional competences. The visits should be personalized, lead to concrete interventions, and be followed up. The health areas assessed should derive from a broad perspective and include social, psychological, and medical aspects. Core components in the protocol developed in this study captured physical, medical, psychosocial, and environmental aspects. Results of a pilot study showed that the protocol validly identified health risks among older people with different levels of ADL dependence.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Manasatchakun, Pornpun, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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Conceptions of healthy ageing held by relatives of older people in Isan-Thai culture : A phenomenographic study
- 2018
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Healthy ageing has been studied in various contexts. However, no studies have focused on healthy ageing from the perspective of children or grandchildren, who are the main informal caregivers for older people in northeast Thailand, also referred to as the Isan region. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the conceptions of healthy ageing harboured by children and grandchildren caring for older people in northeast Thailand. A qualitative descriptive design was performed using a phenomenographic approach with an epistemological basis in the lifeworld theory to understand the varying conceptions of healthy ageing based on participants’ lived experience. We conducted in-depth interviews comprising open-ended questions to gain an understanding of the conceptions of healthy ageing held by 14 children and grandchildren of older persons in northeast Thailand. The data collected during these interviews were analysed using the phenomenographic analysis method. The results of our analysis indicated that the conceptions of healthy ageing can be categorized into the following four descriptive categories: being independent, not being afflicted by diseases or illnesses, being a giver and a receiver, and being wise. These findings highlight that healthy ageing entails autonomy, interdependence and wisdom and emphasize the importance of holistic view on the meaning of healthy ageing. Healthcare providers should understand the different meanings of healthy ageing from the perspectives of children and grandchildren of older people and integrate their perspectives when collaborating with them to promote healthy ageing. The findings of this study may facilitate further research and ensure the provision of support to the relatives of older people to promote healthy ageing in northeast Thailand.
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| 16. |
- Manasatchakun, Pornpun, et al.
(author)
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Conceptions of healthy aging held by relatives of older persons in Isan-Thai culture : a phenomenographic study
- 2018
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - New York, NY : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2018
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Thailand, family nurses are expected to provide support for older persons and their family members to promote healthy aging. Family bonds are strong, and relatives are expected to take care of their older family members. However, there is limited research on how older persons’ family members perceive healthy aging. This study aimed to describe the conceptions of healthy aging held by the children and grandchildren of older persons in northeast Thailand. In a phenomenographic study, 14 interviews were performed to qualitatively analyze different conceptions of healthy aging. Four descriptive categories emerged: being independent, not being afflicted by diseases or illnesses, being a giver and a receiver, and being wise. The conceptions of healthy aging entail both autonomy and interdependence. The relative’s perspective needs to be considered when policies relating to healthy aging are implemented in the community and when family nurses provide support to families to promote healthy aging.
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| 17. |
- Mitchell, M.B, et al.
(author)
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Cognitively stimulating activities: Effects on cognition across four studies with up to 21 years of longitudinal data
- 2012
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2012
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities has been considered to maintain or strengthen cognitive skills, thereby minimizing age-related cognitive decline. While the idea that there may be a modifiable behavior that could lower risk for cognitive decline is appealing and potentially empowering for older adults, research findings have not consistently supported the beneficial effects of engaging in cognitively stimulating tasks. Using observational studies of naturalistic cognitive activities, we report a series of mixed effects models that include baseline and change in cognitive activity predicting cognitive outcomes over up to 21 years in four longitudinal studies of aging. Consistent evidence was found for cross-sectional relationships between level of cognitive activity and cognitive test performance. Baseline activity at an earlier age did not, however, predict rate of decline later in life, thus not supporting the concept that engaging in cognitive activity at an earlier point in time increases one's ability to mitigate future age-related cognitive decline. In contrast, change in activity was associated with relative change in cognitive performance. Results therefore suggest that change in cognitive activity from one's previous level has at least a transitory association with cognitive performance measured at the same point in time.
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| 18. |
- Nilsson, Göran, et al.
(author)
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White blood cell count in elderly is clinically useful in predicting long-term survival.
- 2014
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2014, s. 475093-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction. White blood cell (WBC) count is often included in routine clinical checkups. We determined the prognostic impact of WBC count on all-cause, cardiovascular, and noncardiovascular mortality during an 11-year followup in a general population of 75-year-olds. Study Population. The study included 207 men and 220 women comprising 69% of the invited 75-year-olds in a defined geographical area. Main Results. The median WBC count (in 10(9)/L) was 6.3 (interquartile range 5.4-7.2) for men and 5.7 (4.9-6.8) for women, P < 0.001 for sex difference. The hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality per 10(9)/L increase in WBCs was 1.16 (95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.32; P = 0.016) in men and 1.28 (1.10-1.50; P = 0.002) in women. These HRs were essentially unchanged by adjustment for established risk factors (current smoking, known hypertension, prior myocardial infarction, known diabetes, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index). Furthermore, increased WBC count was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality in both sexes and with noncardiovascular mortality in women. Conclusions. The WBC count deserves attention as a potentially clinical useful predictor of survival in the 75-year-olds, especially among women.
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| 19. |
- Nilsson, Ingeborg, et al.
(author)
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Leisure engagement : Medical conditions, functional limitation and disability - A later life perspective
- 2015
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. This study aims to investigate the impact of medical conditions, mobility difficulties, and activity limitations on older people's engagement in leisure activities. Methods. The analyses are based on a cross regional survey carried out in 2010 in the Bothnia region (Northern Sweden and Western Finland). A posted questionnaire, which included questions on different aspects of leisure engagement, medical history, and health, was sent out to older persons in the region. The final sample consisted of 5435 persons aged 65, 70, 75, and 80 years. The data was analyzed by using ordinary least squares (OLS) multivariate regression. Results. The most important predictor of leisure engagement abstention among older people is the prevalence of activity limitations, whereas mobility difficulties and medical conditions play less important roles. The strong negative association between activity limitations and leisure engagement remains significant even after we control for individual, sociodemographic characteristics, and country. Discussion. This study provides a window into leisure engagement in later life and factors influencing the magnitude of engagement in leisure activities.
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| 20. |
- Nosowska, Geraldine, et al.
(author)
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Using structured observation and content analysis to explore the presence of older people in public fora in developing countries
- 2014
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; , s. 860612-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a lack of research on the everyday lives of older people in developing countries. This exploratory study used structured observation and content analysis to examine the presence of older people in public fora, and considered the methods’ potential for understanding older people’s social integration and inclusion. Structured observation occurred of public social spaces in six cities each located in a different developing country, and in one city in the United Kingdom, together with content analysis of the presence of people in newspaper pictures and on television in the selected countries. Results indicated that across all fieldwork sites and data sources, there was a low presence of older people, with women considerably less present than men in developing countries. There was variation across fieldwork sites in older people’s presence by place and time of day, and in their accompanied status. The presence of older people in images drawn from newspapers was associated with the news/non-news nature of the source. The utility of the study’s methodological approach is considered, as is the degree to which the presence of older people in public fora might relate to social integration and inclusion in different cultural contexts.
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| 21. |
- Näsman, Marina, et al.
(author)
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Morale in Old Age and Its Association with Sociodemographic, Social, and Health-Related Factors in Different Age Groups
- 2020
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2020
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Morale can be viewed as a future-oriented optimism or pessimism regarding challenges associated with aging and is closely related to subjective well-being. Promoting morale in old age could be considered to have important implications for aging well, and increased knowledge about morale in different stages of old age is needed. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with morale in different age groups among old people. Data were derived from a survey conducted in 2016, as a part of the Gerontological Regional Database (GERDA). The sample consisted of 9,047 individuals aged between 65 and 86 years from Ostrobothnia and Southern Ostrobothnia in Finland, and Vasterbotten in Sweden. Morale was measured with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) and regressed upon a number of sociodemographic, social, and health-related factors using linear regression analyses. The results showed that older age was an independent factor explaining lower level of morale. Additionally, the sociodemographic, social, and health-related variables could explain a large proportion of the variance in morale. Perceived loneliness, having gone through a crisis in life, poor self-rated health, and depression were associated with lower morale, and sleeping well with higher morale, in all age groups. Furthermore, the oldest age groups seem to be more exposed to several risk factors of lower morale identified in this study. Multidimensional interventions targeting especially social and mental health and the oldest-old could therefore be recommended.
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| 22. |
- Olsson, Erik, 1960, et al.
(author)
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White Matter Lesion Assessment in Patients with Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Controls: Reliability Comparisons between Visual Rating, a Manual, and an Automatic Volumetrical MRI Method-The Gothenburg MCI Study.
- 2013
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In: Journal of aging research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212. ; 2013
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Age-related white matter lesions (WML) are a risk factor for stroke, cognitive decline, and dementia. Different requirements are imposed on methods for the assessment of WML in clinical settings and for research purposes, but reliability analysis is of major importance. In this study, WML assessment with three different methods was evaluated. In the Gothenburg mild cognitive impairment study, MRI scans from 152 participants were used to assess WML with the Fazekas visual rating scale on T2 images, a manual volumetric method on FLAIR images, and FreeSurfer volumetry on T1 images. Reliability was acceptable for all three methods. For low WML volumes (2/3 of the patients), reliability was overall lower and nonsignificant for the manual volumetric method. Unreliability in the assessment of patients with low WML with manual volumetry may mainly be due to intensity variation in the FLAIR sequence used; hence, intensity standardization and normalization methods must be used for more accurate assessments. The FreeSurfer segmentations resulted in smaller WML volumes than the volumes acquired with the manual method and showed deviations from visible hypointensities in the T1 images, which quite likely reduces validity.
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| 23. |
- Westergren, Albert
(author)
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Action-oriented study circles facilitate efforts in nursing homes to “go from feeding to serving” : conceptual perspectives on knowledge translation and workplace learning
- 2012
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2090-2204 .- 2090-2212.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. Action-oriented study circles (AOSC) have been found to improve nutrition in 24 nursing homes in Sweden. Little, however, is known about the conceptual use of knowledge (changes in staffs’ knowledge and behaviours). Methods. Qualitative and quantitative methods, structured questionnaires for valuating participants’ (working in nursing homes) experiences from study circles (n = 592, 71 AOSC) and for comparisons between AOSC participants (n = 74) and nonparticipants (n = 115). Finally, a focus group interview was conducted with AOSC participants (in total n = 12). Statistical, conventional, and directed content analyses were used. Results. Participants experienced a statistically significant increase in their knowledge about eating and nutrition, when retrospectively comparing before participating and after, as well as in comparison to non-participants, and they felt that the management was engaged in and took care of ideas regarding food and mealtimes to a significantly greater extent than non-participants. The use of AOSC was successful judging from how staff members had changed their attitudes and behaviours toward feeding residents. Conclusions. AOSC facilitates professional development, better system performance, and, as shown in previous studies, better patient outcome. Based on a collaborative learning perspective, AOSC manages to integrate evidence, context, and facilitation in the efforts to achieve knowledge translation in a learning organisation. This study has implications also for other care settings implementing AOSC.
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Edfors, Ellinor, 1956-, et al.
(author)
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Home-living elderly people’s views on food and meals
- 2012
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - 2090-2204. ; , s. 761291-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background.The aim of the study was to describe home-living elderly people’s views on the importance of food andmeals. Methods. Semistructured interviews with twelve elderly people. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Results.Respondents described how their past influenced their present experiences and views on food and meals. Increased reliance on and need of support with food and meals frequently arose in connection with major changes in their life situations. Sudden events meant a breaking point with a transition from independence to dependence and a need for assistance from relatives and/or the community. With the perspective from the past and in the context of dependency, respondents described meals during the day, quality of food, buying, transporting, cooking, and eating food.Conclusions.Meeting the need for optimal nutritional status for older people living at home requires knowledge of individual preferences and habits, from both their earlier and current lives. It is important to pay attention to risk factors that could compromise an individual’s ability to independently manage their diet, such as major life events and hospitalisation. Individual needs for self-determination and involvement should be considered in planning and development efforts for elderly people related to food and meals.
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| 26. |
- Westergren, Albert, 1967-
(author)
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Action-oriented study circles facilitate efforts in nursing homes to “go from feeding to serving” : conceptual perspectives on knowledge translation and workplace learning
- 2012
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In: Journal of Aging Research. - 2090-2204. ; , s. 627371-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. Action-oriented study circles (AOSC) have been found to improve nutrition in 24 nursing homes in Sweden. Little, however, is known about the conceptual use of knowledge (changes in staffs’ knowledge and behaviours). Methods. Qualitative and quantitative methods, structured questionnaires for valuating participants’ (working in nursing homes) experiences from study circles (n = 592, 71 AOSC) and for comparisons between AOSC participants (n = 74) and nonparticipants (n = 115). Finally, a focus group interview was conducted with AOSC participants (in total n = 12). Statistical, conventional, and directed content analyses were used.Results. Participants experienced a statistically significant increase in their knowledge about eating and nutrition, when retrospectively comparing before participating and after, as well as in comparison to non-participants, and they felt that the management was engaged in and took care of ideas regarding food and mealtimes to a significantly greater extent than non-participants. The use of AOSC was successful judging from how staff members had changed their attitudes and behaviours toward feeding residents.Conclusions. AOSC facilitates professional development, better system performance, and, as shown in previous studies, better patient outcome. Based on a collaborative learning perspective, AOSC manages to integrate evidence, context, and facilitation in the efforts to achieve knowledge translation in a learning organisation. This study has implications also for other care settings implementing AOSC.
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