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Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 37300

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Laura Galiana

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Guest Editor

Department of Methodology for the Behavioral Sciences, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: elderly; palliative care; healthcare professionals; psychometrics

Prof. José Manuel Tomás Miguel

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Guest Editor

Department of Methodology for the Behavioral Sciences, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: elderly; structural equation modelling; health; organizational psychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Amparo Oliver

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Guest Editor

Department of Methodology for the Behavioral Sciences, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: elderly; statistics; well-being; gender studies

Dr. Patrícia Sancho

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Guest Editor

Department of Developmental Psychology and Education, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: elderly; developmental psychology; quality of life; healthy aging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Around the world, the elderly population is rapidly growing. Recent advances in science have extended longevity, being this increase in life expectancy one of the main challenges we are facing in the 21st century. Our efforts are now focused on accompanying this extension of life with well-being and quality of life in order to achieve successful and healthy aging. This Special Issue focuses on well-being and quality of life in the elderly. We welcome contributions based on predictive models of well-being and quality of life in older people, interventions to improve older people’s quality of life and well-being, or systematic reviews summarizing the most important findings to date. We hope to receive manuscripts (original research papers, review articles, case studies, and opinion papers) from different geographical, cultural, and economic settings.
We invite the submission of manuscripts describing qualitative or quantitative research in areas such as eHealth, active aging, physical activity, self-care, social support, spirituality and religion, frailty, health services, and pharmaceutical care and polymedication.

Dr. Laura Galiana
Prof. José Manuel Tomás Miguel
Prof. Amparo Oliver
Dr. Patrícia Sancho
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

older adults
health
successful aging
well-being
quality of life
self-care
frailty
spirituality

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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15 pages, 364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Profiguration, Active Ageing, and Creativity: Keys for Quality of Life and Overcoming Ageism

by Fidel Molina-Luque, Ieva Stončikaitė, Teresa Torres-González and Paquita Sanvicen-Torné

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1564; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031564 - 29 Jan 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3896

Abstract

This article is based on qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups conducted with participants enrolled in the Senior Programme of the University of Lleida, the City Council of Lleida, and care homes, as well as professional workers in the field of gerontology and related areas. It presents the analysis of interviews focused on the participants’ life trajectories, ageing, creativity, self-perception, and quality of life. The study aimed to examine how creativity influences the maintenance and improvement of a sense of wellbeing in older adults, and to reflect on how the perception of old age and of oneself changes through creative activity and active engagement across the life span. The article is framed within a new concept in sociology and the social sciences—‘profiguration’, which is the key element in the promotion and strengthening of intergenerational interdependence, education, wellbeing, social participation, and active ageing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

9 pages, 347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality of Life and Anxiety in Age Macular Degeneration Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Daniel Caballe-Fontanet, Cristina Alvarez-Peregrina, Neus Busquet-Duran, Eduard Pedemonte-Sarrias, Cristina Andreu-Vázquez and Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Tena

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020820 - 12 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2585

Abstract

(1) Background: Chronic diseases affect patients’ quality of life. Age Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the most prevalent chronic ocular diseases. The study aims to measure the anxiety and quality of life related to vision in patients with AMD, as well as the relationship with other visual and demographic parameters. (2) Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study in AMD patients. Visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), line difference in the Colenbrander test, and the degree of pathology were measured. Other variables such as gender, age, and time from the diagnosis were also collected. Anxiety was measured with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and quality of life with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist was followed. (3) Results: Patients with higher punctuation in Trait STAI showed lower punctuation in NEI VFQ-25 questionnaire (Spearman coefficient −0.415; p = 0.001). The variables VA, CS, and age were correlated to the quality of life. The relationship between trait anxiety and subscales of NEI VFQ-25 was significant for all subscales (p < 0.05), except for social functioning, peripheral vision, general vision, ocular pain, and driving. (4) Conclusions: AMD patients with higher levels of anxiety show a decrease in their quality of life. The quality of life of AMD patients depends on their VA and CS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

13 pages, 1045 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of the Changes in the Frequency of Social Participation on All-Cause Mortality in Japanese Older Adults: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

by Keiichi Shimatani, Mayuko T. Komada and Jun Sato

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010270 - 27 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2810

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that more frequent social participation was associated with a reduced risk of mortality. However, limited studies have explored the changes in the frequency of social participation in older adults. We investigated the impact of the changes in the frequency of social participation on all-cause mortality in Japanese older adults aged 60 years and older. The current study, conducted as a secondary analysis, was a retrospective cohort study using open available data. The participants were 2240 older adults (45.4% male and 54.6% female) sampled nationwide from Japan who responded to the interview survey. Changes in the frequency of social participation were categorized into four groups (none, initiated, decreased, and continued pattern) based on the responses in the baseline and last surveys. The Cox proportional-hazards model showed a decreased risk of all-cause mortality in decreased and continued patterns of social participation. Stratified analysis by sex showed a decreased risk of mortality in the continued pattern only among males. The results of the current study suggest that the initiation of social participation at an earlier phase of life transition, such as retirement, may be beneficial for individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

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12 pages, 596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Health, Psychological Distress, and Subjective Well-Being among Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease: A Cross-Lagged Analysis

by Sunwoo Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12566; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312566 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2371

Abstract

A growing aging population leads to a gradual increase in the number of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study examines how perceived health, psychological distress, and subjective well-being evolve in older adults with PD. A cross-lagged study design was employed using data from Waves 4 and 6 of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). In total, 421 older adults diagnosed with PD at baseline (46% women; mean age 74.98 ± 9.05 years) were included in the study and were followed up after a four-year lag. Auto-regressive and cross-lagged associations between the measured variables were examined in reciprocal models. Individual differences in perceived health, psychological distress, and subjective well-being were relatively stable over the 4-year lag. A final reciprocal model with significant cross-lagged effects explained the underlying structure of the sample data well: χ2 (49) = 101.876, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.953, NFI = 0.935, RMSEA = 0.050, and AIC = 241.876. Increased difficulties in fulfilling instrumental activities and a lowered level of subjective well-being were particularly noticeable in older adults with PD during the four-year follow-up. Additional attention should be paid to helping older patients with PD cope better with their functional limitations and improve their sense of well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

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16 pages, 3418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exclusion from Social Relations in Later Life: Micro- and Macro-Level Patterns and Correlations in a European Perspective

by Thomas Hansen, Marcela Petrová Kafková, Ruth Katz, Ariela Lowenstein, Sigal Naim, George Pavlidis, Feliciano Villar, Kieran Walsh and Marja Aartsen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12418; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312418 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3969

Abstract

Older adults face particular risks of exclusion from social relationships (ESR) and are especially vulnerable to its consequences. However, research so far has been limited to specific dimensions, countries, and time points. In this paper, we examine the prevalence and micro- and macro-level predictors of ESR among older adults (60+) using two waves of data obtained four years apart across 14 European countries in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We consider four ESR indicators (household composition, social networks, social opportunities, and loneliness) and link them to micro-level (age, gender, socioeconomic factors, health, and family responsibilities) and national macro-level factors (social expenditures, unmet health needs, individualism, social trust, and institutional trust). Findings reveal a northwest to southeast gradient, with the lowest rates of ESR in the stronger welfare states of Northwest Europe. The high rates of ESR in the southeast are especially pronounced among women. Predictably, higher age and fewer personal resources (socioeconomic factors and health) increase the risk of all ESR dimensions for both genders. Macro-level factors show significant associations with ESR beyond the effect of micro-level factors, suggesting that national policies and cultural and structural characteristics may play a role in fostering sociability and connectivity and, thus, reduce the risk of ESR in later life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

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14 pages, 621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Structural Social Capital and Self-Reported Well-Being among Japanese Community-Dwelling Adults: A Longitudinal Study

by Kazuya Nogi, Haruhiko Imamura, Keiko Asakura and Yuji Nishiwaki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8284; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168284 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2388

Abstract

Previous studies have shown both positive and non-positive associations between social capital and health. However, longitudinal evidence examining its comprehensive effects on well-being is still limited. This study examined whether structural social capital in the local community was related to the later well-being of Japanese people aged 40 or above. A 4-year longitudinal study was conducted in a rural Japanese town. “Well-being” was measured using three indicators (happiness, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms), and those who were high in well-being in the baseline 2015 survey and responded to the follow-up 2019 survey were analyzed (n = 1032 for happiness, 938 for self-rated health, and 471 for depressive symptoms). Multilevel Poisson regression analysis adjusted for covariates showed that having contact with fewer neighbors was associated with a decline in happiness at both the community level (adjusted relative risk = 1.64, 95% confidence interval = 1.20–1.63) and the individual level (adjusted relative risk = 1.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.05–2.17), but participation in local community activities was not. The results suggest that dense personal networks might be more important in areas with thriving local community activities, not only for individuals but also for all community members. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

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13 pages, 1093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Age-Friendly Rural Communities Affect Quality of Life? A Comparison of Perceptions from Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China

by Jingyu Yu, Guixia Ma and Shuxia Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(14), 7283; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147283 - 7 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3907

Abstract

The aging population in rural areas of China faces serious challenges due to urban–rural disparities. In order to improve the active aging of rural older adults, the establishment of age-friendly communities is encouraged. However, globally, the focus is on age-friendly communities in urban areas, not reflecting rural communities. Hence, we addressed the importance of age-friendly rural communities (AFRCs) and aimed to investigate their impact on the quality of life (QoL) of older adults. We examined different perceptions of AFRCs among older adults (aged over 60) and middle-aged people (45–60) in rural communities with questionnaire surveys (n = 470 and 393, respectively). Several statistical methods, such as Chi-squared test, t-test, reliability test, and multiple regression, were adopted to investigate and compare the perceptions of these two. The results indicated that (1) middle-aged people were more satisfied with AFRC components and had a higher QoL than older adults; (2) the QoL of middle-aged people was predicted by housing, accessibility, and outdoor spaces; (3) the QoL of older adults was affected by housing, outdoor spaces, social participation, and public transportation. These findings aid in our understanding of rural communities and the QoL of rural residents. They are helpful for urban planners and policymakers to improve the planning of AFRCs and supplement research on age-friendly communities in rural areas. Practical implementations are proposed for the planning of AFRCs, such as the passive design of residential housing, grouping of community facilities together, and improvement in the hygiene of outdoor spaces in rural areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

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12 pages, 778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health Education as a Means of Addressing Death in the Elderly

by Nazaret Martínez-Heredia, Andrés Soriano Díaz, Ana Amaro Agudo and Gracia González-Gijón

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(12), 6652; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126652 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3719

Abstract

Education for death is an emerging field of study in which health education research and proposals are increasingly being made with the aim of acquiring knowledge and skills to promote positive attitudes towards health and preparation for the end of life. The aim of this study is to find out what experience older people have had with death education and the importance they give to health education. A qualitative methodological design was selected using a semi-structured interview. The survey consisted of interviews with 28 participants from the city of Granada (Spain) aged 61 to 78. This qualitative-descriptive study is based on an analysis of older people’s experience of education and preparation for death throughout their lives. The results show that, in most cases, the only information received was in childhood and always from a religious perspective. Death and health are closely related, so working on death education helps to improve the quality of life of elderly people. Health education offers ways of coping with the end of life through the transmission of values and practices that make it possible to anticipate and resolve situations of instability or anxiety. Facing death naturally and as just another part of life will help to make healthy ageing possible, through educational proposals related to the integral health of elderly people. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

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15 pages, 386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sense of Coherence and Quality of Life in Patients Treated with Antivitamin K Oral Anticoagulants: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Ana Anguas-Gracia, Ana Belén Subirón-Valera, Beatriz Rodríguez-Roca, Ángel Gasch-Gallén, Isabel Antón-Solanas and Fernando Urcola-Pardo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 1668; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041668 - 9 Feb 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2482

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the participants’ self-reported quality of life and their sense of coherence in a sample (n = 85) of patients on treatment with oral antivitamin K anticoagulants. A cross-sectional design was used. The measurement instruments included a questionnaire on sociodemographic variables, the Spanish version of the Abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), an oral-anticoagulant-treatment-specific quality-of-life questionnaire, and the sense-of-coherence (SOC) scale. We analyzed the correlations between the participants’ characteristics and the results from the quality-of-life and SOC scales. Age, level of education, employment status, living arrangement, and treatment length were the determinants of the quality of life in people treated with oral anticoagulants. We found a significant association between the four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and general treatment satisfaction (p < 0.01); no significant correlations were found between the SOC subscales and the oral-anticoagulant-treatment-specific quality of life in our sample. Women had a worse level of self-management than men. Nursing interventions should be tailored to the needs of the populations on treatment with oral anticoagulants in order to facilitate a higher level of self-management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

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23 pages, 1383 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Do Patients with Prostate Cancer Benefit from Exercise Interventions? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Martin Færch Andersen, Julie Midtgaard and Eik Dybboe Bjerre

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020972 - 15 Jan 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6099

Abstract

Men diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer experience severe adverse effects on quality of life (QoL) and metabolic health, some of which may be preventable or reversible with exercise, the benefits of which healthcare providers and patients increasingly acknowledge, though existing evidence on its effects varies in significance and magnitude. We aimed to review the effect of exercise on QoL and metabolic health in a broad prostate cancer population. A systematic search was conducted in nine databases and eligible trials were included in the meta-analytic procedure. All outcomes were stratified into aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and a combination of both. The review identified 33 randomised controlled trials (2567 participants) eligible for inclusion. Exercise had a borderline small positive effect on cancer-specific QoL (standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.01–0.22), and a moderate to large effect on cardiovascular fitness (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI 0.34–0.59) with aerobic exercise being the superior modality (SMD = 0.60, 95% CI 0.29–0.90). A positive significant effect was seen in lower body strength, whole-body fat mass, general mental health, and blood pressure. No significant effect was seen in fatigue, lean body mass, and general physical health. We thereby conclude that exercise is effective in improving metabolic health in men diagnosed with prostate cancer, with aerobic exercise as the superior modality. The effect of exercise on QoL was small and not mediated by choice of exercise modality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Well-Being and Quality of Life in the Elderly)

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