[Subjective experiences in retirement adjustment : Qualitative results from Switzerland]. / Subjektive Erfahrungen in der Anpassung an die Pension : Qualitative Befunde aus der Schweiz.

BACKGROUND: Previous research on retirement adjustment has been dominated by quantitative studies on the development of different indicators for adjustment success. In contrast, there is a lack of qualitative studies examining the subjective experiences of retirees in their adjustment process to the new life phase. OBJECTIVE: The article deals with the subjective adjustment experiences of persons whose regular retirement was about 1 year ago. It focuses on experienced habituation requirements and subjectively relevant factors of life satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The findings are based on qualitative interview data from a more comprehensive mixed methods study conducted between 2019 and 2022 in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. In the course of the study, 25 semi-structured interviews were carried out and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Entering the new life phase was predominately experienced positively, which was mainly associated with a gain in freedom and opportunities for regeneration; however, the time after retirement also entailed habituation requirements in different areas of life. Life satisfaction increased compared to the initial survey before retirement and was associated with various beneficial and critical factors, ranging from personal characteristics to social developments. CONCLUSION: Retirement itself is not necessarily a critical experience but can be accompanied by other critical events. A satisfactory life 1 year after retirement is linked to multiple factors. Among these, resources play an essential role.

[The potential of instant messaging for social relations of persons 65]. / Das Potenzial von Instant Messaging für soziale Beziehungen von Menschen 65.

BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH QUESTION: Current data from Switzerland show that an increasing number of older adults (65+ years) use instant messaging services. We examined whether and how the use of WhatsApp affects different forms of older people's social capital and whether the socioemotional selectivity theory can be applied in digital environments. RESEARCH METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted with 30 WhatsApp users in the age group 65+. The survey was based on data from ego-centered network maps and interviews using a semistructured interview guide. RESULTS: WhatsApp is mainly used for communication with close persons. The use of WhatsApp simplifies relationship management, increases the frequency of contact and can thus lead to intensified relationships. The use of WhatsApp can strengthen the sense of group belonging. The media is described as very low-threshold and enables spontaneity. DISCUSSION: The socioemotional selectivity theory can also be applied in digital environments. Via WhatsApp, positive contents are shared with emotionally significant people in the social network. The use of WhatsApp increases both bonding social capital as relationships are deepened and strengthened and maintaining social capital as geographical distances can be bridged.

Sex differences in Alzheimer disease - the gateway to precision medicine.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by wide heterogeneity in cognitive and behavioural syndromes, risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms. Addressing this phenotypic variation will be crucial for the development of precise and effective therapeutics in AD. Sex-related differences in neural anatomy and function are starting to emerge, and sex might constitute an important factor for AD patient stratification and personalized treatment. Although the effects of sex on AD epidemiology are currently the subject of intense investigation, the notion of sex-specific clinicopathological AD phenotypes is largely unexplored. In this Review, we critically discuss the evidence for sex-related differences in AD symptomatology, progression, biomarkers, risk factor profiles and treatment. The cumulative evidence reviewed indicates sex-specific patterns of disease manifestation as well as sex differences in the rates of cognitive decline and brain atrophy, suggesting that sex is a crucial variable in disease heterogeneity. We discuss critical challenges and knowledge gaps in our current understanding. Elucidating sex differences in disease phenotypes will be instrumental in the development of a 'precision medicine' approach in AD, encompassing individual, multimodal, biomarker-driven and sex-sensitive strategies for prevention, detection, drug development and treatment.

[Lesbian, gay & grey : Specific needs and concerns of elderly homosexual women and men]. / "Lesbian, gay & grey" : Besondere Bedürfnisse von homosexuellen Frauen und Männern im dritten und vierten Lebensalter.

In 2050 society will face the challenge of the effects of demographic changes with approximately 30 % of the Swiss population aged 65 years and older. This change will also lead to a higher number of elderly persons who identify themselves as homosexual and who live together with a same sex partner. In the year 2050 approximately 90,000-300,000 homosexual persons who are 65 years and older will live in Switzerland. This article shows that the current state of research in gerontology is characterized by large gaps regarding homosexuals and research in homosexuality regarding ageing. With a focus on the third and fourth ages of life for homosexuals of both sexes and based on the latest international research data this article shows that elderly homosexual people face specific challenges and have specific needs, which should be taken into account in home care services and nursing homes. Due to their lifestyles elderly homosexuals are often single and live alone, have no biological children and are afraid of being discriminated or stigmatized particularly in the case of their need for nursing. As a further aggravating factor, studies have shown that elderly homosexuals have poorer health conditions than heterosexuals with an increased need for care at an earlier stage in life.

[AAL: Ambient Assisted Living Assistive technologies for healthy ageing and opportunities for medicine and caring]. / AAL: Ambient Assisted Living - Unterstützung für ein gesundes Altern und Chancen für Medizin und Pflege.

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) summarizes various connected digital networked assisting technologies with the aim to support elderly and chronically ill people and to improve their quality of life. This paper defines the term AAL and shows different fields of application for AAL technologies. It illustrates the role of AAL against the background of the societal and demographic changes, of the expected growth of older people in need of care, and of the ongoing trend of singularisation of elderly. We describe medical application areas with new opportunities for the use of AAL technologies. The article highlights further the importance of the technical acceptance of these technologies by the end users, which we deem to be the most critical factor for the diffusion and use of AAL technologies in the forthcoming years.