Information and Communication Technology Adoption Strategies Among Iranian Older Adults: A Qualitative Evaluation.

In today's world, it is unavoidable for older adults to use technology, which causes some challenges for them. In this qualitative study, we used grounded theory to evaluate information and communication technology (ICT) adoption strategies among Iranian older adults. The participants included 18 older adults, five experts, and five family members of older adults. The data collection method included conducting semi-structured interviews, taking field notes, and observation. The data were analyzed using the Corbin and Strauss approach. Three main themes were extracted as follows: support from others, effort for learning, and smart choice. The subthemes of support from others included creativity in educating older adults; having access to an educational supporter; and receiving informational, emotional, and financial support. The subthemes of effort for learning included utilizing aids, adaptive measures, shortcut techniques, and self-learning. The subthemes of smart choice included physical characteristics, technical features, price sensitivity, and availability of an active sales representative. Accordingly, it is essential to teach older adults to increase their ICT adoption rate and continued use of technology. In this respect, developing a standard ICT manual for older adults can be beneficial.

Determinants of Continuance Intention to Use Hearing Aids among Older Adults in Tehran (Iran).

The present study seeks to evaluate the factors determining the continuance intention to use hearing aids in older adults. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2021. The technology post-acceptance model (PAM) framework was used to develop a model for the continuance intention to use hearing aids. In total, 300 hearing aid users aged ≥60 years, who were selected via a randomized stratified sampling method, completed the self-evaluation tools used in this study. With a mean age of 71.38 years (SD = 8), the participants comprised 50.7% and 49.3% females and males, respectively. The path analysis results showed that the continuance intention to use hearing aids was positively and significantly influenced by the actual use of hearing aids, the perceived benefits, satisfaction, confirmation, self-efficacy in using hearing aids, an extraverted personality trait, self-perceived hearing handicap, and perceived social support. The main results of the present study can help hearing care providers develop a better understanding of older users to design effective rehabilitation strategies and ensure their continuance intention to use hearing aids.

The Association of Social Support, Depression, and Loneliness with Health-Related Quality of Life in Over 50 Years Adults: Ardakan Cohort Study on Ageing (ACSA).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Social factors play a crucial role in the quality of life of + 50 adults. This study aimed to investigate the association between social support, depression, and loneliness and the health-related quality of life in + 50 adults of Ardakan. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study from the first phase of Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA) in 2019. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL, SF-16), Duke Social Support Index (DSSI), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D10) were used to assess the variables of interest. Multivariable linear regression was used to model the associated factors with the score of the SF-16 tool in two dimensions; physical (PCS) and mental (MCS). FINDINGS: A total of 5197 over 50 years individuals included in this study; The mean age was 62.2 ± 7.3 years old, and 52% were male. The mean score for PCS and MCS subscales was 45.6 (95% CI 45.4 to 45.9) and 49.3 (95% CI 49.0 to 49.5), respectively. Adjusted for other variables, having less feeling level of loneliness, and not having depressive symptoms were related to better PCS and MCS scores. CONCLUSION: The HRQoL for the mental aspect of HRQoL was better than the physical in elder populations. Also, much more focus should be paid to older adults who experience inadequate social support, higher levels of loneliness, and depressive symptoms.

Impact of COVID-19 on Lifestyle: A Sample of Iranian Older Adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged quarantine affect the health behaviors of older adults. We investigated the changes in older adults' lifestyles during the pandemic in a sample of 1020 people aged 60 years old and over in Tehran. The results revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on nutritional behaviors and social support while having a negative impact on physical activity and anxiety in older adults. Due to the greater deterioration of health behaviors among unmarried older adults, low socio-economic status, and COVID-19 inpatients, policymakers must pay attention to interventions to promote healthy lifestyles.

Evaluation of Sleep Quality and Related Factors in Community-Dwelling Adults: Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA).

BACKGROUND: Sleep is a necessary physiological process that affects health. The current study aimed to evaluate sleep quality (SQ) and the related factors in Iranian community-dwelling adults. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Method: Population-based cross-sectional data from the first wave of the Ardakan cohort study on aging (ACSA) were analyzed. The analytical sample consisted of 5197 community-dwelling adults aged≥50. All data were collected by trained staff. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were used to measure SQ. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify predictors of SQ. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 62.22±7.7 years, and 51.8% were female. About threequarters of them (76.36%) were found to have poor SQ (PSQI score≥5). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a relationship between SQ and gender, education, work, and financial level. Furthermore, SQ was found to be associated with self-reported health and physical activity. Regarding comorbidity, SQ had a significant relationship with cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, depression, and anxiety (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of poor SQ was high in these community-dwelling adults in Iran. These findings highlight the importance of intervention programs for sleep hygiene education and screening for middle-aged and older adults.

Facing double jeopardy: Experiences of driving cessation in older adults during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic is a multidimensional phenomenon whose consequences can be detected in various economic, social, cultural, and political areas. Driving cessation in older adults is one of the areas affected by the social consequences of this crisis. This study aimed to explain the concept of facing the double jeopardy of the COVID-19 pandemic and driving cessation in older adults. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted using a thematic analysis approach. Fifteen older adults aged 60 years and above who lived in a community-based setting of Shiraz, Iran were selected based on purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: The findings indicated two themes, namely dualization of common challenges and fitness with limitations, and nine sub-themes, which showed the experiences of older adults regarding the main theme of facing the double jeopardy of the COVID-19 pandemic and driving cessation. DISCUSSION: Facing the double jeopardy created unique challenges for older adults, as the combined adverse effects of the two sources simultaneously put them at a greater risk. This double jeopardy endangered the health of older adults in various dimensions. This can be the beginning of a new era in older adults' life and care. In this context, application of telecommunication technology and home-based applications increases the flexibility of older adults as well as their ability to cope with stress to meet their mental, social, and physical health needs.

Inter-professional ethical values in Iranian aged care: a qualitative study.

Aim Ethical values are the basis of the behaviour and performance of professional care staff. This study aimed to identify inter-professional ethical values in aged care. Methods This qualitative thematic content analysis study was conducted in Khorramabad, Iran, from September 2018 to June 2109, and 36 core members of the aged care team (including 24 nurses, 5 physicians, 3 physiotherapists, and 4 social workers) were selected through the purposive sampling method and interviewed in depth. The data were analysed using the directed content analysis and the method of Zhang and Wildemuth. Results Four main themes of providing professional care, preserving the integrity of the aged, observing the dignity of the aged, establishing human relationship, along with 21 subthemes were extracted as ethical values in aged care. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that providing ethical aged care is influenced by the specific conditions of this age group. In addition to general ethical values such as providing professional care, providing ethical aged care is based on ethical values such as promoting social interaction, promoting peace and comfort, preserving and promoting independence, and autonomy in aged care. Promoting collaborative care and paying more attention to the human dimensions of communication and interaction were other emphasized values.

The impact of giving support to others on older adults' perceived health status.

BACKGROUND: Social support that may contribute to the physical and mental health of older adults is widely studied. However, much of the existing research has focused on the impact of receiving support; the effects of giving support have largely been neglected. Using the biopsychosocial perspective, this study aimed to examine the independent impact of giving support to others on older adults' perceived health status. METHODS: Data for this study were obtained from a nationwide community-based cross-sectional survey entitled 'Determinants of Wellness among Older Malaysians: A Health Promotion Perspective', which was conducted in 2010. To assess the unique effects of giving support on perceived health status, above and beyond other possible known factors, a four-step hierarchical regression model using SPSS was used to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: The findings from the analysis revealed that giving support to others was a significant positive predictor of older adults' perceived health status after receiving support, demographic variables and chronic medical conditions were considered. Further results showed that giving support to others had almost twice the effect on perceived health status (ß = 0.11, P < 0.001) as receiving support (ß = 0.06, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings from this study underscore the need to develop programmes that encourage older adults' participation in productive activities such as caring for and helping others and volunteering.

Social isolation in older Malaysians: prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Social isolation is one of the most important emerging issues among ageing populations, as it reduces well-being, health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify prevalence and risk factors of social isolation in older Malaysians. METHODS: The sample for this study was drawn from a national survey entitled 'Patterns of Social Relationships and Psychological Well-Being among Older Persons in Peninsular Malaysia'. Social isolation was measured with the Lubben Social Network Scale. RESULTS: The findings from the present study showed that 49.8% of older Malaysians are at risk for social isolation. The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of sons, number of brothers, number of sisters, household size, self-rated health, place of residence, home ownership, sex and ethnicity were significantly associated with social isolation. CONCLUSION: These findings may have some implications for social and health-care policymakers in planning and developing new and effective interventions such as educational programmes to reduce social isolation among this vulnerable population.

Theories and measures of elder abuse.

Elder abuse is a pervasive phenomenon around the world with devastating effects on the victims. Although it is not a new phenomenon, interest in examining elder abuse is relatively new. This paper aims to provide an overview of the aetiological theories and measures of elder abuse. The paper briefly reviews theories to explain causes of elder abuse and then discusses the most commonly used measures of elder abuse. Based on the reviewed theories, it can be concluded that elder abuse is a multifactorial problem that may affect elderly people from different backgrounds and involve a wide variety of potential perpetrators, including caregivers, adult children, and partners. The review of existing measurement instruments notes that many different screening and assessment instruments have been developed to identify elders who are at risk for or are victims of abuse. However, there is a real need for more measurements of elder abuse, as the current instruments are limited in scope.

Moderating effect of Islamic religiosity on the relationship between chronic medical conditions and psychological well-being among elderly Malays.

BACKGROUND: Research has found that physical health decline in later life is associated with poor psychological well-being. This study aimed to examine the possible moderating effect of Islamic religiosity on the relationship between chronic medical conditions and psychological well-being. METHODS: The sample for this study consisted of 1415 elderly Malay Muslims. It was obtained from a cross-sectional survey entitled 'Patterns of Social Relationship and Psychological Well-Being among Older Persons in Peninsular Malaysia', which conducted from 2007 to 2009, using a multistage stratified sampling procedure. Data collection was performed through face-to-face interviews. A four-step moderated hierarchical regression analysis using SPSS software for Windows and the 'ModGraph-2' software program was used to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: Results of bivariate analysis showed, at certain levels of chronic medical conditions, older persons with a high level of religiosity reported significantly higher levels of psychological well-being compared to their counterparts with a low level of religiosity. Four-step moderated hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the negative effect of chronic medical conditions on psychological well-being is reduced by both personal and social religiosity (ß = 0.07, P ≤ 0.01), after controlling for selected sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these findings indicate that the depressogenic effect of physical illness is decreased by religiosity in chronically ill elderly people. The implications and limitations of the current study are discussed and recommendations for future research are proposed.