Journal of Gerontology
Year:2023 | Volume:8 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

Introduction: In spite of the global trend towards increased screening efforts, there remain instances where uncertainty surrounds the cost-effectiveness of this approach. In such cases, a comprehensive assessment that considers cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and factors related to epidemiology, socio-culture, and community becomes indispensable. This assessment offers crucial insights to guide decisions in the realm of prevention. The aim of this study is the feasibility of setting up the health promotion and disease prevention center with a healthy aging approach. Method: This study takes on an applied and descriptive-analytical (technical) approach. This study measures the feasibility of implementing the national model with the aim of intelligentization the network for providing monitoring, prevention and health promotion services. Economic and financial evaluation was done using specialized Computer model software for feasibility analysis and reporting (COMFAR). Results: The study's findings underscore the feasibility of creating a health promotion and disease prevention center through the adoption of the developed national model. With due consideration to projected employment levels, intended investment expenses, and the centers revenue-generating activities, a remarkable internal rate of return (IRR) of 1300.80% emerges as an attainable outcome. Conclusion: The establishment of a nationwide network to oversee monitoring, preventive initiatives, and health promotion, with a strong emphasis on fostering active, self-care-centric aging, rests not only within the bounds of feasibility but also assumes a pivotal role in cultivating a healthier society. The bedrock of this endeavor lies in robust infrastructure development, the cultivation of a health-oriented societal ethos, consistent support, and vigilant oversight. These elements collectively constitute the linchpins for the triumph and continuity of programs aimed at prevention and health promotion.

Introduction: The prevalence of psychological problems in elderly retired teachers is high due to distance from work and former mental and physical activities, and interventions are needed to solve these problems. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of training positive strategies on the resilience and quality of life of elderly retired teachers. Method: The research method was semi-experimental and pre-test, post-test with a control group. The statistical population included all the elderly retired teachers of Kerman city in 2023, 30 people (15 people from the experimental group and 15 people from the control group) were selected by available sampling method and with informed consent. Data collection tools were Connor and Davidson's (2003) resilience questionnaires and Kaczynski and Keller's (1996) quality of life questionnaire. The intervention of teaching positive strategies in 9 sessions of 70 minutes and twice a week was performed on the experimental group and the control group did not receive any intervention. Data analysis was done with descriptive tests (mean and standard deviation) and covariance analysis using SPSS version 24 software. P level less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In the resilience variable, the mean and standard deviation of the experimental group in the pre-test was 56.55±5.74 and in the post-test 67.82±6.12 and in the quality of life variable, the mean and standard deviation of the experimental group in the pre-test 21.75 ± 4.15 in the test and 30.59 ± 3.68 in the post-test. The results of the covariance analysis also showed that teaching positive strategies had an effect on the resilience and quality of life of retired teachers (P<0.01). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the research, training positive strategies can be used to increase the resilience and quality of life of elderly retired teachers.

Introduction: Aging has caused physical and cognitive defects in older adults, requiring serious intervention to support them. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating relationship between social support and cognitive status among older adults of Neyshabur city. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted based on the data of the first phase of registration of the longitudinal Neyshabur Geriatric Cohort on 3451 people of 60 years and above. Data collection was done using demographic questionnaires, MMSE, MOCA and Duke social support questionnaire. .data was analyzed using SPSS v.16 software. Results: With the MMSE, one fifth of the participants (20.3%) and with the MOCA, almost half of the respondents (49.3%) did not have cognitive disorder. 84% of the respondents were satisfied with the social support received most of the time, and they were satisfied, had the least cognitive impairment. Education level was the strongest factor in predicting cognitive disorder, and MOCA was more influenced by demographic variables than MMSE. Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of cognitive disorders among older adults, careful examination and screening of cognitive disorders can lead to early diagnosis and prevention of disorder progression. Also, considering the relationship between social support and cognitive status, increasing the use of mass media, online technologies, designing programs and group recreational and sports activities can be effective in improving the cognitive status in older adults.

Introduction: This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the Prevalence of Non-communicable chronic diseases and related factors in the elderly of Shahroud in 2022. Method: The present study was carried out in a descriptive-cross-sectional manner on the elderly, referring to the health-treatment centers of Shahroud City. 448 elderly people were selected as the sample size by random cluster method. The questionnaires included demographic information, the elderly depression screening test (GDS-4), the short version of the nutritional status assessment questionnaire (MNA-SF-6), and the chronic diseases checklist. Statistical tests, Fisher, t-test and chi-square, and SPSS version 16 software were used for data analysis. Results: The average age of the study participants was 71.6±7.1 and 54.2% of them were male. The most common chronic disorders were high blood pressure (55.1%), vision disorders (42%), diabetes (31.9%) and depression (29.7%). Diabetes was more common in women (P=0.003), people with less education (P=0.014), those who lived alone (P=0.003), body mass index higher than 27 (P=0.005), and those with risk of malnourished (P=0.001), and it was significantly less in the elderly who were employed (P=0.002). High body mass index was also significantly associated with seven diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, neurological, osteoporosis, hyperlipidemia, and depression. Adequacy of monthly income was associated with only one disease (liver disease) and smoking was not associated with any of the diseases. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of chronic diseases in the elderly and the many factors affecting them, it is necessary to use a multi-faceted approach in planning to prevent and reduce chronic diseases and improve the health of the elderly.

Background : coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a new and contagious disease. Elderly and immunocompromised people with other underlying diseases are severely affected by Covid-19 and have higher mortality rates. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating related factors on the preventive behaviors of covid-19 in the elderly 60-75 years old in Mashhad based on the protection motivation theory.  method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1400 on 270 elderly people aged 60-75 years covered by health care centers in Mashhad. Random sampling was done from 5 health centers in Mashhad city and according to the covered population. The desired information was collected through a researcher-made questionnaire and self-reporting. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 27 software Results: Based on the research findings, perceived self-efficacy was found to be the strongest significant predictor (P>0.001, β=0.340) of preventive behaviors against Covid-19. The highest mean related to the structure of perceived response efficiency (23.13 ± 1.99) and the lowest mean related to the fear structure (12.14 ± 3.34) were calculated. Also, the constructs of protection motivation theory predict 67% of the variance of corona prevention behaviors in the elderly. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that by using the theory of protection motivation, it is possible to predict preventive behaviors against covid-19. According to the obtained results, the constructs of perceived sensitivity, perceived response efficiency, perceived self-efficacy and protection motivation are effective in explaining protective behaviors. By increasing knowledge, awareness and identifying disease prevention strategies, people's self-efficacy also increases and more people try to observe the desired behaviors.

Introduction: In recent years, the distribution of the country's population has changed towards older ages, and the aging phenomenon can be seen in Iran as in other parts of the world. Considering the increasing trend of the share of the elderly in the total population of the country, it is of great importance to examine the life expectancy component and other factors affecting the life expectancy of the elderly; Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the mediating role of perfectionism in the relationship between psychological capital and sense of vitality with life expectancy in the elderly. Method: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the mediating role of perfectionism in the relationship between psychological capital and sense of vitality with life expectancy in the elderly. The present research method is descriptive and correlation type. The research population was all elderly people covered by the welfare department of Torbat Heydarieh city in 2022 then 260 people were selected as a sample of the research available. To collect data from Hewitt & Flett's multidimensional perfectionism scale, Schneider et al life expectancy questionnaire, Luthans’s psychological capital questionnaire and Ryan & Frederick’s vitality questionnaire. Pearson's correlation test and path analysis were also used to analyze the data. Results: Findings: In the descriptive analysis of the demographic data of the respondents, the findings showed that 11% of the elderly were 65-60 years old, 16.2% were 70-66 years old, 31% were 75-71 years old, and 21.4% were 76-75 years old. 80 years and 20.5% were above 80 years. The results of the path analysis indicated that psychological capital has a direct (0.63) and an indirect effect on life expectancy (0.19) through perfectionism (p<0.01). Also, the results showed that vitality has a direct (0.34) and an indirect effect on life expectancy (0.05) through perfectionism (p<0.01). Conclusions: Considering the mediating role of perfectionism in the relationship between psychological capital and sense of vitality with the life expectancy of the elderly, holding group therapy workshops in nursing homes for the elderly can be fruitful in order to improve the life expectancy of the elderly. Keywords: perfectionism, hope, optimism, self-efficacy, resilience, vitality, life expectancy.

Introduction: Increased prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is one of the consequences of elderly and these people are dependent on others to perform normal life activities due to impaired cognition, behavior and performance. The variety and intensity of care roles leads to psychological problems (anxiety, fatigue and depression) and increases the care burden in caregivers. This study aimed to determine the study relationship between fatigue and caregivers’ burden of elderly caregivers with Alzheimer's disease in Birjand city . Methods: The cross-sectional method was used. The statistical population consists of all the elderly caregivers with Alzheimer's disease in Birjand city in year 2019. In this study, according to convenience sampling method, 150 elderly caregivers by formula Plant of Tabachnick, Fidell and Ullman (2007) were selected as samples and they were asked to fill revised fatigue scale of Piper and et al (1998) and caregiver burden inventory of Zarit and et al (1998). The data were analyzed by tests of Pearson correlation and multivariate regression. Results: Findings showed that there was positive and significant correlation between fatigue and caring caregivers (P<0/01). Also, findings showed that %55/7 of variance of caring caregivers was explained by fatigue. Conclusions: This study confirmed the significant contribution of fatigue on caring caregivers of elderly caregivers with Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Social health in its broadest sense is described by the quantity and quality of human performance in social interactions and positive and negative evaluations of this type of behavior by others. The purpose of the present research is to present a descriptive and analytical model of indicators and metrics that determine social health among the elderly based on the studies of the last decade. Methods: In the present study, the qualitative method of descriptive meta-analysis and systematic review was used. The statistical population of the current research includes 67 selected studies, in this study 26 of them were selected and described, analyzed and compared due to their suitability and relevance to the topic. Collecting information in this study based on the checklist for selecting research studies, through a regular review search in the publications of Gerontology, IRANIAN of AGEING, Social Welfare, social health, Social Development and Welfare Planning, as well as the database of the comprehensive portal of humanities, the scientific information center of academic jihad and Google Scholar occurred. Results: According to the findings of this research, in most of the studies conducted in the last decade, the unit of analysis has been the elderly, and in most cases, the survey method has been used to collect data. Also, Keyes' theory of social health in relation to social determinants such as House and Fleming-Baum's social support and interactions, Zaff's quality of life, Gidden's social security and Bourdieu's social capital has been the dominant research guide, among the factors mentioned are social support and interactions and its indicators. Compared to other components, they have had a significant impact on the social health of the elderly. Conclusions: An overview of the studies carried out in the last decade revealed that although the assessment of the social health status based on Keyes' five model is the most decisive in the studies, this model has not been able to provide an analytical model - a detailed description of the assessment of the social health status of the elderly compared to other groups based on background variables. such as age, gender, occupation, education, residence, income, etc. ; Therefore, it is recommended by researchers and policymakers to provide a new and comprehensive model for research and policy making in the field of social health of the elderly.