Home environment and frailty in very old adults

Individual characteristics associated with the utilization of nursing care in the very old population: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

As older adults ≥80 years are often underrepresented in previous studies, little is known about their characteristics associated with the utilization of nursing care services. Therefore, this study examined individual (predisposing, enabling, and need) predictors of nursing care utilization in the very old population of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in Germany.

METHODS

Data from a representative cross-sectional study included 1531 community-dwelling individuals and nursing home residents aged ≥80 years. Multinomial regression was applied to investigate the factors that explain the use of outpatient care services, day care, and/or private care (odpNCU), and inpatient nursing care (inpNCU).

RESULTS

Overall, 1083 (69.9%) participants did not use nursing care services (noNCU), 339 (21.9%) used outpatient, day, and/or private care, and 127 (8.2%) used inpatient nursing care. Compared to noNCU, odpNCU was associated with a higher likelihood of being older [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.11], having no partner (OR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.37-0.91), experiencing higher functional (basic activities of daily living, OR = 0.02, 95%CI: 0.01-0.04; instrumental activities of daily living, OR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.11-0.30) and cognitive disabilities (OR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.44-0.89). Compared to noNCU, nursing home residents were more likely older (OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.07-1.22), had lower socioeconomic status (OR = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.97-1.00), were childless (OR = 3.83, 95%CI: 1.71-8.56) and without partners (OR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.20-0.96), socially isolated (OR = 3.94, 95%CI: 2.06-7.55), were more likely to be lonely (OR = 2.94, 95%CI: 1.58-7.89), more functionally (basic activities of daily living, OR = 0.01, 95%CI: 0.00-0.03; instrumental activities of daily living, OR = 0.04, 95%CI: 0.02-0.09) and cognitively impaired (OR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.31-0.74), but they were less likely to experience five or more chronic conditions (OR = 0.42, 95%CI: 0.20-0.88) and less likely to be physically pre-frail (OR = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.10-0.58) and frail (OR = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.03-0.27).

CONCLUSIONS

Individual need factors dominated in explaining odpNCU, suggesting that the very old population in NRW may have equitable access to these services. As social structure, region, and social resources explain inpNCU, this type of care may be inequitably accessible.

Factors Related to Life Satisfaction of Older Adults at Home: A Focus on Residential Conditions

This study examined which residential conditions increase older adults’ life satisfaction at home. We used data from 8903 participants over 65 years old who did not need help in their daily lives from a 2020 survey of older adults conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression with weights. The final model explained 34.2% of life satisfaction in old age. Residential conditions that increased life satisfaction the most in old age were the community environment (β = 0.16, p < 0.001) and satisfaction with the house (β = 0.15, p < 0.001). Other conditions that significantly affected life satisfaction were safety (β = 0.08, p < 0.001), interaction with neighbors (β = 0.08, p < 0.001), distance from children or relatives (β = 0.08, p < 0.001), frequency and route of public transportation (β = 0.05, p < 0.001), and abundance and distance of green spaces (β = 0.02, p = 0.031). Housing welfare policies should consider these results to increase life satisfaction for an increasingly aging population. Moreover, these data can be used to design age-friendly community environments.

Prevalence of Prefrailty and Frailty Among Older Adults in Germany: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Background

Various studies have identified the prevalence of prefrailty and frailty among older adults in Germany. Nevertheless, there is no review systematically synthesizing these studies. Thus, our aim was to close this gap in knowledge. Moreover, another aim was to perform a meta-analysis to synthesize the pooled prevalence of prefrailty and frailty. A further aim was to explore potential sources of heterogeneity based on a meta-regression.

Methods

A number of three electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) were searched (plus an additional hand search). The observational studies that determine the prevalence of frailty among older adults aged 65 years and above in Germany were included, whereas disease-specific samples were excluded. Data extraction included the description of the sample, operationalization of frailty, statistical analysis, sample characteristics and main findings. The established Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) standardized critical appraisal instrument for prevalence studies was used for evaluating the quality of the studies. Important steps were performed by two reviewers.

Results

In sum, a number of 12 studies were included. The prevalence of frailty varied from about 2.4 to 25.6%. The pooled prevalence of frailty was 13.7% (95% CI: 9.0 to 18.5%). There was a significant heterogeneity among the studies (I² = 98.9%, p < 0.001). The pooled prevalence of prefrailty was 40.2% (95% CI: 28.3 to 52.1%; I² = 99.6%, p < 0.001). Some evidence of a publication bias exists. Meta-regressions showed that some of the heterogeneity was explained by the tool to quantify frailty and the average age of the respective sample.

Conclusion

Particularly, the high prevalence of prefrailty should be highlighted since it is important to prevent individuals in old age from developing to frail status. This knowledge is important for the German society as a whole and for relevant stakeholders.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42021293648.

Elder abuse in the oldest old: prevalence, risk factors and consequences

BACKGROUND

Experiences of abuse in relationships with an expectation of trust are a common phenomenon among older people and is called elder abuse (EA). This can take various forms, such as physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, financial, sexual abuse or neglect. Due to their high vulnerability and difficulties in receiving support, people aged over 80 years old have been pointed out as a group that needs special focus in research.

OBJECTIVE

Prevalence, risk factors and consequences of EA for different aspects of quality of life are explored among the oldest old.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Computer-assisted personal interviews were conducted in a representative sample of the oldest old in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany). 988 self-report interviews without third persons present of the NRW80+ study are used to assess EA with the help of the elder abuse and emotional consequences scale (EACS). The EACS describes EA in six dimensions that give a broad understanding of EA.

RESULTS

Prevalence of experiences of EA within the last 12 months was 54.1%. In logistic regression, multimorbidity, lower functioning, age below 90 years, smaller social network size, and aggressive behaviorwere significant risk factors for EA. People experiencing EA showed less life satisfaction and autonomy and increased loneliness and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

EA is prevalent among the oldest old. Serious consequences of EA on life results can be shown with a broad operationalization of EA. Future research should focus on a deeper understanding of reasons for EA and reflect on the relationship between and the perspectives of perpetrators and victims.

[The flourishing life : Society, politics and the practice of old age]

Im abschließenden Beitrag stellen die Autor*innen das Konzept „gelingende Lebensführung“ in den Mittelpunkt. Die Kernergebnisse der vorhergehenden Beiträge werden zusammengefasst und im Rahmen einer kritischen Diskussion in dieses Konzept eingeordnet. Vor dem Hintergrund werden Empfehlungen für die politische und gesellschaftliche Gestaltung von Rahmenbedingungen formuliert, die einer gelingenden Lebensführung im sehr hohen Alter dienlich sind und sie fördern.