Emotional competences as predictors of psychological wellbeing and quality of life of supplementary grandparents caregivers

Introduction

Grandparents are increasingly becoming key figures in the supplementary care of grandchildren. Based on the Resilience Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation, the present study aims to analyze the emotional competences that canpl predict higher levels of psychological wellbeing and quality of life in supplementary grandparents caregivers.

Methods

A sample of 270 supplementary grandparents caregivers living in Spain participated. Most participants were women (71.1%), and the mean age was 67.83 years (SD = 6.26). Most participants were occasional caregivers, that is, they care for less than 10 h per week (76.3%). We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analysis, one for psychological wellbeing and the other for quality of life.

Results

The regression model for psychological wellbeing identified that age, management of caregiving stress, self-confidence in the caregiving role, management of work-life balance difficulties and emotional self-regulation explained 32.8% of its variance. The regression model for quality of life showed that age, type of grandparent caregiver, management of caregiving stress, management of work-life balance difficulties and emotional self-regulation explained 31.2% of its variance.

Conclusion

This study focuses on supplementary grandparents caregivers, whereas literature has tended to look at primary grandparents caregivers. The results highlight the role of emotional competences as predictors of supplementary grandparents caregivers' psychological wellbeing and quality of life, overcoming the usual tendency in the literature to focus on the negative consequences of grandparents caregiving for grandchildren, and emphasizing the competences that grandparents have to cope with this care in a satisfactory way, which, moreover, can be trained.

Keeping Us Young? Grandchild Caregiving and Older Adults' Cognitive Functioning

Objective

This study investigates longitudinal associations between providing care to grandchildren and cognitive functioning. It also examines heterogeneity in these relationships.

Background

Grandchild caregiving may support older adults' cognitive functioning by providing social engagement and emotional meaning. However, studies caution that time- intensive or custodial grandchild caregiving can take a toll on grandparents. The cognitive health implications of grandchild caregiving may thus depend on contexts including time spent providing care and living arrangements. They may also vary across sociodemographic groups and have greater effects on older adults who are more vulnerable to cognitive decline.

Method

Data came from the 1998-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and represented over 11,000 U.S. adults age 50+. Using linear growth curve and dynamic panel models, the analysis explored relationships between level of grandchild care and cognitive functioning over time and across sociodemographic, family, work and health characteristics.

Results

Those providing 100-199, 200-499 or 500+ hours of care to grandchildren had better cognitive functioning than non-caregivers regardless of whether they lived with grandchildren. Positive links between grandchild caregiving and cognition were stronger for lower income, non-working, and unpartnered adults and grew with age and functional limitations.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that providing care to minor grandchildren may help support cognitive functioning as adults age. They also support the hypothesis that more vulnerable or isolated groups of older adults may benefit the most from grandchild caregiving.

Through the eyes of grandparents: an in-depth exploration of the nexus between grandchild caring and the psychological well-being of older grandparents

BACKGROUND

Grandchild caring has positive as well as negative impact on the grandparents' psychological well-being and the findings are varied by culture and country.

METHODS

Present study was intended to understand the relationship between caring for grandchildren and psychological well-being of grandparents living in skipped (SGH) and multi-generational households (MGH) in Indian demographical context. The present research involved In-depth Interviews (IDI) focusing on grandparents above 60 and grandchildren below 18, where the elder played a crucial role in caregiving. The study area was Malda, a district of West Bengal in India. Purposively 24 IDIs were selected. Psychological well-being was measured using open-ended questions. Thematic and content analyses were adopted to understand the perspective of grandparents.

RESULTS

Most of the grandparents from SGH reported depression word frequently, while grandparents from MGH reported happy. In the content analysis, grandparents from SGH expressed tension, mental turmoil, and worry about grandchild's future. On the contrary, grandparents from MGH expressed happy, companionship, and worry about grandchild's future. Further, full time caring, compulsive reason behind grandchild caring, and working status were linked with living in SGH and grandchild caring, which were in turn connected with deteriorate psychological health. However, in MGH, a different scenario was observed, most grandparents were partially and non-compulsively engaged in grandchild caring and had expressed positive mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

The Findings provide an intervention implication, particularly in the context of India's ageing population and their well-being by acknowledging the influence of household structure, caring intensity, motive behind grandchild caring, and working status on their psychological health. Understanding the importance of these key factors may help the policy maker and the individual to incorporate the most effective intervention to achieve sustainable development goal 3 and healthy ageing.

Longitudinal Correlates of Grandparenting with Depressive Symptoms and Poor Sleep Quality Among Middle-Aged and Older Women and Men in South Africa

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to assess the impact of grandparenting on incident depressive symptoms and incident poor sleep quality among aging women and men in rural South Africa.

METHODS

This longitudinal community study enrolled 3,237 adults (≥40 years) from the "Health and Ageing in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI)."

MEASUREMENTS

Grandparenting was assessed by self-report at wave 1, and depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality at waves 1 and 2. Outcomes were incident depressive symptoms and incident poor sleep quality at wave 2. Logistic regression was utilized to estimate the associations between grandparenting and incident depressive symptoms and incident poor sleep quality.

RESULTS

Almost half of the grandfathers (44.6%) and 68.4% of the grandmothers were parenting 7/days/week. In the final adjusted models, among grandmothers, compared to 0 days/week grandparenting, 7 days/week grandparenting reduced the odds of incident depressive symptoms (AOR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.91) and reduced the odds of incident poor sleep quality (AOR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.82).

CONCLUSION

Grandparenting significantly reduced poor mental health among grandmothers but not among grandfathers.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Practitioners may encourage grandparent caregiving, among grandmothers, to reduce poor mental health in South Africa.

NAD metabolism: Role in senescence regulation and aging

The geroscience hypothesis proposes that addressing the biology of aging could directly prevent the onset or mitigate the severity of multiple chronic diseases. Understanding the interplay between key aspects of the biological hallmarks of aging is essential in delivering the promises of the geroscience hypothesis. Notably, the nucleotide nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) interfaces with several biological hallmarks of aging, including cellular senescence, and changes in NAD metabolism have been shown to be involved in the aging process. The relationship between NAD metabolism and cellular senescence appears to be complex. On the one hand, the accumulation of DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by low NAD+ can promote the development of senescence. On the other hand, the low NAD+ state that occurs during aging may inhibit SASP development as this secretory phenotype and the development of cellular senescence are both highly metabolically demanding. However, to date, the impact of NAD+ metabolism on the progression of the cellular senescence phenotype has not been fully characterized. Therefore, to explore the implications of NAD metabolism and NAD replacement therapies, it is essential to consider their interactions with other hallmarks of aging, including cellular senescence. We propose that a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between NAD boosting strategies and senolytic agents is necessary to advance the field.

Continuity and changes in grandchild care and the risk of depression for Chinese grandparents: new evidence from CHARLS

Objectives

Although studies have researched the mental effects of intergenerational care, little is known about the impact of transformations in caregiving intensity on depression. This study explores grand-parents' depressive symptom outcomes in terms of changes over time in grandparental childcare, with considerations for subgroup differences.

Method

Using data from the 2015-2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study on grandparents aged 45 and older, we adopted generalized estimating equations to estimate the effects of seven category changes [(1) continued to provide high-intensity or (2) low-intensity care at both waves; (3) never provided care; (4) started caregiving; (5) ended caregiving; (6) provided less intensive care; and (7) provided more intensive care] over time in grandparental childcare on depressive symptoms among 17,701 grandparents with at least one grandchild, as well as how the impact varies by gender and urban/rural areas.

Results

Grandparents who decreased the intensity of care, stopped childcare, or offered continuous low-intensity care were associated with a lower level of depression compared with those providing no childcare. In addition, the benefit of continuous caregiving on mental health was especially noticeable in urban grandmothers.

Conclusion

Providing continuous low-intensity, decreased-intensity grandparenting and the cessation of caregiving were associated with a decreased level of depression for Chinese grandparents; however, there were complex interactions at play. Policies aimed at supporting grandparenting should consider caregiving intensity transitions relevant to gender and urban/rural residence.

Social connections and participation among people with mild cognitive impairment: barriers and recommendations

Objective

Social connections and participation are essential for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to prevent the progression of cognitive decline and enhance their overall well-being. However, existing research has primarily focused on environmental barriers, overlooking personal factors and the interconnected nature of these barriers. Moreover, there is a lack of understanding regarding social connections and participation challenges specific to people with MCI in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the barriers that hinder social connections and participation among people with MCI in China and investigate opportunities to design appropriate supportive interventions.

Methods

Thirty-one people with MCI (13 males and 18 females; mean age = 82.74 years, SD = 7.69; mean MoCA score = 21.26, SD = 2.44) and 13 caregivers were recruited to attend focus groups. In addition, 10 therapists were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a framework analysis approach.

Results

We found that the ability to build social connections among people with MCI is affected by mobility challenges, intensive grandparenting responsibilities, availability of suitable activities, and feelings of exclusion in a closed-minded community environment. Personal reasons, such as lower social efficacy, inability to find suitable social activities, and intensive family responsibilities, discourage people with MCI from social participation. The digital literacy of people with MCI depends on their motivation to learn and use digital tools; people with MCI who live in a community have a higher digital literacy than those living in care centers. The motivation to achieve digital literacy is affected by perceived benefits, costs of technology use, and social influence.

Conclusion

Multidimensional initiatives are needed to address barriers to social connections, participation, and technology adoption among individuals with MCI. This includes organizing and engaging in social activities, promoting awareness and education on the importance of social participation, and exploring technology-based interventions to improve memory and storytelling abilities. These efforts can create a supportive environment and empower individuals with MCI to participate actively in social interactions, enhancing their overall well-being.

Effects of family multi-generational relationship on multimorbidity and healthy life expectancy for second generations: insight from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

In the context of aging, Chinese families consisting of more than three generations (grandparents, parents, children) are the norm. The second generation (parents) and other family members may establish a downward (contact only with children) or two-way multi-generational relationship (contact with children and grandparents). These multi-generational relationships may have the potential effect on multimorbidity burden and healthy life expectancy in the second generation, but less is known about the direction and intensity of this effect. This study aims to explore this potential effect.

METHODS

We obtained longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from 2011 to 2018, which included 6,768 people. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the association between multi-generational relationships and the number of multimorbidity. The Markov multi-state transition model was used to analyze the relationship between multi-generational relationships and the severity of multimorbidity. The multistate life table was used to calculate healthy life expectancy for different multi-generational relationships.

RESULTS

The risk of multimorbidity in two-way multi-generational relationship was 0.830 (95% CIs: 0.715, 0.963) times higher than that in downward multi-generational relationship. For mild multimorbidity burden, downward and two-way multi-generational relationship may prevent aggravation of burden. For severe multimorbidity burden, two-way multi-generational relationship may aggravate the burden. Compared with two-way multi-generational relationship, the second generations with downward multi-generational relationship has a higher healthy life expectancy at all ages.

CONCLUSION

In Chinese families with more than three generations, the second generations with severe multimorbidity burden may aggravate the condition by providing support to elderly grandparents, and the support provided by offspring to the second generations plays a vital positive role in improving the quality of life and narrowing the gap between healthy life expectancy and life expectancy.

Association between caring for grandchildren based on living arrangements and cognitive function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: The mediating roles of social activities and depressive symptoms

Introduction

In the context of an aging population and age-related conditions increasing, the increasing number of middle-aged and older adults are involved in grandchildren care. This study aimed to 1) explore the association between caring for grandchildren based on living arrangements and cognitive function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults; and 2) investigate the mediating roles of social activities and depressive symptoms in the aforementioned association.

Methods

This study selected 5490 Chinese people (≥45 years old) from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants answered questions related to socio-demographics, the Mini-mental State Examination, the intensity of grandchildren care, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and social activity.

Results

The results showed that caring for grandchildren and cohabiting with a spouse was positively associated with cognitive function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults (B = 0.829, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a positive association between providing intensive or no-intensive grandchildren care and cognitive function. In contrast, caring for grandchildren but not cohabiting with a spouse was negatively associated with cognitive function (B = -0.545, p < 0.05). Moreover, directly and indirectly, caring for grandchildren was significantly associated with cognitive function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults, as mediated by social activities and depressive symptoms.

Discussion

The findings emphasize that living arrangements, social engagement, and psychological health could be considered when encouraging grandparent care as formal care.

The impact of grandchild care on depressive symptoms of grandparents in China: The mediating effects of generational support from children

Objectives

Despite extensive studies about the direct effect of grandchild care on caregiver depression in China, understanding of its internal influencing mechanism has been limited. After controlling for socioeconomic factors, this study investigated whether the experience of caring for grandchildren had a long-term impact on the depression levels of grandparents, either directly or indirectly through generational support from adult children.

Methods

The subjects of this study were a total of 9,219 adults over 45 who participated in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys in 2015 and 2018. We adopted a lag-behind variable to examine the impact of grandchild care on depressive symptoms of grandparents. The proposed mediation model was analyzed using bootstrap modeling, and the KHB method was conducted further to examine differences in the effects of generational support.

Results

The experience of caring for grandchildren had a significant negative correlation with the depression level of Chinese grandparents. Moreover, children's support significantly mediated the impact of parenting experience on grandparents' depression. Significantly, instrumental support mediated the effect to the greatest extent, while emotional support from children contributed the least. The intermediary effect has urban-rural heterogeneity.

Conclusion

These findings indicated that grandchild care significantly inhibited the depression level of Chinese grandparents through increased intergenerational support from adult children. The implications of the study's findings were discussed.

The Implications of Intergenerational Relationships for Minority Aging: a Review of Recent Literature

Purpose of Review

This study aims to understand how intergenerational relationships impact minority aging in the USA. We reviewed studies published in the last 5 years that examine both familial and non-familial intergenerational relationships.

Recent Findings

Intergenerational relationships can have positive and negative implications for minority aging. Minority older adults benefit most from these relationships when they increase social interaction and/or offer social support by reducing acculturative stress, providing emotional closeness, or increasing access to tangible resources. At the same time, these relationships can be sources of strain as they lead to burden among already disadvantaged groups.

Summary

Future studies should explore the impact of intergenerational relations among more diverse subgroups of older adults and identify mechanisms linking intergenerational relationships to health-related outcomes among minority older adults. Further, longitudinal cohort studies and randomized trials are needed to test mechanisms and evaluate the effectiveness of promising intergenerational interventions.

Grandparenting and subjective well-being in China: The moderating effects of residential location, gender, age, and income

Grandparenting is a social determinant of older adults' subjective well-being (SWB) worldwide, and is receiving increasing scholarly attention. Grandparenting is particularly prevalent in China because of the increasing number of women in the labor force, shortages of daycare services, and intergenerational bonds. Based on three waves (2011, 2013, and 2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (n = 14,846), we used pooled ordinary least squares (POLS) regression to examine the association between grandparenting and Chinese older adults' SWB and the moderating effects of residential location (rural/urban), gender, age, and income. We measured SWB by four outcomes: self-rated health, life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function. Our findings indicate that intensive grandparenting is positively associated with older adults' life satisfaction. Older adults providing a low-to-high intensity of grandparenting have better cognitive function than non-caregivers. Among caregivers, a moderate level of grandparenting is associated with better cognitive function. Residential location, age, and income are significant moderators. For example, high-intensity grandparenting is positively associated with rural grandparents' but not urban grandparents' life satisfaction. Although younger grandparents have better self-rated health, higher life satisfaction, and fewer depressive symptoms than their older counterparts if they provide grandparenting care, grandparenting is more beneficial for older grandparents' cognitive function. Both low and high intensities of grandparenting are positively related to self-rated health and cognitive function for grandparents with lower incomes. Overall, the findings of this study indicate how grandparenting is related to the SWB of older people in China in different social groups and of people living in different locations.

Grandparenting, health, and well-being: a systematic literature review

Whether grandparenting is associated with improved health or well-being among older adults is a salient question in present-day aging societies. This systematic review compiles studies that consider the health or well-being outcomes of grandparenting, concerning (1) custodial grandparent families, where grandparents are raising grandchildren without parental presence; (2) three-generation households, where grandparents are living with adult children and grandchildren; and (3) non-coresiding grandparents, who are involved in the lives of their grandchildren. Review was based on literature searches conducted in September 2019 via Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Ebsco. We screened 3868 abstracts across four databases, and by following the PRISMA guidelines, we identified 92 relevant articles (117 studies) that were published between 1978 and 2019. In 68% of cases, custodial grandparenting was associated with decreased health or well-being of grandparents. The few studies considering the health or well-being of grandparents living in three-generation households provided mixed findings (39% positive; 39% negative). Finally, in 69% of cases, involvement of non-coresiding grandparents was associated with improved grandparental outcomes; however, there was only limited support for the prediction that involved grandparenting being causally associated with grandparental health or well-being. Despite this, after different robustness checks (counting all nonsignificant results, taking into account the representativeness of the data and causal methodology), the main finding remains the same: the most negative results are found among custodial grandparents and three-generation households and most positive results among non-coresiding grandparents.

The transition to grandparenthood: No consistent evidence for change in the Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction

Intergenerational relations have received close attention in the context of population aging and increased childcare provision by grandparents. However, few studies have investigated the psychological consequences of becoming a grandparent. In a preregistered test of grandparenthood as a developmental task in middle and older adulthood, we used representative panel data from the Netherlands ( N = 563) and the United States ( N = 2210) to analyze first-time grandparents’ personality and life satisfaction development. We tested gender, employment, and grandchild care as moderators. To address confounding, we employed propensity score matching using two procedures: matching grandparents with parents and nonparents to achieve balance in different sets of carefully selected covariates. Multilevel models demonstrated mean-level stability of the Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction over the transition to grandparenthood, and no consistent moderation effects—contrary to the social investment principle. The few small effects of grandparenthood on personality development did not replicate across samples. We found no evidence of larger inter-individual differences in change in grandparents compared to the controls or of lower rank-order stability. Our findings add to recent critical re-examinations of the social investment principle and are discussed in light of characteristics that might moderate grandparents’ personality development.

Extracellular vesicles enriched in connexin 43 promote a senescent phenotype in bone and synovial cells contributing to osteoarthritis progression

The accumulation of senescent cells is a key characteristic of aging, leading to the progression of age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). Previous data from our laboratory has demonstrated that high levels of the transmembrane protein connexin 43 (Cx43) are associated with a senescent phenotype in chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilage. OA has been reclassified as a musculoskeletal disease characterized by the breakdown of the articular cartilage affecting the whole joint, subchondral bone, synovium, ligaments, tendons and muscles. However, the mechanisms that contribute to the spread of pathogenic factors throughout the joint tissues are still unknown. Here, we show for the first time that small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) released by human OA-derived chondrocytes contain high levels of Cx43 and induce a senescent phenotype in targeted chondrocytes, synovial and bone cells contributing to the formation of an inflammatory and degenerative joint environment by the secretion of senescence-associated secretory associated phenotype (SASP) molecules, including IL-1ß and IL-6 and MMPs. The enrichment of Cx43 changes the protein profile and activity of the secreted sEVs. Our results indicate a dual role for sEVs containing Cx43 inducing senescence and activating cellular plasticity in target cells mediated by NF-kß and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signalling programme and contributing to the loss of the fully differentiated phenotype. Our results demonstrated that Cx43-sEVs released by OA-derived chondrocytes spread senescence, inflammation and reprogramming factors involved in wound healing failure to neighbouring tissues, contributing to the progression of the disease among cartilage, synovium, and bone and probably from one joint to another. These results highlight the importance for future studies to consider sEVs positive for Cx43 as a new biomarker of disease progression and new target to treat OA.

Cellular senescence and senolytics: the path to the clinic

Interlinked and fundamental aging processes appear to be a root-cause contributor to many disorders and diseases. One such process is cellular senescence, which entails a state of cell cycle arrest in response to damaging stimuli. Senescent cells can arise throughout the lifespan and, if persistent, can have deleterious effects on tissue function due to the many proteins they secrete. In preclinical models, interventions targeting those senescent cells that are persistent and cause tissue damage have been shown to delay, prevent or alleviate multiple disorders. In line with this, the discovery of small-molecule senolytic drugs that selectively clear senescent cells has led to promising strategies for preventing or treating multiple diseases and age-related conditions in humans. In this Review, we outline the rationale for senescent cells as a therapeutic target for disorders across the lifespan and discuss the most promising strategies-including recent and ongoing clinical trials-for translating small-molecule senolytics and other senescence-targeting interventions into clinical use.

Support Now to Care Later: Intergenerational Support Exchanges and Older Parents' Care Receipt and Expectations

OBJECTIVES

Older parents' previous support exchanges with adult children could influence which child currently provides care, or which child they expect to provide care in the future. Distinguishing between support and care, we investigated how different types of past support exchanges with children were associated with care receipt and expectations from the parent's perspective.

METHODS

Older parents (N = 190; Mage = 79.98) reported on exchanges of tangible and non-tangible support, and provision of childcare support with each of their adult children (N = 709; Mage = 52.69) in two waves of the Family Exchanges Study (2008 and 2013). Multilevel, within-family, logistic regression models were estimated to examine how past patterns of support exchanges were associated with which child the older parent receives or expects to receive care from.

RESULTS

Parents with functional limitations at Wave 2 were more likely to receive care from children whom they received more tangible support from at the prior wave. Parents without current limitations more likely named children whom they previously provided childcare support to and received more tangible support from as their expected future caregiver.

DISCUSSION

This study distinguished different types of support to examine unique pathways to received and expected care within families. Taking the older parent's perspective, these findings endorse previous studies that emphasize continuity in the transition from receiving tangible support to receiving and expecting care from adult children. The findings also suggest the importance of older parents' childcare support given to adult children, highlighting reciprocity in intergenerational care exchanges.

Attenuation of intrinsic aging of the skin via elimination of senescent dermal fibroblasts with senolytic drugs

BACKGROUND

Skin aging is caused by numerous factors that result in structural and functional changes in cutaneous components. Research has shown that senescent cells are known to accumulate in skin aging, however, the role of senescent cells in skin aging has not been defined.

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate the role of senescent cell in skin aging, we evaluated the effect of known senolytic drugs on senescent dermal fibroblasts.

METHODS

Primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were induced to senescence by long-term passaging, UV irradiation, and H2O2 treatment. Cell viability was measured after treatment of ABT-263 and ABT-737 on HDFs. Young and aged hairless mice were intradermally injected with drugs or vehicle on the dorsal skin for 10 days. Skin specimens were obtained and reverse-transcription quantitative PCR, western blotting, and histological analysis were performed.

RESULTS

We found that ABT-263 and ABT-737 induced selective clearance of senescent dermal fibroblasts, regardless of the method of senescence induction. Aged mouse skin treated with ABT-263 or ABT-737 showed increased collagen density, epidermal thickness, and proliferation of keratinocytes, as well as decreased senescence-associated secretory phenotypes, such as MMP-1 and IL-6.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results indicate that selective clearance of senescent skin cells can attenuate and improve skin aging phenotypes and that senolytic drugs may be of potential use as new therapeutic agents for treating aging of the skin.

Parenting Challenges and Opportunities among Families Living in Poverty

Poverty-related stressors have been found to impact parenting behaviors which can result in adverse outcomes for children. The current qualitative study focused on understanding the challenges of caregivers (N = 70) living in poverty. The sample was diverse and included mothers, fathers, and grandparents raising grandchildren. Stories of caregivers were gathered to improve the understanding of families living in poverty in an effort to work towards changing how our world supports families that are vulnerable. Results indicate that families experiencing poverty and related risk factors experience challenges in the realm of child safety, education, and racism/prejudice. Families also discussed ways to improve their environment which included increased financial resources, increased access to high-quality healthcare and childcare, and positive environmental change. Note that the current study outlines the complexity of parenting in poverty and that associated challenges are intertwined. Recommendations are made to address systemic barriers at the individual and community level in an effort to better support caregivers experiencing adversity and parenting in the 21st century.

Long-Term Impact of Grandchild Caregiving Trajectories on Depression in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese People: A Longitudinal Study

There has been little research investigating the effects of caregiving for grandchildren on grandparents' mental health from a dynamic perspective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on caregivers' depression of changes in grandparenting intensity. The study population included 8,157 respondents obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Latent growth mixture modeling was used to group respondents into five classes of trajectory of caregiving intensity as follows: "sharply decreasing", "never or rarely", "slowly decreasing", "increasing", and "continuously high". A generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) and a marginal structural model (MSM) both associated the "continuously high" and "sharply decreasing" intensities with depression. "Continuously high" intensity significantly increased the risk of depression in the male group only. Further research should be conducted to analyze the deep-seated mechanisms of association between grandparenting and mental health, in different cultural contexts and among subgroups with different characteristics.

Risk and protective factors associated with grandparent kinship caregivers' psychological distress in COVID-19: Kinship license status as a moderator

COVID-19 and its related policy measures have increased the psychological distress of individuals, including grandparent kinship caregivers. Guided by the Resilience Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation, this study examines relationships between material hardship, parenting stress, social support, resilience and psychological distress of grandparent kinship caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the moderating role of kinship license status on these relationships. Kinship care licensing is a prerequisite to receiving financial assistance and other supporting services from the government. We administered a cross-sectional survey of grandparent kinship caregivers (N = 362) in the United States. Logistic regression results indicated that material hardship was associated with higher odds of experiencing psychological distress, whereas resilience and social support were associated with lower odds. Kinship license status moderated the relationships of social support and resilience with psychological distress. Results suggest that additional emergency funds and more tailored financial services should be provided to meet material needs, and interventions with a focus on resilience and social support are particularly needed. The moderating effects of license status indicate that some interventions should be specifically implemented among licensed kinship caregivers, whereas parallel services should be provided to kinship caregivers regardless of their license status.

An inducible p21-Cre mouse model to monitor and manipulate p21-highly-expressing senescent cells in vivo

The role of senescent cells has been implicated in various tissue dysfunction associated with aging, obesity, and other pathological conditions. Currently, most transgenic mouse models only target p16 ^Ink4a-highly-expressing (p16 ^high) cells. Here, we generated a p21-Cre mouse model, containing a p21 promoter driving inducible Cre, enabling us to examine p21 ^Cip1-highly-expressing (p21 ^high) cells, a previously unexplored cell population exhibiting several characteristics typical of senescent cells. By crossing p21-Cre mice with different floxed mice, we managed to monitor, sort, image, eliminate, or modulate p21 ^high cells in vivo. We showed p21 ^high cells can be induced by various conditions, and percentages of p21 ^high cells varied from 1.5 to 10% across different tissues in 23-month-old mice. Intermittent clearance of p21 ^high cells improved physical function in 23-month-old mice. Our study demonstrates that the p21-Cre mouse model is a valuable and powerful tool for studying p21 ^high cells to further understand the biology of senescent cells.

p16INK4a-siRNA nanoparticles attenuate cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis by inhibiting inflammation in fibroblast-like synoviocytes

In osteoarthritis (OA), chondrocytes in cartilage undergo phenotypic changes and senescence, restricting cartilage regeneration and favoring disease progression. Although senescence biomarker p16INK4a expression is known to induce aging by halting...

Cognitive Function Among Noncustodial Grandparents in China and the United States: A Cross-National Perspective

The current study aimed to investigate the association between grandparenting and cognitive function over time in noncustodial grandparents in China and the United States. Lagged dependent variable (LDV) approach and linear regression models were applied to analyze a sample of 1,411 Chinese and 6,579 American adults aged 65 and above from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011-2013) and the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 2012-2014). Grandparenting involvement was associated with less decline in episodic memory for grandparents and greater level of grandparenting had no negative effect on mental status and global cognitive function in noncustodial grandparents in China and the United States. The impact of grandparenting on cognitive function was conditioned on caregiving intensity, gender, urban/rural residence, and nation. Findings of the study suggest that greater attention on grandparenting facilitation might yield improved research, social support, policy, and interventions on cognitive health for the general older population.

Grandparents caring for grandchildren in rural China: consequences for emotional and cognitive health in later life

In rural China, where families serve as critical safety-nets for their vulnerable members, grandparents play an essential role caring for the offspring of their migrant children. Evidence is mixed as to whether caring for grandchildren provides health benefits or incurs health risks. In this article, we used six waves of data from a study in rural China to examine the impact of caregiving for grandchildren on grandparents' emotional and cognitive health. Further, we examined financial transfers from adult children as a resource that potentially moderates the impact of high intensity caregiving on these outcomes. Data derived from six waves (2001-2015) of the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province, China. We constructed 2,835 person-interval observations derived from 1,067 grandparents to examine lagged change in depressive symptoms and cognitive ability. Results show that caregiving frequency is not by itself harmful or beneficial to the emotional and cognitive health of grandparents, but it does appear to be harmful in the context of custodial care that is less economically supported by adult children. These results are discussed in terms of their relevance to intergenerational reciprocity in a filial culture, time-for-money exchange expectations, and the need for financial resources among caregiving grandparents in rural China.

Gender differences in depressive symptoms of rural Chinese grandparents caring for grandchildren

BACKGROUND

Caring for grandchildren is regarded as one of the principle roles of middle- and old-aged adults, especially among rural Chinese grandparents. This study aims to examine the gender differences in depressive symptoms of rural Chinese grandparents caring for grandchildren, based on the gender differences in grandparental role engagement and the theories of role strain and role enhancement.

METHODS

A total of 4833 rural citizens with one or more grandchildren were selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2015. Grandchild care was measured by continuous variable (duration) and categorical variable (no care, low intensity, moderate intensity, high intensity). Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). We used coarsened exact matching (CEM) to balance the covariates of caregivers and non-caregivers. Following CEM, 1975 non-caregivers and 2212 caregivers were identified (N = 4187). Multilevel linear regression was employed to examine the gender differences in depressive symptoms. We also tested for the moderating role of gender on the association between grandchild care and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Grandmothers were more likely to provide grandchild care (54.42% vs 51.43%) at high intensity (61.46% vs 51.01%), with longer duration (39.24 h vs 33.15 h) than that given by grandfathers. Grandmothers suffered more from depressive symptoms than grandfathers, and such gap increased when grandparents were involved in high-intensity care. Grandmothers providing grandchild care, particularly at moderate intensity, were associated with fewer depressive symptoms (Coef. = - 0.087, 95%CI: - 0.163, - 0.010; Coef. = - 0.291, 95%CI: - 0.435, - 0.147), compared with non-caregivers. Grandmothers giving moderate intensity of grandchild care were also associated with fewer depressive symptoms (Coef. = - 0.171, 95% CI: - 0.313, - 0.029), compared with those with low-intensity care. However, such associations were not significant among grandfathers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the gender differences in depressive symptoms of rural Chinese grandparents caring for grandchildren. Grandparents should be encouraged to engage in grandchild care, but at moderate intensity. The health status of middle- and old-aged adults, particularly females, should be monitored closely. Humanistic care, preventive care and curative treatment strategies focusing on such populations should be developed and refined.

Cellular senescence as a possible link between prostate diseases of the ageing male

Senescent cells accumulate with age in all tissues. Although senescent cells undergo cell-cycle arrest, these cells remain metabolically active and their secretome - known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype - is responsible for a systemic pro-inflammatory state, which contributes to an inflammatory microenvironment. Senescent cells can be found in the ageing prostate and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and can be linked to BPH and prostate cancer. Indeed, a number of signalling pathways provide biological plausibility for the role of senescence in both BPH and prostate cancer, although proving causality is difficult. The theory of senescence as a mechanism for prostate disease has a number of clinical implications and could offer opportunities for targeting in the future.

Strategies for Targeting Senescent Cells in Human Disease

Cellular senescence represents a distinct cell fate characterized by replicative arrest in response to a host of extrinsic and intrinsic stresses. Senescence provides programming during development and wound healing, while limiting tumorigenesis. However, pathologic accumulation of senescent cells is implicated in a range of diseases and age-associated morbidities across organ systems. Senescent cells produce distinct paracrine and endocrine signals, causing local tissue dysfunction and exerting deleterious systemic effects. Senescent cell removal by apoptosis-inducing "senolytic" agents or therapies that inhibit the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, SASP inhibitors, have demonstrated benefit in both pre-clinical and clinical models of geriatric decline and chronic diseases, suggesting senescent cells represent a pharmacologic target for alleviating effects of fundamental aging processes. However, senescent cell populations are heterogeneous in form, function, tissue distribution, and even differ among species, possibly explaining issues of bench-to-bedside translation in current clinical trials. Here, we review features of senescent cells and strategies for targeting them, including immunologic approaches, as well as key intracellular signaling pathways. Additionally, we survey current senolytic therapies in human trials. Collectively, there is demand for research to develop targeted senotherapeutics that address the needs of the aging and chronically-ill.

Validation of the Generative Acts Scale-Chinese Version (GAS-C) among Middle-Aged and Older Adults as Grandparents in Mainland China

The current study examined the psychometric properties of the 20-item Generative Acts Scale-Chinese version (GAS-C) among middle-aged and older adults as grandparents in mainland China. A total of 1013 grandparents (mean age = 58.32 years; 71.9% female) of children from 12 kindergartens were recruited using multistage cluster random sampling. A four-factor pattern of domestic, agentic, communal, and civic generative acts were identified by exploratory factor analysis and further verified by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Subsequently, multigroup CFA was performed to test the measurement invariance across gender, age group and hukou status at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. The Cronbach's alpha value of the total (0.923) and subscales (range from 0.897 to 0.953) was satisfactory, indicating high internal consistency. Additionally, the significant gender differences in the domestic (male = 3.565, female = 3.718, p < 0.05), communal (male = 2.786, female = 2.591, p < 0.01), and civic subscales (male = 2.112, female = 1.864, p < 0.001) and the significant correlations between the GAS-C total scale and subscales with caregiving intensity (r = 0.433, p < 0.01), positive affect (r = 0.397, p < 0.01) and life satisfaction (r = 0.328, p < 0.01), supported concurrent validity. Overall, this study addressed the knowledge gap by validating a reliable and valid instrument to measure grandparents' generative acts in mainland China, contributing to generativity studies cross-culturally in research and practice.

Reversal of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase expression during in vitro three-dimensional tissue-engineering of human chondrocytes in a polymer scaffold

Regenerative medicine applications require cells that are not inflicted with senescence after in vitro culture for an optimal in vivo outcome. Methods to overcome replicative senescence include genomic modifications which have their own disadvantages. We have evaluated a three-dimensional (3D) thermo-reversible gelation polymer (TGP) matrix environment for its capabilities to reverse cellular senescence. The expression of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-βgal) by human chondrocytes from osteoarthritis-affected cartilage tissue, grown in a conventional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture versus in 3D-TGP were compared. In 2D, the cells de-differentiated into fibroblasts, expressed higher SA-βgal and started degenerating at 25 days. SA-βgal levels decreased when the chondrocytes were transferred from the 2D to the 3D-TGP culture, with cells exhibiting a tissue-like growth until 42-45 days. Other senescence associated markers such as p16INK4a and p21 were also expressed only in 2D cultured cells but not in 3D-TGP tissue engineered cartilage. This is a first-of-its-kind report of a chemically synthesized and reproducible in vitro environment yielding an advantageous reversal of aging of human chondrocytes without any genomic modifications. The method is worth consideration as an optimal method for growing cells for regenerative medicine applications.

Senotherapeutics for HIV and aging

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the state of chronic, treated HIV infection and its contribution to accelerated aging, and to evaluate recent research relevant to the study and treatment of aging and senescence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Chronic treated HIV-1 infection is associated with significant risk of end-organ impairment, non-AIDS-associated malignancies, and accelerated physiologic aging. Coupled with the chronologic aging of the HIV-1-positive population, the development of therapies that target these processes is of great clinical importance. Age-related diseases are partly the result of cellular senescence. Both immune and nonimmune cell subsets are thought to mediate this senescent phenotype, a state of stable cell cycle arrest characterized by sustained release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Recent research in the field of aging has identified a number of 'senotherapeutics' to combat aging-related diseases, pharmacologic agents that act either by selectively promoting the death of senescent cells ('senolytics') or modifying senescent phenotype ('senomorphics').

SUMMARY

Senescence is a hallmark of aging-related diseases that is characterized by stable cell cycle arrest and chronic inflammation. Chronic HIV-1 infection predisposes patients to aging-related illnesses and is similarly marked by a senescence-like phenotype. A better understanding of the role of HIV-1 in aging will inform the development of therapeutics aimed at eliminating senescent cells that drive accelerated physiologic aging.

The situation and well-being of custodial grandparents in Myanmar: Impacts of adult children's cross-border and internal migration

Custodial care for grandchildren left behind by migrant parents is an important contribution made by grandparents for their families and societies, given rising migration flows and increasing prominence of skipped-generation households in low- and middle-income countries. Yet, little is known about the scope and consequences of custodial grandparenting in developing settings. Analyzing unique data from the 2017 Myanmar Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren Survey, this study examines the extent to which the middle generation's cross-border and internal migration are associated with caregiving intensity, perception towards grandchild care, and psychological well-being among grandparents. Results suggest limited negative impacts of the middle generation's migration on the situation and well-being of grandparent caregivers. Custodial grandparents, particularly those caring for children of cross-border migrant mothers, experience heightened caregiving responsibilities and perceived difficulties in grandchild care. Nevertheless, all else equal, the middle generation's migration is not significantly associated with grandparents' psychological well-being. Remittances from migrant children and care support from non-coresident family members are found to reduce grandparents' caregiving intensity, improve caregiving perception, and lower psychological distress. In sum, findings echo Myanmar's widespread norms of grandchild care provision by grandparents and underscore mutual interdependence across generations, as evidenced in the importance of remittances from migrant children and informal care support networks in determining the well-being of Myanmar grandparents. This study extends current theoretical perspectives that emphasize custodial grandparenting either as a response to family crises or as a household strategy to facilitate middle-generation migration. Instead, our evidence suggests that, when conceptualizing custodial grandparenting practices in developing settings, it is instructive to consider not only opportunities but also challenges and ambivalent situations associated with the middle generation's diverse migration patterns.

Autofluorescence-based sorting removes senescent cells from mesenchymal stromal cell cultures

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are used in cell therapy, but results depend on the unknown quality of cell populations. Extended culture time of MSC increases their senescent levels, leading to a critical loss of cell fitness. Here, we tested the suitability of MSC-sorting based on their FACS autofluorescence profile, for a rapid and non-invasive method of senescent cell elimination. Cells were classified in low- (LA) and high- (HA) autofluorescence groups, and results compared to the original MSC population (control). Three days after sorting, cells were screened by replicative senescence markers (cell volume, SA-β-Gal assay and gene/protein expression) and MSC differentiation assays. The transcriptional profiles of sorted MSC were also analyzed by RNA-Seq. Compared to control, LA cells had 10% lower cell volume and autofluorescence, and 50% less SA-β-Gal + cells. Instead, HA cells had 20% higher cell volume and autofluorescence, and 120% more SA-β-Gal + cells. No changes in replicative senescence and differentiation potentials were observed between all groups. However, 68 genes (16 related to senescence) were significantly differentially expressed (DEG) between LA and other groups. Biological network of DEG identified CXCL12 as topological bottleneck. In summary, MSC sorting may have practical clinical implications to enhance the results of MSC-based therapies.

Pain and Activity Measurements

Musculoskeletal pain contributes significantly to chronic pain experienced by adults and to health care use. This chapter details several methods to evaluate pain and physical activity in mice that can be applied to preclinical orthopedic models. These methods include the von Frey filament assay that measures mechanical allodynia, open-field activity assays for evaluation of ambulation, and incapacitance measurements to determine static weight bearing.

The contribution of grandmother involvement to child growth and development: an observational study in rural Pakistan

INTRODUCTION

Early childhood interventions primarily focus on the mother-child relationship, but grandmothers are often critical in childcare in low-resource settings. Prior research is mixed on how grandmother involvement influences child outcomes and there is a paucity of research on grandmother caregiving in low-income and middle-income countries. We examined the role of grandmother involvement on child growth and development in the first 2 years of life cross sectionally and longitudinally in rural Pakistan.

METHODS

We used data from the Bachpan Cohort, a longitudinal birth cohort in rural Pakistan. Maternally reported grandmother involvement in daily instrumental and non-instrumental caregiving was collected at 3 and 12 months. A summed score was created and categorised into non-involved, low and high. Outcomes included 12-month and 24-month child growth, 12-month Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and 24-month Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Socioemotional. We used multivariable generalised linear models to estimate mean differences (MD) at 12 months (n=727) and 24 months (n=712). Inverse probability weighting was used to account for missingness and sampling.

RESULTS

In our sample, 68% of children lived with a grandmother, and most grandmothers were involved in caregiving. Greater 3-month grandmother involvement was positively associated with 12-month weight z-scores; however, greater involvement was associated with lower 24-month weight z-scores. High 12-month grandmother involvement was associated with improved 12-month cognitive (MD=0.38, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.76), fine motor skills (MD=0.45, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.83) and 24-month socioemotional development (MD=-17.83, 95% CI -31.47 to -4.19). No meaningful associations were found for length z-scores or language development.

CONCLUSION

In rural Pakistan, grandmothers provide caregiving that influences early child development. Our findings highlight the complex relationship between grandmother involvement and child weight, and suggest that grandmothers may positively promote early child cognitive, fine motor and socioemotional development. Understanding how grandmother involvement affects child outcomes in early life is necessary to inform caregiving interventions.

Kinship bereavement and psychological well-being of U.S. Chinese older women and men

This study examined the relationship of kinship bereavement with the psychological well-being of Chinese American older women and men. Data from the Population Study of ChINese Elderly were used. Respondents were asked if their spouse, children/grandchildren, siblings, close relatives, and friends had died. Widowhood was associated with more loneliness for both genders. For women, close relative/friend loss was associated with more stress, and children/grandchildren loss was linked to stronger anxiety. Only coefficients for close relative in the stress model were significantly different between genders. The variation in patterns of kinship bereavement may be attributed to Chinese cultural attitudes toward death.

Eliminating senescent chondrogenic progenitor cells enhances chondrogenesis under intermittent hydrostatic pressure for the treatment of OA

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of limb dysfunction, and distraction arthroplasty which generates intermittent hydrostatic pressure (IHP) is an effective approach for OA treatment. However, the result was not always satisfactory and the reasons remained unresolved. Because aging is recognized as an important risk factor for OA and chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) could acquire senescent phenotype, we made a hypothesis that CPCs senescence could have harmful effect on chondrogenesis and the outcome of distraction arthroplasty could be improved by eliminating senescent CPCs pharmacologically.

Methods

The role of senescent CPCs on distraction arthroplasty was first determined by comparing the cartilage samples from the failure and non-failure patients. Next, the biological behaviors of senescent CPCs were observed in the in vitro cell culture and IHP model. Finally, the beneficial effect of senescent CPCs clearance by senolytic dasatinib and quercetin (DQ) on cartilage regeneration was observed in the in vitro and in vivo IHP model.

Results

Larger quantities of senescent CPCs along with increased IL-1 β secretion were demonstrated in the failure patients of distraction arthroplasty. Senescent CPCs revealed impaired proliferation and chondrogenic capability and also had increased IL-1 β synthesis, typical of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). CPCs senescence and SASP formation were mutually dependent in vitro. Greater amounts of senescent CPCs were negatively correlated with IHP-induced chondrogenesis. In contrast, chondrogenesis could be significantly improved by DQ pretreatment which selectively induced senescent CPCs into apoptosis in the in vitro and in vivo IHP model. Mechanistically, senescent CPCs elimination could decrease SASP formation and therefore promote the proliferation and chondrogenic regeneration capacity of the surrounding survived CPCs under IHP stimulation.

Conclusions

Eliminating senescent CPCs by senolytics could decrease SASP formation and improve the result of joint distraction arthroplasty effectively. Our study provided a novel CPCs senescence-based therapeutic target for improving the outcome of OA treatment.

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is an important pattern recognition receptor (PRR) for inflammaging

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) was initially characterized and named for its ability to bind to advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that form upon the irreversible and non-enzymatic interaction between nucleophiles, such as lysine, and carbonyl compounds, such as reducing sugars. The concentrations of AGEs are known to increase in conditions such as diabetes, as well as during ageing. However, it is now widely accepted that RAGE binds with numerous ligands, many of which can be defined as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The interaction between RAGE and its ligands mainly results in a pro-inflammatory response, and can lead to stress events often favouring mitochondrial dysfunction or cellular senescence. Thus, RAGE should be considered as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR), similar to those that regulate innate immunity. Innate immunity itself plays a central role in inflammaging, the chronic low-grade and sterile inflammation that increases with age and is a potentially important contributory factor in ageing. Consequently, and in addition to the age-related accumulation of PAMPs and DAMPs and increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines from senescent cells and damaged cells, PRRs are therefore important in inflammaging. We suggest here that, through its interconnection with immunity, senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammasome activation, RAGE is a key contributor to inflammaging and that the pro-longevity effects seen upon blocking RAGE, or upon its deletion, are thus the result of reduced inflammaging.

General health perception, depression and quality of life in geriatric grandmothers providing care for grandchildren

AIM/BACKGROUND

To investigate levels of depression, quality of life, general health perception, and factors affecting these in grandmothers providing care for their grandchildren.

MATERIAL/METHOD

One hundred two family physicians from four cities (Samsun, Amasya, Canakkale, and Izmir) in Turkey investigated 2859 women older than 65 years on their patient lists. Of these, 282 (9.8%) had spent at least 50 h caring for their grandchildren in the previous three months, and these were selected as the study group, while the remaining 2563 (89.6%) were enrolled as the control group. After all participants' demographic variables had been investigated, they completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Self-Function 12 (Mental and physical component score) (SF-12), and the Visual Analog Scale of EQ-5D (VAS). The participants in the study group also completed a questionnaire investigating features of their grandchild care.

RESULTS

The study group (with the exception of custodial grandmothers) scored better on the SF-12 (PSC = 50.60 ± 6.96 vs 48.24 ± 8.12), (MCS = 49.70 ± 7.77 vs 45.48 ± 7.61), VAS (60.44 ± 23.5 vs 54.16 ± 19.5), and BDI (13.97 ± 0.3 vs 19.49 ± 0.2) compared to the control group (p < 0.0001 for all). Age, monthly income, mean length of education, duration of care, mean hours spent caregiving per week, being a custodial grandmother, presence of more than one chronic disease, and caring for more than one grandchild at a time were identified as factors affecting SF-12, VAS and BID in the study group.

CONCLUSION

Grandchild care positively affected the grandmothers' quality of life, depression levels, and general health perception, with the exception of custodial grandmothers.

Senolytics improve physical function and increase lifespan in old age

Physical function declines in old age, portending disability, increased health expenditures, and mortality. Cellular senescence, leading to tissue dysfunction, may contribute to these consequences of aging, but whether senescence can directly drive age-related pathology and be therapeutically targeted is still unclear. Here we demonstrate that transplanting relatively small numbers of senescent cells into young mice is sufficient to cause persistent physical dysfunction, as well as to spread cellular senescence to host tissues. Transplanting even fewer senescent cells had the same effect in older recipients and was accompanied by reduced survival, indicating the potency of senescent cells in shortening health- and lifespan. The senolytic cocktail, dasatinib plus quercetin, which causes selective elimination of senescent cells, decreased the number of naturally occurring senescent cells and their secretion of frailty-related proinflammatory cytokines in explants of human adipose tissue. Moreover, intermittent oral administration of senolytics to both senescent cell-transplanted young mice and naturally aged mice alleviated physical dysfunction and increased post-treatment survival by 36% while reducing mortality hazard to 65%. Our study provides proof-of-concept evidence that senescent cells can cause physical dysfunction and decreased survival even in young mice, while senolytics can enhance remaining health- and lifespan in old mice.