Health status and its socio-economic covariates in the older population in Poland - the assumptions and methods of the nationwide, cross-sectional PolSenior2 survey

A thermosurvey dataset: Older adults' experiences and adaptation to urban heat and climate change

We introduce the thermosurvey dataset, a comprehensive collection focusing on the thermal comfort, heat-related experiences, health, socioeconomic status, and perceptions of older adults (aged 65 and over) in Warsaw and Madrid. The two cities differ greatly in their heat experiences, but due to climate change, both face increasing temperatures. The study aimed to understand how heat affects cities' older adult population and how we can better adapt to rising temperatures. We call the study a thermosurvey because it connects traditional survey data with temperature and humidity measurements done before, after and during the interview, offering a holistic view of the participants' thermal environments. The dataset can be used to better understand thermal comfort, the interplay of health and heat experiences, and the relationship between experiences and climate change views. We hope our data will enable scholars to analyse the impact of climate change on older adults and to develop strategies to help them adapt to a warming climate.

Effects of Wisdom on Mental Health in Old Age: Exploring the Pathways Through Developmental Tasks Attainment and Self-Rated Health

Purpose

A number of studies indicate a relationship between wisdom and mental health in older adults, which can be explained by different pathways. However, the role of developmental task accomplishment, and of self-rated health in the relationships between wisdom and mental health in later life remain unclear. The aim of the current study is to explore the structure of the relationships between wisdom, developmental task attainment, self-rated health, and positive and negative mental health outcomes (viz. wellbeing and depressive symptoms) in older adults.

Methods

The study included 381 Polish older adults aged 60-86 (M= 67.33; SD = 5.08). The respondents completed the Personal Wellbeing Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale, Developmental Tasks Attainment Questionnaire for Seniors, self-rated health scale and sociodemographic survey.

Results

Three-dimensional wisdom, developmental task attainment and self-rated health scores were positive predictors of personal wellbeing and negative predictors of depressive symptoms in older adults. Structural equation modelling revealed that developmental tasks attainment and self-rated health partially mediated the relations between wisdom and mental health in older adults.

Conclusion

It can be assumed that wise older adults implement developmental tasks more efficiently and assess their subjective health more favorably, which may strengthen their personal wellbeing and prevent depression. The findings suggest that wisdom plays an important role in healthy aging.

Significant improvements in cataract treatment and persistent inequalities in access to cataract surgery among older Poles from 2009 to 2019: results of the PolSenior and PolSenior2 surveys

Background and aims

Cataract is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness among older adults worldwide, that can be corrected through surgical interventions. However, diagnosis and treatment bias can be observed, and it is a major issue for improving health policies. Therefore, we assessed a declared prevalence of cataract and the frequency of surgical treatment of this condition in the Polish population in the years 2009-2019. To provide evidence of health inequalities, we compared operated and non-operated seniors using selected socioeconomic factors and identified variables affecting the availability of cataract surgery services over a 10-year follow-up period.

Methods

An analysis based on a survey among 4,905 participants of the nationwide PolSenior study conducted in 2008-2009, and 5,031 participants of PolSenior2 conducted one decade later to assess the health of Poles over 65 years of age.

Results

Cataract diagnosis was declared by 25.5 and 28.2% of the study population in PolSenior and PolSenior2 surveys, respectively. Out of those diagnosed with cataract in PolSenior, 46.5% underwent surgical treatment for at least one eye. This rate increased up to 67.9% in the survey conducted 10 years later. Independent factors increasing the chance for cataract surgery in both cohorts included male sex and age > 75 years. Additional factors were self-reported good health status in PolSenior and lack of financial problems in purchasing medicines in PolSenior2. Over the investigated decade, the chances for cataract surgical treatment increased in single-living and widowed patients. The shortage of funds for medications remained the only significant barrier for surgery.

Conclusion

Although the prevalence of cataract in the older adult population in Poland has not changed from 2009 to 2019, the rate of cataract surgeries has considerably increased over the analyzed decade. Patients with lower socioeconomic status and women have lower access to surgical cataract management.

The national burden of frailty and disproportionate distribution of its components-the predominance of slow gait speed: a 2018-19 face-to-face epidemiologic assessment representative of population of older Poles

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of frailty and its components may be affected by age, diseases and geriatric deficits. However, the current operational definition of frailty assigns equal weight to the five components of frailty.

AIMS

To perform a population-based assessment of physical frailty, its prevalence, and distribution of its components across different age, disease and deficit spectrum.

METHODS

From 2018 to 2019, we conducted a face-to-face cross-sectional assessment of a representative sample of older Poles. We obtained data on frailty components, chronic disease burden, and prevalence of particular diseases and geriatric deficits. We calculated weighted population estimates, representative of 8.5 million older Poles, of prevalence of frailty and its components across the disease burden, associated with the particular diseases and the geriatric deficits present.

RESULTS

Of 10,635 screened persons ≥ 60 years, 5987 entered the face-to-face assessment. Data of 5410 have been used for the present analysis. Seventy-two percent of the population are burdened with at least one frailty component. The estimated weighted population prevalence (95% CI) of frailty was 15.9% (14.6-17.1%), and of pre-frailty 55.8% (53.3-58.2%). Slow gait speed predominated across disease burden, specific diseases, geriatric deficits and the age spectrum. Overall, the prevalence of slow gait speed was 56.3% (52.7-60.0%), followed by weakness 26.9% (25.4-28.4%), exhaustion 19.2% (17.6-20.8%), low physical activity 16.5% (14.8-18.3%), and weight loss 9.4% (8.4-10.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Slow gait speed predominates among the components of frailty in older Poles. This may affect the component-tailored preventive and therapeutic actions to tackle frailty.

THE FRAMEWORK OF THE PILOT PROJECT FOR TESTING A TELEMEDICINE MODEL IN THE FIELD OF GERIATRICS - HEALTH CHALLENGES AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To present the essentials of the pilot project for testing a telemedicine model in the field of geriatrics, along with a snapshot of the health challenges.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: This review paper use the synthetic method summarizing the main objectives of the telemedicine project in the field of geriatrics. The described project involving telemedical care of patients with geriatric complexes in the area of frailty syndrome, sarcopenia and malnutrition, according to the proposed model addresses the aforementioned problems. The project provides a holistic model of home and outpatient care, which will allow concerting on 3 groups of the above-mentioned geriatric syndromes. The project will have a pilot character and is aimed at clinical verification through the introduction (implementation) of the new method and accompanying organizational and technological solutions (platform, equipment) in an area where current models and schemes of therapeutic and diagnostic support were insufficient.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: The implementation of telemedicine solutions creates an opportunity for geriatric patients and their families by improving access to specialized medical care. This project will support patients, but also caregivers, who (through training and telemedicine) will be better able to provide care services with the ability to reconcile them with their own work.

Obesity in Caucasian Seniors on the Rise: Is It Truly Harmful? Results of the PolSenior2 Study

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality; however, data suggest that in old age, obesity is not detrimental. The study’s objective was to verify whether obesity frequency still increases in Polish Caucasian seniors and to verify the “obesity paradox”. Five thousand and fifty-seven community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 65 years completed a detailed medical questionnaire, underwent measurements of the body mass index (BMI) and the waist circumference (WC), and an evaluation of physical and cognitive performances. Over a decade, general obesity increased by 2.1%, mostly due to a 3.9% increase in men. Abdominal obesity increased by 1.0%, mainly due to males, in whom it increased by 3.9%. Obesity increased the risk of several aging-related diseases, but this effect was less pronounced in the oldest-old. Obesity did not adversely affect the physical and cognitive functioning or mortality. Through a multivariable analysis, the BMI and WC remained the independent predictors of the Katz Activities of Daily Living score (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and Mini-Mental State Examination score (both p < 0.001). The Kaplan−Meier survival curves revealed that overweight and obesity classes 1 and 2 were associated with the lowest mortality. Through a multivariable analysis, overweight, class 1 obesity, and abdominal obesity remained the independent predictors of a decreased mortality (all p < 0.001). In conclusion, we found that overweight and obesity are not detrimental in seniors, including the oldest-old. We suggest that the anthropometric values defining obesity should be modified for age-advanced people.

Socioeconomic Risk Factors of Poor Nutritional Status in Polish Elderly Population: The Results of PolSenior2 Study

Poor nutritional status (PNS) threatens successful aging. Identifying potentially modifiable predictors of PNS is essential for elaborating a preventive strategy for the population at risk. To assess the prevalence of PNS in the Polish elderly population and analyze its socioeconomic correlates based on the data from the nationwide PolSenior2 project. Special emphasis was put on potentially modifiable factors among the identified PNS predictors. Nutritional status was assessed in 5698 community-dwelling older adults with the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. We evaluated the effect of age, sex, level of education, marital status, place of residence, subjective loneliness, and self-reported poverty on the nutritional status of the studied subjects. PNS was found in 25.3% of studied subjects (27.7% women and 21.9% men; p < 0.001). Female sex, older age, unmarried status (in men), subjective loneliness, and self-reported poverty were independent correlates of PNS. The two last above-mentioned predictors were identified as potentially modifiable. Based on our results, we recommend preventive interventions (e.g., performing regular screening), particularly in unmarried (men), poorly educated individuals, self-reporting poverty, complaining of loneliness, and the oldest old. PNS preventive strategies should include social support (both emotional and instrumental) to reduce the effect of poverty and subjective loneliness.