Occupational complexity of paid work and housework, and its impact on the cognitive performance in community dwelling older adults, preliminary results

Work and activity could be an important source of cognitive enrichment. Activities that are more challenging concerning the cognitive functions that are put into practice are associated with lower risk of cognitive decline in old age.

Objective

The present study aimed to assess the impact of occupational complexity and household tasks in three cognitive domains (verbal episodic memory, language, and executive functions) in older adults residing within the community.

Methods

A trail analysis was executed, using the structural equations procedure in 120 participants assessed with main lifetime occupational activity and household tasks questionnaire, as well as a neuropsychological assessment battery for memory, language, and executive functions.

Results

The regression weights analysis indicated that complexity in household chores showed moderate effects on executive functions (β=0.19; p=0.027) and that occupational complexity of paid work showed effects on memory (β=0.26; p=0.008), language (β=0.38; p<0.001), and executive functions (β=0.55; p<0.001).

Conclusion

Paid work promotes cognitive reserve, contrary to household activities which seem to have a moderate impact on cognition. Differences in activity complexity not only impact people´s economic and social status and possibilities but can also determine different courses of aging and cognitive risk.

Estimation of cognitive reserve and its impact on cognitive performance in older adults

OBJECTIVES

Cognitive reserve provides evidence in the search for answers regarding the role that lifestyle has in the protection of cognition in old age. Through a structural equations model, different things were analyzed: the relative weight of education, occupational complexity, free time activities and the intelligence quotient in cognitive reserve; and its impact on three cognitive domains: memory, language and executive functions.

DESIGN

A trail analysis was executed, using structural equations procedure.

PARTICIPANTS

167 older participants (mean = 76.74 years, standard deviation = 6.8 years).

MEASUREMENTS

Participants were assessed with: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Occupational Activity Agency Questionnaire, Social Participation Questionnaire and Neuropsychological Evaluation Battery for: memory, language and executive functions.

RESULTS

The cognitive reserve factor is well represented by the measures included, with values ​​between .43 and .86, and shows a direct effect on language (β = .52, p < .001), executive functions (β = .77, p <.001), and memory (β = .36, p = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, lifestyle factors, such as education, occupational complexity, leisure time activities and intelligence quotient have an impact on the conformation of cognitive reserve and performance in some psychological processes.

Cognitive decline and healthy aging: An online activities and psychoeducational program for older adults in the context of COVID‐19 pandemic: Preliminary results

Background

The preventive and compulsory social isolation regulations due to COVID‐19 affected the entire population, but this became more emphasized in the group of older adults. Many older adults who attended workshops, retirement centers and clubs had to interrupt their activities. This has impacted negatively on their activity level, socialization, and emotional state. The aim of the present study is to analyze preliminary results of the implementation of an online activities and psychoeducational program to prevent cognitive decline and promote healthy aging habits in older adults who live in Argentina in the context of Covid‐19 Pandemic.

Method

Design: Descriptive study. Subjects: 396 self‐validated older adults, male and female. Instruments: socio‐demographic and social participation questionnaire. Procedure: The intervention consists of a series of workshops (yoga, meditation, gym, singing lessons, memory, preparation for retirement and reflection about grief) and monthly specialist ´s talks on different topics about healthy aging. All the activities where done through zoom platform. All participants where offer one to one capacitation and written material about how to use this platform. Older adults could choose in how many activities they would take part in.

Result

Data of 396 older adults who have taken part in the on‐line version of the program on 2020 indicate that median age was 70.66 years old (ds= 8,7) of which 86 % were women. 73 % took part in specialists talks and 68 % on workshops and talks.

Conclusion

These results provide empirical evidence regarding the need to implement online intervention programs for older adults. Participating in an online educational program could increase participant’s cognitive healthy habits literacy, empowerment and engagement in brain health promotion activities, which in turn could reduce their dementia risk and feeling of loneliness in pandemic context.

Impact of an intergenerational training program in the use of information and communication technologies for older adults who receive cognitive intervention in the context of a Covid‐19 pandemic: Preliminary results

Background

Worldwide, the Covid‐19 pandemic impacted on professionals and patients receiving cognitive rehabilitation (CR) forcing them to instrument assistance programs through tele‐neuropsychology. Many of those who receive CR are older adults who lack the necessary technological knowledge to carry out CR through teleneuropsychology. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of a training program on technological tools, carried out by high school students, for older adults who received CR through teleneuropsychology.

Method

Design: Pre‐post, longitudinal intervention study. Participants: Older adults (n=13) (73.34 +/‐ 5.07 years old) and Students (n=20) (16.14 +/‐1.33 years old). The intervention consisted of a 4 week program for technological training. Participants were assessed at the beginning and the end of the program which consists in two training sessions of 45 minutes each. Instruments: Older adults were assessed with: Questionnaire of Social Demographic Data and Use of Technology (built ad. Hoc.), Functional Assessment Questionnaire, MOS Scale of Social Support, Try Your Memory Test (TYM). Students were assessed with: Basic data questionnaire and Negative stereotypes questionnaire towards old age (CENVE).

Result

When comparing pre and post‐tests, statistically significant differences were found in the assessed variables. In the older adult group, a significant difference was found in the use of zoom platform (z= ‐2.97, p= .003). In the student group, a statistically significant difference was found regarding the beliefs about aging (z=‐2,53 p= .01).

Conclusion

These results add evidence regarding the importance of applying technology training programs for older adults. Intergenerational programs are a promising alternative where both parts can benefit: older adults through the incorporation of meaningful technological tools for their daily lives, and young participants taking the opportunity to provide community service and to deconstruct negative prejudices and beliefs towards old age and its consequences.

COVID‐19: Prevalence evaluation of anxiety, depression, and burden in Argentine family caregivers

Background

Since WHO declaration of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the Argentine Ministry of Health considered pregnant women, over 60 years old adults, and people suffering from chronic diseases as cohorts at risk.

In this context, older adults diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases as well as their family caregivers were affected by radical changes in the dynamics of health care and a consequent limitation of help resources.

The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of anxiety, geriatric depression, and burden in Argentine family caregivers within the COVID‐19 pandemic context. It also aims at evaluating the correlation between these variables.

Method

Design: Non‐experimental, descriptive‐correlational study. Procedure: Between April and August 2020, an online survey was administered to 180 senescent family caregivers of both sexes, living in Argentina. Instruments: Ad‐hoc sociodemographic and psychosocial questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD‐7), Yesavage Geriatric Depression Questionnaire (GDS‐VE), and Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (Argentine validated version).

Result

The study cohort mean age was 67 years old (sd = 6), 81% were women, and 56% were daugthers of the assisted family member. Regarding analyzed variables, 46% of the survey respondents presented depression, 68% caregiver burden, and 71% anxiety. A positive, moderate correlation was observed between geriatric depression and anxiety (“r”: .468, p: .000).

Conclusion

The results provide empirical evidence of the impact of care tasks on emotions of family caregivers within the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic. These findings invite devising necessary and possible anticipated intervention strategies, specially facing the second wave of the pandemic.

Jubilación, trastornos psicofisiológicos y bienestar psicológico en una muestra de adultos mayores argentinos

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la relación entre trastornos psicofisiológicos y bienestar psicológico en la jubilación, en un grupo de adultos mayores argentinos. Se utilizó un diseño de estudio “ex post facto”, de carácter retrospectivo, simple. 150 adultos mayores (autoválidos, de nivel socioeconómico medio y diferente género, residentes en Buenos Aires y zonas de influencia –Argentina-, y que poseían un vínculo laboral estable y formal antes de jubilarse) respondieron un Cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos y de perfil jubilatorio, un Cuestionario de estado de salud y el Índice de Bienestar Psicológico. Los resultados mostraron un mayor bienestar psicológico entre quienes informaron una menor presencia de trastornos psicofisiológicos asociados a la jubilación. Dichos hallazgos coincidieron con los de investigaciones previas destacando la importancia del estudio del bienestar psicológico como un aspecto central en la calidad de vida de los adultos mayores.  

Prevalence of Geriatric Depression and Alexithymia and their association with sociodemographic characteristics in a sample of elderly persons living in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of Geriatric Depression and Alexithymia and their association with sociodemographic characteristics in independent elderly persons without known depression. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted, based on a non-probabilistic, intentional type sampling strategy. A total of 176 independent men and women aged over 60 years residing in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, were evaluated through individual interviews using the following instruments: a sociodemographic (ad hoc) questionnaire, an adapted version of the questionnaire of the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (V-15) and the Latin American Alexithymia LAC TAS-20 Scale. The Chi-squared and Student's t-tests were used and the Odds Ratio was calculated, with a probability of error less than or equal to 0.05. Results: The mean age was 73 years (+7.1 years) and 72.7% of the participants were women. The prevalence of Geriatric Depression was 35.8%, while that of Alexithymia was 50.6%. The presence of Geriatric Depression was significantly associated with the female gender and with individuals who did not work. High Alexithymia values were observed among those with primary education and a low occupational level. Conclusion: The evaluation of Geriatric Depression and Alexithymia in clinical care is recommended, and the social determinants of the health of the elderly should also be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.