Search

The present paper explores how aging bodies of middle-aged women can enable and constrain participation in physical activity. The study is inspired by the process sociology of Norbert Elias and builds on qualitative empirical material from passive observations (N = 57), focus groups (N = 51), and individual follow-up interviews (N = 21) with middle-aged Danish women who participated in a 3-month research project with exercise intervention. The qualitative study found that awareness of bodily aging enabled the taking up of exercise in the intervention. Additionally, taking up regular exercise in midlife can be understood as a highly rationalized leisure-time activity in relation to societal moral norms of self-responsibility for own physiological health. Furthermore, the qualitative material indicates that participation enabled a self-realization among the middle-aged women, as strong and capable bodies counter to the biomedical view of decline in the aging body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Guided by Andersen's behavioral model, the objectives of this study were to (a) examine the associations between individual factors and the intended utilization of home-based long-term care (LTC) services among older adults in China and (b) explore the influence of community support, if any, on these associations. Methods Using a multistage random sampling approach, we recruited 1,064 older adults in Chengdu, China. Hierarchical regression was employed to investigate the direct effects of individual predictors and community support on the intended use of home-based LTC services. The moderating effect of community support was examined using the Hayes Process. Results Two predisposing (i.e. being old and unmarried), 4 enabling (i.e. living alone, having fewer children, and receiving less family and peer support), and 6 need factors (i.e. having more chronic illnesses; decreased performance in instrumental activities of daily living; higher levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness; and a lower self-image of aging), and low community support were significantly associated with increased intended utilization of home-based LTC. In addition, community support moderated the effects of family support (B  = −0.20, p  < .001), peer support (B  = −0.20, p  < .001), self-image of aging (B  = −0.39, p  < .001), depression (B  = −0.34, p  < .001), and loneliness (B  = −0.48, p  <  .001) on the intended utilization of home-based LTC services. Discussion Policy-makers and practitioners should consider delivering tailored services for older adults and involve the community in the context of enhancing home-based LTC services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global increase in life expectancy has significantly raised the elderly population. In Türkiye, the proportion of individuals aged 65 and over rose from 8.8% in 2018 to 10.2% in 2023. This demographic shift necessitates the planning of social and health services for the elderly. Ageism affects elderly health negatively and is prevalent in healthcare settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ageism among resident physicians at Pamukkale University Hospital and identify factors influencing their preferences for providing healthcare to elderly patients. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted at Pamukkale University Hospital between 6 June and 16 June, 2024. A total of 448 resident physicians were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire, which included sociodemographic information, factors affecting ageism, and the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA). Descriptive statistics, Chi‐square tests, and logistic regression were used to evaluate factors influencing healthcare preferences. Results: The FSA score averaged 71.89 ± 7.87, indicating a 20.1% (95% CI:16.48–24.10) prevalence of age discrimination among resident physicians. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male participants (odds ratio (OR) = 1.519, P = 0.042), those with moderate to very poor perceived knowledge of elderly health (OR = 2.418, P < 0.001), and higher FSA scores (OR = 1.046, P < 0.001) were more likely to prefer not providing healthcare services to elderly patients. Conclusions: Ageism among resident physicians is prevalent, impacting their willingness to provide care to elderly patients. Gender, perceived knowledge, and ageist attitudes influence their preferences for providing healthcare to elderly patients. Addressing these factors is crucial for improving healthcare services for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is aging. The growth of India's older population has increased our concerns about their well-being. While it is critical to explore the diverse needs and aging experience of older Indians, their voices are largely missing in the aging literature. In this context, data was collected from 63 community-dwelling and OAH residing older men and women of Delhi NCR to understand their aging experience, views about old age and perceived need for government intervention in old age care and support. Reflexive thematic analysis of their aging experience and perception of old age generated five themes and six sub-themes: The aging body encompassing three sub-themes "the older we become the more diseases we have", "the ointment called positive thinking", "women's quest for self-care"; Psychological gains and social losses; Affiliation, distraction and anticipation; The aging parent and the adult child comprising three sub-themes "filial relations—quality and quantity", "children these days and their mobile phones", "our daughter shows us more love and care"; and A time for religious and spiritual devotion. Lastly, the analysis of their perceived need for government support in old age care generated five sub-themes – Political cynicism, I was a private employee but am I not a part of this country? Government or Private Hospitals: A no-win situation, Everyday life and Reforms in OAHs. The present findings highlight the multidimensional and multidirectional experience of aging and the diverse needs of older persons in the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usually, work beyond retirement is seen as part of the active and healthy aging paradigm. However, during the work-to-retirement transition, some people can experience activity and value re-prioritization, which might align more closely with the theory of gerotranscendence. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to explore the concept of gerotranscendence in a group of retirement-aged workers (n = 219) and determine the relationship between gerotranscendence and motivation for work beyond retirement. To collect data, the Slovenian version of a 4-point Gerotranscendence Scale with 10 items (GTS-10) was used for the first time. Principal component analysis of the GTS-10 suggested that the internal structure of the Slovenian version of the GTS-10 corresponded to the original scale. Gerotranscendence was predicted by the presence of meaningful activities in a person's life (β = 0.184, p =.006) and uninterrupted pattern of life (β = 0.343, p <.001). The workers' motivation for prolonged work activity was influenced by a sense of autonomy and mastery engagement in work provided (β = 0.214, p =.008) as well as by Cosmic transcendence (β = 0.192, p =.005). Workers' social relations were characterized by enjoying being with others and meeting new people, which is contrary to the theory of gerotranscendence. The study suggests that gerotranscendence can be relevant in understanding workers' motivation for prolonged work activity. However, there might be nuances of the concept specific to the studied population and cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore Kinh Vietnamese adults' perception of older adults, and examine their anxiety about ageing and its associated factors. Purposive sampling method was used to recruit rural community members who aged from 18 to 59 by the time of the study and self-identified with Kinh ethnicity, the major ethnicity in Vietnam. A total of 322 eligible participants completed face-to-face, semi-structured interviews conducted by research assistants. The survey consisted of both close-ended questions and open-ended questions to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The qualitative results from open-ended questions show that 'older adults' were perceived and described with overwhelmingly negative characteristics regarding their appearance (wrinkles, gray hair), physical and cognitive health conditions (weak, frail, confused), capacity (incapable of working), and personality and behavioral characteristics (being difficult and irritable). The quantitative findings show that contact with older adults, correct understanding of qualified age of older adults, and worry about getting dementia and caring for someone with dementia in the future were significantly associated with anxiety about aging. Stereotype and prejudice about older adults, as well as anxiety about aging are critical issues among Vietnamese adults. These results have their implications for educational programs and media campaigns to address ageist stereotypes and aging anxiety in community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geroscience and philosophy of aging have tended to focus their analyses on the biological and chronological dimensions of aging. Namely, one ages with the passage of time and by experiencing the cellular‐molecular deterioration that accompanies this process. However, our concept of aging depends decisively on the social valuations held about it. In this article, we will argue that, if we study social aging in the contemporary world, a novel phenomenon can be identified: the paradox of aging in the digital era. If the social understanding of aging today is linked to unproductivity and obsolescence; then there is a possibility that, given the pace of change of digital technologies, we become obsolete at an early chronological and biological age, and therefore, feel old at a younger age. First, we will present the social dimension of aging based on Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging. We will also show that their notion of social aging hardly considers structural aspects and weakens their approach. Second, departing from social aging in its structural sense, we will develop the paradox of aging in the digital era. On the one hand, we will explain how the institutionalization of aging has occurred in modern societies and how it is anchored in the concepts of obsolescence and productivity. On the other hand, we will state the kind of obsolescence that digitalization produces and argue that it can make cohorts of biologically and chronologically young individuals obsolete, and thus they would be personally and socially perceived as old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Perceived expectations for active aging (PEAA) reflect subjective exposure to social expectations about staying active and fit in old age, for example, by maintaining health and social engagement. We investigated whether motivational and personality factors were related to PEAA in the domains of physical health, mental health, and social engagement. Method: We used a nationally representative sample of German adults (SOEP-IS) covering the entire adult life span (N = 2,007, age range 16–94 years) to test our pre-registered hypotheses. Results: Multiple regression analyses indicated that motivation (i.e. life goals and health-related worries) was consistently associated with PEAA in the matching domains and mediated the effects of openness to experience on PEAA. No other personality trait was associated with PEAA. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that individuals preferentially notice the expectations for active aging whose content relates to their personal concerns and goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Prescriptive views of aging (PVoA) are normative age-based expectations about age-appropriate behavior for older adults, e.g. that they should stay fit/active (active aging norms) but also behave altruistically toward younger generations (altruistic disengagement norms). We aimed at examining age differences in endorsement of active aging and altruistic disengagement and investigated predictors of endorsement. Method: In the AGEISM Germany survey, a representative sample of N = 1,915 German participants was recruited, covering a wide age range (Mage=56.57 years, 16-96 years). Cross-sectional data was collected via computer-assisted telephone interviews. Results: Active aging was more strongly endorsed than altruistic disengagement. Endorsement of both PVoA was higher in older age groups – even more pronounced for altruistic disengagement. Endorsement of both norms was positively associated with positive age stereotypes. Furthermore, active aging was predicted by age centrality whereas altruistic disengagement was predicted by negative age stereotypes. Age was still a robust predictor of PVoA even after entering additional predictors. Conclusion: Although associated, prescriptive age norms (i.e. beliefs how older people should behave) and descriptive age norms (i.e. beliefs about how older adults and the aging process are like) represent partly independent belief systems, highlighting the importance to assess & further investigate predictors and consequences of PVoA, which become more prevalent with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: We examine age-related differences in implicit and explicit memory tasks, and test the impact of future time perspectives on priming and cued recall. Methods: We induced time perspective in young (limited-time perspective) and older (extended-time perspective) adults. Implicit and explicit memory tasks were performed by younger and older adults. Results: Results showed an age-related effect on priming and cued recall, confirming that implicit and explicit memory are impaired in aging. Nevertheless, manipulation of future time perspective eliminated age differences in priming and cued recall. Discussion: These findings support the view that it is not age per se that determines memory performance but rather the perception of the time left to us. Socio-emotional selectivity theory thus seems to be a serious candidate to explain age-related differences in implicit and explicit memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the adaptive competencies of an older woman who lived well into her 80s in deprived environments, to serve as a basis for developing therapeutic guidelines for older individuals in contexts of adversities. This retrospective, instrumental case study draws on the theoretical lens offered by the person-environment-fit (PEF) framework in the context of adaptive aging. Multiple data sources (Mmogo-method1—a visual projective technique—interviews and extant texts) yielded textual and visual data which were analyzed to present a case record and relevant themes. Personal competencies that enabled this woman's adaptation were industriousness, courageous and generous caring, and agency. Four types of relationships and associated competencies emerged: ancestral heritage (being rooted), peer group (mobilizing resources), intergenerational (being concerned for continuity), and spiritual (having a commitment script). Therapeutic guidelines for older women include: using a life story approach to identify the nature (flexible/rigid) of the environments and older women's adaptive competencies; assessing the different environments (e.g. physical, relational) to determine the focus of intervention; challenging unfair social practices; and supporting older women's agency and active participation to adapt to 'unfit' environments while also being aware of what additional complementary support/protection older women would need to embrace adaptive aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the following we introduce a special issue of the journal Woman & Therapy, titled Women in Their 80s and 90s: Positively Vital. Our intent has been to provide a balance to the prevailing literature on older women which tends to present a negative view of the trials and tribulations of old age. We believe that this information is vital not just for old women but also for feminist psychologists who work with this population and for the world at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageist attitudes have been associated with various aspects of psychological functioning in older adults. According to Terror Management Theory, older adults may be seen as a reminder of human demise and death, and research has demonstrated links between ageist attitudes and compromised abilities to seek and maintain close personal relationships, which ward off awareness of one's mortality. Accordingly, the current work examined whether reflective functioning, or the ability to comprehend one's own and others' mental states, mitigates the negative psychological manifestations of ageist attitudes in older adults. Data was collected from 686 participants aged 60–94 (Mage = 72.64, SD = 6.28), who completed scales assessing ageist attitudes, reflective functioning, and psychological distress, as well as relevant socio‐demographic information. Results indicated that ageist attitudes were linked with low levels of reflective functioning and enhanced psychological distress. Moreover, reflective functioning moderated the ageist attitudes‐distress link, which was not significant in individuals reporting high levels of reflective functioning. This study provides insight into how the ability to comprehend others' mental states mitigates the adverse psychological effects of ageist attitudes and highlights the importance of examining relationship‐enhancing personal factors within the context of negative ageing perceptions and psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageism remains an obstacle to building an age-friendly environment. Although the rise of ageist microaggressions (i.e., subtle discrimination) threatens older adults from maintaining well-being, the mechanism of ageist microaggressions remains understudied. The present study examined ageist microaggressions using a transactional model. Specifically, we examined whether ageing and death anxieties contribute to self-ageism and influence benevolent and hostile ageism. These ageist beliefs might lead to benevolent and hostile ageist microaggressions, respectively. Cross-sectional data from 214 Hong Kong middle-aged adults (M age = 50.97) were obtained. The results from a structural equation model revealed that ageing anxiety, but not death anxiety, was a significant predictor of self-ageism, hostile ageism, and hostile ageist microaggressions. A revised model further suggested that benevolent and hostile ageism were predictive of hostile ageist microaggressions. The results highlight the importance of defying the conventional perception of ageing to reduce ageing anxiety, ageism and ageist microaggressions for an age-friendly society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our standards of beauty have become sufficiently diverse. However, the representation of older women continues to be marginalized in mainstream media platforms, with the dominant ageist message revolving around the notion of 'failure.' For a woman, the 'horrors' of aging are felt more conspicuously, which renders her a devalued commodity. Within Indian society, aging is further contested by varied socio-cultural factors that prescribe an older woman to dress, behave and act according to her age and firmly reprimand any transgression from normative practices. This paper explains the complexities related to the prevailing aging/anti-aging discourses and discerns how older women influencers engage in challenging the negative stereotypes (like body shaming and sexageist derision) through the model of successful aging. Through select Instagram handles, the study analyses how the graying individuals collectively seek to direct or reclaim their power to forge alternative narratives/perspectives that encourage the aging/aged self to 'be' in her skin. The visual content from the Instagram profiles of Manjri Varde, Ravi Bala Sharma, Rajani Chandy, Seema Anand, and Usha Soman, who serve as representatives of redefining aging with purpose, has been critically analyzed. The results obtained have delineated how the social networking site has emerged as a space of resistance and empowerment- redefining beauty, desire, and agency within the contemporary youth-centric Indian culture and rendering possibilities that one can explore while growing old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Successful aging is a mainstay of the gerontological literature, but it is not without criticism, including the often-limited way that it is studied and measured as well as the exclusion of older adults' voices in its formulation and understanding. This study sought to address these issues through a qualitative investigation across multiple countries. Research Design and Methods This was a mixed-methods, cross-sectional, exploratory study using an online survey. Nations that received the survey included Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and the Unites States. Participants aged 65 and older were asked to describe what successful aging means to them in an open-ended survey item. Summative content analysis was utilized to examine the responses. Results Successful aging was defined by 1,994 participants, and 6 themes along with 20 subthemes were found. In contrast to conception that successful aging is solely or predominantly related to the absence of disease and decline, the most prominent theme in this study was "active, independent, and engaged" as the hallmark of success. Discussion and Implications Although health and health maintenance were present in other themes, these findings support a multidimensional definition of successful aging that promotes the perspectives of older people. Future research should seek to further investigate the ways in which person-in-environment factors influence definitions of successful aging, including culture, gender and gender identity, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Attitudes toward aging (ATA) are among the most important determinants of well-being in old age. However, little research has examined factors contributing to their formation in middle-aged individuals. This study aimed to investigate predictors of attitudes toward aging among Iranian middle-aged individuals in 2022. Method: This study recruited 330 people with a mean age of 56.5 ± 5.6 using multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire, including demographic factors, an attitude toward aging questionnaire (AAQ), and a multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS). The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS (v.22) statistical software to conduct t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression. Results: According to bivariate analysis, perceived social support (PSS), age, level of education, and perceived income adequacy (PIA) had a significant relation with the total ATA score (P < 0.05). According to regression analysis, family support (β = 0.288, P < 0.001), friend support (β = 0.188, P < 0.001), significant others support (β = 0.130, P = 0.04), age (β = 0.118, P = 0.002), and PIA (β = 0.290, P < 0.001) were the predictor factors of ATA and explained 41% of the variance. PSS and PIA were the predictors of all dimensions of ATA. Conclusion: The results highlight the role of potentially modifiable factors, such as PSS, PIA, and level of education, in shaping ATA. This requires interventions and policies that effectively promote social and financial support in middle-aged individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to provide an in-depth examination of culturally and linguistically diverse older adults' perceptions of and experiences with the Toronto Police Service to inform the development of a training curriculum for police officers working with older persons. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative descriptive study using virtual focus groups with 26 older adults from Toronto was conducted. Findings: Three main themes emerged: understanding intersectionality; the impact of police officer attitudes and biases; and the need for age-friendly policing. Although many older adults rely on police services to keep them safe, there is dissatisfaction with some aspects of how police interact with older adults, particularly from minority groups. Originality/value: Participants were older adults from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are not usually included in studies on improving police services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults often experience different forms of discrimination, whether it be on the basis of their age, gender, race, or ethnicity (Rochon et al. 2021). Many older adults have stated they have experienced the health care system differently because of their race or ethnicity. Understanding older adults' experiences and their perceptions of ageism and racism can guide future work. This observational cross-sectional study captured community-dwelling older adults' perceptions about their experiences with ageism and racism. A few opened-ended questions were included in the cross-sectional survey. While results did not yield differences with respect to perceptions of ageism by race; there were statistically significant results in regard to perceived racism, with higher scores on the racism scales for individuals who self-identified as Black. Discussion and implications for practice, policy and research are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of life (QoL) has become an essential goal of contemporary healthcare and protective psychological resources. Individual life expectancy has increased with improved social progress, healthcare, nutrition and advanced health‐related technologies. However, research often overlooks the significant impact of social change and generational effects on the QoL of the ageing population. As people age, optimising opportunities for health, participation and safety to improve QoL has become crucial for society, policymakers and researchers. This study utilised a cross‐temporal meta‐analysis to investigate changes in the QoL among older adults from 1999 to 2017. Fifty two studies (N = 34,844) that used the Brief Health Status Survey Scale (SF‐36) were analysed. Direct and lagged correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between changes in the QoL of older adults and the macro social environment. The findings showed that QoL decreased by 7.94 points (d = −0.50) over the past 18 years. Economic status, social connectedness, and general threats were significant predictors of declining QoL among older adults. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age is a commonly used criterion in social work, whether for entry and exit or for decisions about the appropriate measures for clients. This study introduces the concept of age logics in social work and investigates the use of age in 'wet' eldercare facilities. Wet eldercare facilities are harm reduction arrangements open to people over the age of 50 with long-term substance misuse. No treatment is provided, and residents can continue to consume alcohol and other substances for the rest of their lives. At wet eldercare facilities, age is used to mark a shift in ambition: earlier efforts to treat are replaced by attempts to provide care and dignity. The article uses wet eldercare facilities as the example with which to (i) introduce age logics as an analytical tool for critical studies of age in social work; (ii) understand how age logics are used in harm reduction arrangements for older people; and (iii) propose a method to increase age awareness and identify and challenge problematic uses of age in social work. The empirical data consists of interviews with 31 residents, 11 caseworkers and 12 staff members at two Swedish wet eldercare facilities. The analysis identifies four types of age logics linking chronological age with its meanings: (a) the logic of changeability; (b) the logic of lifestyle; (c) the logic of function; and (d) the logic of administrative fit. Together they construct an ideal type of the 'older addict', which justified existing arrangements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Historically, aging research has focused primarily on health deterioration and negative aspects associated with aging. This has limited the scope of our understanding of the experience of aging and the relationships between aging and well-being from an integrative biopsychosocial perspective. In the same vein, there is a lack of reliable and valid assessments of aging that capture the positive aspects that characterize and improve the subjective experience of this period of life, particularly one that focuses on psychosocial well-being, including meaningful experiences and activities, group memberships, and general abilities. This study presents the development and validation of the Positive Aging Scale (PAS), a novel self-report assessment. Research Design and Methods This was an online cross-sectional study conducted on 501 UK residents aged ≥60 years. A number of self-reported items and measures of positive aging, general health, well-being, and cognitive functioning were administered to the sample. We used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and assessed the dimensionality, reliability, and concurrent criterion-related validity of the PAS. Results The results suggested that a unidimensional solution represents the data well, with the positive aging factor adequately loading on 8 items, and the solution showing factorial invariance between young-old and old participants (i.e. ≥75 years). Total PAS scores positively correlate with general health, well-being, and cognitive functioning. Discussion and Implications The PAS demonstrated strong psychometric properties and the findings highlight correlations between the PAS and key outcomes of positive aging, including general health. Implications for research and interventions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives This study examined the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the 10-item Awareness of Age-Related Change Short Form (AARC-SF) questionnaire in a Chinese-speaking sample of older adults in Taiwan. Research Design and Methods Data from 292 participants (M age = 77.64 years) in the Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study in Taiwan cohort were used for Study 1, whereas data from young-old adult samples in Germany were used for Study 2. Results Study 1 showed that the AARC-SF had satisfactory reliability and validity for assessing adults' AARC in Taiwan. Analyses confirmed the 2-factor structure of AARC-gains and AARC-losses. Study 2 demonstrated strong measurement invariance across men and women, whereas direct comparisons of the item scores between young-old adults and old-old adults need to be made with caution. Noninvariance of loadings indicated that certain items were more closely linked to AARC-gains and AARC-losses in Taiwan than in Germany. Noninvariance of intercepts suggested potential biases in comparing item scores between Taiwanese and German older adults. Discussion and Implications The AARC-SF emerged as a reliable and valid instrument for capturing positive and negative subjective aging experiences among Taiwanese older adults. However, it is noteworthy that some items on the AARC-SF may solicit different responses from individuals of different ages and different countries of origin, requiring caution with age group and cross-cultural comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid pace of ageing raises concerns regarding financial security, health and long-term care and place for older people to live as they age. This paper examined the factors associated with preference to age in place (AIP) among 2231 respondents aged 60 and older from the Malaysia Ageing and Retirement Survey (MARS). The Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) was utilized to identify variables that represent family supports, social connectedness and social participation. 75% of the respondents indicated that they would like to age in place with the binary logistic regression showing a greater likelihood among respondents with strong family and social connectedness, having a spouse, being non-Chinese and being in a good health condition. Urban respondents, with a high individual capacity and social participation, are less likely to age in place. There is a need to strengthen the family institutions and communities, providing incentives and support to promote ageing in place and empower them to remain sustainable for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The established link between subjective views of aging (VoA) and well-being shows variations across different cultures. Although VoA show daily fluctuations, little is known about cultural differences in such fluctuations and the daily coupling of VoA and well-being. We compared Israeli Arabs to Israeli Jews in the daily coupling of VoA and negative affect (NA). Methods Community-dwelling older adults (N  = 76, M age = 66.71) completed measures of subjective age, subjective accelerated aging, ageist attitudes, and NA over 14 consecutive days. Results Respondents reported higher daily NA when they felt older, reported to be aging faster, or had more ageist attitudes. The daily coupling between subjective age/subjective accelerated aging and NA was stronger among Israeli Arabs compared to Israeli Jews. There was no such interaction with ageist attitudes. Discussion It is important to adopt a cultural perspective when investigating daily fluctuations in VoA and their correlates. In applied contexts, this might help to identify cultural groups that are particularly sensitive to the effects of VoA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that individuals have (some) agency to influence their own experiences of aging via communication, it is important to better understand factors that may play a role in these processes. Specifically, this study examined whether and how themes of aging-related memorable messages (e.g. aging involves physical or mental health struggles; age is merely a subjective state) and the extent to which a message offered a sense of positivity and efficacy predicted individuals' efficacy assessments (coping, target, communication) and intention to seek additional information about aging processes. Analyses of responses from a sample of 232 older adults from the United States revealed that memorable message: (a) themes about aging predicted participants' reports of memorable message positivity and efficacy, (b) valence predicted memorable message positivity and efficacy, and (c) characteristics (positivity and efficacy) predicted individuals' efficacy assessments and, ultimately, intention to seek information about aging processes (both directly and indirectly). Results offer theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To measure radiologic science professionals' current attitudes toward older adults. Methods The Geriatrics Attitude Scale (GAS) paper survey was distributed to radiology and radiation oncology personnel in a large, single teaching hospital system. The GAS provides a global measure of ageist attitudes using 14 questions and 4 subscales. Demographic information also was collected. Results The total sample (N = 74) comprised radiology and radiation oncology practitioners from rural and nonrural facilities in the health system. Of the 14 questions, 3 yielded significant differences between medical imaging and radiation therapy practitioners. There were no significant effects for gender, race, years of experience, or facility type. Discussion Although significant differences were found between medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals for some of the constructs, both groups had positive attitudes overall toward older adults as measured by the GAS and subscales. Interventions to disrupt ageism should be introduced to make positive shifts in attitudes. Conclusion The United Nations has declared 2021 to 2030 the Decade of Healthy Ageing; people are challenged to change how they think, feel, and act toward aging and older adults. This pilot study provides a timely baseline for further research as older adults continue to challenge the U.S. health care system for the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Societal changes have led to greater isolation and higher levels of loneliness particularly for older generations. Loneliness is a significant public health challenge leading to increased levels of poor mental health. Depression and anxiety are also increasing in prevalence amongst children and young people. Intergenerational activities are interventions designed to bring together older and younger generations with the purpose of allowing participants to utilise their experiences and skills, and to give participants a chance to experience the pleasure and excitement that occurs with the transmission of knowledge and skills from one generation to another. Intergenerational activities are therefore potential interventions that can address the growing problems associated with loneliness and lack of wellbeing. Objectives: This systematic review aims to examine the impact of intergenerational interventions on the wellbeing and mental health in children and adolescents, and potential harmful effects. It also aims to identify areas for future research as well as key messages for service commissioners. Search Methods: We searched an evidence and gap map published in 2022 (comprehensive searches conducted July 2021 and updated June 2023) to identify randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that report mental health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people. Selection Criteria: Randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that involved unrelated younger and older people with at least one skipped generation between them and reported mental health or wellbeing outcomes for children and young people were included in this review. Data Collection and Analysis: We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Campbell Collaboration. We conducted data extraction and Cochrane risk of bias assessments in EPPI reviewer. Main Results: While we identified 500 evaluations of intergenerational interventions, where the impact on participating children and/or young people was evaluated this was most often limited to assessing their impact on attitudes to aging. We identified five studies evaluating five different types of intergenerational interventions which included one‐off sessions to ones that spanned a year measuring their impact on the mental health and wellbeing of children and/or young people. The purposes of the interventions differed, which included promoting social skills, preventing harmful behaviour and promoting learning. The ages of children also varied across the five studies, with one targeting younger children, two targeting younger teenagers and two targeting older teenagers. One study included socioeconomically disadvantaged children, and in the other studies the socioeconomic backgrounds of the children and young people were not described. The outcome measures used to evaluate the interventions varied with none of the studies measuring the same outcomes. One study showed improvements in wellbeing measures, and this was an intervention delivered to children in deprived neighbourhoods, where the intervention duration was for a year allowing the development of a greater depth of relationship between the younger and older participants. Four studies found no....... The included studies were at high risk of bias therefore raising uncertainty in the reliability of the findings. Underpinning theories that supported the development of the interventions and explained the mechanisms of effect were poorly described. Authors' Conclusions: The evidence for the effectiveness of intergenerational interventions on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is limited and inconclusive. Few evaluations have sought to measure how intergenerational interventions impact children and young people and where this impact is measured the focus is usually limited to attitudes to aging. The evidence that has been collected is too heterogenous to allow synthesis of the findings. The underpinning theories to support their development are poorly described with no follow‐up data to ascertain if benefits are maintained. Intergenerational interventions show promise but researchers have failed to measure how they impact on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. This is a serious limitation of the evidence base that needs to be addressed in robust and rigorous evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Self-perceptions of aging are important predictors of physical and mental health, longevity, and quality of life. The Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ) is the most promising scale of self-perceptions about aging and has been translated into many languages. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the B-APQ and examine its validity and reliability. Methods: A web-based survey of 1500 people aged 65 and older was conducted in Japan. Of the participants, 651 were men and 849 were women. The average age was 72.97 years. Results: No significant distributional biases were found for any items of the Japanese version of the B-APQ. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using the same model as the previous studies. The results of CFA showed that the goodness of fit indices met the acceptability criteria. Two-tailed Pearson correlations showed significant relationships between each factor of the Japanese version of the B-APQ as well as the cognitive and physical functioning, depression, and well-being of older adults. Conclusions: The Japanese version of the B-APQ has high internal consistency and significant factorial and construct-related validity. The Japanese version of the B-APQ is expected to be used to measure the self-perceptions of aging for further study in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses play a critical role in caring for elderly patients; however, the emphasis on aging care in undergraduate programs may be insufficient. The present study aims at identifying the relevance given to theoretical and/or practical gerontological and geriatric contents in undergraduate study plans in Portugal and Spain. Presenting a two-part investigation, an integrative review approach examines nursing education on a global scale and a comparative analysis, using Bereday's comparative method, to assess the nursing curricula between Portugal and Spain. The search found 117 documents, with 16 being included. Studies covered diverse educational practices in geriatric and gerontological nursing, emphasizing curriculum development, faculty expertise, practical training, attitudes towards elderly care, and future directions. The comparative analysis of nursing curricula revealed that Portugal places a priority on building foundational theoretical knowledge in the first year and then gradually integrating practical training. In contrast, Spain emphasizes an extensive and integrated approach with a strong focus on practical skills and comprehensive assessments. Our research emphasizes the need to incorporate aging-focused education into nursing curricula and update the curriculum, providing hands-on training with early exposure to these environments. Additionally, simulation classes can enhance critical thinking by allowing students to experience aging effects firsthand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The AgingPLUS program targets motivational barriers, including negative views of aging, as mechanisms to increase adult physical activity. A pilot study was conducted to test the efficacy of this new program against a generic successful aging program. Fifty-six participants were randomly assigned to the AgingPLUS group, and 60 participants were assigned to the active control group. Repeated-measures multivariate analyses of variance assessed changes in views of aging, physical activity, blood pressure, and hand-grip strength from pretest (Week 0) to delayed posttest (Week 8). The Condition × Occasion interactions were nonsignificant; however, significant main effects for condition and occasion were found. Follow-up tests showed that views of aging were more positive, and physical activity had significantly increased at Week 8 for all participants. In addition, in the treatment group, elevated blood pressure had significantly decreased and hand-grip strength had significantly increased at Week 8. Despite the nonsignificant multivariate findings, the main effect findings provided partial support for the efficacy of the AgingPLUS program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review of qualitative studies explored interventions to improve student nurses' knowledge, attitudes or willingness to work with older people. Student nurses are likely to encounter older people in all health and aged care settings, however, research demonstrates that few have career aspirations in gerontological nursing. Qualitative systematic review method based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Search of Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, EBSCOhost and Scopus yielded 1841 articles which were screened to include primary research about educational interventions to improve student nurses' knowledge, attitudes and/or willingness to work with older people. Data extraction was performed on the 14 included studies, and data were analysed using directed content analysis. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used the assess the quality of the studies. Educational interventions included theory or practice courses, or a combination of theory and practice. While most interventions changed nursing students' negative attitudes towards older people, few increased their willingness to work with them. Practice courses had the most significant impact on willingness to work with older people. Quality assessment revealed methodical limitations. More research is needed to better understand the elements of practice interventions that enhance student nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to work with older people, so that they can be replicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge about ageing from the perspective of people with intellectual disability is extremely scarce, which means a lack of evidence-based interventions for healthy ageing adjusted to their needs. Aim: To investigate how people with intellectual disability experience ageing, prior to an educational intervention. Methods: Twenty-six persons with mild intellectual disability, age 42-74 (mean 61.3) were interviewed and the text was analyzed qualitatively. Results: The main findings are reflected in the themes Live for today – tomorrow you are old and Need of support to enable a meaningful ageing. The participants avoided thinking about ageing, which they associated with retirement, loneliness and social isolation, increased need for help in everyday life, worsening health and death. Meaningful ageing meant continuance of leisure activities and working as long as possible. Conclusions: Interventions to prepare people with mild intellectual disability for healthy ageing must take into account these people's loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing need of gerontological education in social work to enhance the knowledge of aging and interests in senior care among students. This study is conducted based on an experiential-learning strategy with a combination of having an ethnographic interview with an older adult and writing a reflection paper afterward as an assignment embedded in a Gerontology course of the Bachelor of Social Work program in western Canada. Thematic analysis was applied to eight reflection papers in which a consent was obtained from 2020 to 2021 cohorts of social work students. Three key themes emerged: connection between learned knowledge and interview topics, resonation interview content with personal experiences, and a positive perception of aging and a positive attitude toward working with aging populations. The findings support the combination of ethnographic interview and reflection paper as a pedagogical approach in gerontological education not only for improving students' learning experience and knowledge but also for establishing a positive perception of aging and older adults. The study also reveals the necessity of more interaction between students and older adults to enhance a better understanding of aging-related issues and promote willingness to work with older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to examine the relationships between loneliness, perceived support and fear of old age, to determine how they differ according to some socio-demographic variables and of loneliness to reveal the mediating role of perceived social support in the effect on fear of old age. In the descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between November 2023 and January 2024, the Loneliness Orientation Scale (LOS), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) and Fear of Old Age Scale (FOS) were used. Correlational analysis was used in the analysis of data collected from 611 participants aged 18–65 with two-stage sampling, T-test and ANOVA were used in the comparison of means, and the Hayes' PROCESS macro was used to determine the mediating role of perceived social support. Women, singles, young people, those with low education and income fear old age more. There is a positive correlation between loneliness and fear of aging, and a negative correlation between these two and perceived social support. As a result, perceived social support is a partial mediator in the effect of loneliness on fear of old age and it should be considered as an effective source in reducing fear of old age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although normal expression of sexual desire is recognized as one of the important aspects of sexual life throughout the life course, older adults experience many barriers to expressing their sexual needs and desires. Thus, this study explored the barriers to the expression of sexual desires in older ages. A qualitative study was adopted with a conventional content analysis approach. Nineteen elderly males and females over 60 years participated in this study. Data were collected by semi-structured individual interviews until data saturation and concurrently analyzed via MAXQDA 10. Four main themes emerged from data analysis as the main barriers of expression of sexual desires in the older ages: existing stereotypes about sexual roles of older adults; declining emotional bonding and intimacy; experiencing a sense of sexual dysfunction; and unpleasant aspects about spouse and life. Older adults are not easy to express his/her sexual desires and believe that having sexual activities in the aging years might be considered inappropriate behavior. As a result, most older adults end up suppressing their sexual desires. Hence, geriatric health-care delivery systems should have a focus on how to provide the necessary consultations and support for older persons. Older adults may experience some barriers to expressing their sexual desires such as existing stereotypes about sexual roles of older adults, declining emotional bonding, and sense of sexual dysfunction. Therefore, older adults are not easy to express their sexual desires and may suppress their sexual desires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increased demand for health professionals to work with older adults, research on the factors that influence students' career choices is critical in order to increase the popularity of gerontology. The purpose of this study was to investigate willingness and related factors of undergraduate nursing students to work with older adults. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 579 undergraduate nursing students in Turkiye. The data were collected using the descriptive characteristics form, the 12-item expectations regarding aging scale (ERA-12), Kogan's attitudes toward old people scale (KAOP), and willingness to work with elderly people scale (WEPS). Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used for data analysis. The WEPS, ERA-12, and KAOP mean score of the students were 68.57 ± 11.54 (range: 20–120), 59.83 ± 15.09 (range: 0–100), and 142.98 ± 18.63 (range: 34–238), respectively. Expectations regarding aging, attitudes toward older adults, prior experience caring for older adults, and completing an elective geriatric nursing course positively predicted the total score of WEPS. These variables accounted for 14% of total variance of WEPS (R2: 0.137, F: 12.995, p <.001). Age, sex, and academic year also positively predicted the total score of WEPS, but it was not statistically significant. The willingness of nursing students to work with older adults was moderate. To enhance nursing students' willingness to work with older adults, nursing programs should foster a positive attitude toward older adults and expectations regarding aging. Greater willingness of nursing students to care for older adults will eventually improve the quality of care for the geriatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the world's population aging, geriatric care is more important than ever before. However, many studies have shown that nursing students are less likely to choose geriatric nursing as career than other nursing fields. Nursing students play a vital role in the development of geriatric nursing. Thus, this study aimed to explore the current situation of nursing students' career choice motivation in geriatric nursing and to analyze the influencing factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. This study was performed from March 2021 to September 2022 among nursing students from four universities in Shandong Province, China. Data on nursing students' attitudes toward geriatric, aging anxiety, knowledge about aging, and career choice motivation were collected through questionnaires, and analyzed by ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. A total of 1007 questionnaires were collected. Nursing students' career expectancy score for geriatric nursing was 19.06 ± 4.00 and the value score was 46.65 ± 7.50. The study revealed that gender, education level, taking geriatric care courses, experience in caring for older adults, believing in bright prospects for geriatric care, geriatric attitudes, and aging anxiety were critical factors that influenced nursing students' motivation in choosing a career in geriatric nursing. Nursing students' motivation to choose a career in geriatric care needs to be improved in China. Nursing educators should take interventions to actively guide students and promote the cultivation of geriatric nursing talent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To understand nurses' knowledge, beliefs and experiences affect pain management practices in hospitalised persons living with dementia (PLWD). Design: Naturalistic inquiry using qualitative descriptive design. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 12 registered nurses who worked in one acute care hospital in Southern California from October to November 2022. Data were analysed using content analysis to identify themes. Results: Two themes were developed: improvising pain assessment, which included how pain was documented, and administration hesitancy referring to nurse's concerns about PLWD's confusion. Nurses described the challenges of assessing pain in hospitalised PLWD particularly if they were non‐verbal and/or demonstrating responsive behaviours. Nurse's years of experience, dementia stigma, and their unconscious biases affected nurses' pain management practices. Conclusions: The study findings highlight the complex challenges of pain management in hospitalised PLWD that are exacerbated by nurses' knowledge deficits, negative stereotypical beliefs, dementia stigma and unconscious biases towards older people that contributes to undermanaged pain in hospitalised PLWD. Implications: A comprehensive strategy using an implementation framework is needed to address nurse's knowledge gaps, unconscious bias, dementia stigma and techniques that enhance communication skills is suggested. Building a foundation in these areas would improve pain management in hospitalised PLWD. Impact: Improving pain management in hospitalised PLWD would improve the quality of life, decrease hospital length of stay, prevent readmissions, and improve nurse satisfaction. Reporting Method: The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Patient Contributions: Improving pain management in hospitalised PLWD would prevent long term confusion, episodes of delirium and improve quality of life as they recover from their acute illness for which they required hospital care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Evidence suggests spouses influence each other's subjective views on aging. Aligned with the Theory of Dyadic Illness Management, we investigated for the first time similarities in felt age (how old people feel relative to their chronological age) between people with dementia and their spousal caregivers, and how each partner's felt age was related to psychological correlates in the other partner. Methods We used baseline (2014–2016) data from 1,001 people with dementia and their spousal caregivers who participated in the British Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life study. We ran linear regressions to analyze the extent to which the felt age of people with dementia and their caregivers were similar, and whether relationship quality was associated with the similarity. We utilized actor–partner interdependence models to analyze whether the felt age of people with dementia and their caregivers were associated with each other's well-being, satisfaction with life, and self-efficacy. Results The felt age of people with dementia was associated with the felt age of their caregivers (β = 0.10; p =.001). Caregivers and people with dementia reported a more similar felt age when caregivers rated the caregiving relationship more positively (β = 0.07; p =.04). Caregivers' felt age was associated with well-being (β = 0.07; p =.02) and satisfaction with life (β = 0.06; p =.04), but not with self-efficacy, in people with dementia. Discussion Felt age in caregivers and people with dementia may be interwoven, and important psychological variables in people with dementia are related to caregivers' felt age. Findings offer empirical evidence on dementia caregiving dynamics and how family relationships are related to views on aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Gerontologists have yet to explore the types of questions individuals have about later life. Analyzing questions offers a unique perspective on how individuals make sense of age-related issues. Specifically, questions require people to articulate specific inquiries or doubts, thus providing an unfiltered glimpse into the public's concerns and priorities vis-à-vis aging. We conduct a content analysis of questions posted on Quora that pertain to later life. Research Design and Methods We compiled 2,950 questions posted across four topics on Quora: "Aging," "Senior Citizens," "Elders" and "Older People." After applying our exclusion criteria, 658 questions were left for content analysis. These questions received more than 250 million views. Both deductive and inductive approaches guided the qualitative analysis. Results Five themes emerged from the analysis. The biggest theme (30%; N  = 195) dealt with 'Practical Concerns' (Theme 1). The next biggest theme (29%; N  = 191) was about "Health and Well-Being" (Theme 2). Theme 3 was about the 'Prolongation of Youth' (16%; N  = 110) and Theme 4 was about the 'Science of Aging' (15%; N  = 97). Theme 5 covered 'Existential Concerns' (10%; N  = 65). Discussion and Implications There is a need to address concerns that the public has about aging, particularly those involving practical issues and health. Growing old is unavoidable and with the population aging at a rapid pace, assuaging such concerns is of paramount importance. By doing so, individuals can approach the aging process with greater clarity and an elevated sense of empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the association between lifelong learning (LL) and successful aging and discover ways that primary care nurses (PCNs) may facilitate successful aging by promoting LL. Method: A narrative review of international evidence from Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Ovid, and ProQuest was conducted. Twenty-one articles were reviewed. A theoretical framework supported by Troutman-Jordan's theory of successful aging and Baltes and Baltes' model of selection, optimization, and compensation were implemented to examine and illustrate findings. Results: Evidence consistently showed a positive correlation between LL and successful aging. Conclusion: Promotion of successful aging is an important consideration in PCN practice. This study brings awareness to the value of LL in achieving that goal. Incorporating strategies, such as encouraging creative activities and healthy behaviors, cultivating positive perceptions about aging, and helping patients meet their perceived needs, fosters coping with growing older. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(8), 11–17.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nursing and midwifery students' perceptions and attitudes toward older adults affect their behaviours, career choices and/or the quality of care provided to older adults after graduation. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of second year nursing and midwifery students toward elderly people staying in nursing homes through metaphor analysis. Methods: This qualitative study has used the phenomenological approach. The sample of the study consisted of 128 nursing and midwifery students by purposive sampling method. Students were prompted to complete a sentence to express their perceptions about the elderly living in nursing homes: 'The elderly in the nursing home is similar to ... because ...' Participants were required to fill in their responses in two stages, providing metaphors in the first blank and reasons for their metaphors in the second blank. Results: The results indicated that five main themes and 12 sub‐themes were obtained from student metaphors: (i) needing help in meeting their needs (need for care and need for love); (ii) the emotional burden of a life away from loved ones (loneliness, abandonment, and helplessness); (iii) exhaustion at the end of the road (end, loss, and unproductive); (iv) holding on to life again (friendship and beginning); and (v) post‐traumatic growth (strong and experienced). Conclusion: Students should question how to create opportunities and increase interaction for the elderly in the age of changing and developing technology before graduation and should be trained as professional individuals who are willing for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageism might reduce the effectiveness and quality of care in older adults essential with the aging population. Although interventions to counter ageism were carried out among students, no clear integration of their results described the mechanisms underlying their impact. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of which interventions amongst undergraduate health and social services students are effective, under which circumstances, how, and with what outcomes. A realist review was carried out using 44 keywords in 6 databases. The configurations for contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes were identified for three types of interventions, considering their impact on stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination toward older adults. In the 63 studies selected, intergenerational contact interventions exhibited the greatest proportion (14/15; 93.3%) of evidence supporting improvement in outcomes of ageism, followed by combined (67/84; 79.8%) and educational (51/67; 76.1%) interventions. Stereotypes and prejudices were challenged by the transmission of realistic and balanced information, as well as through meaningful and high-quality intergenerational contact. Meeting or hearing about a broad variety of older adults in specific conditions also helped to decrease ageism. Results highlighted the importance of seeing diversity and uniqueness in older adults, and their competencies rather than their limitations. Mechanisms were occasionally hampered by obstacles, such as induced anxiety and confirmation of negative aspects of aging. Countering ageism in health and social services students is essential to ensuring high-quality care. In knowing that educators, professionals, and institutions have a direct influence on students, their awareness of ageism should be enhanced by interventions targeting them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to understand the unique experiences and perspectives of older adults who were required to incorporate critical adaptive behaviors during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous, cross-sectional survey was administered online through Qualtrics Survey Software in June 2020 to 1405 adults between the ages of 18 and 86. Differences in adaptability between older adults and young/middle-aged adults were analyzed. This study found that older adults (n = 132) utilized different sources of information than young/middle-aged adults; they were more likely to read the newspaper or listen to the radio, and less likely to rely on social media for information. Older respondents in this study reported coping with the COVID-19 outbreak better than young/middle-aged respondents, were less likely to report that they were personally affected by the virus, and were less likely to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information about COVID-19. The findings of this study highlight adaptability and resilience in older adults not found in young/middle-aged adults and provide an important step in identifying policy and practice suggestions to reduce negative repercussions for older adults experiencing the current crisis, as well as future generations of older adults who might experience similar events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]