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2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Aging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 30710

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Fátima Roque

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Guest Editor

School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Avenida Rainha D. Amélia, S/N, 6300-749 Guarda, Portugal
Interests: pharmacotherapy; pharmacovigilance; pharmacology; drug interactions; epidemiology; public health; geriatric pharmacotherapy; clinical pharmacy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Maria Teresa Herdeiro

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Guest Editor

Medical Sciences Department, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Aveiro University, Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: pharmacoepidemiology; pharmacovigilance; drug utilization studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The worldwide aging of the population is a reality in this century. For the first time in history, in 2018, the number of people aged 65 and over exceeded the number of children under the age of 5, and predictions for 2050 also indicate that the number of elderly people will exceed the number of adolescents and young adults. The increase in the average life expectancy of various populations is undoubtedly one of the main challenges in this context. However, a new challenge is also faced—that is, to ensure that the increase in years of life corresponds to years of health and quality of life.

After the success of the previous Special Issue on “Health and Wellbeing on Aging”, we are pleased to invite researchers to contribute to the second Special Issue. Similarly, we welcome contributions based on interventions to improve older people's health and wellbeing, and we hope to receive manuscripts from a broad spectrum of geographical, cultural, and economic settings, which may include original research, review articles, case series, and opinion papers.

I would like to invite the submission of manuscripts covering both qualitative and quantitative research in the following areas:

Polymedication in older patients;
Risk management and safety of medicines in older patients;
Healthy aging;
Physical activity and aging;
eHealth and the elderly;
Sustainability of aging populations;
Health service policies for older people;
Support systems care for use by older people.

Prof. Dr. Fátima Roque
Prof. Dr. Maria Teresa Herdeiro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

older adults
polymedication
wellbeing
self-care
healthy aging

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Related Special Issue

Health and Wellbeing on Aging in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (19 articles)

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 290 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Health and Wellbeing in Aging

by Ana Isabel Plácido, Maria Teresa Herdeiro and Fátima Roque

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148835 - 20 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1963

Abstract

Good health and wellbeing while aging is an ambitious goal proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a core value for most governments [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

Research

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19 pages, 7165 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influences of Spatial Accessibility and Service Capacity on the Utilization of Elderly-Care Facilities: A Case Study of the Main Urban Area of Chongqing

by Jinhui Ma, Haijing Huang and Daibin Liu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4730; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064730 - 8 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2522

Abstract

With the unprecedented growth of the elderly population in China, elderly-care facilities (ECFs) are in a fast expansion process. However, limited attention has been paid to the imbalance at the actual utilization level of ECFs. This research aims to reveal the spatial inequity of ECFs and to quantitatively examine the effect of accessibility and institutional service capacity on utilization. Taking Chongqing, China, as the study area, we measured the spatial accessibility of different travel modes by the Gaussian Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (G2SFCA) method and investigated distribution differences in spatial accessibility, service capacity, and utilization of ECFs by the Dagum Gini Coefficient and its decomposition. Then, the impact of spatial accessibility and service capacity on the utilization of regional ECFs was quantified by multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR). The study findings can be summarized as follows. (1) Walking accessibility has the most significant impact on the utilization of ECFs and shows geographic heterogeneity. Developing a pedestrian-oriented network of pathways is essential to enhance the utilization of ECFs. (2) Accessibility by driving and bus-riding does not correlate with regional ECFs utilization, and relevant studies cannot rely on them alone for assessing the equity of ECFs. (3) In the utilization of ECFs, since the inter-regional difference is more significant than the intra-regional difference, efforts to reduce the overall imbalance should be oriented toward inter-regional variation. The study’s findings will assist national policymakers in developing EFCs to enhance health indicators and quality of life for older adults by prioritizing financing for shortage areas, coordinating ECFs services, and optimizing road systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

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12 pages, 381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Person-Centered Climate, Garden Greenery and Well-Being among Nursing Home Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Lijuan Xu, Yan Lou, Caifu Li, Xuemei Tao and Maria Engström

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 749; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010749 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2188

Abstract

Nursing home residents’ well-being is often proxy-rated in studies, and few studies have explored the association between resident-rated person-centered climate, garden greenery, and resident-rated well-being. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Questionnaire data from a convenient sample of 470 nursing home residents in a city in Southeast China in 2021 were analyzed using multiple linear regressions, with block-wise models. The instruments used were the Person-centered Climate Questionnaire-Patient version, the Nursing Home Greenery Index, and, for well-being, the EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale, the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (depression symptoms). In the unadjusted models, the person-centered climate was positively associated with general health (β 0.29, p < 0.001), person-centered climate and greenery with life satisfaction (β 0.39, and 0.18; both p < 0.001), and negatively with depression (β −0.28, and β −0.23, both p < 0.001). After adjusting for personal and nursing home characteristics, the associations between person-centered climate, greenery, and well-being remained statistically significant. The three models explained 36%, 35%, and 21% of the variance in general health, life satisfaction, and depression, respectively. This study provides knowledge on person-centered climate in long-term care and the access to greenery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

12 pages, 375 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Meaning in Life among Older Adults: An Integrative Model

by Lee Greenblatt-Kimron, Maya Kagan and Ester Zychlinski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16762; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416762 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2188

Abstract

Meaning in life (MIL) among older adults has a significant physical and mental health impact. This study aimed to present an integrative model of factors that contribute to variability in MIL among older adults, including background characteristics (gender, age, employment status, religiosity), personality characteristics (locus of control, self-efficacy, optimism), and psycho-social factors (psychological distress and loneliness). Participants (751 older adults, M_age = 72.27, SD = 6.28; 446 female, 305 male) responded to a questionnaire in-person or online. Measures included: demographic variables, Short Scale for the Assessment of Locus of Control, New General Self-Efficacy Scale, Life Orientation Test–Revised, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and Hughes Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness. Hierarchical regression revealed that younger and religious older adults reported higher MIL levels than older and non-religious older adults. Internal locus of control, higher self-efficacy, and higher optimism were linked to higher MIL levels. Higher psychological distress and loneliness were associated with lower MIL levels, with psychological distress contributing the most of all variables in the study model to explain the variance in MIL among older adults. Employed older old adults reported lower MIL levels than those unemployed. The study emphasizes the importance of an integrative approach in the examination of MIL among older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

10 pages, 1707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geographic Variation in Top-10 Prescribed Medicines and Potentially Inappropriate Medication in Portugal: An Ecological Study of 2.2 Million Older Adults

by Vânia Rocha, Ana Isabel Plácido, Daniela A. Rodrigues, Ana Barbara Tavares, Adolfo Figueiras, Fátima Roque and Maria Teresa Herdeiro

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12938; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912938 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1900

Abstract

Multiple medication intake by older adults is considered a serious public health concern since it is associated with increased risk of adverse drug reactions and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM). This study described the top-10 prescribed active substances considering geographical distribution and PIM prescription in older adults. A cross-sectional ecological study using data on the active substances prescribed to people aged 65 years or older during 2020 was conducted. Information on active substances and the respective defined daily doses (DDD) stratified by age group, sex and region were collected from a Portuguese health administrative database. The average number of prescribed packages and DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day of top-10 active substances were assessed. This study included a total of 2,228,090 older adults (58% females). The furosemide and atorvastatin were the active substances with higher prescription rates (mean DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) in all ARS in both males and females, in comparison with the other top-10 active substances. Our results showed geographic differences in prescription, illustrated by more prescriptions in ARS North and Centre and fewer prescriptions in ARS Algarve. In females, two out of the 10 most prescribed active substances were PIM (benzodiazepines and opioids). Geographic disparities in PIM prescription across Portuguese regions were also observed. This study shows that drugs for the cardiovascular system were the active substances most prescribed to older adults. The prescription of benzodiazepines and opioids, classified as PIM, among females, alerts officials to the need of health policies to decrease inappropriate medication. The observed geographic differences in the 10 most prescribed active substances and in PIM prescription emphasized the importance of investing in medication optimization across the Portuguese regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

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18 pages, 725 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health and Care Dependency of Older Adults in Dresden, Germany: Results from the LAB60+ Study

by Karla Romero Starke, Janice Hegewald, Stefanie Schmauder, Pauline Kaboth, Lena Marie Uhlmann, David Reissig, Kristin Klaudia Kaufmann, Jürgen Wegge, Gesine Marquardt and Andreas Seidler

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11777; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811777 - 18 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2317

Abstract

As the population in Europe ages, an increased focus on the health of older adults is necessary. The purpose of the population-based LAB60+ study was to examine the current health and care situation of the population of older adults in Dresden, Germany, and to assess the effect of age, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES) on health outcomes. In the first half of 2021, 2399 out of 6004 randomly sampled residents of Dresden aged 60 years or older answered questions on their chronic conditions, care dependency, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and well-being, among others. Of the participants, 91.6% were afflicted with at least one chronic condition, and 73.1% had multimorbidities. More than one-tenth (11.3%) of participants were care dependent. Lower levels of HRQoL and well-being were observed compared to a published German reference population, perhaps because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Gender differences were observed for some chronic health conditions, and women had a higher risk for lower HRQoL, well-being, and depressivity compared to men. A low SES was associated with a higher risk of the vast majority of health outcomes. Particularly, socioeconomic factors and gender-related inequalities should be considered for the development of prevention and health-promoting measures during late life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

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16 pages, 1500 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Content Validity of a Scale Designed to Measure the Access of Older Adults to Outpatient Health Services

by Gerardo Santoyo-Sánchez, César Merino-Soto, Sergio Flores-Hernández, Blanca Estela Pelcastre-Villafuerte and Hortensia Reyes-Morales

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10102; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610102 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2435

Abstract

The objective of this work was to validate the content of a scale formulated in Spanish for older adults in Mexico, with the aim of comprehensively measuring the access of this population group to outpatient primary-care services. To this end, we carried out a methodological content-validity study in four stages: (1) construction of the scale; (2) evaluation of item legibility; (3) quantitative content evaluation by two groups of judges selected by convenience: participant-judges including older adults with adequate reading comprehension, surveyed in person (n = 23), and expert-judges comprised of researchers specialized in the fields of health services, psychometrics and aging, surveyed online (n = 7); and (4) collection of qualitative feedback from several of the participant-judges (older adults, n = 4). The content was validated both by sequentially examining the level of consensus in the responses of both groups of judges, using the Tastle and Wierman method, and by calculating Aiken’s Validity Coefficient with a 90% confidence interval. The scale contained 65 items pertaining to 10 dimensions of two major constructs: accessibility (n = 39) and personal abilities (n = 26). Five items were eliminated in accordance with the minimum-consensus criterion (0.5). This is the first psychometric scale to be developed in Mexico with the view of integrating the characteristics of health-care services and the abilities of the older adults in a single questionnaire designed to measure the access of this population group to outpatient primary-care services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

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11 pages, 337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Walking Speed Assessed by 4-Meter Walk Test in the Community-Dwelling Oldest Old Population in Vietnam

by Anh Trung Nguyen, Huong Thi Thu Nguyen, Huong Thi Thanh Nguyen, Thanh Xuan Nguyen, Tam Ngoc Nguyen, Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen, Anh Lan Nguyen, Thang Pham and Huyen Thi Thanh Vu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 9788; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169788 - 9 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2554

Abstract

This study aims to provide data on usual walking speed in individuals aged 80 years or older and determine the association between walking speed and related factors in community-dwelling older adults. A cross-sectional study design was conducted to measure walking speed on community-dwelling elders aged 80 years or older in Soc Son district, Vietnam. Walking speed was assessed by a 4-Meter Walk Test with a usual-pace walking mode. Health-related characteristics of participants including risk of falls (The Timed Up and Go test, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), cognitive impairment (Mini-Cog test) and frailty syndrome (The Reported Edmonton Frail Scale (REFS)). Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between a slow walking speed and selected factors. A total of 364 older people were recruited, and the majority were female (65.4%). The overall average walking speed was 0.83 ± 0.27 m/s. The proportion of participants with a slow walking speed (<0.8 m/s) was 40.4%. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that age, female, high fall risk (assessed by TUG test), ADL/IADL dependence and frailty syndrome had a negative effect on slow walking speed in this population. The results could provide useful reference data for further investigations and measures in clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

Review

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17 pages, 957 KiB

Open AccessReview

Digital Storytelling as an Intervention for Older Adults: A Scoping Review

by HeeKyung Chang, YoungJoo Do and JinYeong Ahn

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021344 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3687

Abstract

The population of older adults is rapidly increasing worldwide. Owing to fewer interactions between generations, older adults experience ageism and various psychological issues, such as depression and loneliness. Digital storytelling (DST) has the potential to share vivid lived experiences, support the forming of social relationships, and lead to improved well-being. This scoping review examines the potential psychosocial benefits of individual DST interventions for older adults and people with dementia. We adopted the methodological framework for scoping reviews outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) manual. A scoping review was performed using the following bibliographic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Research Information Sharing Service, and National Assembly Library. There were 395 references retrieved, of which 19 articles were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our findings revealed that the most common effects of DST on older adults included the promotion of mental health, an increased amount of meaningful community connections, greater digital literacy, the mitigation of negative ageism, and enhanced intellectual ability. We suggest randomized controlled trials are conducted to confirm the efficacy of intergenerational DST intervention and the effects of DST interventions at multilevel outcomes, including the community level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

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29 pages, 4190 KiB

Open AccessReview

Urban Green Space and Subjective Well-Being of Older People: A Systematic Literature Review

by Tianrong Xu, Nikmatul Adha Nordin and Ainoriza Mohd Aini

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14227; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114227 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 7839

Abstract

A growing number of articles have identified and reported the benefits and importance of urban green spaces for improving human well-being, but there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the impact of urban green spaces on the subjective well-being of older adults. The literature search (August 2015–August 2022) was derived from two major scientific databases, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. As a result, 2558 articles were found, 1527 of which were retrieved from WOS and the rest from Google Scholar. Bibliometric methods and VOSviewer software were used to screen and organize the articles in the relevant fields. Finally, 65 articles met the review criteria. The included studies aim to capture the benefits of various features of urban green spaces in meeting or enhancing the subjective well-being needs of older adults. The results of our review further support the existence of a strong link between older adults’ subjective well-being and various features of urban green spaces, providing new insights for future in-depth reexamination and policy development. Furthermore, the relationship between urban green spaces and older adults’ subjective well-being depends not only on the urban green spaces themselves but also on the characteristics of the older adult population that uses them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Health and Wellbeing on Aging)

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