Characteristics of older dietary supplement users: Review of the literature

Published literature reports rates of dietary supplement usage by individuals aged 60 years or more to be 16−60%. Prevalence figures are dependent on the population studied and the method of data collection. In general, older supplement users are female, Caucasian and well educated, with healthier lifestyle practices than non-supplement users, and they are less likely to be overweight or to smoke. Neither income nor self-rated health status are reliable predictors of supplement use in this group. In many cases older supplement users report higher intakes of several micronutrients from food than older non-supplement users. Current patterns of supplement use by the older person reveal that although they consume a range of products, they do not supplement with nutrients that are of particular benefit to them. The supplements most commonly consumed by individuals aged 60 years and over are multivitamins and minerals, vitamin C and vitamin E preparations. There is insufficient data to quantify the dosage, frequency and duration of supplement use by the older population. Obtaining this information and data about herbal medicine use is an important step towards minimising the risk of drug–nutrient–herbal interactions. Identifying the health professionals who monitor the appropriateness and safety of supplement use in older individuals, particularly given the already high use of medication in this population, also needs to be a focus of future utilisation investigations. This systematic review of the literature published between 1982 and 2003 aims to measure the patterns of dietary supplement use by community-living individuals aged 60 years and over and to profile the characteristics of older supplement users

Older Australian\u27s motivation for university enrollment and their perception of the role of tertiary education in promoting healthy aging: a national cross-sectional study

The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of older Australian university students (aged 60+ years); to identify the factors that motivate late-life, tertiary-level learning; and to capture older students’ views about the role of tertiary-level learning in promoting healthy aging. In 2012, an invitation to participate in the study was sent to all 39 Australian universities, seeking their support and cooperation to recruit students aged 60+ years into the study. Eligible participants were asked to complete an online survey that comprised a range of closed and open-ended questions related to their university study. Narrative data were coded into themes using an inductive approach in QSR NVivo. A total of 626 older students completed the online survey. Just over half (55%) of the sample were women, 86% were aged between 60–70 years of age, 49% held a graduate qualification, and the majority (69%) were born in Australia. Participants cited a range of personal and vocational motivations for enrolling in a university course. They believed that university-level learning kept the mind and brain active; enabled access to an interesting, challenging, and purposeful activity; promoted social engagement and intergenerational communication; and improved confidence, knowledge, and skills. Future prospective experimental studies of older learners are required to objectively assess the impact of university-level learning on their health and wellbeing, including cognitive function. These data will quantify the benefits of tertiary-level learning to older people and society

Health behavior models: their role in clinical practice

INTRODUCTION The complexities of human behavior have for a long time intrigued and perplexed researchers from various academic disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, psychology, and more recently, medicine. This quest to better understand human behavior, particularly in relation to health-orientated action, has given rise to a number of theories that are collectively referred to as “health behavior models.” These models provide a conceptual framework for explaining attitudes and actions toward health-related activities, and offer insights into how and why individuals modify behavior. The long-term success of most health interventions is usually contingent on the extent to which individuals are willing to change behavior. Public health campaigns, in particular, emphasize the need for people to adopt healthier lifestyles, exercise more regularly, moderate alcohol intake, and cease smoking. Applying an understanding of these health behavior models may assist both the practitioner and the patient in successfully achieving these outcomes, in addition to assisting in the development of individually tailored goals

Predictors of dietary and health supplement use in older Australians

Objective: This study aimed to identify the health conditions and symptoms that predicted dietary and health supplement use in older Australians. Design: Almost 2,500 Australians aged 65 years and over were randomly selected from the 2000 Australian Electoral Commission roll. All states and territories were proportionally represented in the sample. Data were obtained using a self-administered postal survey. Subjects: Approximately 1,200 individuals (51% males and 49% females) aged between 65-98 years completed the survey. Results: At the time of survey, 43% (n=548) reported using some form of supplement. Supplement use was significantly associated with gender (female) and chronic musculoskeletal ailments such as arthritis, osteoporosis and generalised back or neck problems. A diagnosis of hypertension or a heart condition were significant barriers to supplement use in this sample. The most common potential drug-supplement interaction was between calcium supplements and antihypertensives. Conclusion: Older supplement users may be of the opinion that supplements offer relief from the pain and suffering associated with their medical problems. If so, current supplement patterns would indicate that they are misguided. Nurses have an important role to play in encouraging older individuals to disclose their use of supplements to all health professionals involved in their continuing care

The physical activity patterns of older Australians

One ofthe aims ofthis study was to examine the relationship between gender, healthprofileand physical activitypatterns ofolder Australians. Using a self-administeredpostal questionnaire, data were obtained from 1,263 Australians (641 males, 622 females), aged 65-98 years, randomly selectedfrom the 2000 Australian Electoral Commission roll. Participants provided general demographic data in addition to information about key health features and selfreported weeklyparticipation in variousphysicalactivities. More than half(55%) ofthe sample averaged at least 30 minutes\u27 exercise most days, excluding gardening and housework. Men participated in a wider range ofphysical activities and were more likely to average at least 30 minutes\u27 exercise most days compared to women. Living arrangements, ethnicity, education and income were important sociological determinants of low, medium, or high levels of exercise participation. Perceivedpoor health, chronic disease, lack ofmotivation and energy, were barriers to achieving regular exercise. Gym training (4%) and tai chi/yoga (2%) were the least popularforms ofexercise, yet weight resistance training and Tai chi are associated with improvements in strength, balance, flexibility and range of motion, and could play an important role in reducing the mOrbidity associated with ageing. GeneralPractitioners are well positioned to help olderAustralians take thefirst steps towards achieving the national target of at least 30 minutes\u27 moderate-intensity activity most days

Culture change in aged care: the Eden Alternative(TM)

The article discusses the importance, challenges, and possible risks of using The Eden Alternative™ approach for culture change in aged care. It says that the approach aims to improve the lives of people who work in residential aged care centers and to boost human growth in these environments. It mentions the use of this approach in the U.S. which reduced the medications utilized by residents, enhanced the sociability of the residents, and lessen the boredom within the facility

The role of reflective practice in case management

Points out that reflective activity can be obtained through refinement of the process of meaningfully recalling clinical events. Clinical journal keeping; Five steps to follow in starting a clinical journal; Importance of skills in self awareness, critical analysis and integration of current knowledge into improved clinical strategies

A scaffolded approach to discussion board use for formative assessment of academic writing skills

Mastery of academic writing skills remains one of the greatest challenges for university students, especially in the first year. Amongst the reasons offered for the challenges are lack of clarity about the university’s expectations and low levels of teacher feedback on work submitted, a failure to engage, and low levels of contact with teaching staff and other students. Academic staff are challenged by increased class numbers and increased student diversity in classes and university policies to adopt a wide range of information technologies into teaching modes. In this paper, we offer one attempt at addressing these three important contemporary academic challenges: use of information technology to provide timely feedback through formative assessment to help students with a range of abilities to acquire the academic writing skills necessary to succeed in higher education. Early indications show that students find this form of formative assessment very useful. They value the timely and focused feedback from the lecturer and are developing collegiality as they learn from each others’ writing and feedback. We believe that this strategy is sustainable and can be adapted to facilitate academic and social integration for students across many disciplines