Minor positive effects of health-promoting senior meetings for older community-dwelling persons on loneliness, social network, and social support

Susanne Gustafsson,1,2 Helene Berglund,1,3 Joel Faronbi,1,4 Emmelie Barenfeld,1,2,5 Isabelle Ottenvall Hammar1,2 1Frail Elderly Research Support Group (FRESH), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, 2Gothenburg University Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap), 3Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; 4Department of Nursing Science, College of Health Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; 5Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-year effect of the health-promoting intervention “senior meetings” for older community-dwelling persons regarding loneliness, social network, and social support.Methods: Secondary analysis of data was carried out from two randomized controlled studies: Elderly Persons in the Risk Zone and Promoting Aging Migrants’ Capabilities. Data from 416 participants who attended the senior meetings and the control group at baseline and the 1-year follow-up in the respective studies were included. Data were aggregated and analyzed with chi-square test and odds ratio (OR) to determine the intervention effect.Results: The senior meetings had a positive effect on social support regarding someone to turn to when in need of advice and backing (OR 1.72, p=0.01). No positive intervention effect could be identified for loneliness, social network, or other aspects of social support.Conclusion: Health-promoting senior meetings for older community-dwelling persons have a minor positive effect on social support. The senior meetings might benefit from a revision to reinforce content focused on loneliness, social network, and social support. However, the modest effect could also depend on the lack of accessible social resources to meet participants’ identified needs, a possible hindrance for a person’s capability. This makes it necessary to conduct further research to evaluate the effect of the senior meetings and other health-promoting initiatives on social aspects of older community-dwelling people’s lives, since these aspects are of high importance for life satisfaction and well-being in old age. Keywords: aged, quality of life, health promotion, prevention, group intervention, evaluation studie

Relationship between family support and depression symptoms among older women attending a general practice clinic, Lautech Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria

Background: Older women are more at risk of depression symptoms. This study assessed the relationship between family support and factors associated with depression symptoms among older women.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 317 older women attending the General Practice Clinic, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria over a period of four months. They completed a semi-structured questionnaire on socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Perceived Social Support-Family Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and  inferential statistics.Results: The prevalence of depression symptoms was 42.5%. Most respondents (73.8%) also had chronic health problems such as hypertension (53.8%), obesity (43.2%), musculo-skeletal disorders (30.3%) and diabetes mellitus (10.3%). Poor family support was associated with depression symptoms among the respondents Significant factors associated with having depression symptoms include presence of chronic illness (OR=3.54, 95%CI=1.29-9.71, p=0.0001), low income (OR=5.21, 95%CI=1.50-17.86, p=0.020), bereavement (OR=2.39, 95%CI=1.01-5.63, p=0.014) and poor family support (OR=3.42, 95%CI=0.99-11.76, p=0.010).Conclusions: Poor family support was associated with depressive symptoms. Depression symptoms are common among older women with chronic health problems, poverty and poor family support. Targeting Improving family support these factors will reduce depression symptoms among older women

MSR122 Relationship Between 3-Meter Backward Walk Test and Grip Strength Test in Community-Dwelling Young-Older Adults

Objectives The 3-meter backward walk test (3-MBWT) is an important assessment tool used in evaluating neuromuscular control, proprioception, risk of fall and balance. On the other hand, the hand grip strength (HGS) test primarily is used to measure muscular strength or maximum tension generated by one’s forearm muscles. This study aimed to assess the relationship between 3-MBWT and HGS among community dwelling young-older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults participated in this study. 3-MBWT was measured using: a meter rule, to measure 3 meters on the ground, paper tape to mark out landmarks and a stopwatch to measure the time taken to complete the test. HGS was measured in line with the guideline of the American Society of Hand Therapists. Anthropometric variables were assessed following standard procedures. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to summarize data. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to verify the correlation between 3-MBWT and HGS test, as well as the influence of socio-demographic factors on both 3-MBWT and HGS. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Results Sixty-two participants with the mean age of 67.73 ± 1.96 years took part in the study. The mean values for 3-MBWT and HGS were 3.45 ± 0.80s and 29.58 ± 15.53kg, respectively. There was a significant correlation between 3-MBWT and HGS (r=-0.39; p = 0.002). However, there was no significant correlation between 3-MBWT and socio-demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). Similarly, there was no significant correlation between HGS and socio-demographic characteristics (p>0.05) except height and gender (p<0.05). Conclusions The 3-MBWT and HGS were significantly correlated with one another. Anthropometric characteristics did not influence the 3-MBWT. On the other hand, only height and gender showed a significant influence on HGS. Therefore, both 3-MBWT and HGS may serve as useful functional outcome measures for fall predictability and frailty in older adults

HSD85 Patterns and Correlates of Physical Activity Among Nigerian Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives This study aimed to assess the level and correlates of Physical Activity (PA) among Nigerian community-dwelling older adults. Methods Older adults who were 65 years and older participated in the cross-sectional study. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for the Elderly (IPAQ-E) and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), respectively. Correlates of PA were assessed in terms of functional status (using Katz Index Independence of Daily Living Questionnaire), psychosocial variables (depressive symptoms and quality of life (QoL), using Older People Quality of Life-Brief Questionnaire and Geriatric Depression Scale) and socio-demographic factors (age and gender). Descriptive statistics was used to summarise data. Bivariate analysis of the Chi-Square test of association and Pearson’s correlation were used to determine correlations between variables, while logistic regression was used to predict PA from the selected correlates. Results A total of 246 respondents who were within the 66-75years (58.9%) and were mostly females (65%) participated in this study. Based on IPAQ-E, the mean PA for walking, moderate and vigorous activity were 1177.8 ± 1195.9 metabolic equivalents (METs), 1128.5 ± 1738.9METs, and 6.99 ± 51.71 METs respectively. Rates for low, moderate, and high levels of PA were 21.1%, 51.6%, and 27.2% respectively. However, based on PASE, the PA level by type were moderate (17.9%) and low (82.1%). The mean scores for QoL and depression were 45.72 ± 7.14 and 6.48±2.27. A majority (68.7%) of the respondents had higher QoL, and mild depression symptoms (54.1%). PA was significantly correlated with age (r=16.799,p=0.02) based on IPAQ-E, gender (r=3.842, p=0.050) based on PASE, QoL (ᵡ2= 9.817, p=0.010) and instrumental activity of daily living (ᵡ2=17.125,p=0.002) based on IPAQ-E. Conclusions Nigerian community-dwelling older adults engaged in low-to-moderate PA and had high QoL and mild depression symptoms. There is need for effective PA interventions that is sensitive to socio-demographic profile