Promoción del envejecimiento activo en México: "Vivir con vitalidad"

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Psicología, Departamento de Psicología Biológica y de la Salud. Fecha de lectura: 07-07-201

Effectiveness of the vital aging program to promote active aging in Mexican older adults

Introduction: Aging is not only a population phenomenon but also an experience and an individual reality. Vital Aging® is a program that considers active aging as the lifelong adaptatio process of maximizing health and independence, physical and cognitive functioning, positive affect regulation and control, and social engagement. Through its different versions and editions, it has demonstrated being an effective program to promote active aging. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the “face-to-face” and “combined” versions of the program to promote active aging in Mexican older adults trial. Methods: Seventy-six older adults aged 60 years and over participated in a quasi-experimental study and were recruited in a senior center to participate in the two experimental conditions: Vital Aging face-to-face (VA-FF) (n=35) and Vital Aging combined (VA-C; multimedia/face-toface) (n=15), and the remaining 26 adults were assigned to a control group. Pretest and posttest assessments were performed after the theoretical–practical intervention. Mean differences and size effects were calculated for estimating the effect of the program. Results: At the end of the study, participants showed improvements in the active aging outcome measures. Positive effects were observed in the frequency of intellectual, cultural – artistic, and social activities, perceptions of aging, satisfaction with social relationships, and self-efficacy for aging. Additionally, those who participated in VA-FF showed better memory performance, meta-memory, and a trend to report less memory problems, while older persons in VA-C showed a trend to have better life satisfaction. No effects were observed in physical activity, frequency of social relationships, and subjective health. Conclusion: Findings show that the Vital Aging program in face-to-face and combined versions encourages active aging in Mexican older persons. These results are in general similar to those found in editions performed in Spain, revealing its consistency as a cross-cultural practical initiative for promoting active agingProject PSI2014-52464-P from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) in Spain supported this wor

Cross-Cultural Differences in Adjustment to Aging: A Comparison Between Mexico and Portugal

Objective: To compare Adjustment to Aging (AtA) and Satisfaction with Life in a Mexican and a Portuguese older sample. Method: A total of 723 (n = 340 Mexican and n = 383 Portuguese) older adults were included and assessed with the AtA Scale (ATAS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWL). Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Portuguese participants were significantly older than Mexicans (mean age 85.19 and 71.36 years old, respectively) and showed higher education level (p < .001). No significant differences on gender and marital status were found. Results: Mexicans considered all aspects of AtA absolutely more important than their Portuguese counterparts (p < .001). For Mexicans, being cherished by their family (82.1%), being healthy, without pain or disease (75.9%), having spiritual religious and existential values (75%) and having fun and laughter (75%) were the most important for AtA, compared to having curiosity and an interest in learning (22.5%), creating and being creative (20.1%) and leaving a mark and seed for the future (18.0%) for Portuguese participants. Mexicans also reported a higher SWL than Portuguese participants. Mean scores were 6.10 (SD = 0.76) and 3.66 (SD = 1.47) respectively (p < .001). AtA and SWL were correlated in the Mexican sample (p = .001), but not in the Portuguese (p = .100). Discussion: Differences on AtA between Mexican and Portuguese older adults should be explained considering their cultural and social context, and their socio-demographic characteristics. The enhancement of AtA, and its relevance to improve well-being and longevity can become a significant resource or health care interventions

Cognitive Aging

The study of cognitive function in gerontology is considered relevant because it is an important risk factor for other pathologies in the old age, such as physical disability and dependence, depression, and frailty, mainly because of early pathological changes in cognitive function which are considered a preclinical state that may progress to dementia. In this chapter, cognitive functioning and the dimensions that are included in it (attention, memory, meta-memory, processing speed, executive functions, visuospatial skills, and language) are conceptualized. Additionally, the current evidence is analyzed regarding age-associated changes that are experienced during cognitive aging. These changes, or cognitive decline, are distinguished from those that are part of cognitive pathologies, the most common mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Such pathologies are conceptualized based on the current diagnostic criteria, and controversies and challenges are discussed. Additionally, we analyze the risk factors for cognitive functioning in aging, both modifiable and nonmodifiable ones. A review of the main nonpharmacological intervention techniques used from the gerontology approach is made. It includes the cognitive training in the case of age-related decline or techniques of stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation in the case of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Finally, we conclude with an analysis of the current state of this topic in the field of gerontology and its relevance in professional practice

Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study

The exponential increase of the older segment of the population is coinciding with the growing challenges of a digital society in different socio-cultural contexts. This exploratory study aims to analyze older adult perspectives of how smart technology influenced their meaning in life during the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency period, using qualitative research at a cross-national level. Three hundred and fifty-one community-dwelling older participants aged 65-87 years were included in the study. Participants were Italian, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish. All the narratives went through a process of content analysis. Findings of content analysis produced six themes: Meaningful relations, rewarding activities, spirituality, health and safety-related support, self-growth, and physical activity. Smart technology was important in promoting significant relations for Mexican older adults (71.3%), rewarding activities for Portuguese older adults (57.1%), spirituality for Spanish older participants (71.6%), and physical activity for Italian older adults (29.5%). This study indicated that smart technology during the Health Emergency period was important for the meaning in life of older populations, mostly by facilitating meaningful relations, rewarding activities and spirituality. Future interventions with older adults during pandemic periods should consider the diversity of themes associated with increasing older adult well-being, from a cross-cultural perspective.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Upside of Negative Emotions: How Do Older Adults From Different Cultures Challenge Their Self-Growth During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Background and Objective: The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has raised increased challenges for older adults’ personal growth in diverse cultural settings. The aim of this study was to analyze negative emotions and their role on older adults’ self-growth in Mexico, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, a cross-national qualitative research was carried out. Methods: Data were collected from 338 community-dwelling participants aged 65 years and older, using a semi-structured interview protocol. Older adults were asked about negative emotions that significantly contribute to their self-growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Content analysis was used to identify key themes. Results: Seven main negative emotions (fear, sadness, anger, grief, boredom, loneliness, and shame) significantly contributed to seven themes of self-growth, across the samples: sharing difficult experiences with others, supportive partner, spiritual practices, engagement with life, generativity, volunteering activities, and intimacy and sexual satisfaction. Sharing difficult experiences with others was most pertinent to Mexican (13.9%) and to Italian (3.0%) participants, and a supportive partner to Portuguese (12.1%), and to Spanish participants (6.5%). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to their older adults’ self-growth. This study highlighted the cultural diversity of experiences during the pandemics and underlined the upside of negative emotions and its relation to older adults’ self-growth during this period.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Oral Health and Prevention in Older Adults

The most prevalent oral diseases such as tooth decay and chronic periodontitis, are the main responsible for tooth loss, this causes a disability in the chewing function, which alters the selection of food, the pleasure of eating, and the state of nutrition. Even the use of total prostheses to replace this loss is not always satisfactory. In the emotional sphere, poor oral health causes discomfort and a decrease in self-esteem. Unfortunately, this continues to occur in older people despite the great scientific and technological advances in dentistry today. Health promotion, which includes health education and prevention, must be present in the course of people’s lives. In the prevention of oral diseases, consider not only biological factors as the only causes, but also alleviate and modify the social determinants of the disease. All those involved in the care of the older adults must promote prevention as the most important tool in favor of oral health, and make older people enjoy life with quality. Oral health is an invaluable asset and reward at this stage of life

Perception of self-growth during covid-19 pandemic: a cross cultural study with older adults

A pandemia de Covid-19 apareceu de forma global, afetando assim o auto-crescimento da população idosa. O objetivo deste estudo consiste na identificação e análise no auto-crescimento dos indivíduos idosos de duas nacionalidades: mexicana e portuguesa. Neste estudo participaram 226 idosos, com 65 anos ou mais anos e residentes na comunidade. Foi executada um estudo qualitativo transcultural, através de um protocolo de entrevista semiestruturada. Os participantes foram interrogados sobre a sua perceção do seu auto-crescimento durante a pandemia. Posteriormente foi feita uma análise de conteúdo e foram identificados os temas centrais. A análise de conteúdos indicou os seguintes temas: (1) Partilha de experiências de vida; (2) Relação afetiva de qualidade; (3) Espiritualidade e religião; (4) Estar ativo; (5) Interesse por novos projetos; e (6) Participação cívica. Os participantes idosos com nacionalidade mexicana relataram que a partilha de experiências de vida como o tema mais relevante, enquanto para os participantes portugueses, possuir uma relação afetiva de qualidade era mais importante. Este estudo evidenciou a heterogeneidade de experiências vivenciadas por cada cultura, realçando o auto-crescimento dos idosos no período pandémico.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio