Age-Friendly and Inclusive Volunteering – Review of Community Contributions in Later Life
Source: Centre for Ageing Better
Comparison of Psychosocial Variables Associated with Loneliness in Centenarian vs Elderly Populations in New Zealand
Source: JAMA Network
Loneliness is associated with reduced health-related quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. Centenarians are a unique group to study as a model of successful aging; examination of their psychosocial demographics may help identify factors that reduce loneliness and its sequelae.
The number of centenarians has increased significantly since the 1980’s in New Zealand. On the basis of 2011 data, an estimated 400 to 500 New Zealand centenarians are likely currently alive, with less than 10% of centenarians older than 105 years. Death rates among females are lower than those among males at all ages, resulting in a population ratio of approximately 1 man to 6 women in the centenarian age group.
NEW ZEALAND: Loneliness in Men 60 Years and Over – The Association with Purpose in Life
Loneliness as a consequence of getting older negatively impacts on the health and well-being of men as they age. Having a purpose in life may mitigate loneliness and therefore positively impact on health and well-being. Limited research into loneliness and purpose in life has been undertaken in older men. This study seeks to understand the relationship between loneliness and purpose in life in a group of older men. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of 614 men aged 60 years and over living in New Zealand, bivariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken to examine the relationship between loneliness and purpose in life using a range of demographic, health, and social connection variables. Bivariate analysis revealed that being unpartnered and having low socioeconomic status, limited social networks, low levels of participation, and mental health issues were associated with loneliness. Multivariate analysis showed that having poor mental health and lower purpose in life were indicators of loneliness. Consequently, improving mental health and purpose in life are likely to reduce loneliness in at-risk older men. As older men are a heterogeneous group from a variety of sociocultural and ethnic backgrounds, a multidimensional approach to any intervention initiatives needs to occur.
read moreNEW ZEALAND: Late‐Life Living and Care Arrangements of Older Filipino New Zealanders
New Zealand is rapidly becoming the host to an increasing number of ageing Filipino immigrants. Despite this sizeable population growth of ageing Filipinos in New Zealand, still very little is known about this ethnic group’s care needs and living arrangement preferences in later life within the New Zealand context.
Data were collected from 15 older Filipinos who participated in face‐to-face interviews. Data were analysed using a thematic analytical framework.
Two major themes were identified from the data analysis. The first theme “preferred living and care arrangements” is about older Filipinos’ preferred plans for future residence and in receiving care when no longer able to function independently in their own homes. The second theme “negotiating readiness and acceptance” is about hypothetical situations that older Filipinos described and anticipated that will greatly facilitate their readiness and acceptance to living in aged care facilities.
read moreMoving Backwards, Moving Forward: The Experiences Of Older Filipino Migrants Adjusting To Life In New Zealand
Source: International Journal Of Qualitative Studies On Health And Well-being
Historically, global migration trends have shown a significantly lower proportion of older people migrating compared to younger age cohorts (United Nations [UN], 2016). However, more recently, the global migrant profile has no longer been dominated by the young working-age population and it now includes a large percentage of older adults (UN, 2016; Warnes & Williams, 2006). The increasing number of older migrants is illustrated by the higher percentage of migrants who are 60 years old and over in proportion to the total population of the same age group among major migrant destination countries (UN, 2016). This rise has been fuelled by an increased life expectancy and legal migrant pathways for reunification (Zaiceva, 2014).
In recent years, a considerable number of parents of New Zealand residents of different ethnicities have been granted residency status (Immigration New Zealand Statistics, 2013). In New Zealand, studies focusing on South Korean, Chinese, South African, and Indian migrants have been undertaken (Alpass et al., 2007; DeSouza, 2006; Park & Kim, 2013), revealing migration issues and processes affecting migrants’ psychological well-being and their experiences of growing old in New Zealand. Furthermore, there has been an increase in empirical work documenting the complex health and well-being needs of older migrants, who are culturally and linguistically diverse (Al Abed, Davidson, & Hickman, 2014; Radermacher, Feldman, & Browning, 2009). Ageing in general is accompanied by inevitable and complex co-morbidities, including physiological and psychosocial health-related issues. These health complexities are experienced by older migrants more acutely than by younger migrants (Khoo, 2012). Nikolova and Graham (2015) noted that migration to developed economies, while increasing subjective wellbeing for the younger population groups, often meant that older migrants experience an interrupted social connectedness, referred to as a “broken social convoy” (Park et al., 2015).
Negativity Surrounds Aged Care Nursing
Source: Auckland University of Technology
Aged-care nursing remains the least popular career pathway for young nurses, despite huge efforts to showcase the opportunities and promote the value of working in this speciality.
Various studies have explored why new nurses are not choosing aged care. Factors identified include preferring other fields of nursing, such as acute care; and feeling the need to learn certain clinical skills which aged-care bursing cannot offer. Another factor is new nurses having an impression of aged care that they do not openly admit to, nor discuss. This is the belief that aged-care nursing is not the dream job, is less stimulating than other specialities and only serves as the second – or even the last – option when no jobs are available in their preferred practice area.
read moreThe FARSEEING Real-world Fall Repository: A Large-scale Collaborative Database To Collect And Share Senior Signals From Real-world Falls
Source: European Review of Aging and Physical Activity
Positive Ageing Strategy and a Constitution for Older New Zealanders: Informing the discussion in 2018
The purpose of this event is to facilitate informed discussion around the new Positive Ageing Strategy and contemplate the role of a Constitution for Older New Zealanders.
A number of excellent guest speakers and panelists have been lined up from around New Zealand.
15 August, 2018, 9:20- 2:30
CQ Hotel Wellington, 233 Cuba Street, Wellington
The event is FREE, but numbers are limited and registration is required. Please email care@otago.ac.nz
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Life And Living In Advanced Age: A Cohort Study In New Zealand – Te Puawaitanga o Nga Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu, LiLACS NZ: Study Protocol
Source: University of Auckland
How Family Caregivers Help Older Relatives Navigate Statutory Services At The End Of Life – A Descriptive Qualitative Study
Source: University of Auckland