The current issue
- Self-esteem, hope for success and stress coping styles and marital satisfaction in late adulthood
Paweł Brudek, Joanna Lenda, Stanisława Steuden
Introduction. Marital satisfaction is one of the major predictors of elderly people’s physical and mental diseases. The primary goal of presented research was to identify connetions between stress coping styles, self-esteem, hope for success and marital satisfaction in late adulthood, as well as to select predictors of happy marital life on the threshold of old age. Materials and methods. 120 subjects (60 married couples) at the age of 60-75 years old were interviewed. Four psychological methods were applied in the discussed research, such as: (1) Self-Esteem Scale (SES); (2) State Hope Scale (KNS); (3) Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS); (4) Questionnaire of Well Accorded Marriage (KDM-2). Results. The analyses that had been carried out revealed a number of relevant dependences. They also allowed to identify the model of marital satisfaction, whose main part is a unique stress coping style focused on engaging in alternate activities. The result pattern that was obtained in the research suggests that along with a growing tendency to avoid facing the existing problems, which is expressed by taking alternate activities, marital satisfaction is decreasing. Conclusions. Self-esteem and hope for success are linked in a positive way to marital satisfaction among elderly people. Stress coping styles are also in significant relation with marital satisfaction of seniors. In this case the correlation is negative. Stress coping style focused on engaging on alternate activities turned out to be a considerable predictor of happiness in late adulthood. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 83-90)
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- The sense of coherence and life satisfaction among elderly people
Krystyna Kurowska, Barbara Orzoł
Introduction. The aging process of polish society provokes greater interest in old age. This period of people’s life entails many problems. The sense of coherence plays an important role in adaptation to old age. It determines optimal functioning of the organism, mental and social well-being and the effectiveness in coping with difficulties. The stronger sense of coherence, the bigger possibility of well-being and therefore rewarding aging. Aim. Determining the relation between the level of the sense of coherence and the level of satisfaction with life achievements, as a determinant of maintaining optimal health among elderly people. Material and methods. The research involved 102 elderly people living in their own household who were under the care of primary health care in Tuchola. The sense of coherence was tested using SOC-29 questionnaire and the level of satisfaction using The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results. The sense of coherence is a significant determinant of life satisfaction in the elderly. The average level of global SOC was 144.33. The respondents gained the highest results in the sense of comprehensibility and the lowest in the sense of meaningfulness. They presented an average life satisfaction level according to SWLS scale (21.50). There has been shown a positive relation between satisfactory SOC parameters and life satisfaction in the elderly. The higher level of the sense of coherence, comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness, the higher level of life satisfaction. Conclusions. Proving an important relation between the level of the sense of coherence and level of life satisfaction shows that elderly people are well adapted to old age.(Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 91-97)
- Functional abilities in the elderly suffering from diabetes – preliminary reports
Marzena Agnieszka Humańska, Mirosława Felsmann, Justyna Sopalska
Introduction. Diabetes is a chronic disease. Improper treatment or control may lead to many complications – acute or chronic. Those complications hinder daily life functioning and may cause disabilities. Aim. Assessment of physical abilities of the elderly suffering from diabetes. Material and methods. The research was conducted among people over 60 years of age, using standardized questionnaires – ADL, IADL scale and self-constructed questionnaire including socio-demographic data. The level of significance p 0.05 has been determined as statically important. Results. The research group was composed of 50 persons – 46% women and 54% men. The average age of the respondents was 70 ± 8.607. Almost half of them – 44% finished secondary education. Most of the respondents – 60% was married. There has been a statistically important differences between men and women regarding the level of dependence according to IADL scale (women present the average lower level of independence). The most dependent in daily life activities were widowed respondents. Over the years physical ability was getting worse – the older was the person, the level of independence and ability was lower. There have been no statistically important differences between functional ability and the way of taking medications by the respondents. Conclusions. The age of the respondents had a significant influence on functional ability of the elderly. The older was the person, the functional ability was worse. There has been shown a statistically important relation between daily life functioning and the sex, education and marital status. The type of treatment did not have a statistically important influence on functional ability of the respondents. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 98-101)
- Physical activity, body composition and functional fitness of women over 60 years old, participating in organized physical activity
Anna Ogonowska-Słodownik, Andrzej Kosmol, Natalia Morgulec-Adamowicz
Introduction. Aging is connected with the changes that occur in the level of physical activity, body composition and functional fitness. As those changes have impact on the daily life, measurement of these parameters is essential in the health assessment of older people. Various forms of physical activity may affect the level of these parameters in varying degrees. Aim. Assessment of differences in the level of daily physical activity, body composition and functional fitness of women over the age of 60 taking part in various forms of organized physical activity. Material and methods. The study involved 151 women (aged: 68.1 ± 5.7) who were taking part in different forms of organized physical activity. Physical activity was measured using an accelerometer ActiGraph GT3-BT, body composition with the analyzer Tanita BC 420 MA, functional fitness was evaluated using Senior Fitness Test. Results. Significant differences were demonstrated for the time spent daily on physical activity of moderate to high intensity (MVPA/day). Women participating in gymnastics and nordic walking spent daily significantly more time on MVPA/day as compared to women practicing only gymnastics, gymnastics and activity in water or only activity in water. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of most body composition parameters and functional status. Conclusions. Nordic walking, gymnastics and activity in water can increase daily physical activity and maintain the level of functional fitness in women over 60 years old. This information should be taken into account when developing programs and promoting an active lifestyle in this particular age group.(Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 102-108)
- Gender dependent etiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in elderly patients on non-surgical hospital wards
Małgorzata Toczyńska-Silkiewicz, Zyta Beata Wojszel, Paweł Pecuszok
Introduction. Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most frequently occurring infection in the geriatric population. Often they require the use of empiric antibiotic therapy carrying the risk of increasing bacterial resistance. Aim of the study. Evaluation of the gender differences in etiological factors of UTIs in geriatric patients on non-surgical wards of the Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Bialystok. Material and methods. An 8-year-long (2006-2013) retrospective analysis of bacteriological urine test results from 2365 patients 60-year-old and older hospitalized on non– surgical wards was performed. Patients with bacteriuria 105 CFU and clinically diagnosed UTIs were selected. Results. The etiologic factors of 958 UTI cases were identified. Gram– negative bacteria were found in 87.2% cases of women and in 77.1% of men (p < 0.001). In women, the most frequently isolated pathogen-found in 72.2% of cases-was Escherichia coli (versus 40.0% in men). In men Proteus spp. (20.6% versus 6.3% in women), „other Enterobacteriaceae” group (11.8% versus 7.7%), non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (4.7% versus 0.9%), and other Gram-positive cocci (18.2% versus 9.1%) were more common. Differences in the frequency of pathogen occurrence between the groups in most cases were statistically significant. Conclusions. There are significant differences in the incidence of various etiological factors of UTI in geriatric patients between men and women. While the pathogen responsible for the majority of UTIs among hospitalized older women is Escherichia coli, the greater share of other Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in men is observed. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 109-113)
- Proper BMI ranges for the elderly in the context of morbidity, mortality and functional status
Agata Grzegorzewska, Krzysztof Wołejko, Alicja Kowalkowska, Gabriel Kowalczyk, Alina Jaroch
Introduction. Recently, a great attention is focused on the issue of aging. One of the great medical challenges is to create a separate BMI range for older people. Aim. The main aim of this research was to present results of recent randomized clinical trials trying to analyze the correctness of using current BMI ranges for the elderly. Material and methods. 27 sources were used in this publication, including 18 studies, 4 medical manuals published after 2004 and 5 websites. Results and discussion. The most appropriate BMI range for the elderly was 25-27 kg/m2 (except for the Asian population), providing the lowest mortality, yet indicating overweight and mild obesity. Higher BMI values (even BMI >30 kg/m2) were associated with better functional status. Conclusions. Current ranges of the BMI index for the elderly are not the most beneficial, frequently causing misleading interpretations. Therefore, it is necessary to create new, more current ranges. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 114-118)
- Inadequate attitudes and behaviours as experienced by older persons
Jacek J. Pruszyński, Jacek Putz, Tomasz Maksymiuk
Ageism – an irrational belief prejudices concerning individuals or groups based on their age. Ageism refers to the attitudes, includes stereotypes and prejudices against old age, and creates the basis for discrimination because of age. Part of ageism is also „glorification of youth” and all its attributes. „Festival of youth” removes from the social consciousness, or at least pushes on its margin, everything that does not fit in canons promoted by the „glorification of youth”. Such attitude does not leave a lot of room for reflection on the meaning and purpose of human existence or its lasting values – aspects of human life, which are naturally assigned to older age. The analysis carried out by us, presents the basic manifestations of unfavorable attitudes and behavior that elderly people face every day. Situations experienced by older people also have an impact on local communities and society, showing that problem is very important to entire population. In addition, an assessment of the size of the problem regarding negligence and abuse is impeded by the situation in which some of them are not recognized and reported. This phenomenon reflects among other things, a very serious problem concerning the discrimination the elderly suffer from, namely the lack of recognition, and thus underestimation. Awareness of the phenomenon of inadequate, unfair treatment of the elderly is still not sufficiently widespread not only among the public but also amidst health care and social welfare employees. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 119-126)
- The effect of the second demographic transition on the structure of Polish society and the related challenges
Jacek Pruszyński, Jacek Putz
The aging of the societies, as a result of the average duration of life lengthening and decrease in the number of births, is the most characteristic feature of demographic population of many countries. The increasing number and proportion of old people in the world is one of the most important factors influencing the life of whole societies, in particular systems of health and social care. In Poland, as in some other countries, the aging of the population is combined with diminishing of the total population numbers. This phenomenon is partly due to changes in the family model and the principles of its creation and disengagement. The causes of these changes are seen in the processes of socioeconomic transformation, radical changes on the job market, increasing alternative costs of marriage, and/or motherhood, and growing difficulties in combining roles of partner and parent. Due to the negative effects of the demographic crisis, efforts to improve the demographic indicators should include not only focus on improvement of financial situation of concerned families, but also assistance in the implementation of procreation plans or focus on convincing families to make adjustments in their life plans. The process of progressive aging of the Polish and European population poses a number of challenges for social policy objectives. Those objectives besides meeting the growing welfare and healthcare needs should include efforts to improve the demographic indicators in particular the birthrate. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 127-132)
- Insomnia in the elderly – causes and non-pharmacological therapy options
Anna Kańtoch, Barbara Gryglewska
The aim of this article is to review the literature concerning the epidemiology, symptomatology, diagnostic algorithm and the possibility of applying the non-pharmacological interventions to treat insomnia in the elderly. Geriatric insomnia plays a crucial role in quality of life among the older adults because it is one of the most common complaints in the elderly. The etiology of this disease could be multifactorial in the geriatric population. The most common type is secondary insomnia which is related to the presence of comorbidities, socioeconomic status or psychosocial factors. Associated with mortality risk and numerous individual consequences like injuries, falls, car accidents, cardiovascular diseases or cognitive decline insomnia could be considered as a possible reason of morbidity and mortality in late life. Non-pharmacological interventions in elderly patients, especially sleep hygiene education, increased physical activity and use of cognitive-behavioral therapy have demonstrated some success. It is recommended to use several of these methods simultaneously. Hypnotics, due to possible side effects, should be used for a short period of time but only in the initial phase of treatment. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 133-141)
- Neuroimaging in the diagnosis of mild neurocognitive disorder on the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease
Sylwia Ferenc, Natalia Ciesielska, Remigiusz Sokołowski, Karolina Klimkiewicz, Marta Podhorecka, Kornelia Kędziora-Kornatowska
Neurocognitive Disorders (NDC) represent a growing problem due to the aging population. Etiology of Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of neurocognitive disorders. Neuroimaging allows to detect early changes in the structures of the brain developing even before the onset of clinical symptoms and to determine the etiology of neurocognitive disorders. The precise etiology of NCD may affect the search for new and effective therapies. Techniques of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies are applicable in the diagnosis of mild neurocognitive disorder on the etiology of Alzheimer’s Disease. There are, however, certain standard criteria characterizing the early stage of development of mild NCD. Neuroimaging due to problems in accessibility are not used in everyday clinical practice. Subsequent research examined using neuroimaging techniques can provide accurate information about the etiology of occurring changes and can help look for new therapies of mild NCD. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 142-150)
- Polypill of amlodipine and atorvastatin – a chance to improve effectiveness of total cardiovascular risk’s reduction in elderly patients
Agnieszka Neumann-Podczaska
Current recommendations underline advantages of the usage of combined drugs, including two or three drugs in one pill. This paper presents previous effects of treatment achieved by using polypill of amlodipine and atorvastatin. (Gerontol Pol 2016, 24, 151-154)