by Terence Seedsman  and Nilufer Korkmaz Yaylagul

Received: 17 July 2018;  Published: 28 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804022

With rapidly aging populations worldwide there will be an increasing need to focus attention on the expected increase in disability with advancing age. Drawing upon established literature this paper aims to highlight the contribution of anthropology including selected research findings and contemporary understandings surrounding aging and disability. A quality of life and lifecourse approach is offered including social system failures known to arise from the influence of ageism. Disability is portrayed as first res [...]

by Yoram Barak  and Paul Glue

Received: 04 October 2018;  Published: 26 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804021

Patients with AD have shortened life expectancy than the general older population is well established. Loneliness may be another risk factor to consider if we wish to understand and improve the premature mortality of AD.

by Coad Thomas Dow  and Julia Szepieniec

Received: 01 August 2018;  Published: 25 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804020

Improved understanding of the underlying cellular dysfunction and resultant neuropathology of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is needed to stem the anticipated public health crisis due to this increasingly common neurodegenerative disease. The four main risk factors for sporadic AD are age, female gender, genetic carriage of the APOE4 allele and type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Each of these four risk factors is associated with impaired and/or dysfunctional autophagy suggesting that perturbation of autophagy is [...]

by Ladislav Volicer

Received: 04 November 2018;  Published: 08 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804019

Behavioral symptoms of dementia

by G. Kevin Randall  and Alex J. Bishop

Received: 24 August 2018;  Published: 06 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804018

Abstract Background: This study investigated the influence of positive psychological predictors, religiosity and forgiveness, on subjective and objective successful aging outcomes among incarcerated males. Methods: Male prison inmates (N=261), aged 45 to 82 and incarcerated in eight state-managed correctional facilities, were sampled from the prison census database (Oklahoma Department of Corrections or DOC). Exclusion criteria, per the Oklahoma DOC, were those housed in medical or psychiatric units, currently in [...]

by Francisca S. Rodriguez

Received: 19 June 2018;  Published: 31 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804017

(1) Background: Cognitive reserve describes the capacity to function cognitively normal despite brain damage. Previous research on cognitive reserve outlined how characteristics of the brain promote good cognitive functioning, but it is not yet clear what cognitive processes help individuals to maintain a good cognitive functioning if the brain is damaged. (2) Methods: Literature search cognitive and/or psychometric characteristics of cognitive reserve with a narrative review of relevant articles. (3) Results: The [...]

by Koji Naruishi

Received: 06 September 2018;  Published: 26 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804016

Japan is a steadily aging society, and the number of hospitalized elderly patients have been increasing. Elderly people are vulnerable with regard to poor health, and the number of hospitalized elderly patients has been increasing rapidly. A marked increase of elderly patients may weaken the economy because of the burden of medical expenses. Therefore, it is important for both society and the individual to reduce the incidence of geriatric diseases such as aspiration pneumonia among elderly people. Although family [...]

by Paul M. Valliant  , Charlotte Aelick  , Amber Sinclair  and Joseph M. Caswell

Received: 07 August 2018;  Published: 18 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804015

Previous research has found that a number of factors are necessary for positive aging. These include genetics, healthy diet, exercise, a stress-free environment, and cognitive enrichment. It is imperative current research evaluate the attitudes that others have toward older adults. A positive attitude will ensure support by the community. The current study contributes to the literature as it evaluates attitudes toward older adults. The population included Caucasian and Indigenous people residing in Northern Ontario [...]

by Chrisann Fahy  and Lisa Hollis-Sawyer

Received: 19 January 2018;  Published: 10 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804014

The purpose of this project thesis was to develop and pilot test a holistic enrichment program manual to be used with “Institutionalized Home Care Facilities” (IHCF) that encompasses motor skill, social, cognitive and self- enrichment outcomes. The enrichment manual is centered on the theoretical theory of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs while integrating holistic care through training modules. In the needs analysis phase the researcher anticipated that the feedback from the focus group would assist in the developmen [...]

by Bruce Walmsley  and Lynne McCormack

Received: 23 June 2018;  Published: 08 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804013

Background: Minimal research investigates negative and positive perspectives of wellbeing in families, when a member with dementia is limited in their speech, or speech is absent. Methods: Seeking to explore this phenomenon further, semi-structured interviews sought negative and positive subjective interpretations from 27 family carers (mild to profound dementia). Interviews explored the participants’ experience of changing relational and social engagement when a family member lives with dementia. Data were anal [...]