Successful ageing : perceptions of adults aged between 70 and 101 years

In this research, content analysis was employed to investigate older adults' perceptions of successful aging and the relationship of these perceptions to definitions given in the literature to date. Participants were 18 males and 42 females between the ages of 70 and 101 years. Analyses revealed older adults mentioned only 1 or 2 criteria of successful aging if asked for a definition; however, when prompted, they rated almost all the criteria emerging from the literature as highly important. Participants reported adjusting to the situations they were in by compensating for losses that occurred and selecting activities that best suited their capabilities. Overall, older adults' perceptions of successful aging were similar to aspects identified in the literature. Not all aspects, however, were seen as important by all participants, and only low to moderate correlations were found between some aspects of successful aging. (Contains 3 figures and 4 tables.)

Superannuation and the ageing myth

The ageing population rationale, which was the central plank underpinning compulsory superannuation, is flawed. The increase in individual wealth in the future more than compensates for the increasing number of older people. In addition to this, compulsory superannuation contributes to the ageing population problem because it provides less money to couples who wish to raise children and hence provides a disincentive for people to have children. The most appropriate method for dealing with the ageing problem is to encourage people to work longer - not because they need the money, but because it is good for their psyche and self-worth.

Sink or swim- ageing in Australia

As the number of people under the age of 65 declines, the number over 65 will double in the next half century. By 2031, it is estimated those over 65 will account for more than a quarter of the Australian population. The fastest rate of growth will be in the over-85-years category, projected to double over the next 20 years and to triple over 50 years to include 2.3 million people. Health care providers cannot afford to wait for the inevitable crises this vast demographic shift will provoke. To meet these future demands, educational and health care institutes should consider establishing interdisciplinary think-tanks for multidisciplinary research, policy development and innovations in aged care and health service delivery.
Aust Health Rev 2005: 29(2): 146-150

Ageing effects on visual reaction time in a single task condition and when treadmill walking

Visual reaction time (RT) was measured in 10 older men (mean age, 71.1 years) and gender-matched controls (mean age, 26.3 years) when standing (single task) and when walking on a motor-driven treadmill (dual task). There were 90 quasirandomly presented trials over 15 min in each condition. Longer mean and median RTs were observed in the dual task compared to the single task. Older males had significantly slower mean and median RTs (315 and 304 ms, respectively) than the younger group (273 and 266 ms, respectively) in both task conditions. There were no age or condition effects on with in-subject variability. Both groups showed a trend of increasing RT over the 90 single task trials but when walking only the younger group slowed. These novel findings demonstrate high but sustained attention by older adults when walking. It is proposed that the motor task's attentional demands might contribute to their slower preferred walking speed.

Surface bands on deepwater squalid dorsal-fin spines : an alternative method for ageing centroselachus crepidater

Bands on the external surface of the second dorsal-fin spine proved to be a novel method of estimating the age and growth of Centroselachus crepidater. Bands that followed the shape of the spine base were enhanced with an alizarin red derivative. Internal bands in spine cross sections were also examined. The number of both external and internal bands increased with animal size, although most spines had more external than internal bands. External bands were more reliable and were assumed to be annuli. The rate of band formation differed after five bands had been formed, and internal bands ceased forming after 30 years. Females to 54 years old and males to 34 years old were examined. Maturity occurred over a wide age range, with estimates of 20 years for females and 9 years for males. The youngest pregnant female was 27 years old. The Francis reparameterized von Bertalanffy growth model found similar growth for males and females, and the von Bertalanffy equations were L _t = 96.12^{(1 – e(–0.072(t+6.13))}) for females and L_t = 73.22(1 – e^{(–0.141(t+2.99))}) for males.

Factors associated with successful ageing

This research explored the extent to which adaptability, self-acceptance, religiosity, attitudes to ageing, and flexibility are associated with seven criteria of successful ageing (health, activity, life satisfaction, personal growth, positive relationships, autonomy, and purpose in life). Also considered was the level of importance participants assigned to these criteria. The participants were 200 females and 140 males aged between 70 and 95 years. Structural equation modelling was employed to determine significant paths between the variables. Direct and mediating effects of older adults’ importance ratings for different criteria of successful ageing were analysed. The main factors associated with successful ageing were self-acceptance and flexibility, both of which contributed significantly to almost all of the criteria examined. Importance ratings did not play a mediating role. It was concluded that self-acceptance and flexibility might enhance the process of successful ageing and could be targeted in programmes that assist older adults to adjust to life changes.

Ageing effects on knee and ankle joint angles at key events and phases of the gait cycle.

The objective of this research was to determine whether joint angles at critical gait events and during major energy generation/absorption phases of the gait cycle would reliably discriminate age-related degeneration during unobstructed walking. The gaits of 24 healthy adults (12 young and 12 elderly) were analysed using the PEAK Motus motion analysis system. The elderly participants showed significantly greater single (60.3% versus 62.3%, p < 0.01) and double ( p < 0.05) support times, reduced knee flexion (47.7° versus 43.0°, p < 0.05) and ankle plantarflexion (16.8° compared to 3.3°, p = 0.053) at toe off, reduced knee flexion during push-off and reduced ankle dorsiflexion (16.8° compared to 22.0°, p < 0.05) during the swing phase. The plantarflexing ankle joint motion during the stance to swing phase transition (A₂) for the young group (31.3°) was about twice ( p < 0.05) that of the elderly (16.9°). Reduced knee extension range of motion suggests that the elderly favoured a flexed-knee gait to assist in weight acceptance. Reduced dorsiflexion by the elderly in the swing phase implies greater risk of toe contact with obstacles. Overall, the results suggest that joint angle measures at critical events/phases in the gait cycle provide a useful indication of age-related degeneration in the control of lower limb trajectories during unobstructed walking.

Cultural diversity and mental health : the relationship between leisure experiences and wellbeing in an ageing Italian community in Australia

One of the population health implications for Australia’s ageing population is that a larger proportion of the Australian community will be retired and have more time for leisure pursuits. Meaningful leisure activities for this group are thought to be a factor in promoting positive mental health. However, a search of health literature revealed a paucity of research on how older adults make use of their leisure time, what meaning these pursuits have to them, and whether their chosen leisure activities are health enhancing and promote wellbeing. Australia’s population is diverse with many cultures represented. As the population ages, mental health workers will be called upon to provide culturally-appropriate mental health services to clients from a range of ethnic groups. Literature on how people of culturally diverse backgrounds understand leisure activities is also limited. This paper reports on a study carried out in an Italian community in a large regional centre. The participants were selected based on the following criteria; aged 65 years and over, born in Italy, independently living in the community, ambulant, and retired from paid workforce. This study explored how a well-elderly group from an ethnic community derived meaning from their leisure activities and how this impacted on their mental health. Establishing the relationship between leisure and mental health in an ageing ethnic community is important because it sheds light on potential intervention strategies that can be used to maintain the mental health of people living independently in the community. Participants were interviewed using semi-structured questions about their perceptions of leisure, the meanings they derived from these activities, and their perceived impact of these activities on their health. Participant observation was also used to add trustworthiness to the data. Themes arising from the interviews and participant observation will be related to the participants’ sense of health. Results also revealed how older Italians engaged in leisure activities. Implications of the research findings will be directed towards mental health practice with older ethnic clients in community settings. The promotion of healthy lifestyles and positive mental health for Australia’s ageing population will also be discussed.