IntroductionAgeing is associated with a multitude of healthcare issues including dementia, depression, frailty, morbidity associated with chronic disease and high healthcare utilisation. With Singapore’s population projected to age significantly over the next two decades, it has become increasingly important to understand the disease burden and etiological process among older adults. The Community Health and Intergenerational study aims to holistically examine ageing in place by investigating the resilience and vulnerability factors of the ageing process in the biological, psychological and social domains within the environment.Methods and analysisUsing a cohort multiple randomised controlled trial design, comprehensive health profiles of community-dwelling older adults will be collected. The objective is to recruit 1000 participants (aged 60–99 years) living in the western region of Singapore within a period of 3 years (2018–2020). Assessments include basic sociodemographic, physical health and function (cardiac, oral and blood profiles and visual function), cognitive functioning, daily functioning, physical fitness, emotional state, free-flowing speech, sleep quality, social connectedness, caregiver burden, intergenerational communication, quality of life, life satisfaction, attitudes to ageing and gratitude and compassion. Results from the cohort will enable future studies to identify at-risk groups and develop interventions to improve the physical and mental health and quality of life of older adults.Ethics and disseminationApproval of the cohort study by the National University of Singapore Institutional Review Board (NUS-IRB Reference code: H-17-047) was obtained on 12 October 2017. Written consent will be obtained from all participants. Findings from the cohort study will be disseminated by publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentations at scientific meetings and conferences with local stakeholders.

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Study objective To investigate the association between family cancer caregivers’ unmet daily needs and emotional states of depression, anxiety and stress across their care recipient’s treatment phases. Method A cross-sectional study design and self-report questionnaires were used. Family caregivers (N = 237) of cancer patients in ambulatory cancer clinics were recruited from May to December 2017, and completed a sociodemographic and medical questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Cancer Scale. Hierarchical linear regression was conducted to examine the influence of each predictor (sociodemographic variables, unmet personal care and role management needs, cancer treatment phase) on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale total score, depression subscale, anxiety subscale, and the stress subscale. Results Family caregivers’ unmet daily activity needs, in particular higher unmet personal care needs, during the intermediate phase (6–9 months), were significantly associated (ps<0.05) with overall distress (b = 4.93) and stress (b = 2.26). In the chronic treatment phase (>9 months), the significant association of unmet personal care needs was with overall distress (b = 5.91), anxiety (b = 1.97) and stress (b = 2.53). After completing treatment, unmet role management needs were only significantly associated with stress (b = -1.59). Caregivers’ higher depression was also associated with greater unmet role management needs, regardless of treatment phases. Conclusions Intermediate and chronic cancer treatment phases were identified as having greatest effect on caregivers’ unmet daily activity needs and emotions. Unmet personal care needs played the major effect on overall negative emotional states in the intermediate treatment phase and stress in the chronic treatment phase. Close attention to caregivers needs in intermediate and chronic treatment phases, would be highly beneficial in alleviating negative emotional disturbances.

BACKGROUND The world-wide spread of digitalization has led to the harnessing of technology to improve health outcomes. Attention to older adults social needs via social media is one way of promoting healthy aging. While 56% of older adults are smartphone users, little is known about their usage patterns of social media. OBJECTIVE This exploratory study aimed to (1) determine the social media experiences of older adults in Singapore, and (2) understand their perceptions of its impact on health-related outcomes. METHODS The study utilized a qualitative research design with an interpretative approach. Using maximum variation purposive sampling, normal aging older adults (N=16), aged between 60 to 80, and experienced in the use of internet-enabled technology were recruited from an existing community study. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted. Employing a thematic analysis, interviews were transcribed in verbatim, and analyzed for codes inductively. RESULTS The following themes and subthemes were identified as key moderators of older adults’ social media experiences: (1) Personal attitudes: participants were encouraged to use social media due to the increased accessibility which enabled the ease of contact, but perceptions that the quality of interactions was compromised and its associated risks reduced their usage; (2) Social influences: the desire to bond with co-users, and the availability of support increased usage. Additionally, social media usage was perceived to positively impact health through its abilities to keep older adults cognitively engaged, improve health communication, and increase social connectedness. However, opinions remained mixed on older adults’ vulnerability to social media addiction. CONCLUSIONS Personal and social contexts determine older adults’ social media usage. The study’s findings provide practical insights on how social media can be deployed to improve health-related outcomes in older adults.