Exploring the concept of optimal functionality in old age

Algilani, Samal; Östlund-Lagerström, Lina; Kihlgren, Annica; Blomberg, Karin; Brummer, Robert Jan; Schoultz, Ida

doi:10.2147/jmdh.s55178

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

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“…The qualitative findings are presented below in generic categories organized in accordance with the concept of optimal functionality as developed by Algilani et al [ 2 ] (previously described in the qualitative data section). The concept is built on three corner-stones: 1) self-related factors, 2) body-related factors and 3) external factors.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…the generic categories were collapsed into broader themes formulating a general description of the content analysis findings. The generic categories were then organized in accordance with the concept of optimal functionality, previously explored and described by our group [ 2 ]. The concept is built on three corner-stones 1) self-related factors (e.g.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Identifying factors that are of importance to maintain optimal functionality in old age are essential in order to increase the proportion of independent free-living older adults. Optimal functionality is a multidimensional model conceptualizing factors of importance to promote wellbeing and health from the perspective of the older individual, as explored by Algilani et al [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Centenarians are often studied due to their success in reaching a high age, without considering health status and the many disabilities commonly displayed in this population [ 9 ]. It is important to acknowledge that healthy aging it is not solely about reaching a high age, but rather about maintaining optimal functionality [ 2 ] and experiencing life-satisfaction and meaningfulness in everyday life [ 10 ]. It is essential to identify and characterize cohorts of older individuals experiencing wellbeing and health, at their present age, in order to identify factors important in promoting and maintaining health and sustainability through life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Senior orienteering athletes as a model of healthy aging: a mixed-method approach

et al. 2015

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BackgroundThe proportion of individuals reaching an old age is increasing and will, in the near future consume a majority of health care resources. It is therefore essential to facilitate the maintenance of optimal functionality among older adults. By characterizing older individuals experiencing wellbeing, factors important to promote and maintain health through life can be identified. Orienteering is an endurance-running sport involving cross-country navigation, demanding both cognitive and physical skills of its practitioners. In this study we aim to explore a Swedish population of senior orienteering athletes as a potential model of healthy aging.MethodsWe undertook a mixed-method approach using quantitative (i.e. questionnaires) and qualitative (i.e. focus group discussions) methodologies to explore a population of senior orienteering athletes (n = 136, median age = 69 (67–71) years). Quantitative data was collected to evaluate health status, assessing physical activity (Frändin-Grimby activity scale (FGAS)), functional wellbeing (EQ-5D-5 L), gut health (Gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale (GSRS)), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS)) and overall health (Health index (HI)). The data was further compared to reference values obtained from a free-living Swedish population of older adults. Focus group discussions (FGD) were performed as a complement to the quantitative data to facilitate the individuals’ own views on health and physical activity.ResultsThe orienteering athletes enrolled in the study reported a significantly better health compared to the free-living older adults (p <0.0015) on all questionnaires except HADS. The high health status displayed in this population was further confirmed by the FGD findings, in which all participants declared their engagement in orienteering as a prerequisite for health.ConclusionsIn conclusion our results show that senior orienteering may represent an ideal model in studies of healthy aging. Furthermore, our results show that even though the senior orienteering athletes are well aware of the long-term benefits of physical activity and have practiced the sport from a young age, they particularly point out that their engagement in orienteering is driven by short-term values such as enjoyment and passion. This may be important to consider when introducing public health interventions among the general older population.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12877-015-0072-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Senior orienteering athletes as a model of healthy aging: a mixed-method approach

et al. 2015

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“…Na literatura está bem documentado que as doenças crônicas e as condições mórbidas a elas associadas constituem a principal causa de perda da funcionalidade de idosos, a qual se manifesta em distintos graus e formas de incapacidade, bem como perda da qualidade de vida, e pode cursar com eventos desfavoráveis como hospitalização, institucionalização e óbito (DUARTE; REGO, 2007;MORAES, 2012;ALGILANI et al, 2014). Entretanto, também se evidencia que muitos idosos, embora portadores de múltiplas comorbidades, conseguem preservar ou retardar o processo de declínio da funcionalidade.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Perfis de funcionalidade e relação com óbito em idosos assistidos em Serviço Ambulatorial de Geriatria

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Falsarella²,

D’Elboux³

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Resumo: Buscou-se avaliar o perfil funcional de idosos atendidos em nível ambulatorial (Ambulatório de Geriatria Functionality profiles related to mortality in elders assisted in a Geriatric Outpatient ServiceAbstract: This study intended to evaluate the functional profile of the elderly in the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital of the State University of Campinas, correlating it with the occurrence of death. We evaluated 120 elderly outpatients (≥60 years), considering sociodemographic data, cognition by the Mini-Mental State Examination, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), self-assessment of memory, depressive symptoms, number of medical consultations, and probability of death within one year. Cluster analysis, chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney test were used as statistical analysis to compare the variables between the groups (p < 0.05). The mean age was 76.81 (±7.56) years; 66.7% were women; 63.33% were independent for ADL and 68.33% were dependent for IADL; 31.67% presented depressive symptoms; 30% presented cognitive impairment; 56.67% reported difficulty of remembering recent events; 83.33% had no difficulty remembering ancient events; 6.67% died within one year. It was possible to observe a profile consisting predominantly of younger elders, more educated, with more difficulty of remembering recent and ancient events, worse self-rated memory, and who died in greater proportion. The second profile consisted predominantly of older subjects, with higher percentage

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Mental health as a prerequisite for functioning as optimally as possible in old age: A phenomenological approach

et al. 2021

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Population ageing is increasing at a high rate, and it is estimated that between 2015-2050 the percentage of older adults in the world will almost double from 12%-22% (World Health Organization, 2017).In total numbers, that is an increase from 900 million to two billion older adults over the age of 60 (World Health Organization, 2017).According to Statistics Sweden (2018), it is estimated that by the year 2028, older adults over the age of 80 will have increased by 50% (Statistics Sweden, 2018). For the first time in history, most individuals will reach old age and live beyond their sixties. Older adults over the age of 60 are important to society; they are important to their families, are active in volunteering and are still members of the workforce (World Health Organization, 2017). However, with increased age comes the risk of health issues. According to the World Health Organization, health issues among older adults can be neurological disorders, diabetes, hearing loss and mental disorders, among others (World Health Organization, 2017). It has further been confirmed that the increase in individuals reaching high age will inevitably be accompanied by increased rates of physical and mental ailments (Oliver et al., 2014;Rechel et al., 2013).Maintained mental health is an important aspect of growing older and both older adults themselves and healthcare professionals often under-identify mental health issues. Furthermore, the issue of mental health and its stigma tends to lead to animosity towards seeking the professional help that is needed (World Health Organization, 2017). Previous research suggests that both of these factors are important for the older adult's ability to experience optimal functionality (Algilani et al., 2014); however, there is a need to further explore the aspect of mental health in relation to the older

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Exploring the concept of optimal functionality in old age

Cited by 17 publications

References 50 publications

Senior orienteering athletes as a model of healthy aging: a mixed-method approach

Senior orienteering athletes as a model of healthy aging: a mixed-method approach

Perfis de funcionalidade e relação com óbito em idosos assistidos em Serviço Ambulatorial de Geriatria

Mental health as a prerequisite for functioning as optimally as possible in old age: A phenomenological approach

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