Multiple domains of functioning in older adults during the pandemic: design and basic characteristics of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam COVID-19 questionnaire

Hoogendijk, Emiel O.; Horst, Marleen H. L. van der; Poppelaars, Jan; Vliet, Majogé van; Huisman, Martijn

doi:10.1007/s40520-021-01829-8

Cited by 10 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The higher scores among LASA respondents in the south of the Netherlands was expected, since the southern regions were the epicentre of the Dutch COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. 17 The findings of this study have practical implications, amongst others for health policy makers. It is of utmost importance to know to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental measures affect daily functioning of older adults, positively or negatively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…The higher scores among LASA respondents in the south of the Netherlands was expected, since the southern regions were the epicentre of the Dutch COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. 17…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In previous publications, the design and measurements of the LASA COVID-19 questionnaire were described in greater detail. 17,20,21 The LASA study, including the COVID-19 study, received approval by the medical ethics committee of VU University medical centre. Written informed consent was provided by all respondents.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data are used from the COVID-19 study that is part of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), an ongoing population-based cohort study among older adults in the Netherlands. 16,17…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam COVID-19 exposure index: a cross-sectional analysis of the impact of the pandemic on daily functioning of older adults

Hoogendijk

Schuster

Tilburg

et al. 2022

Preprint

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ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop an index to measure older adults’ exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to study its association with various domains of functioning.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), a cohort study in the Netherlands.ParticipantsCommunity dwelling older adults aged 62-102 years (n=1089) who participated in the LASA COVID-19 study (June-September 2020), just after the first wave of the pandemic.Primary outcome measuresA 35-item COVID-19 exposure index with a score ranging between 0 and 1 was developed, including items that assess the extent to which the COVID-19 situation affected daily lives of older adults. Descriptive characteristics of the index were studied, stratified by several socio-demographic factors. Logistic regression analyses were performed to study associations between the exposure index and several indicators of functioning (functional limitations, anxiety, depression, and loneliness).ResultsThe mean COVID-19 exposure index score was 0.20 (SD 0.10). Scores were relatively high among women and in the southern region of the Netherlands. In models adjusted for socio-demographic factors and pre-pandemic functioning (2018-2019), those with scores in the highest tertile of the exposure index were more likely to report functional limitations (OR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.48 to 3.38), anxiety symptoms (OR: 3.87; 95% CI: 2.27 to 6.61), depressive symptoms (OR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.53 to 3.93) and loneliness (OR: 2.97; 95% CI: 2.08-4.26) than those in the lowest tertile.ConclusionsAmong older adults in the Netherlands, those with higher scores on a COVID-19 exposure index reported worse functioning in the physical, mental and social domain. The index may be used to identify persons for whom targeted interventions are needed to maintain or improve functioning during the pandemic or post-pandemic.Strengths and limitations of this studyThis study was based on a representative sample of older adults from three culturally different regions in the Netherlands.The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam COVID-19 study provides unique data on functioning of older adults in various life domains during the COVID-19 pandemic.The items of the COVID-19 exposure index that was developed were based on self-report, more objective sources such as medical records were lacking.The study covered the first months of the pandemic in the Netherlands, longitudinal data is needed to monitor functioning of older adults in later stages of the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…The higher scores among LASA respondents in the south of the Netherlands was expected, since the southern regions were the epicentre of the Dutch COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. 17…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data are used from the COVID-19 study that is part of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), an ongoing population-based cohort study among older adults in the Netherlands. 16,17…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam COVID-19 exposure index: a cross-sectional analysis of the impact of the pandemic on daily functioning of older adults

Hoogendijk

Schuster

Tilburg

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The overlapping sample consisted of 993 respondents. Details on the sampling, measurements and data collection of the LASA COVID-19 study have been published previously [ 10 ]. All respondents signed a written informed consent and the study was approved by the medical ethics committee of the VU University Medical Center.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delay or postponement of medical care among older adults in the Netherlands at earlier and later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2022

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Aims The aim of the current study was to compare cancellations or postponement of medical care among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2021 and 2020. Methods Data of respondents aged ≥ 62 years were used from the longitudinal aging study Amsterdam (LASA), collected in 2020 and 2021, directly after the main COVID-19 waves in the Netherlands. A questionnaire assessed cancellations of medical care and postponed help-seeking behavior. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results Overall, cancellations declined from 35% in 2020 (sample n = 1128) to 17% in 2021 (sample n = 1020). Healthcare-initiated cancellations declined from 29 to 8%. Respondent-initiated cancellations declined from 12 to 7%. Postponed help-seeking remained around 8%. Conclusions In 2021, less cancellations were reported compared to just after the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, while postponed help-seeking remained the same. It is important to investigate how cancellations and postponed help-seeking can be prevented in future pandemics.

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The impact of COVID-19 related adversity on the course of mental health during the pandemic and the role of protective factors: a longitudinal study among older adults in The Netherlands

Holwerda

Jaarsma

Zutphen

et al. 2023

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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Purpose Many studies report about risk factors associated with adverse changes in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic while few studies report about protective and buffering factors, especially in older adults. We present an observational study to assess protective and buffering factors against COVID-19 related adverse mental health changes in older adults. Methods 899 older adults (55 +) in the Netherlands were followed from 2018/19 to two pandemic time points (June–October 2020 and March–August 2021). Questionnaires included exposure to pandemic-related adversities (“COVID-19 exposure”), depressive and anxiety symptoms, loneliness, and pre-pandemic functioning. Linear regression analyses estimated main effects of COVID-19 exposure and protective factors on mental health changes; interaction effects were tested to identify buffering factors. Results Compared to pre-pandemic, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms and loneliness increased. A higher score on the COVID-19 adversity index was associated with stronger negative mental health changes. Main effects: internet use and high mastery decreased depressive symptoms; a larger network decreased anxiety symptoms; female gender, larger network size and praying decreased loneliness. COVID-19 vaccination buffered against COVID-19 exposure-induced anxiety and loneliness, a partner buffered against COVID-19 exposure induced loneliness. Conclusion Exposure to COVID-19 adversity had a cumulative negative impact on mental health. Improving coping, finding meaning, stimulating existing religious and spiritual resources, network interventions and stimulating internet use may enable older adults to maintain mental health during events with large societal impact, yet these factors appear protective regardless of exposure to specific adversities. COVID-19 vaccination had a positive effect on mental health.

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Multiple domains of functioning in older adults during the pandemic: design and basic characteristics of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam COVID-19 questionnaire

Cited by 10 publications

References 13 publications

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam COVID-19 exposure index: a cross-sectional analysis of the impact of the pandemic on daily functioning of older adults

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam COVID-19 exposure index: a cross-sectional analysis of the impact of the pandemic on daily functioning of older adults

Delay or postponement of medical care among older adults in the Netherlands at earlier and later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

The impact of COVID-19 related adversity on the course of mental health during the pandemic and the role of protective factors: a longitudinal study among older adults in The Netherlands

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