Elderly

The elderly age seems to be a proper time for finding the meaning of life and personal growth compared to other periods of life. The existence of meaning in life of the elderly is an important factor for the continuation of their life and finding meaning in life serve an important role in mental health and quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of logotherapy on depression and positive psychological characteristics of the elderly living in Isfahan. The research method was semi-experimental with pretest-posttest and follow-up design with a control group. The participants included all the elderly aged above 60 years old living in Isfahan. First, two centers were selected among Retired Teachers Associations and then, 40 participants were selected purposefully based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned with an equal ratio into the experimental and control groups (20 participants each). The experiment group were exposed to the Logotherapy for 11 90-minute sessions, while control group did not receive any intervention at this time. Measurs consisted of Yasavage et. al's elderly depression scale and Rashid's positive psychological characteristics scale. Utilized to analyze of the data was SPSS-23 software. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) demonstrated that logotherapy has a significant role in improving depression and positive psychological characteristics of the elderly (P<0.05). According to the findings of the current research, logotherapy can be used as an efficient method at counselling and psychotherapy centers in order to creat good feeling in the elderly, in turn leading to the decrease of their inanity feeling and depression.

Objectives This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of self-care empowerment training on life expectancy,
happiness, and quality of life of the elderly in Iranian elderly care centers in Dubai.
Methods & Materials This study was a quasi-experimental research conducted in the form of pre-testpost-
test with control group. The statistical population of this study included all Iranian elderly in the
elderly care centers in Dubai. Of these individuals, a sample of 40 elderly people (20 women and 20 men)
was selected and were involved randomly in two experimental groups (n=20; 10 women and 10 men) and
one control group (n=20; 10 women and 10 men). In this study, the experimental group received self-care
education during 12 sessions for 3 months and a weekly two-hour session, and the control group was put
on a waiting list. The experimental and control groups completed the Snyder Hope Scale (SHS), the Oxford
Happiness Inventory (OHI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL) in the pretest
and post-test phases. The data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA).
Results The findings showed that in post-test, self-care empowerment training significantly increased the
hope, happiness, and quality of life in the elderly.
Conclusion Self-care empowerment training in the elderly can be effective in increasing hope, happiness,
and quality of life of these individuals.

Objectives Assessment of met and unmet needs of the elderly and how meeting unmet needs can increase the quality of their life. Validity and reliability of any measurement instrument essential to use it for research work. The Aim of this study is to evaluate the test-retest reliability, construct validity and criterion validity of the Persian version of CANE questionnaire as a tool for the assessment of the needs of Iranian elderly people with mental health problems and their informal careers. Methods & Materials This cross-sectional study was done in 2016 on 123 elderly (61 men and 62 women) people with mental health disorder (convenient sampling) with mean age 72 years (SD=9.24) and 41 of their informal careers. To assess test-retest reliability, the interview was conducted twice with two-week interval and criterion validity to measure the correlation between the scores of the Camberwell questionnaire , a 36-item questionnaire assessing the quality of life, Modified Barthel Index, and 12-item General health survey was assessed. Construct validity was assessed by creating a correlation matrix for the first section of all 26 items of the questionnaire. The statistical analyses were performed using the software SPSS 19. Results For test-retest reliability purposes, kappa coefficient elderly (K=0.48-1) and their informal caregiv-ers (K=0.65-1); and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) in elderly with 0.95 and their informal caregiv-ers with 0.97, with a significant level of 0.05 were calculated. The results of the criterion validity, high negative Spearman's correlation between the total score of CANE with total score of the SF36 (r=-0.790) and MBI (r=-0.788) and a moderate correlation between unmet needs score of the CANE with total score SF36 (r=-0.474) and also a high correlation between score of career's psychological distress item of CANE with total score of GHQ12 (r=0.875) is revealed. The results showed good construct validity of the Persian version of the CANE. Conclusion Test-retest reliability and also construct and criterion validity of the Persian version of the CANE are good. It suggests that for the other studies, the psychometric properties of the Camberwell questionnaire should be evaluated.

Objectives Old age is associated with irregularities in many aspects of body immune system function. During
this period, the immune responses decline with increasing age. In other words, with decreasing number of immune
cells, which are responsible for detecting and direct attack to contaminated cells, the immune response
decreases and results in failure of the immune system. As sports activities could affect the immune system and
old age is associated with progressive immune failure, the study of the effects of exercise on the immune system
function in old age becomes important. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of selected
combined exercises (aerobic and resistance training) on the serum level of cortisol and immunoglobulins in
inactive elderly men.
Methods & Materials In this quasi-experimental study, 24 subjects were selected by convenience sampling
method. Their age and body mass index ranged 60–70 years and 22–25 kg/m2, respectively. Then, they were
randomly assigned into 2 groups (experimental [n=12] and control [n=12]). The experimental group started
the combined training exercise, and the control group continued their inactive usual routines. The combined
training exercise (aerobic-resistance) included running on a treadmill for 20 minutes per session, 3 sessions per
week, for 8 weeks, with an intensity of 60% to 70% HRR. Furthermore, the resistance training comprised 10
circling stationary movements of leg flexion, leg extension, leg press, scott, underarm stretch, chest press, iron
cross with dumbbells, biceps flexion, triceps extension, and rowing motion with rope. This training included an
intensity of 60% to 70% of one maximum repetition with extra load and 10 repetitions in 2 successive times
with 30 seconds rest between each repetition and 2 minutes’ rest between each movement. In this study, the
blood samples were taken 24 hours before the exercise and 24 hours after the last session of the exercise. We
used nephelometer instrument and binding kit site to measure the IgG, IgM, and IgA levels. The cortisol level
was measured by Gamacounter and RIA kit by the immunoradiometric method. To evaluate the consumed
oxygen, we used the protocol on treadmill instrument. In order to compare intra- and inter-group mean variables,
we used analyses of variance for repeated measures. The significant level was set at P<0.05.
Results The results indicated that the combined exercises reduced IgG level (12.75%) in the elderly people
(P=0.04). Although the level of serum IgM was also reduced (15.93%), this decrease was insignificant (P=0.31).
Furthermore, no significant change was seen in the IgA level (P=0.90). The cortisol level was significantly increased
(8.33%) in the experimental group (P=0.001). Based on the results, the mean intergroup changes
in the levels of IgA, IgA, and IgM were not significant (P>0.05). However, a significant difference was seen
between 2 groups with regard to serum cortisol level (P<0.05).
Conclusion Doing physical activities is one of the key factors in changing the function of the immune system.
This issue is associated with the intensity, duration, kind of exercise, body readiness, nutrition, mental status,
and hormonal factors. Based on the results, long and intensive exercises with an increase in the catabolic process
may weaken the immune system of the older people.

The growing trend of aging phenomenon poses the need to pay attention to the issues of the elderly as a social necessity. The decrease of the life expectancy and psychological hardiness can cause difficulties in the elderly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of group reminiscence on psychological hardiness and life expectancy of the elderly in Tehran, Iran. This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical papulation included all the elderly residing in nursing homes in Tehran among which Kahrizak nursing home was selected using convenience sampling method. Thirty elderly were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study and assigned randomly into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group received eight 2-hour weekly sessions of reminiscence intervention and the control group remained on the waiting list. Cliff's Mental Strength and Miller's life expectancy Questionnaires were applied to collect data. The results of Univariate Covariance Analysis (ANCOVA) indicated that the reminiscence has a significant effect on psychological Hardiness and its components including challenge, life control, self-confidence, interpersonal trust (P<0.05) and has no significant effect on commitment and emotional control components (P<0.05). Moreover, the significant effect of the intervention on life expectancy was confirmed (P<0.05). The findings of this study illustrate the effectiveness of group reminiscence intervention in the elderly. Therefore, it is recommended that psychologists and therapists take advantages of this method in order to improve the psychological problems of the elderly.

Wstęp. Pomyślne starzenie jest determinowane wieloma czynnikami, które wymienia się w definicjach prezentowanych
w literaturze przedmiotu. Celem niniejszego badania było uzyskanie poglądów osób starszych na temat
ważności warunków pomyślnego starzenia.
Materiał i metody. Badanie na temat korzystania z opieki medycznej i zachowań zdrowotnych zostało przeprowadzone
w 2005 roku, w wybranej przychodni w dzielnicy Łódź Górna. Fragment kwestionariusza wywiadu
obejmował problematykę pomyślnego starzenia. Osoby, które wyraziły zgodę na uczestnictwo w badaniu, ustosunkowały
się do 20 stwierdzeń określających warunki pomyślnego starzenia. Do analizy statystycznej zakwalifikowano
dane pochodzące od 173 osób w wieku 65–74 lat.
Wyniki. Badaniem objęto 102 kobiety i 71 mężczyzn w wieku wczesnej starości. Poza możliwością wykonywania
pracy po osiągnięciu wieku emerytalnego wszystkie inne stwierdzenia o pomyślnym starzeniu większość badanych
osób uznała za ważne. Niespełna 2/3 uznało za ważne bardzo długie życie. W przekonaniu wszystkich
badanych istotne jest, aby nie chorować przewlekle. Ocena ważności wyszczególnionych warunków pomyślnego
starzenia zależała od płci i stanu cywilnego oraz wykształcenia. Osoby o wyższym poziomie wykształcenia
istotnie częściej (p < 0,001) wskazywały na ważność warunków decydujących o pomyślnym starzeniu niż osoby
słabo wykształcone.
Wnioski. Uzyskane dane empiryczne pozwoliły na wielowymiarowe, kompleksowe podejście do definicji pomyślnego
starzenia, obejmujących fizyczne, funkcjonalne, psychiczne i społeczne aspekty zdrowia, z uwzględnieniem
osób w wieku wczesnej starości.

RESUMO: “Ser avô” é um acontecimento marcante, apesar de ser cada vez mais raro. Os netos são uma fonte de estimulação para os avós, contribuindo para a luta contra o declínio do envelhecimento e proporcionando-lhes uma melhor qualidade de vida. Os resultados evidenciam que as relações sociais são importantes para o idoso poder usufruir de qualidade de vida, mas será que os netos fazem a diferença quando falamos da qualidade de vida dos avós?

Palavras-chave: Qualidade de vida; Avós; Netos; Idosos.

ABSTRACT: “Be grandparent” It is a remarkable event, even though it is less common in these days. The grandchildren are a source of stimulation to the seniors, contributing against the aging and providing them a better quality of life. The results show that social relations are important for the elderly can enjoy quality of life, but will the grandchildren make the difference when we refer to life quality of the grandparents?

Keywords: Quality of life; Grandparents; Grandchildren.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of bloodstream infection in elderly hospitalized in a surgical clinic of a general hospital. Methodology: This is an epidemiological study, retrospective, descriptive with quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 68 patients hospitalized in 2013 in a referral and teaching hospital in Teresina-PI. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 10.0 and the research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Piauí (CAAE: 18110614.10000.5214). Results: Of the 68 patients diagnosed with positive culture for BSI, the prevalence of elderly (60 and over) was 49%. Patients were predominantly female (58%) and married (43%). The most prevalent microorganisms were Acinetobacter baumannii (23.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.65), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.05%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (17.3%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of BSI reveals the need to evaluate preventive measures for this age group.
Descriptors: elderly; nosocomial infection; infection control; prevalence.

Etude de la prévalence des démences chez les retraités des forces armées et les anciens combattants de plus de soixante ans. Objectif : Etude de la prévalence de la démence chez les personnes âgées (> 60 ans) dans les forces armées, chez les anciens combattants et les personnes à charge se présentant aux consultations externes. Matériel et méthodes : Etude transversale, conduite chez les personnes âgées et les personnes à charge des anciens combattants relevant des soins externes, et atteintes de démence selon les critères du DSM IV. Les patients inclus ont été évalués à travers leur histoire, l'interrogatoire de l'aidant, l'examen par contraste non monophotonique (PTNC) du cerveau et les examens de laboratoire comprenant la thyréostimuline et le taux sérique de vitamine B12. Résultats : La prévalence de la démence a été de 6,9 %. La maladie d'Alzheimer (MA) est la cause la plus fréquente avec 35,5 % (71/200) suivie par la démence vasculaire à 29 % (58/200), la démence associée à la maladie de Parkinson dans 15,5 % des cas (31/200) et la démence à corps de Lewy à 8,5 % (17/200). Des symptômes neuropsychiatriques ont été observés dans 84 % des cas. Ils étaient de modéré à sévère avec un score « Zarit moyenne Interview » (ZBI) de 59,94 (±10,85). Conclusion :