Poster Session
The Role of Multimorbidity in Dementia among Elderly People Aged 60 Years and Above in Community View Digital Media
Poster Session Tingting Zhu, Yuhong Niu
Many studies have shown multimorbidities might be one of the key risk factors for accelerating cognitive decline in the elderly. The evidence of the impact of multimorbidity on dementia among elderly people in China is scarce in detail. This study was performed to examine the association between the prevalence of dementia and multimorbidity, as well as pattern of multimorbidity among the elderly in Shanghai. This was a cross-sectional study, with 5040 elderly individuals from 21 communities enrolled. The prevalence of dementia was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The diagnosed chronic diseases including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease (CHD) were investigated such that multimorbidity was defined as individuals suffering from two or more chronic diseases at the same time. Data of 4945 older adults were analyzed. The overall prevalence of dementia and multimorbidity were 15.73% and 35.98%. Multivariate analysis showed multimorbidity was significantly negatively associated with dementia, and the risk of dementia in elderly individuals with 2, 3 or more chronic diseases was 1.283 and 2.034 times greater, respectively, than those who with no multimorbidity. Notably, elderly individuals with both diabetes and hyperlipidemia had the highest risk of dementia. In conclusion, Multimorbidity played a negative role in dementia among elderly people, dementia risk increases with the number of comorbidities, and the combination of diabetes and hyperlipidemia accentuates dementia risk at a greater level.
Developing Targeted Interventions by Prioritizing the Needs of Families Supporting Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury
Poster Session Pascale Simard, Melanie Levasseur
Individuals living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) often rely daily on family support for their activities. When suddenly assumed by family members, caregiving roles can significantly disrupt family dynamics. Such responsibilities can extend over many years, and challenges may increase as both the caregiver and the individual with TBI age. Although implementing interventions to support caregivers of individuals with TBI (TBI caregivers) is essential, little is known about the specific needs of TBI caregivers. This study documents and prioritizes the needs of TBI caregivers. Based on the results from a mixed systematic review on the needs of caregivers of adults living with a TBI, the Technique for Research of Information by Animation of a Groupe of Experts (TRIAGE) method was used in two focus groups conducted with community workers (n=4) and TBI caregivers (n=5). TRIAGE combines both individual and group phases, aiming to reach a consensus on most priority needs. Participants were recruited among community workers and TBI caregivers from organizations that provide services to this population. Both groups identified needs for peer support, information on healthcare and administrative procedures, mental health support, and a guide to navigate the healthcare system and access resources as a priority. TBI caregivers also emphasized the need to prepare for transferring caregiving responsibilities, adapt housing, and continuous follow-up as additional priorities. Building on the prioritized needs, this study will guide the development of interventions tailored to the challenges faced by TBI caregivers.
Fostering Intergenerational Connections for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Qualitative Exploratory Study
Poster Session Megan Veilleux, Samuel Turcotte, Ronen Ore, Angéline Labbé, Valérie Poulin, Emilie Raymond, Marie-Ève Lamontagne, Pascale Simard, Ann-Frédérique Giguère, Mia Lapointe, Manh Hung Nguyen
Individuals living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) now have increased longevity due to advancements in healthcare and rehabilitation services. However, they may face dual stigmatization—ageism and ableism—which can restrict their social participation. Intergenerational initiatives have been shown to improve the health of older adults, support social participation, and foster more positive attitudes toward aging. This study supports the development of intergenerational initiatives addressing the unique needs of the TBI population by exploring: (1) the relevance of intergenerational initiatives for individuals aging with TBI; (2) the facilitators and barriers to planning and implementing such initiatives. Using a qualitative exploratory approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted: individuals living with TBI (n=4), intergenerational connection experts (n=3), community workers (n=3), and managers from TBI-focused organizations (n=2) in Quebec, Canada. The interview guide was co-developed and pre-tested with an action-research steering committee. Data analysis employed a mixed-methods approach based on the Framework Method, with the deductive portion relying on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results reveal that intergenerational activities can be relevant for breaking social isolation and combating ableism. It revealed an agreement on barriers such as functional issues influencing intergenerational pairing and facilitators such as adapted instructions for the activity and personalized support from community workers to enable a satisfying and rewarding experience for individuals living with TBI. This research contributes valuable insights into fostering intergenerational initiatives for the TBI population, offering practical guidance to support the development of more inclusive environments and meaningful connections across generations.
Aging at the Breakthrough of Modernity: The Lifeworlds of Old People in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century
Poster Session Anne Kluger
Modernity is often described in historical research as an era in which people not only experienced profound changes but also perceived their time as something novel and distinct. This was, in part, reflected in negative views of older people and "aging." But what did it mean to be "old" in this period? The proposed research project aims to reconstruct the lifeworlds of "old" individuals during the breakthrough of modernity (between 1850 and 1930) in Germany and Austria, with a particular focus on their experiences and (self-)interpretations. The project primarily uses ego documents (diaries, letters, autobiographical records) created by "old" people themselves. The study thus also challenges the historical perception in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a criterion for modernity of a previously overlooked societal group and, in turn, refines our understanding of the concept of modernity itself. In addition, it provides insights into which contemporary phenomena related to aging and the perspectives of older individuals may have already begun at the transition from the 19th to the 20th century.
Health Consequences of Extended Precarious Employment for Older Women: A Latent Class Approach
Poster Session Elif Seyban
This study examines how various aspects of precarious employment impact the mental and physical health of older women as working lives extend. The rapid increase in employment and evolving retirement patterns of older women may significantly affect how they live and their retirement experiences. Precarity, forced employment, in-work poverty, and low-quality jobs are becoming increasingly common among older women. We conceptualize precarity as a multidimensional condition, encompassing both objective and subjective aspects. This framework accounts for social embeddedness (e.g., family and social network support) and life-course career developments, including accumulating disadvantage, a history of insecurity, and future time perspective. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) is used to develop a novel measure of precarious work, utilizing data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). This method identifies latent patterns in precarious work by integrating objective (e.g., employment contract), subjective (e.g., job insecurity, control at work), and social situation (e.g., household income) dimensions. Health outcomes—both mental and physical—are analyzed with a focus on gender-specific effects among older workers. Preliminary analyses indicate that precarious work is a multidimensional construct linked to adverse health outcomes. Gender differences are anticipated, with older women likely experiencing more severe negative effects due to intersecting vulnerabilities such as lower job security, caregiving roles, and limited access to resources shaped by gender norms. This study offers a comprehensive conceptualization of precarious work in later life and introduces a latent-based approach to its measurement, providing insights for improving employment conditions and mitigating health risks for older women.
The Experiences of Older Adults and Relevant Decision-makers in Care Transitions: A Qualitative Study
Poster Session Lucy Halamova
Older adults are often excluded from decisions about admission to care homes, with family and professionals frequently assuming this role during a crisis; this can negatively impact older adults beyond the time of transition. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing solutions that better support older adults and their families. This study explores (1) older adults’ experiences in making decisions about care transitions, (2) the roles that other key decision-makers, such as family members and professionals, play in the process, and (3) the support available to decision-makers, including the potential usefulness of a new decision aid informed by study findings. A qualitative study was conducted with 27 participants from three groups: older adults, family members, and professionals involved in care transitions. Semi-structured interviews are analysed through thematic analysis using a contextualist interpretative approach. Preliminary analysis suggests older adults focus more on life before and after transitions than decision-making, often taking a different role than others expect or wish from the older adults. Family members report significant emotional burden and often rationalise decisions made under systemic constraints. Professionals acknowledge these challenges, balancing empathy with appreciation for proactive decision-making. Most participants saw a decision aid as useful, and many shared insights on its content. Findings will support a decision aid to help older adults and families prepare for care transitions, easing stress during crises and improving decision-making. It should also assist professionals in better supporting older adults and families through the process.
Older Adults Negotiating Ageism: Reflections on Times of Crisis and Beyond
Poster Session Mervi Issakainen, Anna Mäki Petäjä Leinonen, Kaijus Ervasti
Previous research suggests that Finns have a positive perception of older people. However, ageism seems to be present in many areas of Finnish society, such as in working life, public debate, regulations and services. In this presentation, we present our preliminary findings on how older adults negotiate the ageism they have faced in their everyday lives during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. For our study, we draw on data produced together with older adults: 19 co-researchers (15 women, 4 men between 65 and 85 years of age) interviewed other older adults (64-96 years of age) about their experiences of their well-being and realizations of rights during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=53). In addition, group discussions were conducted with the co-researchers (n=7). In their accounts, older adults seem to highlight the importance of acknowledging current challenges and doing differently from now on. Our co-researchers and their interviewees discussed typical images of older populations as a homogeneous group and of older people as a problem. They also described having less voice and involvement in decision-making and in society in general, as well, as falling out of care and support as a result of ageism. According to our co-researchers and their interviewees, changes are needed to ensure humanity in future crises and to promote dialogue, both to improve the position of older people in society and to increase intergenerational understanding.
A Preliminary Investigation into Older Adults’ Reactions to Community-Based Psychoeducational Seminars
Poster Session Yi Feng Lu
In Taiwan, psychologists frequently conduct psychoeducational seminars in community settings aimed at older adults. However, limited research has examined how older adults perceive and respond to such seminars. This study therefore explores older adults’ reactions to community-based psychoeducational seminars through both quantitative and qualitative analyses. The study recruited older adults who attended community-based psychoeducational seminars between 2018 and 2021. Participants completed a four-item scale comprising the first three items of the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and the fourth item of the Session Rating Scale (SRS), assessing their well-being in terms of "individual," "interpersonal," and "social" functioning, as well as their overall perception of the seminar. A total of 1,870 questionnaires were collected. The average age of participants was 74 years. ORS scores were 9.20, 9.25, and 9.26 for the respective dimensions, and the overall satisfaction score for the seminar was 9.34. Qualitative feedback indicated that participants appreciated the "accessible explanation of complex mental health topics," felt the content was "highly relevant to their own psychological experiences," and recognized "the psychologist’s genuine care and dedication." Community-based psychoeducational seminars remain a viable and meaningful approach for promoting mental health awareness and providing psychological support to older adults.
Transnational Healthcare Practices among Refugee Older Adults: Practice and Policy Implications
Poster Session Sepali Guruge, Areej Al Hamad, Kateryna Metersky, Hasina Amanzai, Zhixi Zhuang, Cristina Catallo
Aging and migration are two trends that shape healthcare access and use in many countries. Older adults in post-migration contexts face many challenges in accessing healthcare services. Emerging literature indicates that they exercise agency via engaging in transnational healthcare practices (THP) to meet their health needs. This study focuses on the nature and scope of THP among refugee older adults. Methods: As part of a larger project that aims to understand THP among refugee older adults, three literature reviews were undertaken: a concept analysis (n= 37 articles) of transnational healthcare; a scoping review (n= 34 articles) on healthcare practices among refugee older adults; and a scoping review (n= 5 articles) on the use of technology for healthcare access among immigrant and refugee older adults.Taken together, these reviews demonstrate that refugee older adults face multiple barriers to accessing and utilizing healthcare services in the post-migration and (re)settlement contexts. These barriers drive them to engage in both travel and non-travel-based THP. Their reliance on THP is shaped by timeliness, linguistic accessibility, cultural competence, affordability, and disparities in individual, family, and community networks between host and home countries. Barriers to access to and use of digital technology play a huge role in their engagement in THP. Implications: Future research is urgently needed to examine THP among refugee older adults from low-middle-income countries. There is also a critical need to examine policy implications of THP in order to better support the health and well-being of diverse populations in a globalised world.
Geo-Spatial Factors That Contribute to Social Isolation Among Arabic-Speaking Immigrant Older Adults in Ontario
Poster Session Sepali Guruge, Ifrah Qidwai, Zhixi Zhuang, Kaveenaa Chandrasekaran, Kateryna Metersky, Bharati Sethi, Melissa Northwood, Lu Wang
Older immigrants often experience social isolation due to a combination of contributing factors. However, little is known about the geo-spatial factors that contribute to social isolation among older immigrants living in Canadian cities of various sizes. As part of a larger study that examines risk factors for social isolation among older immigrants in four provinces in Canada, this paper explores the geo-spatial factors that contribute to social isolation among Arabic-speaking older immigrants in the province of Ontario. Following research ethics boards’ approvals, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 40 Arabic-speaking older immigrants from three cities in Ontario: Toronto, London, and Hamilton. Audio-recorded interviews were translated, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five key themes were identified: safety of sidewalks and roads in the winter; lack of accessible and culturally safe spaces for connection; unreliable and costly public transportation; diminished perceptions of neighborhood safety; and fear/experiences of discrimination and racism. Results were consistent across the three cities in that they highlighted limitations of existing physical and social infrastructure and civic institutions in addressing the needs of Arabic-speaking older immigrants in Ontario, which contributed to their experiences of social isolation. There is a need for policies and funding that address key geospatial factors to help foster social connections that reflect cultural and religious needs, as well as improve neighborhood safety. Low-cost, age-friendly transit systems are needed that link residential areas with key community assets, such as health services, religious institutions, and settlement programs and support.
