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Worry in older community-residing adults
Kaye Brock1, Lindy Clemson, Rosemary Cant
1Faculty of Health Sciences Cumberland Campus, The University of Sydney, Australia. K.Brock@usyd.edu.au
International Journal of Aging & Human Development
|October 8, 2011
Summary
Older adults under 75 and women report higher worry. Chronic hip and knee conditions significantly increase worry, highlighting the importance of mobility for well-being in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Increasing longevity leads to more elderly individuals facing life changes and chronic conditions.
- Understanding the factors contributing to worry in older adults is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Community-living elderly populations present unique challenges and opportunities for health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between demographic factors, health status, and worry in community-living older adults.
- To identify specific chronic conditions associated with increased worry in the elderly.
- To explore the impact of functional capacity on the psychological well-being of aging populations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 310 community-living elderly volunteers.
- Data collected on age, gender, health status, and presence of chronic conditions.
- Statistical analysis, including odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), to determine risk factors for worry.
Main Results:
- Individuals under 75 years old had a higher risk of worry (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.1) compared to older age groups.
- Women reported higher levels of worry than men.
- Participants with chronic hip and knee conditions exhibited a significantly higher propensity for worry (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.4-8.9) than healthy individuals or those with acute conditions.
Conclusions:
- Age and gender are associated with varying levels of worry in older adults.
- Chronic conditions, particularly those affecting hip and knee function, are strongly linked to increased worry.
- Maintaining functional capacity through joint health is vital for the psychological well-being of the elderly.
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