Exploration of Healthy Ageing Determinants in Baltic States

Miķelsone, Madara; Baltmane, Diāna; Reine, Ieva; Snikere, S.; Ivanovs, Andrejs; Tomsone, Signe

doi:10.17770/sie2021vol4.6431

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…As these measures are often included in health and retirement studies and are proposed by the WHO for assessment of functional abilities, they can be used in a standardized score of healthy aging (5,10,21,24,(32)(33)(34)(35). Previous research related to the exploration of the intrinsic capacity factors for the Latvian population also confirms this evidence (36,37). Another vital component of healthy aging is social wellbeing, which can be investigated through questions about participation in different social activities, social networks, and social support (1).…”

Section: On the Theoretical Approach And Practical Usementioning

confidence: 72%

Construction of healthy aging index from two different datasets

Miķelsone,

Reine,

Tomsone

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionThe aging population presents both unique challenges and opportunities for societies around the world. To develop an effective healthy aging strategy, a tool for assessing aging process is needed. Numerous attempts to quantify the aging process have been made. However, there is still a challenge in developing and choosing a good enough score that is easy to apply, has a construct of variables that are available in most nationwide surveys for comparable results, and at the same time reflects the aging process of older individuals. The purpose of this study is to present our approach to construct a comparable Healthy Aging Index (HAI).Materials and methodsIn Latvia, data from Wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), involving 420 respondents, were used. For comparative analysis, data from a HL20 study on the health and wellbeing of the older adults in Iceland, which included 1,033 respondents, were used.ResultsFor Latvia, 13 items were selected, and for Iceland, nine items were selected. We constructed the HAI with four similar subscales for both countries—“Autonomy,” “Health,” “Wellbeing,” and “Activities,” and an additional subscale “Cognitive” for Latvia. We found matching items in all four subscales. For the Autonomy subscale, they were related to difficulties with everyday and daily tasks. In the Health subscale, the only matching item was self-rated physical health. One item related to loneliness was found for the Wellbeing subscale and one item related to social participation for the Activities subscale.DiscussionIn our study, we found evidence for the successful construction of a HAI in two different datasets. The strength of our construct lies in the use of data from one of the largest social science panel studies in Europe (SHARE). As we were able to apply the construct to the Icelandic study, we believe that items presented in our approach are available in other population-based studies as well, and, therefore, can be easily replicated by others. By examining the existing SHARE data, HAI could be used to analyze long-term changes and could provide a foundation for comparing and monitoring the evolution of aging over time as well as comparing the aging process across societies. This is required for the authorities to conduct further analyses, proposals, and action plans in support of healthy aging.

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Section: On the Theoretical Approach And Practical Usementioning

confidence: 72%

Construction of healthy aging index from two different datasets

Miķelsone,

Reine,

Tomsone

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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“…The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional attention to the vulnerability of ageing populations to loneliness, particularly in the Baltic states. In Latvia, increased anxiety and disrupted familial interactions have been identified as noteworthy predictors of loneliness among older adults (14,23).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling the dynamics of loneliness in the Baltic-Nordic region: a comparative analysis in the wake of COVID-19

Reine,

Miķelsone,

Tomsone

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionThe primary aim of this study is to thoroughly investigate the prevalence and determinants of loneliness among older adults in the Baltic-Nordic region. Utilizing high-quality data sources and employing a methodologically rigorous approach, the study endeavors to enhance our understanding of how loneliness manifests and varies across different cultural and socio-economic contexts within these regions. By identifying key factors influencing loneliness, including demographic, social, and economic variables, the research seeks to contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge on loneliness and inform targeted public health strategies and interventions tailored to the unique needs of older adults in the Baltic and Nordic countries.Material and methodsThis research, centered on older adults aged 67 and above within the Baltic-Nordic region, draws upon data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), specifically its eighth wave conducted between June and August 2020. The demographic analysis of this study covers a diverse sample of 5,313 participants from the Baltic and Nordic regions. Specifically, the sample includes 2,377 participants from Nordic countries, namely Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, and 2,936 from the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The investigation extends to the financial well-being of households, involving an analysis of 3,925 individuals, with 1,748 from Nordic countries and 2,177 from Baltic countries. Although Iceland is categorized as a Nordic country, the analysis within this study is conducted separately due to the unavailability of SHARE data for this region. Instead, the HL20 study, focusing on the health and well-being of the older adult population in Iceland, contributes data for 1,033 respondents. This methodological distinction allows for a comprehensive understanding of regional differences, highlighting the importance of specialized approaches to examine the intricate dynamics of loneliness and well-being across the Baltic-Nordic region.ResultsThe study reveals significant regional variations in loneliness among older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak, with the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) reporting a lower prevalence of loneliness compared to the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland). Iceland, while grouped with the Nordic countries, was analysed separately. Employment emerges as a key factor in reducing loneliness across all regions, suggesting the benefits of social interactions and structured routines. Gender and marital status significantly influence loneliness, with notable disparities in the Baltic region and smaller gaps in the Nordic countries, reflecting the impact of societal and cultural norms. Additionally, educational attainment and health status show varied associations with loneliness, highlighting the complex interplay of individual and societal factors in these regions.

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Kaliningrad Region as Sustainable Destination for Rehabilitation and Medical Tourism

Belová

Федина

2023

SDGs in the European Region

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Exploration of Healthy Ageing Determinants in Baltic States

Cited by 4 publications

References 16 publications

Construction of healthy aging index from two different datasets

Construction of healthy aging index from two different datasets

Unraveling the dynamics of loneliness in the Baltic-Nordic region: a comparative analysis in the wake of COVID-19

Kaliningrad Region as Sustainable Destination for Rehabilitation and Medical Tourism

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