The relationship between vision impairment and well‐being among centenarians: findings from the Georgia Centenarian Study

Choi

2020

Preprint

BackgroundThe crucial differences in longevity related to quality of life and specific traits in the oldest old need to be investigated from a socioecological perspective because their impacts may differ in the oldest-old adults. This entailed estimating the impacts of quality of life and personal traits on the longevity of the oldest old in South Korea from a socioecological perspective. MethodsThe data were obtained from interviews with 170 South Koreans aged 95 to 108 from June 2017 to February 2020. Specifically, we interviewed 130 residents aged 100 to 108 and 40 aged 95 to 99 across 36 provinces in South Korea. This study incorporated an analytical model to observe the effects that were distributed across individuals, societies, and countries from a socioecological perspective. The factor analyses of the interview responses revealed significant correlations and hierarchical models.ResultsSeven factors were identified as major to quality of life and traits, and five in particular, industriousness, physical labour, weight 60kg, friends, meat intake, affected their longevity. In addition, fewer feelings of depression or anxiety and higher life satisfaction and living standards also influenced the longevity. ConclusionsThe quality of life and traits of South Korea’s oldest old appear to have a decisive latent impact on longevity factors. We identified seven crucial determinants of longevity in the oldest old: industriousness, labour, weight, friends, and meat intake, fewer feelings of depression or anxiety, and higher life satisfaction. Thus, those who seek longevity might emulate these traits of the oldest old.

Section: Feelings Of Depression or Anxietymentioning

confidence: 47%

Section: Satisfaction With Lifementioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Feelings Of Depression or Anxietymentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Satisfaction With Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

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WITHDRAWN: Impact of Traits and Quality of Life on Longevity Among Those Aged 95 to 108  

Choi

2020

Preprint

“…Interestingly, insurance coverage for dental costs did not seem to have an influence, nor did the density of dentists. The share of participants reporting a sensory assessment was even lower than that observed for oral health, despite the widespread prevalence of vision and hearing deficiencies among centenarians and the negative impact they have on well-being 25–27. The contrast was striking in comparison to blood pressure and weight monitoring, which was almost generalised, even though its positive impact on quality of life is less obvious.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Use of healthcare services and assistive devices among centenarians: results of the cross-sectional, international 5-COOP study

et al. 2020

ObjectivesTo measure the use of healthcare services and assistive devices by centenarians in five countries.DesignCross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire.SettingCommunity-dwelling and institutionalised centenarians living in Japan, France, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.Participants1253 participants aged 100 or in their 100th year of life, of whom 1004 (80.1%) were female and 596 (47.6%) lived in institutions.Main outcome measuresRecent use of medical visits, nursing care at home, home-delivered meals, acute care hospital stays overnight, professional assessments such as sight tests, mobility aids and other assistive devices. A set of national healthcare system indicators was collected to help interpret differences between countries.ResultsThere was considerable variability in the healthcare services and assistive devices used by centenarians depending on their country and whether they were community-dwelling or institutionalised. In contrast to the relatively homogeneous rates of hospitalisation in the past year (around 20%), community-dwelling centenarians reported widely ranging rates of medical visits in the past 3 months (at least one visit, from 32.2% in Japan to 86.6% in France). The proportion of community-dwellers using a mobility device to get around indoors (either a walking aid or a wheelchair) ranged from 48.3% in Japan to 79.2% in Sweden. Participants living in institutions and reporting the use of a mobility device ranged from 78.6% in Japan to 98.2% in Denmark.ConclusionsOur findings suggest major differences in care received by centenarians across countries. Some may result from the characteristics of national healthcare systems, especially types of healthcare insurance coverage and the amounts of specific resources available. However, unexplored factors also seem to be at stake and may be partly related to personal health and cultural differences.

Physical, sensory, and cognitive functioning among centenarians: a comparison between the Tokyo and Georgia centenarian studies

et al. 2018