Loneliness, Social Isolation, and All-Cause Mortality in a Large Sample of Older Adults.

Objectives: Using data from a large random sample of U.S. older adults ( = 7982), the effect of loneliness and social isolation on all-cause mortality was examined considering their separate and combined effects.

The impact of COVID-19 on older adults: Results from an annual survey.

Objectives: Assess well-being among older adults through secondary analysis measured during an annual survey in 2018, 2019, and 2020, to determine trends from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Mailed surveys sent annually included measures related to various psychosocial factors.

Main Findings: Response rates were 29% in 2018, 25% in 2019, and 24% in 2020.

Cumulative effect of loneliness and social isolation on health outcomes among older adults.

Objectives: Loneliness and social isolation are described similarly yet are distinct constructs. Numerous studies have examined each construct separately; however, less effort has been dedicated to exploring the impacts in combination. This study sought to describe the cumulative effects on late-life health outcomes.

COVID-19 Era Social Isolation among Older Adults.

Risk of COVID-19 exposure and more severe illness are serious concerns for older adults. Social distancing has worsened existing social isolation, with severe impacts on connectedness among seniors. The pandemic is threatening to cause an extended health crisis, with impacts including serious health consequences.

Resilient Aging: Psychological Well-Being and Social Well-Being as Targets for the Promotion of Healthy Aging.

Population aging is one of the most important social trends of the 21st century and in the United States, the number of people aged ≥65 is projected to increase by nearly 50% in the next 15 years. Most biomedical and public health efforts have focused on reducing harmful risk factors when targeting chronic disease-an approach that has contributed greatly to prevention and treatment programs. However, evidence suggests that the number of years lost to disability is increasing and historic gains we have made in life expectancy are eroding, and even reversing in some groups.

Reducing loneliness and improving well-being among older adults with animatronic pets.

Background: Studies consistently demonstrate that older adults who are lonely have higher rates of depression and increased mortality risk. Pet ownership may be a solution for loneliness; however, challenges related to pet ownership exist for older adults. Therefore, researchers and practitioners are examining the use of animatronic pets to reduce loneliness.

The Impact of a Heart Failure Management Program in a Medicare Advantage Population.

Heart failure (HF) is currently among the most prevalent and costly chronic diseases among older adults, who are at increased risk because of other chronic conditions and the aging process. HF has a significant impact on the health care system, patient outcomes, and the unsustainable rising costs of care. The primary objectives were to: (1) determine cost savings differences in medical expenditures between engaged and non-engaged members referred to a HF management program; (2) examine differences in length of stay and time to first post-engagement acute inpatient admission; and (3) examine the impact of using a remote weight monitoring scale on medical expenditures and inpatient admissions.

Practical non-pharmacological intervention approaches for sleep problems among older adults.

Poor sleep is common among older adults, often caused by multiple underlying factors such as chronic stress. Poor sleep is subsequently associated with negative health outcomes including higher morbidity and mortality. Our primary purpose is to explore practical non-pharmacological intervention approaches integrating stress management to improve sleep quality among older adults.

A Pilot Online Mindfulness Intervention to Decrease Caregiver Burden and Improve Psychological Well-Being.

Interventions to reduce caregiver burden are of great interest as the number of informal family caregivers continues to grow. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of an online mindfulness meditation intervention for community-dwelling older adult caregivers and to evaluate its impact on quality of life, caregiver burden, and psychological well-being. A total of 40 caregivers were recruited from 2 community center support groups to participate in an 8-week online mindfulness intervention.

Need for Comprehensive Health Care Quality Measures for Older Adults.

Research indicates that older adults receive only about half of their recommended care, with varying quality and limited attention to social issues impacting their health through the most commonly used quality measures. Additionally, many existing measures neglect to address nonclinical social determinants of health. Evidence of the need for more comprehensive measures for seniors is growing.

Highlighting a Common Quality of Care Delivery Problem: Overuse of Low-value Healthcare Services.

Background: Low-value healthcare services (LVHS) are defined as procedures delivered that provide little or no clinical benefit. Overuse of LVHS, or delivery when the risks exceed the benefits, contributes to excessive spending without improved outcomes. Furthermore, overuse contributes to healthcare waste.

Population Health Management for Older Adults: Review of Interventions for Promoting Successful Aging Across the Health Continuum.

The older adult population is expanding, living longer, with multiple chronic conditions. Understanding and managing their needs over time is an integral part of defining successful aging. Population health is used to describe the measurement and health outcomes of a population.

The growing need for resources to help older adults manage their financial and healthcare choices.

Background: Both financial literacy (managing personal finances) and health literacy (managing personal health) become increasingly important for older adults, potentially impacting their quality of life. Resources in these constructs of literacy tend to be distinct, although the skills and decision-making involved overlap as financial issues impact healthcare choices. Thus the primary purpose of this commentary is to propose a new area of research focus that defines the intersection of financial and health literacy (i.

A qualitative study to examine older adults' perceptions of health: Keys to aging successfully.

Older adult health is often defined in clinical terms. Research has demonstrated that many older adults self-report aging successfully regardless of clinical health status. This qualitative study used claims data to identify older adults on three levels of health status: healthy and active, managing diseases, or very sick, to better understand how health is defined and maintained.

The Impact of Obesity on Health Care Utilization and Expenditures in a Medicare Supplement Population.

Obesity is a contributor to increased chronic conditions resulting in higher utilization of medical services among broad populations of older adults. The objective of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the impact of weight on health care use patterns among Medicare Supplement insureds. We estimated the impact of weight as a function of body mass index (BMI) on health care utilization and expenditures using propensity weighted multivariate regression models.

The impact of inadequate health literacy on patient satisfaction, healthcare utilization, and expenditures among older adults.

Inadequate health literacy (HL) is associated with impaired healthcare choices leading to poor quality-of-care. Our primary purpose was to estimate the prevalence of inadequate HL among two populations of AARP Medicare Supplement insureds: sicker and healthier populations; to identify characteristics of inadequate HL; and to describe the impact on patient satisfaction, preventive services, healthcare utilization, and expenditures. Surveys were mailed to insureds in 10 states.

The impact of resilience among older adults.

The purpose of this literature review was to provide an overview of resilience for the purpose of informing potential intervention designs that may benefit older adults. While numerous reviews have focused on various specific aspects of resilience, none have provided the necessary information required to design an effective resilience intervention. Research examining resilience suggests that older adults are capable of high resilience despite socioeconomic backgrounds, personal experiences, and declining health.