by Kristy Lui  , Darlene Yee-Melichar  and Emiko Takagi

Received: 31 October 2018;  Published: 08 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902046

This research review sought to examine the patterns of engagement in advance care planning (ACP) and utilization of end-of-life (EoL) care treatment services including, but not limited to hospice care, in distinct older Asian American ethnic groups. The review of existing research suggested evidence that empirical studies about different older subpopulations of Asian Americans remains scarce. This research analysed 30 small-scale studies on older Asian Americans’ attitudes and engagement in EoL care planning. The r [...]

by Steve Liebich

Received: 02 February 2019;  Published: 04 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902045

Telomere shortening in the somatic cells is one of the most well-documented factors of cellular ageing. Telomeres are composed of tandem hexanucleotide repeats that protect cells from unwanted recombination mechanisms, secure the ends of chromosomes and their stability, and are responsible for limited division capacity. Telomerase is an enzymatic ribonucleoprotein complex, present in embryonic cells, adult stem cells, and germinal progenitors, whose function is to extend the telomeres length by adding the lost tand [...]

by Olga Zichnali  , Despina Moraitou  , Christos Pezirkianidis  and Anastasios Stalikas

Received: 30 October 2018;  Published: 03 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902044

Background: Interventions that facilitate positive actions and attitudes seem to play an important role in enhancing psychological health. This study examines the effectiveness of two self-guided interventions with the aim to enhance adults’ well-being through the cultivation of forgiveness skills. Methods: A total of 11 men and 31 women aged 34-80 years were involved (M = 56.57, S.D. = 13.44). All participants were Orthodox Christians, as the average Greeks are, without belonging to a closed religious community. T [...]

by Ana Jessica Alfaro  , Soledad Argüelles-Borge  , Ashley M. Stripling  and Paula M. Brochu

Received: 17 September 2018;  Published: 29 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901043

Background: The world’s aging population is growing and diversifying at an unprecedented rate. In preparation for this, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued calls to improve the overall health of older adults. A promising avenue of research to improve health in late life has been dedicated to subjective aging; the way people perceive their own aging process. The main objective of this empirical study was to investigate subjective aging in late life among e [...]

by Ray Marks

Received: 25 March 2019;  Published: 28 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901042

Depression and Aging: Role of Social Support

by Lei Zhang  , Xian-Zhang Hu  , Xiaoxia Li  , Jacob Dohl  , Tianzheng Yu  and Robert J. Ursano

Received: 28 December 2018;  Published: 21 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901041

Depression, PTSD, and hostility are common mental conditions that are associated with aging. A growing body of research has highlighted the possible effects of depression, PTSD, and hostility on aging and telomere length (TL), a cellular aging marker. Individuals who exhibit excessive responses to stressors show notable circulating inflammatory responses with high cortisol reactivity, which increases cell turnover and oxidative stress and may subsequently contribute to shortened TL. This review focuses on the most [...]

by Robert J Emanuel

Received: 09 January 2019;  Published: 21 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901040

The amount of patients who suffer with dementia is set to rise with an ageing population. As well as living longer, patients will be retaining their natural teeth into their later life and will be less reliant on dentures. From both the current evidence available in the literature, and anecdotally from clinicians experienced in treating patients with dementia, it can be concluded that on balance, patients with dementia appear to be at a greater risk from dental caries (dental decay). However, more research in this [...]

by Robert L. Conder  , Christopher Friesen  and Alanna A. Conder

Received: 30 November 2018;  Published: 20 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901039

Background: While the percent of persons 65 and older is expected to increase to 17% of the world’s population by 2050, this increase in longevity does not necessarily suggest a parallel increase in health status. While aging is an inevitable aspect of living, there are factors which can accelerate morbidity and mortality, as well as factors likely to promote a healthy transition into longevity. This paper addresses behavioural and complementary interventions for healthy neurocognitive aging. Specific evidence-base [...]

by Ali Al-Ragawi  , Sergey Zyryanov  , Elena Ushkalova  , Olga Butranova  and Anton Pereverzev

Received: 10 October 2018;  Published: 05 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901038

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in the elderly and often have serious clinical and economic consequences. Prediction of ADRs is a valuable tool to improve pharmacotherapy and outcomes in this category of patients. Objective: Prediction of ADRs in patients ≥ 65 years old, based on GerontoNet risk score with emphasis on polypharmacy. Methods: Pharmacoepidemiological retrospective study of medical records of patients admitted to the Russian Gerontology Clinical Research Center (RGCRC) between 1 [...]

by Kristopher M. Struckmeyer  , Alex J. Bishop  , Brenda J. Smith  and Brandt C. Gardner

Received: 27 August 2018;  Published: 27 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901037

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine discrepancies in self-proxy agreement of biopsychosocial factors and the influence of objective well-being and psychosocial resources self and proxy appraisals of subjective well-being in older adults. Methods: Seventy-two older adult-proxy dyads rated the biopsychosocial health of non-cognitively impaired older adults. Results: Proxies underestimated functional ability, psychosocial factors, and overrated negative health outcomes compared to older adults. Older [...]