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Item Successful Aging in Indonesia: The Journey Toward Expectations and Serenity(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-04-02) Kusumaningrum FM; Dewi FST; Pangastuti HS; Yeung PDevelopment of aging policies and activities needs perspective from older adults to ensure the inclusion of older adults’ values and needs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the perspective on and experience in achieving successful aging from older adults who live in the community in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was employed to obtain the data from 21 community-dwelling older adults aged 60+ years old and to analyze the data using Colaizzi’s method of phenomenological data analysis. The analysis concludes that successful aging is a process of attaining serenity by managing expectations with adjustment, acceptance, and gratitude. The expectations include the autonomy and health, fulfillment of necessities, family attainments and relationship, and harmonious social relationship. Successful aging programs should support older adults’ process in achieving expectations and improve their capacity to adapt and experience serenity as they age.Item Emotional and social loneliness as mediators of chronic conditions and depression in older adults in Aotearoa : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Distance, New Zealand(Massey University, 2024) Nicholson, ThomasBackground and Objectives: Aotearoa New Zealand is experiencing an acceleration in its ageing population that will present economic and health challenges for its people and healthcare systems. Modern changes in healthcare enable people to live longer but have come with increased chronic conditions. Adding to this burden, older adults are vulnerable to psychological problems such as depression, itself often considered a chronic condition. Searching for ways to understand and prevent depression in older adults, researchers discovered connections with both chronic conditions and loneliness. The relationship between chronic conditions, loneliness, and depression is complex and not well understood. While considerable research suggests that these components are related, a dearth of research addresses all three components concurrently. Given that chronic conditions are potential risk factors for both depression and loneliness and that loneliness may predict depression, it is conceivable that loneliness may mediate the relationship between chronic conditions and depression. Consequently, it may be possible to prevent or alleviate depression in older adults experiencing chronic conditions by addressing loneliness. Method: Analyses used survey data from 3,011 participants aged 55-91 years taken from two waves of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study. Two structural equation models tested the relationship between chronic conditions and depression, between multimorbidity and depression, and whether emotional or social loneliness mediated the relationships. Covariates included age, ethnicity, gender, partner status, and SES measured as living standards. Results: SEM analyses found that sleep disorder and multimorbidity predicted depression and that sleep disorder predicted social and emotional loneliness while multimorbidity predicted emotional loneliness. Additionally, SES predicted depression and both types of loneliness. However, loneliness did not mediate either relationship. Conclusion: The current study supports prior research findings that sleep disorder and multimorbidity predict depression. This study further provides a valuable contribution to the literature investigating the relationship between SES when measured as living standards and depression in older people and aligns with the considerable research on the importance of inequalities and their negative impact on health outcomes.Item Exploring the Nutrition-Related Health of the Ageing Population in Fiji: A Narrative Review.(SAGE Publications, 2024-10-18) Naliva S; Kruger M; Havea P; Wham CFijis' older population aged 55 years and over makes up 14% of the total population and is expected to reach 20% by 2050. This narrative review aimed to examine the health and nutrition status of the aging population of Fiji and sociodemographic determinants. A search strategy was conducted throughout databases, and gray literature from relevant websites was searched. Due to the limited evidence regarding the nutrition, health, and socio-economic factors that impact the aging population in Fiji the inclusion criteria were broad and included both genders (male and female), all publications up until December 2022, all study designs, and gray literature (government/institutional reports, conference proceedings, guidelines, Act, and Policies) . There was no filter for date applied in the search criteria. Studies that did not meet the search criteria were excluded. 20 documents including published articles were included for analysis and result synthesis. Life expectancy at birth for the Fiji population is 68 years. A significant annual increase in mortality rate from endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases has been observed in women aged 75+ but not older men. Women of low-income status are more at risk than men. However, as most investigations aggregate those ≥18 years, there is a lack of information on older adults (≥65 years) health and nutrition status. To improve the health status of older adults, an understanding of the nutritional status of older adults is warranted, especially concerning lifestyle and sociodemographic determinants.Item The Psychosocial Impacts of Co-Designed Healing Gardens Among Aged Care Residents With and Without Dementia in Nigeria(Taylor and Francis Group, LLC., 2024-10-13) Akindejoye F; Ezedinma U; Röhr SHealing gardens are green spaces that support the interaction of humans and elements of nature to improve well-being and quality of life. However, little is known about healing garden use and outcomes in African countries. This study aimed to design a healing garden intervention and measure its impact on psychosocial factors and quality of life of residents and care staff within two residential aged care facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Each facility's staff completed the psychosocial measurement tools by proxy for participants between ages 60 and 99, with or without dementia, at baseline and three months following interaction with the garden and completed the garden use observational survey to determine the effect on and use of the garden by care staff and residents. Results revealed an improvement in the quality of life and experiences of agitation but no beneficial change in depression among residents with and without dementia. Further, care staff reported a positive benefit of the garden on their work-life experience and the residents' well-being. This study provides the base for future research on assessing the impact of healing gardens on persons living with dementia in Africa.Item Impact of a High Protein Intake on the Plasma Metabolome in Elderly Males: 10 Week Randomized Dietary Intervention(Frontiers Media S.A., 2019-12-06) Durainayagam B; Mitchell CJ; Milan AM; Zeng N; Sharma P; Mitchell SM; Ramzan F; Knowles SO; Sjödin A; Wagner K-H; Roy NC; Fraser K; Cameron-Smith DHigh protein diets may improve the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass in the elderly, although it remains less clear what broader impact such diets have on whole body metabolic regulation in the elderly. Non-targeted polar metabolomics analysis using HILIC HPLC-MS was used to profile the circulating plasma metabolome of elderly men (n = 31; 74.7 ± 4.0 years) who were randomized to consume for 10 weeks a diet designed to achieve either protein (RDA; 0.8·g-1·kg-1) or that doubled this recommend intake (2RDA; 1.6.g.kg-1). A limited number of plasma metabolites (n = 24) were significantly differentially regulated by the diet. These included markers of protein anabolism, which increased by the 2RDA diet, including; urea, creatine, and glutarylcarnitine. Whilst in response to the RDA diet; glutamine, glutamic acid, and proline were increased, relative to the 2RDA diet (p < 0.05). Metaboanalyst identified six major metabolic pathways to be influenced by the quantity of protein intake, most notably the arginine and proline pathways. Doubling of the recommended protein intake in older males over 10 weeks exerted only a limited impact on circulating metabolites, as determined by LC-MS. This metabolomic response was almost entirely due to increased circulating abundances of metabolites potentially indicative of altered protein anabolism, without evidence of impact on pathways for metabolic health. Trial Registration: This trial was registered on 3rd March 2016 at the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (www.anzctr.org.au) at ACTRN 12616000310460.Item Vitamin B and One-Carbon Metabolite Profiles Show Divergent Associations with Cardiometabolic Risk Markers but not Cognitive Function in Older New Zealand Adults: A Secondary Analysis of the REACH Study.(Elsevier B.V., 2023-12-07) Gillies NA; Milan AM; Cameron-Smith D; Mumme KD; Conlon CA; von Hurst PR; Haskell-Ramsay CF; Jones B; Roy NC; Coad J; Wall CR; Beck KLBACKGROUND: Vitamin B inadequacies and elevated homocysteine status have been associated with impaired cognitive and cardiometabolic health with aging. There is, however, a scarcity of research investigating integrated profiles of one-carbon (1C) metabolites in this context, including metabolites of interconnected folate, methionine, choline oxidation, and transsulfuration pathways. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to examine associations between vitamins B and 1C metabolites with cardiometabolic health and cognitive function in healthy older adults, including the interactive effects of Apolipoprotein E-ε4 status. METHODS: Three hundred and thirteen healthy participants (65-74 y, 65% female) were analyzed. Vitamins B were estimated according to dietary intake (4-d food records) and biochemical status (serum folate and vitamin B12). Fasting plasma 1C metabolites were quantified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Measures of cardiometabolic health included biochemical (lipid panel, blood glucose) and anthropometric markers. Cognitive function was assessed by the Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Associations were analyzed using multivariate linear (COMPASS, cardiometabolic health) and Poisson (MoCA) regression modeling. RESULTS: Over 90% of participants met dietary recommendations for riboflavin and vitamins B6 and B12, but only 78% of males and 67% of females achieved adequate folate intakes. Higher serum folate and plasma betaine and glycine concentrations were associated with favorable cardiometabolic markers, whereas higher plasma choline and homocysteine concentrations were associated with greater cardiometabolic risk based on body mass index and serum lipids concentration values (P< 0.05). Vitamins B and homocysteine were not associated with cognitive performance in this cohort, though higher glycine concentrations were associated with better global cognitive performance (P = 0.017), episodic memory (P = 0.016), and spatial memory (P = 0.027) scores. Apolipoprotein E-ε4 status did not modify the relationship between vitamins B or 1C metabolites with cognitive function in linear regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B and 1C metabolite profiles showed divergent associations with cardiometabolic risk markers and limited associations with cognitive performance in this cohort of healthy older adults.Item The Effects of GreenShell Mussel Powder (Brand-Named PERNAULTRA) on Physical Performance and Subjective Pain, Symptoms, and Function Measures in Knee Osteoarthritis: A 6-Mo Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial(Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Society for Nutrition, 2024-04) Slade CAJ; Kruger MC; Miller MR; Mazahery H; Beck KL; Conlon CA; Von Hurst PRBackground: Osteoarthritis (OA) can cause disability and reduce quality of life (QoL). Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether GreenShell mussel (GSM) powder (PERNAULTRA) consumption was more effective than placebo at improving physical performance and subjective measures of symptoms and function in adults with early signs of knee OA. Methods: The Researching Osteoarthritis and GSM study was a 6-mo randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults aged 55–80 y, screened for signs of OA (n = 120, 65.9 ± 6.43 y, 63% female). Participants consumed either 3 g of powdered whole GSM or placebo (pea protein) daily. Baseline and end data collection included 30-s chair stand, stair test, 40-m fast-paced walk test, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire categorized into 5 subscales [pain (P), symptoms except pain (S), function in activities of daily living (ADL), function in sports/recreation (SP), and QoL], a measure of Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain, and visual analog scale of pain and symptoms. Results: Visual analog scale symptoms showed a significantly greater reduction in percentage change for GSM than that for placebo [−28.1 (−59.2, 43.2) compared with 0.00 (−28.6, 100); P = 0.03]. Further, a trend for improvement in percentage change for GSM compared with placebo was seen in 40m fast-paced walk [2.51 (−3.55, 8.12) compared with 0.20 (−6.58, 4.92); P = 0.09], KOOS-SP [11.4 (−4.48, 27.0) compared with 0.00 (−11.1, 17.7); P = 0.09], and Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain intermittent pain scale [−27.7 (−77.3, 0.00) compared with −14.6 (−50.0, 36.4); P = 0.08]. In those with body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) <25, GSM consumption significantly improved KOOS-S compared with placebo [6.35 (3.49, 12.7) compared with 0.00 (−4.65, 4.49); P = 0.03] and showed a trend for improvement in KOOS-ADL [3.29 (1.01, 8.79) compared with 1.01 (−5.75, 4.30); P = 0.07]. Those with BMI of ≥25, consuming GSM showed a trend for improvement in KOOS-SP [13.6 (−4.76, 33.3) compared with 0.00 (−12.5, 20.0); P = 0.07]. Conclusions: This research suggests consumption of GSM has potential to alleviate symptoms and improve functionality in OA. This trial was registered at Clinical Trial Registry as ACTRN12620001112954p (https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12620001112954p.aspx).Item Longitudinal study : the impact of COVID-19 on older New Zealander’s psychological wellbeing : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science (by thesis) in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023) Rahman, JodieBackground: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was identified in December 2019 and rapidly spread across the globe. Lockdowns, social isolation and distancing, and mask mandates were among the responses introduced to prevent the spread of the virus. Extensive global research has demonstrated that the implementation of protective measures had a significant adverse psychological effect on older adults, who are widely seen as a particularly vulnerable demographic group susceptible to the disease. Consequently, this population was subjected to more stringent and lengthier restrictions. The short and medium psychological impact of COVID-19 and its response have been well documented in academic literature. However, little is known about the enduring effects over an extended period of time. Aim: To explore the long-term psychological impact of COVID-19 on older New Zealander. In addition, explore changes in psychological wellbeing indicators across the three years and the variations linked to socio-demographic characteristics. Method: Participants (M= 69 years) were drawn from the longitudinal study of older adults (N=6,454 [n = 1,963 Māori]). Data from three waves (2020, 2021 and 2022) were used. Psychological wellbeing was assessed with measures of Loneliness (using the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale), Depression (using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), Anxiety (using the General Anxiety Inventory), Mental Health (using the Short Form Health Survey), and Quality of Life (using the World Health Organisation Quality of Life measure and the Control, Autonomy, Self-realisation, Pleasure scale). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted, followed by a Spearman's rho correlation, direct regression analyses and a series of repeated measures Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were conducted to address the research questions. Results: In 2021, a comparative decline was observed in all measures, followed by an improvement in 2022, with the exception of Anxiety which was similar across all three years. Bivariate correlations demonstrated significant associations between psychological wellbeing indicators and socio-demographic variables. Logistic Regression revealed Age, Employment, and SES as key predictors of psychological wellbeing among older New Zealanders. However, when considering the subsequent ANCOVA results across Time, Age, and Socioeconomic status emerged as the most salient predictors. The interaction effects between Time and Age, as well as Time and Socioeconomic status , indicated that the relationship between psychological wellbeing outcomes and Time varied with different Ages and based on their level of Socioeconomic status. These interactions showed that those with lower Socioeconomic status in 2022, and who were younger consistently experienced the highest levels of Loneliness, Depression and Anxiety and lowest levels of Mental Health and Quality of Life across Time. Furthermore, those aged 75 and above, and those with low Socioeconomic status, did not recovery as quickly as the other groups in 2022. Conclusion: This study offers insights into the psychological wellbeing of older adults in New Zealand. Collectively, it highlights their resilience, with Age being recognised as a protective factor; though, those 75+ did not recover as quickly as the other groups in 2022. However, as this demographic is not a single homogenous group, other socio-demographic factors greatly influenced their outcomes. The study illustrated that being employed can function as a safeguard during disruptive events such as a worldwide pandemic, highlighting the need for policy measures focused on enhancing job prospects for older adults. Furthermore, the study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the existing disparity across socioeconomic categories. It is important that policymakers and healthcare organisations prioritise support and resources for those in disadvantaged communities to ensure equitable access to mental health services to reduce their vulnerability to adverse outcomes, especially during a crisis such as a pandemic.Item Factors associated with poor sleep among a sample of community-based New Zealand older adults : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology, School of Psychology, Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023) Henry, Jamie RoseBackground: Sleep is well documented as a vital element in healthy ageing. However, to date, research concerning the sleep of older New Zealanders has used single or short-form items, limiting the estimations of sleep problems and the factors associated with them. The Ageing Well through Eating, Sleeping, Socialising and Mobility (AWESSoM) programme includes comprehensive measurements of sleep. This study aimed to describe the sleep status of community-dwelling older adults in New Zealand (NZ), and explore the factors associated with problematic sleep defined by both poor sleep quality and increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Methods: A sample of 88 older adults (aged 63-93 years, 70.5% female) completed a survey as a component of the AWESSoM study. Problematic sleep was firstly defined as poor sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Then increased risk for OSA was defined using the STOP-Bang questionnaire. Likelihood of being defined as a problem sleeper was explored with regards to demographic status, physical and mental health status (Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12]), cognitive functioning (Rowlands Universal Dementia Assessment Scale [RUDAS]) and activities of daily living (Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living [NEADL]) using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests followed by binary logistic regression. Results: Over half of the sample (55.7%) were defined as having poor sleep quality and 51% were defined as having a moderate to high risk of OSA. Female gender (OR = 4.098, 95% CI [1.18, 14.08]) and reduced cognitive functioning (OR = 0.736, 95% CI [0.566, 0.957]) were independently related to belonging to the poor sleep quality group. Male gender (OR = 92.34, 95% CI [9.607, 887.719]), younger age (OR = 0.866, 95% CI [0.777, 0.996]), and increased comorbid health conditions (OR = 1.503, 95% bCI [1.085, 2.083]) were independently associated with having medium-to-high risk of OSA. Conclusion: This thesis contributes to the growing body of evidence that suggests poor sleep is prevalent within the older adult population and that the factors associated with sleep are multifactorial and vary with the type of sleep disturbance. Findings will contribute to informing future interventions that promote sleep health, enabling older adults to age well and stay independent for longer.Item Depression and loneliness as mediators of purpose in life and quality of life in older adults : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Distance, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023) Williams, AleishaObjective: Worldwide populations are aging. This can potentially be a valuable resource to both the older individual and their communities or an ethical burden. A key factor in determining the potential opportunities that arise from these extra years of life is well being. It is therefore important to understand determinants that foster healthy aging and well being through maximising functional ability and enabling engagement in things that matter to them. This study utilises Quality of Life as a holistic measure of a well-being in older age. The existing literature has provided some support for Purpose in Life, Loneliness, and Depression as being associated with each other; it also suggests they are important pre determinants of older adult Quality of Life. Based on previous literature it is possible the relationship between Purpose in Life and Quality of Life is partially mediated by Loneliness and Depression. Method: A structural equation model tested the longitudinal relationship between Purpose in Life and Quality of Life, and the potential parallel mediating effect of Loneliness and Depression, while controlling for Age, Gender, Marital Status, Social Support, Social Isolation and Socioeconomic Status. Sample: The analysis used observational survey-based secondary data obtained from three waves of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study. The participants represented older adults living in New Zealand, aged 55 years and over. Results: Correlational analysis found significant correlational relationships between the latent variables. Regression analysis found positive direct (B = .243) and indirect total effect (B = .227) relationships between Purpose in Life and Quality of Life. However, indirect effects were not significant when one mediator was controlled for. Conclusion: The current research supports prior findings that Purpose in Life predicts future Quality of Life in older adults and offers an important contribution towards future interventions aimed at older adult well-being. The mixed mediating results suggest further research is needed to understand the role of Loneliness and Depression as potential pathways between Purpose in Life and Quality of Life.