Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-01

Research indicates that today’s aging population may obtain various benefits from using computer technology. These benefits include increased self-esteem, decreased depression, increased life satisfaction, and decreased loneliness; however, few of these studies have employed quantitative measures to quantify these results. This study focused on the possible benefits related to self-esteem and life satisfaction of older computer users. Participants belonged to either a control group or an experimental group. The experimental group participated in an eight-week computer training course. The control group did not receive computer training. All participants were administered the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index-Z at the beginning and the end of the study. The researcher hypothesized that participants who received computer training would have higher levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction when compared with the group of participants who did not receive computer training. Results of the study indicated life satisfaction for both the control and experimental group rose slightly, but was not statistically significant. Therefore it is impossible to say that the SeniorNet computer training course helped to increase aged individuals’ life satisfaction. These results may indicate that any sort of meaningful activity (either participating in a computer class or involvement in social activities at a senior community center) may increase an individuals’ life satisfaction. The results also indicated that self-esteem for the experimental group rose slightly after receiving computer training; however, these results were not statistically significant. It could be possible that the sense of mastery over a subject may have increased the participant’s self-esteem, as stated in the study by Hoot and Hayslip (1983). Further research needs to be conducted on this population, and such research may enhance an aging population’s outlook on life and themselves.

Research indicates that today’s aging population may obtain various benefits from using computer technology. These benefits include increased self-esteem, decreased depression, increased life satisfaction, and decreased loneliness; however, few of these studies have employed quantitative measures to quantify these results. This study focused on the possible benefits related to self-esteem and life satisfaction of older computer users. Participants belonged to either a control group or an experimental group. The experimental group participated in an eight-week computer training course. The control group did not receive computer training. All participants were administered the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index-Z at the beginning and the end of the study. The researcher hypothesized that participants who received computer training would have higher levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction when compared with the group of participants who did not receive computer training. Results of the study indicated life satisfaction for both the control and experimental group rose slightly, but was not statistically significant. Therefore it is impossible to say that the SeniorNet computer training course helped to increase aged individuals’ life satisfaction. These results may indicate that any sort of meaningful activity (either participating in a computer class or involvement in social activities at a senior community center) may increase an individuals’ life satisfaction. The results also indicated that self-esteem for the experimental group rose slightly after receiving computer training; however, these results were not statistically significant. It could be possible that the sense of mastery over a subject may have increased the participant’s self-esteem, as stated in the study by Hoot and Hayslip (1983). Further research needs to be conducted on this population, and such research may enhance an aging population’s outlook on life and themselves.

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Medicare is vital to the health and well-being of many American seniors. However, due to its complexity, beneficiaries often need assistance navigating the federal health insurance system. GeorgiaCares, Georgia’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), provides free and unbiased Medicare information and counseling. The aims of this thesis were to evaluate GeorgiaCares outreach events to discern the social and demographic characteristics of participants and decipher how to best market the events. Participants of nine GeorgiaCares outreach events (n=81) completed anonymous surveys; mixed-methods data analysis revealed the typical participant to be a 71-year-old African American female. Findings suggest an effective way to assist beneficiaries in Medicare-related decisions is through the formation of community partnerships. Suggestions to market outreach events include partnering with churches and grocery stores to disseminate information and enlisting the support of community leaders to overcome barriers of distrust.

No description available.

[pt] O aumento da expectativa de vida dos brasileiros é cada vez maior e, conseqüentemente, também sua presença na economia. Assim como o público idoso, o mercado de cartões de crédito também cresce em ritmo acelerado. Este trabalho estuda as características do portador de cartão de crédito do segmento da Terceira Idade, ou melhor, pessoas com mais de 60 anos, assim como seu comportamento em relação ao uso do cartão de crédito. Aplicou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, através de entrevistas em profundidade, que levou à análise de outras faixas etárias para fins de comparação do comportamento de uso do cartão de crédito, assim como a aplicação de um questionário no aspecto quantitativo. Os resultados apontaram para características conservadoras por parte da Terceira Idade no que se refere ao uso do cartão de crédito. / [en] The increase of life expectation of the Brazilians grows bigger and bigger and, consequently, also their presence in the country's economy. Just as the aged public, the credit card market also grows in an accelerated rhythm. This work studies the characteristics of the Third Age credit card bearer segment, in other words, people over the sixties, as well as their behavior regarding the credit card use. A qualitative research was applied, by means of in- depth interviews, which lead to the analysis of other age groups aiming at the comparison of the credit card use behavior, as well as the application of a quantitative wise questionnaire. The results point towards conservative characteristics on the part of the Third Age as far as the credit card use is concerned.

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate a 10-week Taiji intervention to a 10-week strength training intervention in terms of their ability to relieve osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms, alter gait, and improve mobility in seniors with knee OA. Methods. Men and women between the ages of 60 and 85 years who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for knee OA were recruited to participate in either a simplified Taiji program (n=12), an open-chain strength training program (n=13), or a control group (n=6). All participants completed the Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), three physical performance tests, and a 3-D gait analysis at baseline and again after the 10-week intervention. Results. The strength training group significantly improved on the time up-and-go test (p = 0.001), the WOMAC pain sub-score (p=0.006), WOMAC stiffness sub-score (p<0.001), and WOMAC physical function sub-score (p=0.011). The Taiji group significantly improved on the timed up-and-go (p<0.001), but there was no change in their WOMAC scores. Neither group showed any significant changes in either kinematic or kinetic gait variables. Conclusion. Strength training was effective for improving mobility and improving the symptoms of knee OA. Taiji was also effective for improving mobility, but did not improve the participants‟ knee OA symptoms. Neither intervention had an effect the participants walking gait.

In light of the European Union`s 2012 theme year: Active aging and solidarity between generations I wished to gain an understanding of weather elderly immigrant are provided with equal possibilities and access to local community information as the majority population and their participation in activities arranged for senior citizens in the municipality where they live. I have done this by meeting with those who work in this capacity. I also chose to meet with representatives for immigrant organizations in the local community to enquire of their work with senior citizens within their own ethnic group. This is a qualitative study on a phenomenological ground based on nine interviews and four observations. I have had two theories to help me analyze my empirical material. Globalization theory is a good groundwork to understanding the changes in modern multicultural societies where I have looked at the work of Anthony Giddens first at hand. The theory of KASAM by Aaron Antonowsky explains how the sense of coherence helps people to remain positive and satisfied in old age despite their failing health and unfavorable circumstances at times. I have found that the municipality where this study is preformed has a multicultural focus in their manor of spreading information. Yet many ethnic groups seek information verbally from friends and family rather than seek it through the official channels which may be more common among the majority population and immigrants that have established themselves in the society. Still all those whom I interviewed agreed that spreading information through direct contact always is the most effective way to get information across to people. I found that the local community meeting places for senior citizens have no immigrants attending on a regular basis. I did meet a group of senior migrant citizens with their origin in various nationalities that gather under the supervision of a cooperation project that has integration and public health as its main goal. All the participants in their activities for senior citizens started coming through personal invitation from the project leader or other group participants. With regards to the theme year those working with senior citizens were aware of it but haven’t had any specific focus on it in their work except for a few that participate in a regional public health project. They all agree that a theme year for active ageing and solidarity is an important milestone to recognizing the needs for recreation and showing respect to those who are beyond the age for retirement.

Darbo objektas: ryšys tarp senjorų fizinio aktyvumo ir su juo susijusių veiksnių. Tyrimo tikslas: nustatyti senjorų fizinį aktyvumą ir su juo susijusius veiksnius. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti senjorų demografinius rodiklius, fizinį aktyvumą, kūno masės indeksą, gaunamą informaciją apie fizinį aktyvumą, fizinio aktyvumo sąlygas, fizinio aktyvumo žinias, fizinio pasyvumo priežastis, savo sveikatos vertinimą. 2. Palyginti demografinius rodiklius, fizinį aktyvumą, kūno masės indeksą, gaunamą informaciją apie fizinį aktyvumą, fizinio aktyvumo sąlygas, fizinio aktyvumo žinias, fizinio pasyvumo priežastis, savo sveikatos vertinimą lyties ir KMI aspektu. 3. Fizinio aktyvumo aspektu palyginti senjorų demografinius rodiklius, informaciją, fizinio pasyvumo priežastis, savo sveikatos vertinimą. 4. Nustatyti sąsajas tarp senjorų fizinio aktyvumo ir turimų žinių apie fizinį aktyvumą bei fizinio aktyvumo sąlygų. Hipotezės: 1. Senjorai, kurie turi daugiau žinių apie fizinį aktyvumą, yra fiziškai aktyvesni. 2. Senjorai, kurie pripažįsta, kad fizinio aktyvumo sąlygos (fizinės ir finansinės) yra geresnės, yra fiziškai aktyvesni. Tyrimo rezultatai: Išanalizavus senjorų fizinį aktyvumą ir su juo susijusius veiksnius, mūsų iškelta hipotezė pasitvirtino, kad didesnio fizinio aktyvumo senjorai turi daugiau žinių apie fizinio aktyvumo naudą sveikatai, fizinis aktyvumas nebuvo susijęs su fizinio aktyvumo sąlygomis (fizinėmis ir finansinėmis). Taip pat tyrimas parodė, kad didžiajai daliai tiriamųjų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The object of the thesis: the relationship between senior citizens‘ physical activity and factors related to it. The aim of the research: to determine senior citizens‘ physical activity and factors related to it. Goals: 1. To determine senior citizens‘ demographics, physical activity, body mass index, available information on physical activity, conditions of physical activity, knowledge about physical activity, causes of physical inactivity and their own health assessments. 5 2. To compare demographics, physical activity, body mass index, available information on physical activity, conditions of physical activity, knowledge about physical activity, causes of physical inactivity and their own health assessments on the aspects of sex and BMI. 3. To compare demographics, information, causes of physical inactivity and health assessments of senior citizens on the aspect of physical activity. 4. To establish links between the physical activity of senior citizens their prior knowledge about physical activity and physical activity conditions. Hypotheses: 1. Senior citizens who have more information and knowledge about physical activity are more physically active. 2. Senior citizens who acknowledge better conditions for physical activity (physical and financial) are more physically active. The results of the research: After analyzing senior citizens‘ physical activity and factors related to it, our hypothesis that senior citizens who have more information about physical activity‘s... [to full text]