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The purpose of this study was to compare the use of behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aids with a geriatric population. The aids were compared to see which type of aid the subjects could learn to use most easily and to see which type of aid they preferred to use.Subjects were fitted with acoustically similar in-the-ear and behind-the-ear hearing aids for alternate one week periods. The aids were evaluated in two ways: 1) A rating scale evaluating the subjects’ abilities to use the hearing aid (insert battery, insert aid, remove aid, remove battery, adjust volume) and 2) A questionnaire exploring the subjects’ reaction to care of hearing aid use and general aid preference.With respect to the rating scale, no significant differences were found. Subjects could perform the tasks covered with both types of aids. With respect to the questionnaire, significant differences were found in favor of the in-the-ear hearing aid. In general, the results of this study tend to indicate that geriatric subjects can handle in-the-ear hearing aids and behind-the-ear hearing aids with about equal success but that they have a clear preference for in-the-ear hearing aids.

The primary focus of this dissertation is an empirical investigation of three approaches to the measurement of longitudinal change. For the present study, difference scores, residual change scores, and percentage gain scores are compared to determine if their use results in similar findings when the relationships between three resource areas (health, social, and financial) and subjective well-being are analyzed. The propositions which are tested were derived from current aging theories. Meta-analysis procedures were employed to synthesize past research findings in gerontology. The data which were analyzed are those of the Longitudinal Retirement History Study (LRHS), a research project sponsored by the Social Security Administration. The sample consists of 8922 continuers who participated in the 1969, 1971, and 1973 waves of data collection. Findings from the meta-analysis suggest that the correlation coefficients calculated from the LRHS data on the relationship between subjecive well-being and the areas of health resources and social resources are similar to those of other aging studies. The relationship between measures of financial resources and subjective well-being is stronger for the LRHS respondents than that reported in other aging studies. The results on the analysis of longitudinal change indicate that change in health resources and in financial resources are significant predictors of subjective well-being at a later-point-in-time and of change in subjective well-being. For the present study, change in social resources contributes little to the regression equations. The three selected approaches to the measurement of change rank individuals similarly on the construct of change. However, the use of difference scores, residual change scores, and percentage gain scores does not always result in similar findings when multivariate procedures are used. Residual change scores appear to possess a number of advantages. They tend, however, to be strongly related to the time 2 scores from which they are derived, a phenomenon not emphasized in the measurement of change literature. Improving the reliability of measures, allowing adequate time for change to occur, and using sample sizes which are large are suggested to maximize the possibility of obtaining correlation coeffecients based on change scores which are large and stable.

The graying of America as a sociological and health care phenomenon continues to dictate the demand for creative and innovative interventions that can directly influence the quality of life of nursing home residents. Creative Reminiscence is a program that fosters the active reliving of the past through narration, such as in story-telling, and the use of creative art expression to uncover meaningful life events or valuable life experiences. The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the meaningful life events elicited by the experience of Creative Reminiscence using a phenomenographic approach. Existing (archived) data-transcribed interviews, poetry and painting on planters that were obtained from 20 participants of the Creative Reminiscence program entitled Le Jardin de Sante were analyzed. Five variations of meaningful memories evoked by Creative Reminiscence were identified. These are described as follows: (a) memories that rejuvenate the elder's sense of connectio n; (b) memories that revive the elder's sense of love and intimacy; (c) memories that restore the elder's sense of being; (d) memories that reassert the elder's sense of control; and (e) memories that reinstitute the elder's sense of purpose. In a caring interaction with Creative Reminiscence, the nursed are able to transcend, moving back in time (past) to appreciate segment(s) of their lives, with triumphs and disappointments that give meaning to their inner conflict/human struggle (present), and integrate a sense of confidence and acceptance of their lives to sustain well-being and a sense of wholeness. This research highlights the similarities and differences in the description of memories by the nursing home residents evoked during Creative Reminiscence. / The results of the study support Erikson's notion of the circular nature of the life cycle, wherein there is an inherent need at the last stage of life to re-integrate ascendant psychosocial themes.Taking into account the meaning that nursing home residents ascribe to their experiences provided data on strategies nurses and caregivers can use effectively to help these elders transcend despair. Further research is recommended using a more diverse sample and in more diverse geographical locations. Current standardized instruments may be revised to quantify effects on the ascendant psychosocial themes. / by Germina Emily Risos Rio. / Thesis (D.N.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The purpose of this thesis was to compare the contributions of attentional resources relevant to postural control between fall-fearful and non-fearful older adults. Levels of postural challenge and instructions of task prioritization were manipulated to obtain this goal. Results indicated that fall-fearful subjects demonstrated a reorganization of attentional resources when challenge to upright standing was imposed. Additionally, only non-fearful subjects demonstrated flexibility in the prioritization of the cognitive task. However both fall-fearful and non-fearful subjects demonstrated flexibility in the prioritization of the postural task. Findings suggested that fall-fearful older adults reorganize the allocation of attentional resources differently than non-fearful counterparts, potentially placing them at greater risk for falling as their awareness of the external environment and threats to balance may be compromised. / xii, 80 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

The main objective of this work is to address the growing concern of balance loss and falls in the aging population. The initial aspect looks at balance control in a dynamic environment. Observation of age and gender influence on motor control will be made related to a new dynamic balance testing platform (DBTP). The topic of focus in the second portion relates to reaction time in an unstable environment. Research has found that balance improves when physical activity is a part of daily life for seniors. Physical activity influence on reaction time will be investigated with a new approach to exercise classes for seniors. Finally, an understanding of motor control and balance may be acquired and physical activity incorporated into the life of an elderly individual, however this will never fully prevent falls from taking place. A novel approach to injury prevention due to falls is explored in the final portion of this thesis. Study One - Using a newly constructed dynamic balance testing platform (DBTP), balance ability of three age groups was observed in two visual conditions and in relation to gender. Center of Gravity excursion (COGex) was observed to determine the differences between age groups and gender. Platform response patterns were also observed to asses the functionality of the DBTP as a new tool for balance testing. Three things were found: 1) Age differencesrelated to platform movement suggested that balance decreased with age in both visual conditions. 2) Gender differences between COGex found that males covered the most distance in both visual conditions when compared to females. 3) Gender differences between platform characteristics showed that females balanced longer and had lower platform movement rate than males, in both visual conditions. In order to consider the DBTP as a new tool for determination of balance ability, more refined tests are necessary. Study Two - Using pre- and post-training tests, the effects of a Fitball® exercise program on performance in eight subjects was documented. The exercise program focused on improving dynamic balance and postural stability of seniors. To evaluate progress-related changes, pre and post-tests in a dynamic environment were applied. Center of gravity (COG) excursion, catch success rate, and balance success rate were quantified, and synchronized data collection of 3D motion capture (VICON v8i) and ground reaction force (2 KISTLER platforms) was analyzed. During pre- and post-tests, participants stood in a walk-like stance and were asked to catch a weighted ball, which dropped unexpectedly. Results showed no significant changes in balance success rate. Significant improvements were found, however, in both COG control and catch success rate following training (p 0.05). Study Three - Falls in the elderly are inevitable so it is necessary to take precautions. This study looks at falls in relation to velocity characteristics of various locations on the trunk, and contrasts them to activities of daily living (ADL) in 13 individuals. A threshold level was established to be 2.0m/s, a value that exceeded all maximum resultant velocities for ADL, but was superseded by all fall activity resultant velocities. This suggests that a life vest, which responds similar to a vehicle airbag, may be created and worn that will deploy past a threshold of 2.0m/s with the incidence of a fall. / xiii, 91 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm. --

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the influence of postural anxiety on the capacity for Flexible Resource Allocation (FRA) among younger (YA) and older adults (OA). Two experiments were conducted to explore (a) the influence of heightened postural anxiety on the flexible allocation of attention among OA and (b) the influence of concurrent postural challenge and postural anxiety on FRA among YA. Participants performed a postural task concurrently to a cognitive task according to three instructional sets directing task priority. Experiment one revealed that FRA was compromised among OA during circumstances of heightened anxiety. This capacity however, remained available among YA. Therefore, for the second experiment I varied the support surface to explore whether the capacity for FRA could be sustained when posture was challenged beyond static stance. Results indicated that YA altered cognitive task performance according to instructional set without compromising postural stability. These findings suggest that even when posture is challenged during heightened postural anxiety, YA maintain the capacity to automatically allocate attention to a postural task while performing a secondary task. Conversely, it seems that heightened postural anxiety strengthens the attentional bias to posture and subsequently compromises FRA among OA. Overall, results from this thesis suggest that the capacity for FRA is age and situation dependent. / xi, 107 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

The effect of anxiety on motor learning during a balance relevant task was investigated. Twenty participants (mean age 22.0 ± 2.7 years) were randomly divided into groups that completed the task whilst standing directly on the platform or on 9cm high pedestals, thus constructing Non-Anxious (NA) or Anxious (A) environments. Participants trained for 36 trials in a continuous, pseudo-random oscillating balance task consisting of pseudo-random amplitude translation at 0.5Hz for 45 seconds each on Day 1 and returned for Retention and Transfer tests on Day 2. Motor performance was impaired by training in an anxious environment and this effect persisted across retesting in both non-anxious and anxious environments. Anxiety also tended to further impair transfer of motor performance improvements to a non-anxious environment. These findings have implications for the success of balance training programs in patients who are anxious or afraid of falling. / ix, 103 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

by Kenneth Wing-kin Law. / Publication date from spine. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [325]-371). / Questionnaire in Chinese. / List of Tables --- p.viii / Acknowledgements --- p.x / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Global Trend of Population Aging --- p.2 / Population Aging as a Sort of Social Problem --- p.5 / The Development of Elderly Studies in Hong Kong --- p.13 / Areas of Study --- p.19 / Chapter (1) --- Social exaggeration of the elderly problem --- p.22 / Chapter (2) --- Social construction of the elderly problem --- p.25 / Chapter (3) --- Ethics of applied social research --- p.29 / Organization of the Dissertation --- p.32 / Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.34 / Early Sociological Study on the Elderly (1940-1980) --- p.35 / Chapter (1) --- Role theory --- p.36 / Chapter (2) --- Activity theory --- p.38 / Chapter (3) --- Disengagement theory --- p.39 / Chapter (4) --- Subculture theory --- p.40 / Chapter (5) --- Modernization theory --- p.41 / Contemporary Sociological Study on the Elderly (1980and onwards) --- p.46 / Chapter (1) --- Modernization and the decline of social status of the elderly --- p.48 / Chapter (2) --- Nature of the elderly problem --- p.52 / Chapter (3) --- Myths towards later life --- p.55 / Chapter 3. --- Analytical Framework --- p.59 / Biaes in Elderly Studies --- p.61 / Chapter (1) --- Conceptual bias --- p.62 / Chapter (2) --- Methodological bias --- p.67 / Social Construction of Social Problems --- p.69 / Chapter (1) --- Definition of social problems --- p.70 / Chapter (2) --- The subject matter of the sociology of social problems --- p.77 / Chapter (3) --- Social problems as claims-making activities --- p.81 / Social Exaggeration and Claims-making Activities --- p.88 / Chapter 4. --- Research Design --- p.97 / Social Exaggeration of the Elderly Problem in Hong Kong --- p.98 / Chapter (1) --- The logic and design of the survey --- p.99 / Chapter 1. --- Sample design and data collection --- p.101 / Chapter 2. --- Instrumentation --- p.103 / Chapter (2) --- The logic and design of the content analysis --- p.107 / Chapter 1. --- Sample and data collection --- p.109 / Chapter 2. --- Instrumentation --- p.110 / Social Construction of Elderly Problem --- p.113 / Ethics of Applied Social Research --- p.116 / Chapter 5. --- Population Aging in Hong Kong --- p.120 / The Growth of the Elderly Population --- p.120 / Convergence with Western Aged Societies --- p.123 / Divergence with Western Aged Societies --- p.129 / Explanations: Conventional Wisdom --- p.133 / An Alternative Explanation: Chinese Immigrants from Mainland China --- p.136 / Implications --- p.142 / Concluding Remarks --- p.150 / Chapter 6. --- Social Exaggeration of the Elderly Problemin Hong Kong --- p.153 / Social Perception of the Elderly --- p.155 / Chapter (1) --- Social perception of the social status of the elderly --- p.157 / Chapter (2) --- Social stereotyping of the elderly --- p.165 / Chapter (3) --- Social perception of elderly problems --- p.178 / Social and Economic Life of the Elderly in Hong Kong --- p.181 / Chapter (1) --- Social network and social relationships --- p.181 / Chapter (2) --- Economic sufficiency --- p.186 / Chapter (3) --- Life satisfaction --- p.189 / Chapter (4) --- Physical health condition --- p.197 / Chapter (5) --- Social status --- p.202 / An Alternative Explanation of the Discrepancy --- p.206 / Chapter (1) --- Structural origins of the negative social steretyping of the elderly --- p.206 / Chapter (2) --- Conceptual bias --- p.209 / Chapter (3) --- Methodological bias --- p.215 / Concluding Remarks --- p.222 / Chapter 7. --- Social Construction of the Elderly Problemin Hong Kong --- p.225 / The Process of the Social Construction of the Elderly Problem in Hong Kong --- p.231 / Chapter (1) --- Stage 1: Agitation --- p.240 / Chapter (2) --- Stage 2: Legitimating and co-optation --- p.249 / Politicization of Social Problems and Professionalization of Social Work --- p.254 / Concludidng Remarks --- p.262 / Chapter 8. --- Ethics of Applied Social Research --- p.266 / The Predomination of Applied Social Research in Hong Kong --- p.268 / Value in Applied Social Research --- p.273 / Ethical Issues in Elderly Research in Hong Kong --- p.283 / Chapter (1) --- General quality of researchers --- p.286 / Chapter (2) --- Value in applied social research --- p.291 / Chapter (3) --- Social responsibility of researchers --- p.306 / Concluding Remarks --- p.310 / Chapter 9. --- Conclusion --- p.312 / Bibliography --- p.325 / Appendix 1: Survey Questionnaire --- p.372 / Appendix 2: List of Reviewed Research Reports --- p.394 / Appendix 3: Comparison of the Distribution of Age and Sex between Sample and Population --- p.400