The primary objective of the study was to address two aspects of construct validity (i.e., face and criterion validity) of the Environmental Analysis of Mobility Questionnaire (EAMQ). The EAMQ is a self-report questionnaire, which consists of items that inquire about older adults tendencies to both encounter and avoid community mobility challenges that address several dimensions of community mobility. The EAMQ was compared to selected tasks from the Walking InCHIANTI Toolkit (WIT) and with a community mobility self-efficacy questionnaire (SE). Sixty independently living, community dwelling older adults (mean ± SD; age = 74 ± 5 years) volunteered to participate. Participation included a single visit by the researcher to the home of the participant. During the visit, demographic, health information, EAMQ, SE, and the modified WIT were completed. Regarding the first hypotheses, four of the six correlations between walking speed on the modified WIT and the EAMQ-encounter score were significant (range of significant correlations was 0.169 to 0.299; p < 0.05). By contrast, all of the correlations between walking speed on the modified WIT and EAMQ-avoidance score were significant (range of significant correlations was -0.330 to -0.410; p < 0.05. Regarding the second hypotheses, a significant positive correlation was found between SE and EAMQ-encounter (r = 0.345; p< 0.01) while a significant negative correlation was found between SE and EAMQ-avoidance (r = -0.531; p < 0.01). Furthermore, SE was significantly correlated with modified WIT performances (range of significant correlations was 0.332 to 0.578; p < 0.01). The secondary and exploratory purpose of this validation study was to determine if the EAMQ and SE both individually and additively contributed to the prediction of CWT performances. Results indicated that the EAMQ, significantly predicted walking speed on all modified WIT tasks; however, the avoidance score was the only significant predictor in the model. When SE was added to the prediction model it became the dominant and significant predictor of walking speed on most modified WIT tasks. As walking task complexity increased SE accounted for more of the variability in walking speed than the EAMQ. In conclusion, the results demonstrate partial support for the validity of the EAMQ. The EAMQ-avoidance score appears to be a valid correlate of the modified WIT and could be used as one predictor of community mobility. Recommendations are made for improvements to the EAMQ and for further investigation of its validity.

The purpose of this study was to gather information related to reading abilities in typically aging older adults. A variety of strategies had been used in the past to assess reading in older adults. These strategies included the use of questionnaires, diary keeping, and interviewing. Several weaknesses in previous research were noted including lack of diversity in samples, volunteer bias, and social desirability confounds. More importantly, however, none of the previous research examined the scope of components that affect reading and reading-related skills in typically aging adults. The questions guiding this research addressed issues related to the reading and related skills of older adults, the strategies that older adults use to improve reading comprehension, and the types and frequency of reading materials older adults use. Data for this study were collected from 96 community dwelling adults between the ages of 65 and 79 years. The Word Identification and Word Attack subtests of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test (Woodcock, 1998) were used as a measure of decoding ability. The vocabulary subtest of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (Brown, Fishco, & Hanna, 1993) was used as a measure of reading vocabulary. Several nonstandardized tasks were included to examine reading comprehension, phonological awareness, and morphological awareness. Additionally, four survey instruments were used to assess awareness of reading strategies, print exposure, reading habits, and attitudes about reading. The adults in this study were, as a group, more highly educated than the general population in Kansas. This sample of adults demonstrated reading comprehension and vocabulary skills which were above average as compared to the normative samples on the standardized instruments. Pearson correlations indicated that reading comprehension was positively correlated with vocabulary, decoding, phonological awareness, and morphological awareness in this study. Both qualitative and quantitative data indicated that this group of adults used a wide variety of materials and strategies for reading. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Wichita State University, College of Education / College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders / "May 2005."

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand through the stories of three older adults, how literacy has influenced and shaped the quality of their lives. During a series of conversational interviews, each older adults was able to share stories about their lived experience of literacy and their perception of quality of life. Each adult has lived a unique life. Therefore, as a group, they cannot be viewed homogenously. Portions of their stories do intersect at various points but not in a way that will create generalized theories that can be extended to all older adults.<p>Although they encountered many obstacles and challenges throughout their lives, especially in the context of education and literacy, the older adults exhibited tenacity, perseverence, and resilience, eventually reaching their goals. One of the commonalities evident from their collection of stories was the enduring values that wove throughout each individual life, from the early years until the present day. These values provided the quality of life which each adult experienced.<p>The insights gleaned from these thre older adults may be helpful to other adults, friends and family, care givers, and service providers including educators who are interested in learning what constitutes quality of life from the perspective of older adults.

Relocation to a personal care home is a stressful experience and may occur at a traumatic moment in life. The effects of relocation to a PCH on nutritional status are unknown, yet under-nutrition is common among PCH residents. Objectives: To explore the effect of relocating to a PCH on the nutritional status, eating habits, and nutrition attitudes of adults aged 60 years and older. Methods: Fourteen Caucasian older adults (F = 57%) with a mean age of 83 years (SD = 9.79) consented to participate. Sixty-four percent of participants experienced inter-institutional relocation. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary information was collected at Time Points A (2-3 months following relocation) and B (6-7 months following relocation) through face-to-face interviews, medical chart reviews and communications with nursing staff. Results: At Time B, cognitive function declined (z = -2.185, p < .05) and the number of medications prescribed increased (z = -2.00, p < .05). Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were insufficient among 83% of participants at both time points. Mean serum albumin was 34.4 ± 7.2 g/L at Time B and the prevalence of nutritional risk increased from 57% to 77%. Dietary intake was inadequate according to Canada’s Food Guide recommendations. Nutrition attitudes did not change. Implications & Conclusions: Six months following relocation, nutritional risk was more prevalent, with early evidence of possible protein-energy malnutrition. Nutritional inadequacies may result if dietary intakes do not improve. A collaborative approach is needed to assess environmental, psychosocial and nutritional factors that contribute to poor dietary intake and will assist in the development of an intervention program. / May 2009

Background: Decreased physical activity levels are an increasing concern, specifically for the aging population. Older adults (>65 years) are able to achieve health benefits from participating in a regular exercise program based on studies done in younger community-dwelling older adults. However, there is less research investigating the efficacy of exercise for improving physical function among the older adult population in assisted living settings. Barriers among the research that has been done so far include generalizability, specificity and varying exercise prescription details. The present study investigated the novel idea of using a treadmill with a harness system, to engage older adults in aerobic exercise. It is unknown if it is feasible to recruit and retain older adults in assisted living settings for such a treadmill study and if older adults would be able to achieve intensities associated with health benefits. Objectives: To determine the feasibility of recruitment and retention of older adults in an assisted living facility for a pilot treadmill walking study. Secondary objectives include: to identify determinants of participation and compliance with the treadmill study and to determine if the older adult population in assisted living settings are able to achieve exercise intensities aligned with established guidelines that are associated with health benefits. Design and Setting: Pilot, multi-visit feasibility study in an Assisted Living Facility in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region with care needs ranging from Retirement Home to Palliative Care Population: Older adults (>65y) living in an assistive living facility who could follow two-step commands and were able to walk two metres independently (with or without the use of an aid). Methods: The feasibility of recruitment and retention was determined by recording: the number of older adults who consented to participate in treadmill walking for three weeks; the number of older adults (and/or their legal representatives) who declined treadmill participation and reasons as to why; and the number of participants who completed the six treadmill sessions. Healthrelated and demographic characteristics were collected to characterize the population while age, number of co-morbidities, number of medications, cognition, fear of falling and walking ability were evaluated as potential determinants of participation. A detailed attendance log was used to assess compliance with the study. To determine if participants could achieve the recommended exercise intensity associated with health benefits, exercise intensity (40 %HRR) and duration (twenty minutes) achieved after the final treadmill session were reported. Results: Thirty percent of the residents on the eligibility list were recruited and consented to participate in the treadmill study. Average compliance was 94.4%±10.8%; one treadmill participant dropped out due to declining health. There are no significant differences between treadmill participants and those who chose not to walk on the treadmill. Treadmill participants were able to achieve the recommended intensity (40%HRR) and achieved an average intensity of 50.3% ± 30.2% and a frequency of three sessions in one week. Average total duration was approximately five minutes shy (14:53min ± 6:43min) of the recommendation of twenty minutes. Conclusion: The current study provides preliminary evidence that it is feasible to recruit and retain older adults in assisted living facilities to participate in a three week treadmill walking study, however it may be difficult to recruit a large number of individuals for a larger study. Treadmill participants were able to achieve ACSM’s recommended intensity and frequency for aerobic or endurance exercise. Secondly, the older adult population living in assisted settings may be able to achieve the recommended exercise prescription targets for cardiovascular training, specifically intensity and frequency; however they may need more than three weeks of progression or multiple sessions per day to obtain the recommended duration.

Background: Decreased physical activity levels are an increasing concern, specifically for the aging population. Older adults (>65 years) are able to achieve health benefits from participating in a regular exercise program based on studies done in younger community-dwelling older adults. However, there is less research investigating the efficacy of exercise for improving physical function among the older adult population in assisted living settings. Barriers among the research that has been done so far include generalizability, specificity and varying exercise prescription details. The present study investigated the novel idea of using a treadmill with a harness system, to engage older adults in aerobic exercise. It is unknown if it is feasible to recruit and retain older adults in assisted living settings for such a treadmill study and if older adults would be able to achieve intensities associated with health benefits. Objectives: To determine the feasibility of recruitment and retention of older adults in an assisted living facility for a pilot treadmill walking study. Secondary objectives include: to identify determinants of participation and compliance with the treadmill study and to determine if the older adult population in assisted living settings are able to achieve exercise intensities aligned with established guidelines that are associated with health benefits. Design and Setting: Pilot, multi-visit feasibility study in an Assisted Living Facility in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region with care needs ranging from Retirement Home to Palliative Care Population: Older adults (>65y) living in an assistive living facility who could follow two-step commands and were able to walk two metres independently (with or without the use of an aid). Methods: The feasibility of recruitment and retention was determined by recording: the number of older adults who consented to participate in treadmill walking for three weeks; the number of older adults (and/or their legal representatives) who declined treadmill participation and reasons as to why; and the number of participants who completed the six treadmill sessions. Healthrelated and demographic characteristics were collected to characterize the population while age, number of co-morbidities, number of medications, cognition, fear of falling and walking ability were evaluated as potential determinants of participation. A detailed attendance log was used to assess compliance with the study. To determine if participants could achieve the recommended exercise intensity associated with health benefits, exercise intensity (40 %HRR) and duration (twenty minutes) achieved after the final treadmill session were reported. Results: Thirty percent of the residents on the eligibility list were recruited and consented to participate in the treadmill study. Average compliance was 94.4%±10.8%; one treadmill participant dropped out due to declining health. There are no significant differences between treadmill participants and those who chose not to walk on the treadmill. Treadmill participants were able to achieve the recommended intensity (40%HRR) and achieved an average intensity of 50.3% ± 30.2% and a frequency of three sessions in one week. Average total duration was approximately five minutes shy (14:53min ± 6:43min) of the recommendation of twenty minutes. Conclusion: The current study provides preliminary evidence that it is feasible to recruit and retain older adults in assisted living facilities to participate in a three week treadmill walking study, however it may be difficult to recruit a large number of individuals for a larger study. Treadmill participants were able to achieve ACSM’s recommended intensity and frequency for aerobic or endurance exercise. Secondly, the older adult population living in assisted settings may be able to achieve the recommended exercise prescription targets for cardiovascular training, specifically intensity and frequency; however they may need more than three weeks of progression or multiple sessions per day to obtain the recommended duration.

Background: Decreased physical activity levels are an increasing concern, specifically for the aging population. Older adults (>65 years) are able to achieve health benefits from participating in a regular exercise program based on studies done in younger community-dwelling older adults. However, there is less research investigating the efficacy of exercise for improving physical function among the older adult population in assisted living settings. Barriers among the research that has been done so far include generalizability, specificity and varying exercise prescription details. The present study investigated the novel idea of using a treadmill with a harness system, to engage older adults in aerobic exercise. It is unknown if it is feasible to recruit and retain older adults in assisted living settings for such a treadmill study and if older adults would be able to achieve intensities associated with health benefits. Objectives: To determine the feasibility of recruitment and retention of older adults in an assisted living facility for a pilot treadmill walking study. Secondary objectives include: to identify determinants of participation and compliance with the treadmill study and to determine if the older adult population in assisted living settings are able to achieve exercise intensities aligned with established guidelines that are associated with health benefits. Design and Setting: Pilot, multi-visit feasibility study in an Assisted Living Facility in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region with care needs ranging from Retirement Home to Palliative Care Population: Older adults (>65y) living in an assistive living facility who could follow two-step commands and were able to walk two metres independently (with or without the use of an aid). Methods: The feasibility of recruitment and retention was determined by recording: the number of older adults who consented to participate in treadmill walking for three weeks; the number of older adults (and/or their legal representatives) who declined treadmill participation and reasons as to why; and the number of participants who completed the six treadmill sessions. Healthrelated and demographic characteristics were collected to characterize the population while age, number of co-morbidities, number of medications, cognition, fear of falling and walking ability were evaluated as potential determinants of participation. A detailed attendance log was used to assess compliance with the study. To determine if participants could achieve the recommended exercise intensity associated with health benefits, exercise intensity (40 %HRR) and duration (twenty minutes) achieved after the final treadmill session were reported. Results: Thirty percent of the residents on the eligibility list were recruited and consented to participate in the treadmill study. Average compliance was 94.4%±10.8%; one treadmill participant dropped out due to declining health. There are no significant differences between treadmill participants and those who chose not to walk on the treadmill. Treadmill participants were able to achieve the recommended intensity (40%HRR) and achieved an average intensity of 50.3% ± 30.2% and a frequency of three sessions in one week. Average total duration was approximately five minutes shy (14:53min ± 6:43min) of the recommendation of twenty minutes. Conclusion: The current study provides preliminary evidence that it is feasible to recruit and retain older adults in assisted living facilities to participate in a three week treadmill walking study, however it may be difficult to recruit a large number of individuals for a larger study. Treadmill participants were able to achieve ACSM’s recommended intensity and frequency for aerobic or endurance exercise. Secondly, the older adult population living in assisted settings may be able to achieve the recommended exercise prescription targets for cardiovascular training, specifically intensity and frequency; however they may need more than three weeks of progression or multiple sessions per day to obtain the recommended duration.

Background: Decreased physical activity levels are an increasing concern, specifically for the aging population. Older adults (>65 years) are able to achieve health benefits from participating in a regular exercise program based on studies done in younger community-dwelling older adults. However, there is less research investigating the efficacy of exercise for improving physical function among the older adult population in assisted living settings. Barriers among the research that has been done so far include generalizability, specificity and varying exercise prescription details. The present study investigated the novel idea of using a treadmill with a harness system, to engage older adults in aerobic exercise. It is unknown if it is feasible to recruit and retain older adults in assisted living settings for such a treadmill study and if older adults would be able to achieve intensities associated with health benefits. Objectives: To determine the feasibility of recruitment and retention of older adults in an assisted living facility for a pilot treadmill walking study. Secondary objectives include: to identify determinants of participation and compliance with the treadmill study and to determine if the older adult population in assisted living settings are able to achieve exercise intensities aligned with established guidelines that are associated with health benefits. Design and Setting: Pilot, multi-visit feasibility study in an Assisted Living Facility in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region with care needs ranging from Retirement Home to Palliative Care Population: Older adults (>65y) living in an assistive living facility who could follow two-step commands and were able to walk two metres independently (with or without the use of an aid). Methods: The feasibility of recruitment and retention was determined by recording: the number of older adults who consented to participate in treadmill walking for three weeks; the number of older adults (and/or their legal representatives) who declined treadmill participation and reasons as to why; and the number of participants who completed the six treadmill sessions. Healthrelated and demographic characteristics were collected to characterize the population while age, number of co-morbidities, number of medications, cognition, fear of falling and walking ability were evaluated as potential determinants of participation. A detailed attendance log was used to assess compliance with the study. To determine if participants could achieve the recommended exercise intensity associated with health benefits, exercise intensity (40 %HRR) and duration (twenty minutes) achieved after the final treadmill session were reported. Results: Thirty percent of the residents on the eligibility list were recruited and consented to participate in the treadmill study. Average compliance was 94.4%±10.8%; one treadmill participant dropped out due to declining health. There are no significant differences between treadmill participants and those who chose not to walk on the treadmill. Treadmill participants were able to achieve the recommended intensity (40%HRR) and achieved an average intensity of 50.3% ± 30.2% and a frequency of three sessions in one week. Average total duration was approximately five minutes shy (14:53min ± 6:43min) of the recommendation of twenty minutes. Conclusion: The current study provides preliminary evidence that it is feasible to recruit and retain older adults in assisted living facilities to participate in a three week treadmill walking study, however it may be difficult to recruit a large number of individuals for a larger study. Treadmill participants were able to achieve ACSM’s recommended intensity and frequency for aerobic or endurance exercise. Secondly, the older adult population living in assisted settings may be able to achieve the recommended exercise prescription targets for cardiovascular training, specifically intensity and frequency; however they may need more than three weeks of progression or multiple sessions per day to obtain the recommended duration.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand through the stories of three older adults, how literacy has influenced and shaped the quality of their lives. During a series of conversational interviews, each older adults was able to share stories about their lived experience of literacy and their perception of quality of life. Each adult has lived a unique life. Therefore, as a group, they cannot be viewed homogenously. Portions of their stories do intersect at various points but not in a way that will create generalized theories that can be extended to all older adults.<p>Although they encountered many obstacles and challenges throughout their lives, especially in the context of education and literacy, the older adults exhibited tenacity, perseverence, and resilience, eventually reaching their goals. One of the commonalities evident from their collection of stories was the enduring values that wove throughout each individual life, from the early years until the present day. These values provided the quality of life which each adult experienced.<p>The insights gleaned from these thre older adults may be helpful to other adults, friends and family, care givers, and service providers including educators who are interested in learning what constitutes quality of life from the perspective of older adults.

The primary objective of the study was to address two aspects of construct validity (i.e., face and criterion validity) of the Environmental Analysis of Mobility Questionnaire (EAMQ). The EAMQ is a self-report questionnaire, which consists of items that inquire about older adults tendencies to both encounter and avoid community mobility challenges that address several dimensions of community mobility. The EAMQ was compared to selected tasks from the Walking InCHIANTI Toolkit (WIT) and with a community mobility self-efficacy questionnaire (SE). Sixty independently living, community dwelling older adults (mean ± SD; age = 74 ± 5 years) volunteered to participate. Participation included a single visit by the researcher to the home of the participant. During the visit, demographic, health information, EAMQ, SE, and the modified WIT were completed. Regarding the first hypotheses, four of the six correlations between walking speed on the modified WIT and the EAMQ-encounter score were significant (range of significant correlations was 0.169 to 0.299; p < 0.05). By contrast, all of the correlations between walking speed on the modified WIT and EAMQ-avoidance score were significant (range of significant correlations was -0.330 to -0.410; p < 0.05. Regarding the second hypotheses, a significant positive correlation was found between SE and EAMQ-encounter (r = 0.345; p< 0.01) while a significant negative correlation was found between SE and EAMQ-avoidance (r = -0.531; p < 0.01). Furthermore, SE was significantly correlated with modified WIT performances (range of significant correlations was 0.332 to 0.578; p < 0.01). The secondary and exploratory purpose of this validation study was to determine if the EAMQ and SE both individually and additively contributed to the prediction of CWT performances. Results indicated that the EAMQ, significantly predicted walking speed on all modified WIT tasks; however, the avoidance score was the only significant predictor in the model. When SE was added to the prediction model it became the dominant and significant predictor of walking speed on most modified WIT tasks. As walking task complexity increased SE accounted for more of the variability in walking speed than the EAMQ. In conclusion, the results demonstrate partial support for the validity of the EAMQ. The EAMQ-avoidance score appears to be a valid correlate of the modified WIT and could be used as one predictor of community mobility. Recommendations are made for improvements to the EAMQ and for further investigation of its validity.