نشریه سالمندشناسی
پیاپی 1 (تابستان 1395)

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of disability and death in the world and especially in older adults. The aim of this study was the comparison of predictor variables of cardiovascular disease risk factors in the male and female elderly of Hamadan City.

In this study, the study population consisted of Hamadan city elderly (n = 321) men and women, which were selected by Cluster random sampling technique among the elderly in the Hamadan City in 1393. The research instrument was a questionnaire consisting two parts: demographic characteristics (age, gender, etc.) and the factors related to cardiovascular disease (body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, etc. (. The validity of the questionnaire was measured by the content validity index and the reliability was determined by Cranach’s alpha coefficient (93%). In addition, other data related to variables such as height and weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, and fasting blood glucose were collected. The data were analyzed through using descriptive and analytic statistics by SPSS Version 16 software.

The total number of participants in the study was 321 elderly people over 65 years old in Hamadan, of whom 161 were men and 160 were women. 16.2% of the elderly have various degrees of high systolic blood pressure (at least 140 mm Hg), that was more prevalent elderly men (15.6%) than women (0.6%). The Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) enhanced level in elderly women (6.3%) was more prevalent than men (4.9%). 35.6 percent of the elderly people had high triglyceride level and 53.2 percent had the level lower than normal High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) level. The prevalence of abdominal obesity in the elderly men (20.9%) in comparison with elderly women (20%) was significantly higher (P=0.0003). The prevalence of hypoglycemia in elderly men (20.1%) was significantly greater than the older women (9.4%).

Given the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in elderly women and men, an accurate and comprehensive plan to explore associated factors and continuing education is necessary in order to change the lifestyle, including proper nutrition, exercise and continuous physical activity that are effective ways to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Many elderly patients after admission to the cardiac care unit (CCU) are exposed to factors such as stress, which face them with changes in vital signs that these changes could adversely affect these patient's recovery. This study aimed to determine the effect of white noise on the vital signs of elderly patients in the CCU.

This is a quasi-experimental study in which 59 elderly patients in the cardiac intensive care unit of Shaheed Rajai Tehran Heart Center were studied. In this study, samples were selected through convenience sampling and randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control. Vital signs were measured in both groups for 3 consecutive days by charting vital signs. During this period, for the experimental group, white noise with an intensity of 50 to 60 decibels was played for 30 minutes during the day and the elderly patient's vital signs were recorded before and after the intervention, the control group did not have any intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS, Version 18, by using independent t-test, paired t-test and Chi-square test.

In the present study, 27 elderly patients in the control group and 32 patients in the intervention group were examined. The findings showed that the white noise significantly reduced heart rate in the intervention group compared with the control group (P=0.02), but comparing other variables such as, systolic blood pressure (P=0.89) , diastolic blood pressure (P=0.73) and respiratory rate (P=0.07) did not show significant differences between the two groups.

According to the results of this study use of white noise can reduce heart rate of elderly patients admitted to the CCU.

old age and retirement are one of the most important changes in the individual’s life. Nevertheless, little is still known about the influence of women's employment on the adjustment to these changes. Therefore, the aim of the current study is investigatation the relationship between self-concept, life satisfaction and hope among retired and housewife older adults’ women.

This study is a descriptive comparative research. The 100 retired women and 100 housewives were selected in a Multi-stage cluster sampling in Karaj in 2015. Data was collected using Rogers’ Self-Concept Scale, Scale Satisfaction With Life (SSWL), Snyder ‘Hope Scale. Data were analyzed by t independent and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) statistical tests and by SPSS software version19.

The results indicated that there is the significant difference between the real self (F=4.29, p=0.003), hope (F=40.06, p=0.01) and its subscales pathways (F=31.11, p=0.01), agency (F=33.7, p=0.01) and also life satisfaction (t=3.129) among retired women and housewives (p

These findings emphasize that women's employment leads to increase self-concept and life satisfaction in the elderly adults.

Sleep is one of the most important health indicators which demonstrates significant decline with ageing. On the other hand, one of the major problems in the later life is quality of life and sleep. Therefore, the aim of current research is to investigate the efficacy of group physical activity on sleep quality and quality of life in older adults.

The current study is a quasi-experimental study with pre and post- tests and group control. The population of study was older adults who lived in Kahrizak nursing home. 30 older adults selected based on the inclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned to the control (n=15) and experimental groups (n=15). The experimental groups received techniques of group physical activity for ten treatment sessions (60 minutes, two sessions per week). Statistical analysis conducted by analysis of covariance. The research instruments were Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Quality of life (SF-36).

The findings of the covariance’s analysis indicated that there is a significantly difference in sleep quality between older adults in pre and post-test (p= 0.001). Also, it was observed significantly difference between mean’s scores of quality of life among older adults in pre and post-tests (p= 0.001).

Group physical activities have meaningful positive effects on sleep quality and quality of life in older adults. Hence, Physical exercise could be considered by psychologists in nursing homes, as an alternative or complementary approach to existing therapies for sleep problems among older adults.

The growing trend of the aging phenomenon introduce the necessity of attention to perceived social support as an effective factor in promoting older adults health. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between perceived social support and health in the elderly in Azarshahr.

The current study is a cross-sectional and descriptive study which was conducted by participation of 312 older adults who aged 65 years and above from Azarshahr city using stratified random sampling method. The Goldberg General Health Questionnaire was used to evaluate the mental health, the General Health Questionnaire to assess general health and ability to perform activities of daily living, the Keyes Social Health Questionnaire to measure social health and the Sarason’s Social Support Questionnaire to assess perceived social support. One-dimensional tables and independent t test and ANOVA were used to describe and analysis of the data by SPSS software version 14.

The health status of the elderly in the Azarshahr is on moderate level (53.53%). Approximately 47 percent of them had a high level of perceived social support. There is a significant relationship between perceived social support and mental (p

Elderly people with high level of perceived social support have better mental and social health than others. But perceived social support does not have any effect on physical health.

Disability, reduces quality of life and independence of older adults and increases their needs to giving caring support. This study was conducted to assess the disability status in the rural older adults in Ilam.

This descriptive-analytical study, was conducted using a two-stage cluster sampling method on 70 older adults who aged 65 years and over in rural areas of Ilam in 2015.WHODAS II questionnaire was used to evaluate disability status in activities of daily living. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 21andusing T-Test and ANOVA.

The findings showed that (21/4%) 15 of older adults had no disability, (25/7%) 18 of them had low disability, (47/1%), 33 of them had moderate disability and only (5/8%) 4 had severe disability. Most disabilities related to job activities and walking, and the lowest ones related to the social and familial activities and interaction with people respectively. Also level of disability had a significant relationship (p 0/05).

Most of rural older adults in Ilam had moderate level of disability. So there is a necessity for promotion of healthy lifestyle programs by health care professional with the aim of reducing and prevention of disability in older adults.

Attention to spirituality and effective related factors is so important because it brings peace and Indescribable joy as a need for older adults. This study examined the relationship between spirituality health with depression and sleep quality in older adults in Shahroud.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 235 older adults in Shahroud was participated, Data were collected by using demographic form, Alison’s and palowtzin spiritual health questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale and Petersburg sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaire. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient, Independent T test and one-way ANOVA statistical tests and by SPSS software version19

The average age of older adults was 66.48 ± 4.82 and 53.7% of them was female. The majority of them was married (69.8%) and had primary education (64.4%). There was significant negative correlation between depression and spiritual health (dimensions and total score) in older adults (P

According to the results of this study, it is recommended to more attention to spiritual health in older adults and using strategies to promote it, as a useful way to prevent and reduce depression and improve sleep quality of this age group.

To date, many developments in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people with Parkinson's have been occurred, however there is not clear view of self-care manner in these patients. Thus, further understanding of the problems, concerns and challenges in the care of these patients can be nececrry. The aim of this study was to explore challenges of self-care in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

This Study was an exploratory qualitative design and carried out using Grounded theory methodology. Data was collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews and field notes. 10 people with PD and 6 family caregivers were interviewd. Interviews were conducted in the private homes of participants or one of their family members. Analyzing of the data was carried out with the Corbin and Strauss (2008) approach.

Concepts of study were identified with using a micro analysis and general analysis. "fear of becoming crippled" was identified as a main concern in these patients. This concern fell into four categories including "progressive physical disability", "mental alteration", "financial burden of disease" and "self-change" and was created with the effect of PD on physical, emotional, mental, and social aspects of patients.

The results of this study showed that people with PD face a number of challenges to self-care. The findings also showed that demographic, familial and social factors have important roles in the self-care process of these patients.With understanding challenages of self-care, health care providers especially nurses can support people with PD in achieving and maintaining independence in self-care. On the other hand, the results of this study can be used in the formulation of policy and the standards of care in our country with providing the important concepts and a basic knowledge of the process of care of peoples with PD.