Living experience and care needs of Chinese empty-nest elderly people in urban communities in Beijing,China:A qualitative study

Background:Empty-nest elders have considerable needs for daily living,health care,and social support in China.The growing need for care of an aging population requires to be met through adequate policy decision making by government.Aim:To explore care needs of Chinese empty-nest elderly people and to provide reference information for relevant authorities in making care-supporting policies.Method:A descriptive qualitative study design was adopted.Twenty-five senior citizens in urban communities who were not living with their children were recruited from three communities in different districts of Beijing.In-depth interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire were used to collect data.A qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze data.Results:A major care need by the empty-nest elderly was home-based care.In view of their physical condition,need of support and their own security problems,they would like to have aging-in-place,home-based care by housemaid employment,or have institutionalized care in the future.However,they had some concerns about institutionalized care.Conclusions:A combination of home-based and community-based care is a suitable mode of care for the empty-nest elderly,and institutionalized care is an expected supplementary form of care.

Logistic Regression Analysis on the Correlation between Physical Diseases and Life Events and Depression in the Elderly

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the effects of physical diseases and life events on depression among urban elderly people.[Methods]Five hundred urban elderly people in Shiyan City were selected using a convenient sampling method to investigate and diagnose depression using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule and its accompanying computer diagnostic system.The Minimum Data Set(MDS)and related factor survey form were used to investigate physical diseases and life events,and statistical analysis was conducted using methods such as logistic regression analysis and factor analysis.[Results]The prevalence rates of angina,stroke,or partial paralysis,migraine,vision problems,hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism,as well as the number of physical diseases were significantly higher in elderly depression patients than in objects free of depression.Stroke or partial paralysis[OR(95%CI)=6.389(1.684,24.237)],emotional trauma events[OR(95%CI)=1.438(1.069,1.934)]and adverse health and economic events[OR(95%CI)=1.652(1.099,2.483)]were risk factors for late life depression(LLD).[Conclusions]Some physical diseases and life events may affect the onset process of depression in urban elderly people,and various measures need to be taken to reduce the risk of physical diseases and life events on depression.

Empty-nest elderly:mahjong and Chinese square dance for improving the cognitive function in the community

Objective: The elderly population has proliferated worldwide. The empty-nest family pattern has become predominant among the aging people, and they are more vulnerable to the development of cognitive disorders. However, there is no standardized service in the community nursing care that includes procedures on how to improve the cognitive function of the elderly. Meanwhile, the booming number of empty-nest elderly stimulates the community nurses to assume the responsibility for their care. All of these bring more difficulties and opportunities for community nurses who are dedicated to the prevention of geriatric cognitive disorders.Methods: The authors reviewed the literature related to "empty-nest elderly", "cognitive function","mahjong",and "Chinese square dance" in the Elsevier, Web of Science(WOS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Springer and PubMed databases. The study illustrates the utility possibility of an efficient and straightforward method for improving the cognitive function among the elderly in the context of community nursing care in China and even in the rest of the world.Results: Mental and physical activity contributes to cognitive fitness and may be beneficial in delaying cognitive decline. Mental activities, such as playing mahjong, and physical activities, such as the Chinese square dance, are common Chinese activities. Both of them can affect cognitive function in some way.Conclusions: China is experiencing one of its most severe aging problems. Community health personnel and related professionals may consider using mahjong and Chinese square dance to promote psychological health in empty-nest elderly individuals in the community.

Significant Differences in Elderly Health between Urban and Rural Communities: A Literature Review

This study aimed to examine measures pertaining to elderly health in urban versus rural settings, and to identify differences in the health of elderly people living in urban and rural communities through a literature review. An electronic literature search was performed using PubMed for English articles published in peer-reviewed journals up to August 2018, with the following search terms: “urban”, “rural”, “comparison of community”, “elderly health”, and “comparison of community health”. A total of 35 articles were extracted for a critical full-text review, and six articles that met the inclusion criteria were subjected to analysis. Measures related to elderly health in urban and rural communities were classified into the following three categories: functional abilities, health, and health perception. Five of the six articles described functional abilities (e.g., social function) and health (e.g., mental health, depression) as categories with significant differences in elderly health between urban and rural communities. The results suggest that elderly health measures related to social function and mental health or depression are more important outcome measures of effective person-centered integrated community care systems from the perspective of community characteristics. As there were only a few articles reporting on elderly health according to differences in environment between urban and rural communities, further investigation is globally warranted.

Accessibility Evaluation and Layout Optimization of Urban Parks in Xihu District, Nanchang City Based on Walking of the Elderly People

Urban park is one of the few green spaces that retain natural traces and are easy for the elderly to reach,and it has become the main place for the elderly to carry out leisure,entertainment,physical fi tness and interpersonal activities.The reasonable layout of urban parks is of great signifi cance to improve the quality of life of the elderly in old age.In this article,using the network analysis method in ArcGIS software,the accessibility of urban parks in Xihu District of Nanchang City based on elderly walking was evaluated and analyzed,and three strategies for optimizing the layout of the urban parks were proposed,including increasing the number of urban parks,improving the urban traffic network,and strengthening urban greenway planning and construction.The research results can provide reference for the optimal layout of urban parks in Xihu District,Nanchang City,so that the urban parks can better meet the outdoor leisure needs of the elderly,and the elderly’s sense of well-being and gain is enhanced.

Analysis on Long-Term Care and Influencing Factors of Empty-Nest Differently Abled Elderly People in China —Based on the Data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the actual needs of empty-nest differently abled elderly people and analyze their long-term care status including the factors affecting choice of care mode so adequate resources can be allocated to meet their healthcare needs. Methods: An empty-nest group was compared with a non-empty-nest group based on data from the 2014 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Individual characteristics, family characteristics, and sociological factors were considered as independent variables, and long-term care model was the dependent variable in the three binary logistic regression method. Results: Age, gender, marriage, and disability were the most important factors influencing the choice of long-term care mode, including the willingness of the differently abled elderly. Family care can no longer meet the needs of the severely disabled elderly. Long-term care for such elderly people should be undertaken by professional and specialized social institutions. Conclusion: Multi-level services should be provided according to the elderly peoples’ needs, and the skill and expertise of professional personnel of care institutions should be strengthened. The government should deploy fund-raising initiatives, actively use the power of non-governmental organizations, and strive to resolve the financial issues faced by the empty-nested elderly people with disability.

The prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China:a meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies

Empty-nest elderly are those who have no children or whose children are away from home,and they have to live alone or with their spouses.The prevalence of depression in the elderly is worrying,especially in the empty-nest elderly.This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China and explore the factors that influence depression among the empty-nest elderly.Methods:We searched both international(PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,and Web of Science)and Chinese(CNKI,WanFang,SinoMed,and VIP)databases from their inception date until 12 April,2020,and collected cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China.Two reviewers independently screened the literature,extracted the data,and evaluated the risk of bias included in the study.Meta-analysis was performed using Stata12.0 software.Results:Twenty-seven cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis.The pooled prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China was 41%(95%CI:32%–50%).Subgroup analysis revealed that the Geriatric Depression Scale versions,sampling methods,living areas,gender,age,chronic diseases,and living arrangements were associated with the prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China.Conclusions:The prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China was relatively high.Researchers could explore more reasons for the differences in the prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly from multiple perspectives in the future.Relevant departments should identify and routinely evaluate the negative emotions of the empty-nest elderly.Meanwhile,community nurses should care for the emotional needs of the empty-nest elderly,carry out targeted mental health education,and promote the realization of healthy aging.

城市初老人群智能生活信息障碍分析框架——基于扎根理论的探索

文章考察城市初老人群这一典型群体在面对新时代智能生活时的信息障碍产生与传导,从产生-演化的前因后果视角构建系统性信息障碍分析框架。对20名城市初老人群进行半结构化访谈,通过扎根理论梳理出城市初老人群智能生活信息障碍的34个子范畴和11个主范畴,从障碍类型、障碍产生机理、障碍传导三个方面构建该群体智能生活信息障碍的系统分析框架。该框架兼顾城市初老人群智能生活信息障碍的外在表征、内在原因以及后续行为选择,使得对该群体的智能生活信息障碍分析更具系统性和可解释性。

Physical activity, aging, and health in China: Addressing public health needs in the presence of continued economic growth and urbanization

The significant increase in the number of older adults in China,coupled with continuing industrialization and urbanization,has profound social and economic ramifications,including the evolution of major challenges to public health,elder care services,policy-making,and the nation’s healthcare system.While the unprecedented changes in political and economic structures have obviously increased China’s productivity and revenues,what is less well understood is how they

The Design of Urban Streets for the Aged

In the context of the development of motorization in today's cities,the overall walking situation in the city is deteriorating,and the concern and consideration of pedestrians,especially the vulnerable groups,is seriously lacking.In order to meet the development need of the current aging society,this study tried to transform urban streets for the aged aiming at phenomenon of the loss of pedestrian zones for the aged,and proposed design elements to improve the pedestrian environment of the street,so as to provide the elderly with a street space suitable for they to interact with and improve their quality of life and self-esteem and happiness.Therefore,transforming urban streets suitable for the aged is an important measure to achieve a harmonious human society and an inevitable trend of humanization and sustainable development in an aging society.

农村康养产业发展的理论阐释、多元实践与政策协同

农村康养产业作为一种新兴业态,是秉承新发展理念,在乡村舒适性资源利用、后生产主义乡村价值兴起、农村产业融合驱动、城乡地域共同体功能再造、康养政策引领与市场开发的共同作用下发展起来的。在实践中,通过对自然资源、文化资源、中医药资源和森林资源的开发,与乡村旅游、文化体验、休闲度假、景观游赏等相融合,发展出田园康养、文化康养、医疗康养和森林康养等新型形态,在一定程度上满足了老年群体多样化的养老需求,建立了互益性城乡交流渠道,推动了乡村产业振兴和社区建设。但目前其发展的体制机制尚不成熟,存在统筹规划力度不足、业态短板比较突出、专业康养人才匮乏、数字化技术融入较低等问题。文章建议从主体、资本、人才、技术的角度构建政策协同的路径,加强顶层设计、突出康养特色、创新职业培训、推进科技创新,实现农村康养产业的可持续和高质量发展。同时,围绕农村康养产业发展,还应加强对城乡互益性养老服务机制的研究,探讨建立衔接有序、功能互补的城乡养老服务网络的可能路径。

The impact of care for grandchildren on the supports for elderly parents of first-generation only-child parents in urban China

The support elderly parents receive from their grown-up children and the care they provide for grandchildren reflect the intergenerational relationships in Chinese families.Using data on only-child families in urban China from a 2015 survey conducted by the Institute of Population and Labor Economics,Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,this paper studies the status of care provided for grandchildren by parents of first-generation only-child in urban China and considers the effects this support has on the elderly.The data shows that over 80%of only-children parents have cared for their grandchildren.Most only-children also provide support for their elderly parents.Care for grandchildren provided by grandparents increases the economic and housekeeping support for the elderly provided by only-children.Only-children are the main beneficiaries of the intergenerational support that comes from the care for grandchildren provided by elderly parents.If the elderly parents have adequate retirement income and have little or no need for financial support,such intergenerational support resembles“altruism”.However,if the elderly parents do not have adequate retirement income,the satisfaction of their needs depends on resources like time and money available to their only-children.

Empirical Study and Model Construction on the Efficiency of the Different Urban Elderly Care Modes Based on Complex Scientific Management

For the problem of improving the efficiency and optimizing the resource allocation in urban elderly care,by using complex scientific management method and the empirical analysis on the efficiency of the urban elderly care modes,this paper proposes that the key is to balance supply efficiency between the long-term and short-term elderly care modes.The short-term pattern is to enhance urban residents’confidence,and the long-term one promotes the sustainable development of the elderly care to prevent the aged poverty due to oldness and illness.This paper suggests that the building of"government assistance+community leadership+enterprise cultivation"mode can improve the overall efficiency of the urban elderly care to reach the Pareto optima,and fulfil the goals of the urban elderly care by providing a security and enjoyable life.

Living together with children and elderly:the impact of family structure on the consumption of migrants and residents in urban China

Using data from the first wave of the“China Family Dynamic Survey”conducted in 2014,this study compares the impact on consumption of the presence of children or elderly people in migrant households and to that in urban resident households,and then examines the extent to which lack of access to public services might explain the differences in consumption patterns that do exist.The results indicate that migrant households with infants and toddlers increase their consumption of healthcare services,while those with preschool children increase their consumption of educational services.Migrant households with elderly members significantly increase their consumption of healthcare services.The comparison of migrant households with urban resident households shows that there are considerable differences between migrant households and urban resident households in terms of how educational and healthcare expenditures are affected by the presence of children and elderly.The differences grow out of a huge gap in the accessibility of low-cost,subsidized public preschool education and government-funded health insurance programs.

An overview report on the situation of elderly people in urban and rural China:2000-2015

China had become a country with an aging population by the end of the 20th century.Dealing with the aging of its population is a long-term strategic task for China.“The National Survey on Elderly People in Urban and Rural China”has been carried out four times since the year 2000.The data shows that during the years 2000 to 2015 the wellbeing of elderly people in urban and rural China improved greatly.The economic status of the elderly has obviously improved;and there have also been steady improvements to social security protections,health care services and the availability of social activities in which the elderly can participate.In addition,the spiritual and cultural life of the elderly has become richer and more colorful.The aging of society creates challenges,such as potential shortages of labor resources,the weakening of family functions and the need for more medical care facilities and services,and these intensify over time.At the same time,changes to the structure of demand and of industry caused by societal aging bring many opportunities.

The empty nests of elderly only-child parents in urban China-an analysis based on survey data from five provinces

This paper studies the status of empty nest only-child families in urban China,using data about these families taken from a 2015 survey conducted by the Institute of Population and Labor Economics,Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.Factors that determine the timing of empty nest periods and their duration for only-child parents are also analyzed.The data shows that more than half of the only-child parents surveyed in 2015 lived in empty nests.Some of these parents had been empty-nesters for as many as 25 years.During the life cycle of families,the empty nest status of elderly only-child parents shows different characteristics at different stages,as the only-children begin attending universities,start to work,get married,and have children of their own.There are empty nest periods in only-child families when the only-child leaves the parents for several years and periods when the child returns home and lives with parents for years.The living arrangements of only-child parents depend mainly on changes in the life needs of their only-children.Intergenerational support is focused on meeting the needs of only-children.

我国城乡老年人口生活质量比较研究

老年人口的核心问题是生活质量问题,对老年人口主观幸福感的关注有助于提高老年人口的生活质量。基于杭州市城乡老年人口主观幸福感的调查研究发现,城市老年人比农村老年人具有更强烈的主观幸福感。子女孝顺是影响城市和农村老年人主观幸福感的最主要因素;经济状况、对社区工作满意度、婚姻,性别等也是共同影响因素,但影响程度在城市和农村间存在差异。此外,在城市模型中,自我照料程度、子女个数等个人特征因素对老年人主观幸福感影响显著;在农村模型中,经济来源、对权益受侵害后的处理方式等经济和社会保障因素对老年人主观幸福感影响显著。总之,城乡老年人对提高生活质量的需求不同,城市老年人已侧重于对精神的需求,而农村老年人首先还需要物质的满足。

城市老年人社区养老服务需求特征与对策——基于吉林市的调查

我国人口老龄化形势严峻,养老服务需求问题成为政府和社会关注的重点问题。区域经济发展不平衡决定了不同城市的养老服务需求工作开展不同步。本文采用问卷调查方式,面向吉林市离退休职工,就生活照料、医疗护理、安全保障、精神慰藉以及社会参与等五个方面对城市社区养老需求进行调查分析。统计和分析结果表明,城市老年人对专业化程度高、有专门管理机构、有持续资金投入的社区养老服务有较高需求,对社区医疗护理服务和精神文化生活服务强烈关注。在此基础上,提出改进和完善城市社区养老服务体系建设的相关对策和建议。

西安市部分社区老年人抑郁症状的流行病学调查

目的探讨西安市部分市社区老年人抑郁症状的发生情况，了解老年人群的心理健康状况。方法采取分层随机整群抽样方法，应用老年抑郁量表（the geriatric depression scale，GDS）及自行编制的危险因素调查表，对西安市3个行政区8个社区1950名≥60岁的老年人进行问卷调查。所得资料用卡方检验和非条件Logistic回归方法进行统计处理。结果老年抑郁症状发生率为24．9％。不同性别、年龄、文化程度、职业、月收入及是否丧偶、独居、有无社会保障的老年人群抑郁症状的发生率有显著差异（P〈0．05）。月收入1000元以下、独居是老年抑郁症状发生的危险因素（OR〉1．5），而70～79岁年龄组抑郁症状发生可能性较60～64岁年龄组低（OR〈0．7）。结论城市社区老年人抑郁症状发生率较高，应引起足够的重视，并给予及时干预和积极疏导，以改善老年人的生活质量，减轻其精神痛苦，维护其良好的社会功能和独立生活能力。

中国城市老年人就业意愿影响因素分析

老年人就业或再就业问题是影响老年人生活以及老龄工作的重要方面。老年人的就业意愿受多方面因素的影响和制约,因此在制定有关老年人就业政策时我们应当对这些因素加以考虑。对中国城市老年人就业意愿的影响因素开展研究,首先通过交叉表描述老年人就业意愿的基本特征,然后采用多变量Logistic回归检验各个因素的显著性。通过Logistic回归检验,发现在影响城市老年人就业意愿的诸因素中,年龄的高低、健康状况和经济状况的好坏等自身因素对就业意愿的影响是显著的;受教育水平对就业意愿的影响不显著。