ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the impact of cognitive training on cognitive function of the elderly in a community. Methods Ninety elderly people at and above sixty years old in a community of Shanghai were recruited in the study, and were divided into two groups: the cognitive training group and the control group.The cognitive training group conducted cognitive training for 12 weeks (24 times), a comprehensive training method incorporating cognitive training courses with Lumosity ( a brain functional exercise software) .The two groups were evaluated before and after the intervention with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale ( MoCA) . Results Before the intervention, the scores of four fields ( i.e. visual space and executive function, naming, delayed recall, and directional force) and the total score for the cognitive training group were higher than the control group ( P <0 .05 );there was no statistically significant difference in other three fields ( i.e.attention, language ability and abstract ability) between the two groups (P>0.05).After the intervention, the scores of four fields (i.e.visual space and execu-tive function, attention, abstract, delayed recall) and the total score for the cognitive group improved, compared with the control group ( P<0 .05 ) . Conclusion Cognitive training could improve or maintain cognitive function for the elderly in the community.
ABSTRACT
Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of physical inactivity among the elderly in Jing'an District during 2002-2011;to quantify the burden of stroke and coronary heart disease attributable to physical inactivity; and to estimate the benefits in disability free life expectancy ( DFLE) from reasonable physical activity. Methods To understand the epidemiological characteristics of physical inactivity among the elderly in Jing'an District, through analyzing DFLE data.To obtain relative risk ( RR) of stoke and coronary heart disease attributable to physical inactivity, via World Health Organi-zation ( WHO) Comparative Risk Assessment ( CRA) project.To calculate population attributable frac-tions ( PAFs) using CRA methodology.To estimate the increase of DFLE attributable to physical activity, based on the results of Jing'an District DFLE research. Results From 2002 to 2011 , the prevalence of physical inactivity and the incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease associated with physical inactivity among the elderly in Jing'an District presented a downward trend, i.e.incidence of stroke at 13.80%(range 9.16%-21.43%) and that of coronary heart disease at 16.83% (11.19%-26.76%).With the elimination of physical inactivity, DFLE is expected to increase by 0.94 (0.11-2.70) years from stroke and 0.65 (0.11-1.91) years from coronary heart disease. Conclusion Increase of physical activity could reduce the incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease among the elderly, increase DFLE , and gain health benefits.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess pertinent indicators of elderly-friendly city, so as to provide the basis for carrying out the related work. Methods There were 1 500 elderly people aged at and above 60 years old that were surveyed via questionnaires and structured interviews. Results The core indicators:79.8%reported that their neighborhood was convenient for walking;90.3% reported that bus, under-ground and taxi in Shanghai were suitable for all types of people ( including the physically handicapped, the blind, and the deaf);94.8%reported that there was no difficulty in the payment of housing;96.0%reported that the community had good atmosphere of respecting for the elderly; 56 .8% participated in community volunteer activities;6.7%participated in paid work;53.5%participated in social and cultural activities;99 .7% reported that they could obtain information on health and social services from the community;71.2%reported that they could obtain services for free or below market price when necessary at home.Some core indicators had obvious differences among different genders, age groups, culture, marital status, household types, income sources and income levels.Supplementary and optional indicators:98.6%thought there should be at least one item of house facilities for home-based care for the aged, while 75.6%thought there should be at least four items.26.3% reported to have participated in community team activities.55.2%reported to have participated at least one education or training project during the past one year.90.5% self-reported of good health conditions. Conclusion There is high coverage of barrier-free facility construction, good atmosphere of respecting for the elderly in the community, wide coverage of home-based care for the aged.The elderly people, to some extent, are involved in community activities and various types of training.However, there are still improvements of participation of the elderly in decision-making of local policies, and of senile transformation of the houses the elderly.At the same time, economic, social, demographical, cultural and other factors should be paid close attention to.