Survey and analysis of the current status and needs of health management for hypertension among empty-nest elderly / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To survey and analyze the current status and needs of health management for hypertension in empty-nest elderly.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 677 cases of empty-nest elderly with hypertension who underwent health checkups at the Health Management Center of Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital from March 1st to June 30th, 2022 were selected consecutively by convenience sampling method to conduct a questionnaire survey. The questionnaires included general demographic information, and the current status and needs of health management for hypertension. A total of 677 questionnaires were distributed, and all the questionnaires were recalled, of which 675 (99.7%) were valid. According to the Classification and Definition of Blood Pressure Levels in the Guidelines for Primary Care of Hypertension (2019) the elderly with mean systolic blood pressure controlled between 90 and 139 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and mean diastolic blood pressure controlled between 60 and 89 mmHg were set as normal blood pressure group (257 cases), and the ones with mean systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or mean diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg were set as abnormal blood pressure group (418 cases). The current management status and needs of hypertension between the two groups was compared, and the χ2 test and multi-factor logistic regression were used to analyze the factors influencing the health management level of hypertension among empty-nest elderly. Results:Most of the empty-nest elderly had their blood pressure monitored once a week (40.30%), most of them had their blood pressure reviewed in outpatient setting for no more than one time per year (40.89%), their blood pressure was mainly controlled by medication (48.30%), more than half of them took medication very regularly (51.84%), and the proportion of the elderly with abnormal blood pressure was much higher than that of those with normal blood pressure (61.93% vs 38.07%). Compared with living with or nearby their children, empty-nest elderly preferred to live alone or with their spouses (63.11% vs 15.85% and 21.04%), and the proportion of those who wanted to be taken care of by their children was much lower than those who wanted to be taken care of by the community and mutual care among the elderly (7.70% vs 58.07% and 34.22%); and the people they wanted to talk to were mainly their children (53.19%). In terms of community services, the needs for medical services in empty-nest elderly was higher than the needs for old-age security and cultural entertainment (43.11% vs 36.15% and 20.74%), and the needs for community medical services was focused on blood pressure measurement (89.04%). The proportions of education level of college and above, high household income, regular medication taking, daily blood pressure monitoring, and desire for frequent child care were significantly lower in the abnormal blood pressure group than those in the normal blood pressure group (34.91% vs 58.35%, 5.17% vs 24.16%, 34.89% vs 63.72%, 28.47% vs 44.75%, and 3.35% vs 10.12%), and the proportion without medical insurance was significantly higher than that in the normotensive group (8.13% vs 3.11%) (all P<0.05). The presence of medical insurance (employee medical insurance, OR=1.986, 95% CI: 1.130-3.492; resident medical insurance, OR=1.291, 95% CI: 1.044-1.598) was positively associated with the health management level of hypertension among empty-nest elderly, while low frequency of blood pressure monitoring (once a week, OR=0.243, 95% CI: 0.101-0.583;≤once a month, OR=0.210, 95% CI: 0.067-0.661) and irregular medication taking (occasionally forget, OR=0.430, 95% CI: 0.186-0.996; often forget, OR=0.361, 95% CI: 0.147-0.886) were negatively associated with the health management level of hypertension among empty-nest elderly (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The health management level of hypertension in empty-nest elderly needs to be improved. Community care, medical services and communication with children are the main needs in the empty-nest elderly. The type of medical insurance, frequency of blood pressure monitoring and medication-taking status are correlated with the hypertension management level in empty-nest elderly.

Statistical Validation of LENS: A Smartphone-based Empty Nest Syndrome Screening and Monitoring Biomarker Tool

Background: Empty Nest Syndrome (ENS) is a complex grief state, observed in the affected parents when their children leave home. Studies show ENS may progress to clinical-grade depression and anxiety if left uncared for. Methodology: In this double-blind case-control cross-sectional study, 80 subjects are recruited by a panel of psychologists and psychiatrists. Subjects are divided into two equal groups – case (with ENS symptoms) and control (without symptoms). Three instruments are applied – a) ENS interpretation by the psychologists based on the symptoms, b) Lyfas smartphone-based biomedical application to capture the cardiovascular optical biomarkers (COB) from the index finger non-invasively with the help of arterial photoplethysmography technique, and c) Hamilton’s depression scales (HAM-D), which psychiatrists have used to check the mental health of the subjects. The COB (e.g., SD1/SD2, LF/HF, HRVScore, and ENERGY) and a set of physical parameters (e.g., Body mass index or BMI, Heart rate or HR, Systolic blood pressure or SBP, Diastolic blood pressure or DBP, Glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1c, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH, Estradiol or E2, and Testosterone or TST) consist the independent variables, while ENS scores interpreted by the psychologists and HAM-D scores interpreted by the psychiatrists are the dependent variables. Spearman’s rank correlation and Bland Altman’s reliability tests are performed to mine the significant independent variables and reliability of Lyfas ENS (LENS) application. Results: The study observes that SD1/SD2, LF/HF, HRVScore, ENERGY, DBP, BMI, HR, HbA1c, TSH, and Estradiol have significant roles in ENS. Bland Altman's reliability measure shows that LENS (novel instrument under trial) has a high agreement of 92.85% and 93.86%, respectively with ENS scoring done by senior psychologists (champion instrument1) and HAM-D grading performed by psychiatrists (champion instrument2). Conclusions: LENS can be used as a clinical-graded pocket application for screening and monitoring ENS.

Analysis of drug use in community empty-nest and non-empty-nest elderly hypertension patients / 药学实践杂志

Objective To explore the needs of community pharmacy services in elderly hypertensive patients in the community, especially empty-nest elderly patients. Methods Elderly hypertensive patients living in Ouyang street were randomly selected and divided into empty-nest and non-empty-nest groups by cluster random sampling method. The basic information of the respondents, the frequency of hypertension monitoring, the taking of hypertensive drugs, and the taking of other drugs were compared and analyzed. Results In term of “blood pressure monitoring frequency”, the daily pressure measurement of the empty-nest group and the non-empty-nest group accounted for 33.6% and 19.3%, respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).In term of “the varieties of hypertension drugs” and taking 3 kinds of hypertension drugs at the same times, the empty-nest group accounted for 28.8% and the non-empty-nest group accounted for 16.7%, and the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05)；In term of “the varieties of drugs” and taking 1-2 kinds of Chinese patent drugs at the same time, the empty-nest group accounted for 39.6% and the non-empty-nest group accounted for 26.0% , and the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05)。Conclusion Community elderly patients with hypertension, especially empty-nest elderly patients have an urgent need for community pharmacy services，Community pharmacy services personnel should provide personalized and targeted medication education and guidance to elderly patients, especially empty-nest elderly patients, to promote the rational drug use in elderly patients.

Síndrome do ninho vazio: experiências de idosos integrantes da universidade da maturidade do amapá

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar como idosos integrantes do Projeto Universidade da Maturidade do Amapá (UMAP) vivenciam o fenômeno da Síndrome do Ninho Vazio. Material e Método: Trata-se de estudo exploratório e descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa. A coleta de dados ocorreu com sete idosos, com idades entre 63 e 83 anos, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, contemplando uma questão central: conte-me como foi a sua experiência mediante a saída dos filhos de casa? Para análise dos dados adotou-se a análise de conteúdo de Bardin, subsidiada pelo software ATLAS.ti versão 8.0 que por meio de uma matriz de análise originou três categorias temáticas. Resultados: As categorias resultaram de um processo analítico e explicativo da experiência vivenciada pelos idosos e compreenderam três momentos: A vida sendo invadida pela solidão, Beneficiando se da liberdade e Alçando novos voos. Conclusão: Em resposta ao objetivo do estudo, foi possível identificar que a experiência do ninho vazio vivenciada pelos idosos perpassou por diferentes fases, entretanto o convívio na UMAP viabilizou superar a solidão e transformar esta experiência em oportunidade de fortalecimento e crescimento.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify how elderly members who participate of the Project University of Maturity (UMAP), of the Federal University of Amapá in Brazil, experience the Empty Nest Syndrome phenomenon. Materials and Methods: Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, using narratives to understand the story of the participants. Data collection took place with seven elderly people, aged between 63 and 83 years, through semi-structured interviews, an focusing on a central question: How was your experience when your children grew up and left home? For data analysis, Bardin's content analysis was adopted, supported by the software ATLAS. ti version 8.0. To guarantee methodological rigor, the principles of credibility, reliability, confirmability and transferability were respected. Results: The resulting categories emerged from an analytical and explanatory process of the experience lived by the elderly and consisted of three moments: life invaded by loneliness, benefiting from freedom and taking new chances. Conclusion: The study shows that the empty nest experience undergoes different phases. However, the experience at UMAP made it possible to overcome loneliness and transform this experience into an opportunity for strengthening and growth.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar cómo los adultos mayores que participan en el Proyecto Universidad de Madurez de Amapá (UMAP) experimentan el fenómeno del Síndrome del Nido Vacío. Material y Método: Estudio con enfoque cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo, que a través de la narrativa buscó comprender el relato de los participantes. La recopilación de datos se llevó a cabo con siete personas mayores, de edades comprendidas entre 63 y 83 años, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, contemplando una pregunta central: cuénteme ¿cómo fue su experiencia cuando sus hijos crecieron y se fueron de casa? Se adoptó el análisis de contenido de Bardin, subsidiado por el software ATLAS.ti versión 8.0. Para garantizar el rigor metodológico se cumplieron los principios de credibilidad, confiabilidad, confirmabilidad y transferibilidad. Resultados: Las tres categorías originadas resultaron de un proceso analítico y explicativo de la experiencia vivida por los ancianos y comprendió tres momentos: la vida invadida por la soledad, el beneficio de la libertad y la toma de nuevos vuelos. Conclusión: La experiencia del nido vacío experimentada por las personas mayores pasó por diferentes fases, sin embargo, la experiencia en UMAP permitió superar la soledad y transformar esta experiencia en una oportunidad de fortalecimiento y crecimiento.

Mediating effect of resilience and depression between social support and self-neglect in empty-nest community-dwelling elderly / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the mediating effects of resilience and depression on the relationship between social support and self-neglect.Methods:From July to October 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 549 empty-nest community-dwelling elderly in the community using the social support rating scale, Connor and Davidson resilience scale, geriatric depression scale and elderly self-neglect scale. SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 24.0 were used for data analysis, including descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and structural equation modeling.Results:The scores of social support, resilience and self-neglect of the empty-nest elderly were (38.63±7.47), (64.30±14.57) and (3.72±2.67) respectively, and 31.70% (174/549) of the subjects had depressive symptoms. The score of self-neglect was negatively correlated with the score of social support ( r=-0.597, P<0.01) and resilience ( r=-0.557, P<0.01), and positively correlated with depression score ( r=0.675, P<0.01). The score of social support was positively correlated with resilience score ( r=0.531, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with depression ( r=-0.597, P<0.01). Social support could affect self-neglect directly ( β=-0.485, P<0.05), and it could also influence self-neglect indirectly through the partial mediating effect of resilience ( β=-0.451, P<0.05). The mediating effect of resilience and depression accounted for 12.18% and 36.00% of the total effects respectively. Conclusion:Social support could influence self-neglect directly or indirectly through resilience and depression. The empty-nesters should be encouraged to participate more in social activities so as to improve their resilience, reduce the occurrence of self-neglect.

Effect of extended nursing based on traditional Chinese medicine characteristics to mental status and quality of life in empty nest elderly patients with hypertension / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To explore the effect of continuing nursing intervention with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characteristics on mental state and quality of life of empty nest elderly patients with hypertension, and to provide evidence-based theoretical basis for the development of continuing nursing care for empty nest elderly patients with hypertension.@*Methods@#Totally 100 cases of empty nest elderly patients with hypertension were randomly divided into study group and control group by random number method, 50 cases in each group; two groups of patients were given regular nursing according to doctor's instructions to adjust blood pressure drugs and hypertension; control group patients were given routine continuing nursing intervention after discharge; study group patients were given traditional Chinese medicine characteristics on the basis of the control group. Sustained nursing intervention; Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to measure the degree of anxiety at admission, discharge and 6 months after discharge. The rate of blood pressure control reaching the standard at admission, discharge and 6 months after discharge and the clinical effect at discharge and 6 months after discharge were compared between the two groups. SF-36 was used to assess the quality of life of the 2 groups at admission, at the time of discharge and 6 months after discharge.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in SAS scores between the two groups at admission and discharge (P>0.05). The SAS score in the study group at 6 months after discharge was (44.65 ± 4.32) points and (46.91 ± 4.56) points in the control group, and there was significant difference (t=2.544, P=0.006). There was no significant difference in the control rates of systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups at admission and discharge (P>0.05). The control rates of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the study group were better than those in the control group at 6 months after discharge (t=4.762,4.336, P = 0.029, 0.037); there was no significant difference in the clinical efficacy between the two groups at discharge (P>0.05), and the clinical efficacy of the study group at 6 months after discharge was better than that of the control group (u=1.997, P=0.046). There was no significant difference in the scores of SF-36 at discharge (P>0.05); the scores of SF-36 at discharge for 6 months in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group (t=4.875-8.975, P=0.000); no cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events occurred in the study group for 6 months, 4 cases of unstable angina pectoris and 4 cases of cerebral infarction occurred in the control group. In 2 cases, the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events was 12.00% (6/50). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2=4.433, P=0.035).@*Conclusion@#Continuous nursing intervention with TCM characteristics can significantly improve the anxiety level of empty nest elderly patients with hypertension, is conducive to the control of blood pressure, improve the clinical efficacy, reduce the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, improve the quality of life of patients, and has the advantages of simplicity, safety and reliability, low cost, and so on. It is worth popularizing and applying.

Effects of three-level comprehensive interventionin of family, community and societyon improving the physical and mental health in empty nest disabled elderly / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of three-level comprehensive interventionof family, community and society on physical and mental health of empty nest disabled elderly. Methods From February 2017 to July 2017, the empty nest elderly aged more than 75 years old and daily life ability scale score ≥14 from two communities under 10 community health service centers directly subordinate toTangshanWorker's Hospital and Hongci Hospital were randomly selected, thenthey were divided into theintervention group andthe control group with 50 persons each. The control group was given blank control, and the intervention group was given a 6-month intervention based on the theory of healthy ecology. The intervention consisted of threes-level of family, community and society, each aspect included four aspects such as daily life, environmental safety, medical care and spiritual comfort. Six months later, the Health Promotion Lifestyle Scale, the Comprehensive Frailty Assessment Instrument, Loneliness Scale, Perceived Social Support from Family Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, Activityof Daily Living Scalewere used to evaluate. Results Sixmonths later, the scores of health promotion behavior (114.44± 6.14), family support (9.16 ± 0.93) and social support (30.06 ± 1.48) in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group(t=45.363, 21.672, 64.046, P<0.01); the scores of frailty(35.96 ± 3.71), loneliness (34.94 ± 4.13) and ADL (20.88 ± 1.49) in the intervention group were lower than those before intervention (t=28.946,-31.295,-18.886, P<0.01). Conclusions Thecomprehensive intervention in three-level of family, community and society based on the theory of ecology health can improve the support of empty nest disabled elderly, reduce loneliness and weakness, improve the health promotion behavior and daily life ability of empty nest elderly, and promote physical and mental health.

Effect of extended nursing based on traditional Chinese medicine characteristics to mental status and quality of life in empty nest elderly patients with hypertension / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the effect of continuing nursing intervention with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characteristics on mental state and quality of life of empty nest elderly patients with hypertension, and to provide evidence-based theoretical basis for the development of continuing nursing care for empty nest elderly patients with hypertension. Methods Totally 100 cases of empty nest elderly patients with hypertension were randomly divided into study group and control group by random number method, 50 cases in each group; two groups of patients were given regular nursing according to doctor's instructions to adjust blood pressure drugs and hypertension; control group patients were given routine continuing nursing intervention after discharge; study group patients were given traditional Chinese medicine characteristics on the basis of the control group. Sustained nursing intervention; Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to measure the degree of anxiety at admission, discharge and 6 months after discharge. The rate of blood pressure control reaching the standard at admission, discharge and 6 months after discharge and the clinical effect at discharge and 6 months after discharge were compared between the two groups. SF-36 was used to assess the quality of life of the 2 groups at admission, at the time of discharge and 6 months after discharge. Results There was no significant difference in SAS scores between the two groups at admission and discharge (P>0.05). The SAS score in the study group at 6 months after discharge was (44.65 ± 4.32) points and (46.91 ± 4.56) points in the control group, and there was significant difference (t=2.544, P=0.006). There was no significant difference in the control rates of systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups at admission and discharge (P>0.05). The control rates of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the study group were better than those in the control group at 6 months after discharge (t=4.762,4.336, P = 0.029, 0.037); there was no significant difference in the clinical efficacy between the two groups at discharge (P>0.05), and the clinical efficacy of the study group at 6 months after discharge was better than that of the control group (u=1.997, P=0.046). There was no significant difference in the scores of SF-36 at discharge (P>0.05); the scores of SF-36 at discharge for 6 months in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group (t=4.875-8.975, P=0.000); no cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events occurred in the study group for 6 months, 4 cases of unstable angina pectoris and 4 cases of cerebral infarction occurred in the control group. In 2 cases, the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events was 12.00% (6/50). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=4.433, P=0.035). Conclusion Continuous nursing intervention with TCM characteristics can significantly improve the anxiety level of empty nest elderly patients with hypertension, is conducive to the control of blood pressure, improve the clinical efficacy, reduce the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, improve the quality of life of patients, and has the advantages of simplicity, safety and reliability, low cost, and so on. It is worth popularizing and applying.

Depression status and influencing factors of empty-nest elderly based on structural equation model / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To clarify the depression status of empty-nest elderly in Shanxi Province, to explore the related influencing factors by structural equation model, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of depression for empty nesters. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 4 901 empty-nest elderly in Shanxi Province by self-rating depression scale and general situation questionnaire, and the model was established. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms among empty nesters in Shanxi Province was 64.21%. The model demonstrated that health status had a direct impact on depressive symptoms (P=0.028), the total effect was -0.978; the effect of economic status on depressive symptoms was 0.086 (P=0.030), and social function had no significant impact on depressive symptoms (P=0.173), which could affect depressive symptoms through affecting health status and economic status. There was a significant correlation between the three latent variables (P<0.05). Health status had the strongest correlation with social function (r=0.942), followed by economic status (r=0.718), and the correlation between social function and economic status was 0.683. Conclusions In this research, most of the empty-nest elderly suffer from depressive symptoms. Health status is the most direct and important influencing factor of depressive symptoms in empty nesters. Social function affects depressive symptoms through influencing health status and economic status.

Sense of coherence in female empty nest elderly and its influence on health self-management skill / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the sense of coherence in female empty nest elderly and its influence on health self-management skill. Methods There were 124 female empty nest elderly collected from 2 communities in Beilun and Jiangbei District by convenience sampling between April and October 2017. The basic data questionnaire, Sense of Coherence-13 and Health Self-management Skill Scale for Adults were used to collect data. Results The score of sense of coherence was 57.64 ± 11.35, which was in the low level. The score of health self-management skill was 125.64±20.22, with the highest score in self-management cognition, lowest score in self-management behavior. The sense of coherence and comorbidity can influence the self-management behavior. The educational level, comorbidity and religion can influence the self-management cognition. The sense of coherence and live alone or not can influence the self-management environment. Conclusions Community workers should pay attention to the management of female empty nest elderly, expand their social contact, encourage and guide them to use all kinds of social resources to face the difficulties, improve the data for the elderly living alone, establish periodic condolences and follow-up system, and improve the health self-management skills.

A study on Accompany Care Work Effects on Mental Anxiety and Depression of Empty-nest Elderly after Hip Replacement / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To learn the effects on improving mental anxiety and depression in empty-nest elderly with hip replacement by accompany care work, and the factors influencing psychological anxiety and depression after hip replacement in empty-nest eldly. Then to explore comprehensive nursing strategies for hip arthroplasty in empty-nest eldly. Methods We investigated empty-nest elderly with hip arthroplasty by using homemade questionnaire, SAS and SDS scale between november 2015 and october 2017. Different nursing methods were used to treat empty-nesters in different groups, and the influencing factors of anxiety and depression were analyzed.Results It is not statistically significant in demographic characteristics (χ2＜3.84, P＞0.05) and anxiety (t = 1.2037, P=0.2308) and depression (t =1.0094, P=0.3142) at the time of entering the hospital, etc. Patients anxiety is statistically significant at time of discharge (t =-5.0159, P≤0.001) and one month after discharge (t =-9.5160, P ＜ 0.001), Patients depression is statistically significant at time of discharge (t =-2.9271, P = 0.0039) and one month after discharge (t =-8.2383, P＜0.001).The factors causing anxiety is nursing mode, number of chronic diseases and postoperative complications. The factors causing depression are economic income, nursing mode, and number of chronic diseases.Conclusion Accompany care work can improve the problems of anxiety and depression in an empty-nest eldly man after hip replacement. It is related to anxiety in nursing patterns, chronic diseases, postoperative complications.Meanhiwle while depression is related to economic income, nursing patterns, and types of chronic diseases, etc.

Evaluation of health-related quality of life of the empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou / 预防医学

Objective To investigate health-related quality of life of the empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou and its influencing factors.Methods A total of 1000 empty-nest elderly were selected to participate the questionaire survey, using a stratified cluster sampling method,and the five-dimensional European quality of health scale(EQ-5D)was used to measure the health status of the empty-nest elderly. Chi square test and univariate ANOVA analysis were used to identify potential influencing factors.Results A total of 992 participants were involved in this study. The proportions of participants who had difficulties or problems in mobility,self-care,usual activities,pain/discomfort,and anxiety/depression were 16.13%,11.09%,19.76%,48.49% and 29.84% respectively. In terms of usual activities, pain/discomfort,and anxiety/depression,the proportions of empty-nest elderly who had difficulties or problems in those three dimensions were significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas(P<0.05). The range of EQ-5D utility value was -0.11 to 0.85,with an average value of 0.75±0.13. The study showed that the elderly without chronic diseases, tending to pour out their feelings or ask for help when they were in trouble,participating activities held by political parties or communities,with lower personal incomes,and depending on children to support their life after retirement were more likely to have higher EQ-5D utility values(all P<0.01).Conclusion The health-related quality of life of empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou is at a low level,and is influenced by several soci-demographic factors. Encouraging the elderly to ask for help,improving the management of chronic diseases and providing more social supports could improve the health-related quality of life of the elderly.

A survey on the pension willingness of empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou City and its influencing factors / 预防医学

Objective To learn the pension willingness and influencing factors of empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou City. Methods A total of 1000 empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou, taking a formal hosusehold registration, living≥1 year, age≥ 65 years old, were selected from two urban districts and three suburbs by multi-stage simple random sampling, and were surveyed with questionnaires. The data was analyzed by logistic regression model to study the influencing factors of pension willingness. Results A total of 992 valid questionnaires were collected and the effective rate was 99.20%. There were 407 (41.03%) , 365 (36.79%) , 208 (20.97%) and 12 (1.21%) people in the 992 empty-nest elderly, choosing their children's support, social pension insurance, personal pension and other old-age methods. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, the empty-nest elderly who worried about pension costs (OR=3.007, 95%CI:1.751-5.155), and the greatest wish was physical health (OR=4.404, 95%CI:1.461-13.276), family harmony (OR=7.724, 95% CI: 2.158-27.646), children work smoothly (OR=4.811, 95%CI: 1.203-19.246) . The lower health score (OR=0.982, 95% CI: 0.965-0.999), choosing their children's support as their pension willingness were relatively high, and the empty-nest elderly who worried about pension costs (OR=2.058, 95%CI: 1.267-3.344), the original occupation for the staff (OR=2.353, 95% CI: 1.091-5.078) , city household registration (OR=0.546, 95% CI:0.349-0.856) . The lower the health score (OR=0.979, 95%CI: 0.966-0.993) choose social pension insurance as their pension willingness would be relatively high pension. Conclusion The influencing factors of the pension willingness of the empty-nest elderly were worried about pension costs, the greatest wish, and health status, urban and rural household registration.

Survey on Drug Storage and Medication Habits of the Empty-nest Elderly from 2 New and Old Communities of Shanghai / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for better carrying out safe medication intervention for the empty-nest elderly.METHODS:Two communities with different levels of income and culture were collected from Pudong New District of Shanghai,i.e.new community A and traditional community B.By cluster sampling,69 and 110 empty-nest elderly were selected as respondents respectively.The questionnaire survey about drug storage and medication habits of the elderly was conducted.The data of the survey were analyzed statistically.RESULTS:A total of 69 and 110 questionnaires were sent out,and 44 and 63 questionnaires were recovered with effective recovery rate of 63.8％ and 57.3％,respectively.The rate of drug storage in families from traditional community B was higher than new community A (100％ vs.88.6％,P=0.010).The proportions of residents in two communities storing their drugs in special drawers were the highest (59.0％ and 57.1％).Nearly half of the surveyed households in 2 communities did not form the habit of regularly clearing stored drugs.The frequency of residents who cleared stored drugs in traditional community B was higher than those in new community A (P=0.009).Nearly more than 70％ of the residents threw their expired drugs to garbage and only 11％ to drug stores or community health service center.The proportion of residents who were used to reading drug instructions in new community A was higher than traditional community B (95.5％ vs.77.8％,P=0.024).The proportion of the residents consulted community doctors when they were puzzled by drug use in new community A was lower than traditional community B (56.8％ vs.76.2％);The proportion of the residents consulted physicians in major hospitals was higher than traditional community B (34.1％ vs.9.5 ％);there was statistical significance (P=0.034).The most popular health service for the residents in the new community A was the hotline for the drug use (65.9％),while the residents in traditional community B needed blood pressure and sugar monitoring service and set up the health records (41.3％).The proportion of the residents' following demands in new community A was higher than traditional community B:opening drug use hotline,publicizing the knowledge of diseases and medication and conducting lectures (P＜0.001,P=0.006,P=0.018).CONCLUSIONS:The proportion of drug storage in empty-nest families of two communities is in very high level,but drug storage methods,cleaning frequency are not satisfactory.There are still a small number of elderly people who do not have the habit of reading drug instructions.There are some differences between the old and new communities.At the same time,the needs of health services in new and old communities are different.

Comparative study on the relationship between depression and personality and social support of urban and rural empty-nest elderly / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between depression and personality and social support of the urban and rural empty-nest, clear the influence factors of depression in the empty-nest elderly. Methods 398 cases of urban and rural empty-nesters selected from the Chifeng district, were valuated with the general information questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Eysenck personality Questionnaire- Revised Short Scalr for Chinese (EPQ-RSC) and the Social Support Scale (SSRS), and to investigate the demographic data, depression, personality and social support. Results Rural cases had a higher level (14.41±3.09) points of depression than (12.90±2.64) points of urban cases, and the difference was statistically significant (t=5.254, P<0.01);rural empty nesters′subjective support (18.35 ± 2.14) points, objective support (6.37 ± 1.40) points, support utilization degree (6.01 ± 1.17) points and social support score (30.37 ± 4.24) points, were lower than (19.83 ± 2.27) points, (7.34 ± 1.13) points, (6.95 ± 1.12) points, (34.12 ± 3.73) points of urban′s, and the difference was statistically significant (t=6.673-8.490, P<0.01); the extraversion score of urban empty nesters was (7.58 ± 2.51) points which was higher than (6.37 ± 2.02) points of rural empty nesters, and the difference was statistically significant (t=5.273, P<0.01);the neuroticism score (10.38 ± 2.06) points and psychoticism score (9.42 ± 2.17) points of urban empty-nest were lower than (12.41 ± 2.25) points, (10.94 ± 2.10) points of empty-nest′s, and the difference was statistically significant (t=9.401, 7.107, P<0.01). Neuroticism and psychoticism was shown to be positively associated with depression while extraversion and social support to be negatively associated with depression (P<0.01). Regression analysis showed that marital status, income, children visit frequency and the education level were the main influencing factors of depression in the urban and rural empty-nesters. Conclusions There are differences between rural and urban empty-nest elderly in the aspect of general data, depression status, personality and social support, and should intervention them effectively according to their different characteristics.

Latent class analysis on resilience characteristics of empty-nest elderly in community / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To analyze the characteristics of resilience among empty-nest elderly in community with exploratory latent class analysis method and provide a basis for making targeted intervention measures according to different characteristics.Methods This study enrolled 203 empty-nest elderly people as the study respondents.The general information,resilience of empty-nest elderly were investigated using the general information questionnaire,Connor-Davidson resilience scale in Chinese version.Latent class analyze (Mplus 7.0) was used to discuss the characteristics of resilience among empty-nest elderly.Results The results showed that the resilience of empty-nest elderly had obvious group characteristics and the statistical indicators(AIC,BIC,Entropy and so on) can support the three categories of potential model(P=0.006).Based on the conditional probability on the various items of the questionnaire in each category,they were respectively named high resilience group (54 cases (26.6％)) and low pressure resilience group (82 cases (40.4％)) and low resilience group(67 cases (33.0％)).Further study showed that high resilience and low resilience group had a significant effect of age (P＜0.05),low pressure resilience and low resilience group had a significant effect of gender(P＜0.05).Conclusion The resilience of empty-nest elderly in communities can be divided into three categories according to its characteristics.Each category has different proportion of gender and age.

A study on the health status of empty nesters with type 2 diabetes living in mountain area / 预防医学

Objective TolearnthehealthstatusofemptynesterswithdiabetesinthemountainssouthwestofZhejiangand toexploretheinfluencingfactors.Methods Usingthemethodofstratified-random-clustersampling,78emptynesters with diabetes and 1 56 non -empty nesters with diabetes who come from five streets and 1 0 towns of 30 community (or village)were selected and investigated by questionnaire and physical examination were conducted.Univariate analysis were conducted to compare the differences about lifestyle,biochemical indicators and health status between the two groups and multivariateunconditionallogisticregressionanalysiswereconductedtoanalyzetheinfluencingfactors.Results The prevalence of hypertension of empty nest group was 70.51%,and the prevalence of hypertension of non-empty nest group was 58.97%.Fasting blood glucose level of empty nest group was 9.39 ±5.73 mmol/L,higher than that of the non-empty nest group(P<0.05 ).There was significant difference between the two groups in other indicators,such as drinking rate,high -salt diet rate,obesity rate,triglyceride levels,regular exercise rate,vegetables/fruits ≥4 days/week proportion,fish/meat≥4 days/week,awareness of their own blood pressure and blood sugar awareness (P<0.05).After adjustment for age,the obesity rate,abnormal rate of triglycerides,fish/meat(≥4 days/week)intake,regular exercise rate,blood pressure and blood sugar awareness rate were lower among non-empty nesters with diabetes,and overweight rate,systolic blood pressure abnormal rate,fasting glucose ratio,alcohol and high salt diet were higher in empty nest group patientswithdiabetes.Conclusion Emptynesterswithdiabeteshavearelativelyhighproportionoflackofexercise, inadequate nutrition intake,alcohol consumption,high-salt diet and lack of health knowledge and other unhealthy factors. The community health services and individual guidance for the empty nesters should be strengthened to improve the health status of empty nesters with diabetes.

Correlations between self-efficacy and self-care agency of the empty nest elderly with chronic ;disease in the community / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To determine the status of self-efficacy and self-care agency of the empty nest elderly patients in the community,and analyze their correlation. Methods A total of 320 empty nest elderly with chronic disease in Fushun, Liaoning Province. The General Information Questionnaire, Exercise of Self-Care Agency scale (ESCA) and the Chronic Disease Self-efficacy Scale were used to investigate the empty nest elderly with chronic disease in the community and analyze the present situation level of the self-care agency and the self-efficacy and the correlation between them. Results General data showed no significant difference between solitary empty-nest elderly and connubial empty-nest elderly (P>0.05). Solitary empty-nest elderly got (93.36 ± 13.49) points and (5.22 ± 0.62) points in ESCA and the Chronic Disease Self-efficacy Scale,which were lower than (98.10±11.34) points and (5.32±0.30) points of connubial empty-nest elderly, the difference was statistically significant (t=-0.866,-0.467, P<0.05). There was significantly positive correlation between self-efficacy and self-care agency (r=0.318, P<0.01). Conclusions There is positive correlation between self-efficacy and self-care agency. It is suggested to implement community-based nursing interventions to enhance their self-efficacy and to promote their self-care agency,there by to improve their quality of life .

The comparation on living quality of the empty nest elderly and the non-empty-nest old people in rural area of Guizhou Province / 预防医学

Objective To survey the living quality of the rural empty nest elderly in Guizhou Province,and to provide basic information for further study of how to improve the living conditions of empty nest elderly.Method Using Multi -stage stratified cluster sampling method to extract the 30 villages,which respectively surveyed 10 to 15 people of the elderly subjects who aged over 60,A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate and collected the relevant's information, the living condition of the empty nest elderly and the non-empty-nest old people was compared,and the related factors which might affect the living quality of the empty nest elderly was analysed.Results Finally 341 rural elderly were recruited,of which empty nest elderly accounted for 63. 05%,In the survey of empty nest elderly,only 22. 33%consider themselves healthy,Lower than the non -empty -nest old people's proportion of 38. 89% (P <0. 05 ).The ratio of children visitation,comfortably fixed for money,and children given pocket money were 85. 58% and 66. 98% and 39. 53%,lower than the non-empty-nest old people 96. 03%and 75. 40%and 55. 56%(P<0. 05);the ratio of timely medical treatment and loneliness among empty-nest old people were 58. 14%and 47. 91%,higher than the non-empty-nest old people were 44. 44% and 35. 71%(P<0. 05).Conclusion The perceived health status among the empty nest elderly in rural area of Guizhou Province was generally poor.The empty nest elderly needed more life care,medical security and emotional assistance.

Research on correlation between psychological defense mechanism and sleep quality of the empty-nesters / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the characteristics of community empty-nesters sleep quality and psychological defense mechanism,and the correlation between them.Methods 230 empty-nest elderly and 181 nonempty nesters were assessed with Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Defense style questionnaire (DSQ).Results PSQI score of empty-nest ehlerly was (14.33±2.48),higher than that of non-empty nesters(t=17.857,P＜0.01).Factor score of immature psychological defense style in DSQ was (3.92± 1.20),for the mediate defense style was (4.49± 1.11),for the wrapping factor was (3.38± 1.92).All of them were higher than the scores for nonempty nesters,and the differences were statistically significant (t=4.463,6.937,5.404,P＜0.01).Factor score for mature psychological defense style in DSQ was (3.96±1.45),and lower than the score for non-empty nesters(t=7.472,P＜0.01).hnmature defense mechanism of empty-nest elderly was positively related with subjective sleep quality,sleep continuity,sleep disorders,using sleep medicine,dysfunction in the daytime,and the total score in PSQ1 (r=0.533,0.145,0.605,0.521,0.497,0.734).Mature defense mechanism was negative related with sleep latency,sleep continuity,and the total score in PSQI (r=-0.129,-0.542,-0.104).The mediate defense meehanism was positively related with subjective sleep quality,sleep latency and the total score in PSQI (r=0.186,0.294,0.131),while negative related with sleep efficiency(r=-0.188).The wrapping factor had a positive correlation with subjective sleep quality,using sleep medicine and the total score in PSQI (r=0.440,0.431,0.564).Conclusion Empty-nesters tend to adopt immature defense styles,and most of them have a poor sleeping,which are closely related with each other.