At ageing, there comes a certain point when people are no longer able to live independently in their own homes. With an ever increasing elderly population, this constitutes a significant and increasing burden for the health care expenses. The need for more cost effective solutions is evident.Research from H. van der Kloet (Hanze UAS) suggests that there is one main concern why people consider moving to an elderly home earlier than they actually need to; safety. There are many aspects to safety: self reliance, self confidence, indoor security and social security.With the elderly population becoming more technically aware, the opportunity of using technology to enable a longer independent life while maintaining or even enhancing quality of life, and thus to prevent rising health care expenses, is possible.With this in mind a Home Automated Living Platform (H.A.L.P.) was developed.
Intra-ocular straylight can cause decreased visual functioning, and it may cause diminished vision-related quality of life (VRQOL). This cross-sectional population-based study investigates the association between straylight and VRQOL in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between straylight modeled continuously and cutoff at the recommended fitness-to-drive value, straylight ≥ 1.4 log(s), and VRQOL. The study showed that participants with normal straylight values, straylight ≤ 1.4 log(s), rated their VRQOL slightly better than those with high straylight values (straylight ≥ 1.4 log(s)). Furthermore, multivariable regression analysis revealed a borderline statistical significant association (p = .06) between intra-ocular straylight and self-reported VRQOL in middle-aged and elderly individuals. The association between straylight and self-reported VRQOL was not influenced by the status of the intra-ocular lens (natural vs. artificial intra-ocular lens after cataract extraction) or the number of (instrumental) activities of daily living that were reported as difficult for the elderly individuals.
Living independently is an important component of quality of life. Cardiovascular diseases are prominent among the chronic conditions that predispose elderly people to functional limitations and disability, which impair quality of life. Insight into factors that play a role in the development process of limitations and disability of patients with subclinical cardiovascular diseases will aid in the development of preventive interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of vascular status with muscle strength and physical functioning in middle aged and elderly men.
