Healthy Aging

Background: India has begun to feel the burden of an aging society. Aging individuals are now living longer with increasing life expectancy and availability of better health facilities but are also requiring more assistance or care to manage their day to day activities. Objective: This paper examines gender differences in the term of care of older parents in India by studying the expected provision of care by family members. Gender differences in care are important, as the socio-cultural environment of India shapes the role of married children. While married sons are expected to provide long-term care for their biological parents, married daughters have limited scope to do so. This paper examines the level of care of the elderly on basis of gender in the family. Method: To conduct the above-mentioned study the present researcher used both quantitative and qualitative methods. Present study has been conducted based on the 2011 census of Kolkata City in the West Bengal, India, 150 res...

Background Although higher psychological well-being has been linked with a range of positive biological processes and health outcomes, the prospective association between psychological well-being and physical activity among older adults has been understudied. Purpose We tested whether higher baseline psychological well-being predicted higher levels of physical activity over time. Methods Prospective data were from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, a nationally representative sample of English adults over the age of 50. Our sample included 9986 adults who were assessed up to six times across an average of 11 years. Results After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, each standard deviation increase in baseline psychological well-being was associated with higher median physical activity in linear regression models that examined physical activity across all six waves (β = 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.21) and in linear mixed effect models that examined repeated measures of physical activity over the entire follow-up period (β = 0.20; 95% CI 0.19–0.21). Further, higher baseline psychological well-being was associated with a slower rate of decline in physical activity among people who were active at baseline (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.79, 95% CI 0.76–0.82) and increasing physical activity among people who were inactive at baseline (HR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.22–1.35). Findings were maintained after adjusting for baseline health status and depression. Conclusions Psychological well-being was independently associated with attaining and maintaining higher physical activity levels over 11 years, suggesting that it may be a valuable target for interventions aimed at helping older adults acquire more physical activity.

El presente informe es fruto de una propuesta ganadora del Concurso de Investigación del CIES 2019, y busca dar cuenta de una evaluación de procesos realizada sobre las Visitas Domiciliarias remotas a Personas Adultas Mayores Usuarias de Pensión 65 para la prevención del COVID-19, iniciativa que surgió en el marco de la pandemia, y que se presenta como una oportunidad de establecerse como un mecanismo permanente de atención a los usuarios. Mientras que el diseño inicial de la evaluación previo a la llegada del COVID- 19 estaba centrado en el estudio de campo de la articulación entre salud y Pensión 65, ahora nos centramos en las acciones virtuales realizadas por Pensión 65 de cara a la mitigación, prevención y cuidado de sus usuarios, considerando que son una población extremamente vulnerable por la edad y su condición socioeconómica.

Siendo que la naturaleza de la evaluación está centrada en la intersección entre procesos y resultados, el objetivo de la presente evaluación se resume en conocer la implementación y resultados del Protocolo de Visitas Domiciliarias a Personas Adultas Mayores Usuarias de Pensión 65 para la Prevención de Coronavirus (COVID-19). Para ello se plantea, en una lógica de entrega y demanda del servicio, enfocarnos en los beneficiarios; así, buscamos comprender sus experiencias tras haber recibido las llamadas del Programa, así como en el diseño y gestión del Protocolo, y lo que ello implica en términos de organización, coordinación y articulación entre entidades. La evaluación propone tres dimensiones de análisis: en primer lugar, busca la sistematizar buenas prácticas en la implementación del Protocolo; en segundo lugar, busca identificar cuellos de botella en la implementación; y, finalmente, en base a ambos, proponer oportunidades de mejoras.

With the generational changing of the guard, billions of individuals around the world have or are ready to transition into retirement. Given the record number of these individuals, we are facing a global silver tsunami of retirement and aging. Given the large numbers leaving the workforce and longer life expectancy, there are myriad implications to consider including the psychological effects of retirement, a new global retirement model, and creating policies to manage an aging population.

The knowledge gained from the study of the human genome has surprisingly revealed fascinating and visible details of gene expression in humans. Extremely fascinating for neuroscience are phylogenetic correspondents of physiognomic, the relative different adaptive behavioral responses in the environment, the consequent variations of the brain functions and each of their peculiarities. The color of human eyes is determined by...

Objectives: Explore the psychometric properties of a sleep quality index to be used with the elderly population.
Methods: 99 elderly (mean age, M=78.65; SD= 6.92; range=60-95) under social responses in institutions from Coimbra Council were assessed through a sleep questionnaire, composed of a sleep quality index and questions assessing sleep correlates. The sleep index is composed by seven items assessing sleep latency, difficulty in falling asleep, number of night awakenings, waking up spontaneously too early, subjective perception that waking up too early constitutes a problem for the person and two items that evaluate general subjective sleep quality and sleep depth.
Results: KMO = .830; Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity ≤.001. A principal components analysis and the scree plot inspection revealed a one-factor solution, explaining 48.8% of the total variance. Very good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha coefficient; α=.812).
Conclusion: This sleep quality index presents good psychometric properties. Since, in terms of assessment, it is important not to overload the elderly population, this very short instrument constitutes a good option to assess sleep quality.

Life expectancy had doubled since the pre-modern era resulting in increased numbers of persons over 65
years of age. This created a need to address the healthcare issues specifically affecting the aging population
such as increased susceptibility to infections, cancer and autoimmune diseases. These issues are resulting
from significant changes that the immune system undergoes with aging (immunosenescence). Changes in
the innate immune responses are reflected by the decreased bactericidal activity of neutrophils, decreased
numbers of pDCs, increased numbers of agranular NK cells, decreased phagocytosis and clearance of
pathogens and others. Deposition of complement component C1q on nerve synapses and simultaneous
decrease in C3 levels are also seen. Adaptive immunity is affected even more with the involution of the
thymus playing a central role and resulting in decreased numbers of naïve T cells. Loss of CD28 expression
and increased expression of perforin and granzyme B in T cells is also seen while decreased numbers of
CD4+ T cells and loss of TCR diversity are pronounced in the seventieth decade. The numbers and
function of the B lymphocytes also declines with age. Immunosenescence also decreases drastically
efficacy of immunization. This further complicates the medical care for aging individuals that already need
to have greater protection against infectious diseases. Novel approaches to immunization of the elderly are
thus greatly needed.

Creativity can help individuals think in new ways about aging and retirement by facilitating their questions about what comes next, helping them better manage transitions, and enhancing their well-being. Creativity can help people find meaning and purpose as they move toward and through the retirement and aging processes.

Due to the loss of occupational engagement, gain in old
age is the leisure, or un-obligated time which becomes a
challenge if the opportunities for engagement are not
available. In contemporary urban society the need and
availability of places which are often defined as third
places is required to be investigated. Visit to a religious
place offers an alternative frame for new time structuring
where religiosity provides strong motivation. This paper
explores the activity and use of spaces in various
neighborhood temples in the city of Pune,
Maharashtra. It explains the spatial features and
activities aimed to explore the role of neighborhood
temple contributing to the quality of life of elderly
people.

While the search for the “fountain of youth” has long been considered merely a fantasy, advances in regenerative
medicine and biogerontology in the twenty-first century
suggest that “the aspiration to modify the biological
processes of aging in humans—and thus delay the onset
of all age-related disadvantages, as well as compress
morbidity and mortality—may actually be achievable”.

In chapter 10, Linday Finlay writes with Anna Madill , to describe and explain some different ways to analyse data. Four contrasting types of analysis are outlined with practical exemplars: narrative, thematic, discursive and creative. Each type of analysis highlights different aspects and so enables different insights. As such, qualitative analysis is always tentative, partial and emergent....

Mounting evidence indicates that there are specific associations between higher levels of optimism and healthier behaviors , reduced risk of chronic diseases, and lower mortality. Yet, for public health purposes, it is critical to consider how optimism might be related to a full scope of health conditions in aging-from cognitive to physical health. Using prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 5,698), we examined whether higher baseline optimism was associated with subsequent increased likelihood of maintaining healthy aging over 6-8 years of follow-up. Optimism was assessed at study baseline (2006 or 2008), and components of healthy aging were assessed every 2 years, defined as: 1) remaining free of major chronic diseases; 2) having no cognitive impairment; and 3) good physical functioning. Hazard ratios were obtained using Cox proportional hazards models, and a range of relevant covariates were considered (sociodemographic factors, depressive symptoms, and health behaviors). After adjusting for sociodemo-graphic factors and depression, the most (top quartile) versus least (bottom quartile) optimistic participants had a 24% increased likelihood of maintaining healthy aging (95% CI: 1.11, 1.38). Further adjustment for health behaviors did not meaningfully change the findings. Optimism, a potentially modifiable health asset, merits further research for its potential to improve likelihood of health in aging. chronic disease; cognitive function; health psychology; healthy aging; optimism; physical function; psychological well-being; resilience Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; HRS, Health and Retirement Study. As populations age, identifying factors that foster maintenance of healthy aging into late life is crucial for improving the health and well-being of older adults and containing health-care costs (1, 2). Although average life expectancy has increased, the number of years lost to disability has also increased (3, 4). Further, US health-care spending, which reached $3.2 trillion in 2015, is expected to increase at an average rate of 5.5% per year over the next decade, an increase that is attributable partly to the rising prevalence and burden of chronic diseases. Although most biomedical and public health efforts to foster health have focused on reducing risk factors, an emerging body of research suggests that there are modifiable health assets that might contribute to reduced risk of age-related chronic diseases (5, 6). Dispositional optimism-the generalized expectation that good things will happen-is one promising health asset. Importantly, it appears as if the potential health benefits of optimism are independent of psychological distress (e.g., depression) (7). Although optimism is approximately 23%-32% heritable (8, 9) and is shaped by social, structural (e.g., socioeconomic status), and life-course factors (10, 11), randomized controlled trials suggest that it might be modified using a variety of methods that range from writing exercises (e.g., writing a list of items for which one is grateful) to classroom-based modules that focus on cognitive-behavioral strategies (12-14). Further, optimism has been associated with healthier behaviors (e.g., physical activity, healthy diet, not smoking, medication adherence) (15-19) and healthier biologic functioning (e.g., lower inflammation and higher antioxidants levels) (20-22), which in turn reduce risk of chronic conditions (23, 24). Finally, a previous study among 33,326 women from the Nurses' Health Study found that the most (top quartile) versus least (bottom quartile) optimistic women had 23% greater odds of healthy aging 8 years later, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and depression (25). However, at that time, the Nurses'

Popular assertions portray depression as an inevitable outcome of aging, a widespread image embraced by many health professionals. Although epidemiological data contradict the prevalent image that depressive syndromes increase with age, the prognosis becomes more negative as one grows older. An early thorough assessment is vital to identify depressive symptoms in older adults, thus promoting the development of tailored interventions and improved recovery rates. The main problems associated with the assessment of depressive symptoms in older adults include a lack of knowledge about changes in the pattern of symptoms, the inadequacy of techniques developed for other age cohorts, the misuse of psychometric instruments, and deficits in additional areas of assessment. The underlying goal of this article is to analyze the obstacles to a successful assessment of depression symptoms in older adults, suggesting strategies to overcome them.

An aging population generates an array of social and health concerns, among which is the psychological and cognitive well-being of the elderly. Recently, the focus in gerontology has expanded from the avoidance of age-related decline to the promotion of healthy aging. Factors such as cognitive and emotional status are considered to be potential contributors to well-being, and to participation in the community. This paper discusses the possible contribution of another factor-a person's playfulness-to healthy aging. Playfulness is a multidimensional concept that describes the mental propensity to engage in playful behavior, and includes properties such as fun-seeking motivation, uninhibitedness, and spontaneity. Research suggests that playfulness facilitates healing, improves morale, and increases motivation. Thus, it can be speculated that playfulness relates to other indicators of well-being, including psychological, cognitive, and physical aspects. Studies of the concept of playfulness mostly pertain to its measurement in young adults, with a paucity of research on older adult playfulness. In addition, the majority of research on Americans' health is " negative or disease-oriented, " particularly in studies of older adults. There is compelling evidence that positive factors in individuals' lives, such as favorable emotions, happiness, life satisfaction, and quality of life relate intimately to healthy aging. Playfulness might be an important characteristic of cognitive functioning and emotional growth, which are both key components of healthy aging. This paper discusses the relationship and possible contribution of the concept of playfulness to the various indicators of healthy aging.

SLOWbot is a research project conducted via a collaboration between iaso health and FBK (Fondazione Bruno Kessler). There are now thousands of available healthy aging apps, but most don't deliver on their promise to support a healthy aging process in people that need it the most. The neediest include the over-fifties age group, particularly those wanting to prevent the diseases of aging or whom already have a chronic disease. Even the motivated "quantified selfers" discard their health apps after only a few months. Our research aims to identify new ways to ensure adherence to a healthy lifestyle program tailored for an over fifties audience which is delivered by a chatbot. The research covers the participant onboarding process and examines barriers and issues with gathering predictive data that might inform future improved uptake and adherence as well as an increase in health literacy by the participants. The healthy lifestyle program will ultimately be delivered by our "SLOWbot" which guides the participant to make informed and enhanced health decision making, specifically around food choices (a "longevity eating plan").

Social Work Practice With Older Adults by Jill Chonody and Barbra Teater presents a contemporary framework based on the World Health Organization’s active aging policy that allows forward-thinking students to focus on client strengths and resources when working with the elderly. The Actively Aging framework takes into account health, social, behavioral, economic, and personal factors as they relate to aging, but also explores environmental issues, which aligns with the new educational standards put forth by the Council on Social Work Education. Covering micro, mezzo, and macro practice domains, the text examines all aspects of working with aging populations, from assessment through termination.

Major adaptations in maternal physiology and metabolism are required for successful pregnancy outcome. Hormonal changes initiated even before conception significantly alter maternal biochemistry early in pregnancy. Steroid hormones. peptide hormones. and prostaglandins interact to expand blood and plavna volume and modulate the maternal capacity to supply energy and nutrients to the fetoplacental unit. As gestation progresses, reference ranges for the concentration of many biochemical panmeters change significantly from those found in the nonpregnant state. Gestation-specific reference ranges are essential for correct interpretation of tests used in screening. diagnosis. and monitoring during pregnancy. The use ofclinical laboratory tests in the management of high-risk pregnancy we discussed from the perspective of testing before conception and during pregnancy.

Objective: Identifying positive psychological factors that reduce health care use may lead to innovative efforts that help build a more sustainable and high-quality health care system. Prospective studies indicate that life satisfaction is associated with good health behaviors, enhanced health, and longer life, but little information about the association between life satisfaction and health care use is available. We tested whether higher life satisfaction was prospectively associated with fewer doctor visits. We also examined potential interactions between life satisfaction and health behaviors.

Methods: Participants were 6379 adults from the Health and Retirement Study, a prospective and nationally representative panel study of American adults older than 50 years. Participants were tracked for 4 years. We analyzed the data using a generalized linear model with a gamma distribution and log link.

Results: Higher life satisfaction was associated with fewer doctor visits. On a 6-point life satisfaction scale, each unit increase in life satisfaction was associated with an 11% decrease in doctor visits—after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (relative risk = 0.89, 95% confidence interval = 0.86–0.93). The most satisfied respondents (n = 1121; 17.58%) made 44% fewer doctor visits than did the least satisfied (n = 182; 2.85%). The association between higher life satisfaction and reduced doctor visits remained even after adjusting for baseline health and a wide range of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health-related covariates (relative risk = 0.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.93–0.99).

Conclusions: Higher life satisfaction is associated with fewer doctor visits, which may have important implications for reducing health care costs.

Background and Objective: Ageing is a global public health concern. With the increase in elderly population, the number of old age
homes is also increasing in Nepal. The main objective of this study was to compare the health status of elderly living in two complexes
of old age homes: private and government. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in Kathmandu
and total 7 old age homes were included in this study. The total sample size for this study was 188. Two in-depth studies were carried out.
Results: The study found that the elderly people living in the private old age homes have the better health status than the government
old age homes despite the minimum amenities available. The elderly in government old homes were suffered more to endemic diseases
than private old age homes. Following the healthy habits and the clean dwelling surroundings of the private old home had led their health
better in compared to government old age homes. Conclusion: Government should give priority to provide the quality of services to
elderly living in old age home compared to private old age home.

In this paper I will address how the life sciences have concentrated on the pathology of aging while ignoring the biocultural aspects of health in the process of growing older. I argue that growing older is a dynamic cognitive, biological and cultural coauthoring of health rather than a hopeless unfolding of progressive pathology. I propose that this fragmented concept of aging precludes operationalizing and understanding the cultural markers that affect longevity. These cultural milestones, or biocultural portals include middle age markers, retirement markers, perceived wisdom, sexuality, status in the community, transcendental beliefs, sense of empowerment vs. helplessness and any other biocultural phase in human development. I suggest that the biocultural portals define and trigger the phase transitions of life as well as influence how they are accommodated. For example, the markers for middle age established by a culture, strongly influence the cognitive and biological expectations for the second half of life.

Less than 50% of people over the age of 65 are up-to-date with core preventive services. Identifying modifiable factors linked with preventive services are important targets for research and practice. Purpose in life, recently the focus of multiple intervention studies, has been linked with better health (mental and physical) as well as improved health behaviors. However, its association with health care use has been understudied. We found that higher purpose was linked with greater use of several preventive health care services and also fewer nights spent hospitalized. These results may facilitate the development of new strategies to increase use of preventive health care services and improve health, thereby offsetting the burden of rising health care costs in our aging society.

We are currently experiencing unprecedented population ageing worldwide, and effective, affordable strategies for maintaining quality of life are urgently needed. International Poi involves swinging a weight on the end of a cord in circular patterns around the body. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the effects of International Poi, as compared to Tai Chi, on physical, cognitive, and emotional health in healthy older adults. Seventy-nine participants (60 - 86 years old) were randomly allocated to the International Poi or Tai Chi group. Physical and cognitive function were measured one month before, immediately before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention (2 lessons a week for 4 weeks). Follow-up questionnaires were administered after each lesson, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the intervention.

Immediately post intervention both groups improved postural stability, upper limb strength, and simple attention. The Tai Chi group also improved systolic blood pressure. One month post intervention, compared to immediately post intervention, both groups improved upper limb strength, upper limb range of motion, and memory. The poi group also improved systolic blood pressure. Questionnaire results showed both groups felt primarily relaxed during the intervention, with the International Poi group feeling more challenged and happy, and the Tai Chi group feeling more calm and peaceful. The majority of participants reported wanting to continue their practice, suggesting both activities are enjoyable.

This was the first study to scientifically investigate the effects of International Poi on health in older adults. Based on this thesis, it can be concluded that International Poi seems to be as effective as Tai Chi for improving health in healthy older adults, and that International Poi and health is a legitimate area of scientific research. The possibilities for future poi and health research are vast, and the need for such research is paramount in order to replicate results, better understand potential long-term benefits, and begin to make recommendations for policy makers and practitioners regarding poi-health initiatives.

Background. Playfulness is an understudied topic in adults and particularly among the elderly. Thus far, there is no large study on age-related changes in playfulness across the lifespan. Relations with different indicators of well-being have not yet been investigated in much detail either.
Participants and methods. In total, 4,100 adults completed online self-ratings on their playfulness, happiness, and Seligman’s three orientations to happiness (life of pleasure, engagement, and meaning).
Results. In a cross-sectional design, playfulness was stable across the life-course; variations in the mean scores were rather small (half a standard deviation). Yet participants < 40 yielded
the comparatively lowest scores. There were no gender differences. Playfulness was best predicted by the scale assessing the life of pleasure and was positively related to happiness.
Conclusion. Playfulness seems to be of relevance in all age groups and displays robust relations with different indicators of well-being.

"More people are reaching an older age today than ever before and the incidence of dementia is thus expected to rise. It is therefore important to investigate possible prevention of dementia and cognitive decline using cost-effective life-style changes. In this chapter we present a literature review of observational studies into exercise and cognition in the elderly and treatment studies using different types of exercise interventions and the effect these have on cognitive function. Many studies reported that physical activity can help to
maintain cognitive abilities into old age, but not all treatment studies have found positive effects of exercise. This could be related to a variety of factors. We discuss the use of different cognitive tests and different measures of exercise and the influence this can have on whether a beneficial effect of exercise is found or not. We also explore a variety of participant and intervention characteristics that may moderate the effect of exercise on cognitive function. The results of this review suggest that there may be a relationship between physical activity and cognition. However, more future work is required in this area
to establish exactly what type of exercise is most efficient and who may benefit from it."

Rationale
Although observational and experimental studies have shown that volunteering is linked with better mental health, physical health, and health behaviors, no studies have examined whether volunteering is associated with patterns of health care use.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine whether volunteering was associated with a greater use of preventive health care services, but fewer doctor visits and nights spent in the hospital.

Methods
Participants (n = 7168) were drawn from the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative panel study of American adults over the age of 51, and tracked for one wave (2 years). Logistic regression and generalized linear models were used for analyses.

Results
In analyses that adjusted for sociodemographic factors and baseline health, volunteers were 30% more likely to receive flu shots (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.16–1.47), 47% more likely to receive cholesterol tests (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.24–1.74); female volunteers were 53% more likely to receive mammograms/x-rays (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.28–1.83) and 21% more likely to receive Pap smears (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03–1.41); male volunteers were 59% more likely to receive prostate exams (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.29–1.95). In a model that adjusted for sociodemographic factors, volunteers spent 38% fewer nights in the hospital (RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.52–0.76), however volunteering was not associated with frequency of doctor visits (RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.87–1.02). The association between volunteering and number of nights spent in the hospital was minimally affected after adjusting for potential confounding (baseline health) and explanatory variables (health behaviors, social integration, stress, positive psychological factors, personality).

Conclusion
This is the first known study to examine the association between volunteering and health care use. If future studies replicate these findings, the results may be used to inform the development of new strategies for increasing preventive health screenings, lowering health care use and costs, and enhancing the health of older adults.

The Blue Zones are areas where population enjoys an elevated longevity, with healthy conditions, unrelated to economic or technological factors. Main variables involved in these areas are presented (genetics, diet, socio-cultural and economic, lifestyle and geographic features), showing great variability in most of them, although with some elements present on all the studied populations (diet based on fresh foods produced in local environment, social integration and stable personal and social support networks, low social gradient and constant and moderate physical activity). The challenge would be to extend these zones to large areas worldwide.

Aging is a multifactorial process resulting in several functional and esthetic changes in the skin. Advances in research have yielded a tremendous amount of information on the molecular pathways involved in both intrinsic aging (natural) and extrin-sic aging (including photoaging). Some of the characteristic features of aging skin, such as wrinkling, loss of elasticity, and atrophy, can largely be attributed to dermal changes. The amount of collagen in the skin decreases, while the cross linking increases, and the solubility of collagen is reduced. The role of fibroblasts in aging tissue has been most extensively studied in mammalian skin. The total number of fibroblasts decreases, and their metabolism shows characteristic alterations.The dermis is maintained in large part by fibroblasts, which secrete dermal collagens, elastin, and other extracellular matrix components. When the skin is wounded, fibroblasts secrete proteases to degrade the wounded matrix, and then synthesize new matrix. The fibroblasts also secrete growth factors to stimulate the keratinocytes to proliferate and close the wound and cytokines to attract macrophages to engulf and degrade debris. Stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) occurs after many different sublethal stresses including a number of oxidation factors, such as H 2 O 2 , hyperoxia, or organic and lipid hydroperoxides. Fibroblast cells in replicative senescence share common features with cells in SIPS: morphology, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity , cell cycle regulation, gene expression and telomere shortening. Most human cells lack sufficient telomerase to maintain telomeres, hence these genetic elements shorten with time and stress, contributing to aging and disease. We systematically examine the evidence supporting the use of dosage forms of non-hydrolized carnosine or carcinine in oral formulations for skin beautification purposes and provide a summary of the biomarkers of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging, including pho-toaging. Senescence phenotype of human diploid fibroblasts is related with the exhaustion of their proliferative potential. This work suggests that different cell types, such as human skin fibroblasts, may use specific cellular treatment strategies with imidazole-containing dipeptides to halt the accelerated senescence of the fibroblast cells in response to telomere attrition and thus prevent skin aging through the number of biologically viable and safe metabolic pathways. The published data demonstrate that telomerase is expressed in the epidermis in situ independent of age. The reason for the sustained telomere length or expression of telomerase activity in the epidermis is associated not only with an increased turnover of keratinocytes, but also occurs due to the fact that the formation of a well structured epidermis strictly depends on a tight balance between proliferation and differentiation. Oral dosage forms of non-hydrolized carnosine or carcinine induce cellular responses in human skin fibroblasts through the telomere-mediated pathway and redox signaling, supporting the view that carnosine or related imidazole-containing dipeptide based compound-induced hormetic stimulation of cellular antioxidant defenses can be a useful approach toward anti-aging intervention to the skin.

Technological innovations and biotechnological findings are revolutionizing medicine and health care. Following this shift in medical research and practice, the traditional concept of ageing has also been challenged by the development of “anti-ageing medicine”, which states that “ageing processes can be slowed down, stopped or even reversed”. What seemed impossible a few decades ago, has today become the priority of many scientists and medical professionals focussing on aspects such as regeneration processes, human enhancement, replacement of body parts or micro-engineered body monitoring.
To bring light on what currently works or does not work in the field of anti-ageing medicine, TA-Swiss has directed a study and analysis on the many areas where anti-ageing medicine is proliferating along with a growing market of applications and products. Those range from therapeutic cloning, stem cells, genomics, human engineering, biogerontology to dietary supplements, to engineered solutions for a smart home and age-friendly environment. The international study of research, practice, market and consumers world was conducted through state of the art review as well as through expert interviews and clinical on site visits in the world and in Switzerland. The presentation will synthesize results and provide recommendations (policy, legislative, pharmaceutics, research) on the new developments in preventive care and interventions aiming at reversing decline, restoring lost functions, as well as technological devices for rehabilitation and care.
The survey shows many interesting results, a few can be pointed out: (i) anti-ageing medicine touches a vast array of disciplines both medical and para-medical, which creates new professional venues and opportunities (ii) anti-ageing research findings are still difficult to generalize yet often promising, while specific anti-ageing interventions work in specific conditions (age, gender, health status, medical indication) it can be at risk for other situations or age groups (iii) the anti-ageing products are booming globally in an uncontrollable way: not only is there a lack of economic data on the market but also on consumers expenses, but more so, many products do not respond to a clear categorization (with official labels) and avoid control of its distribution internationally or through internet (iv) the consumer is often unaware of the risk undertaken for his health and is also often financially abused through consuming products with false claims.
On the basis of those results, recommendations were formulated for the government, but also for the medical and non-medical practitioners, for the association of patients and for the market. In each of these sectors, the rapid pace of technological innovation reflects two contrasted sides: on one hand, measures are suggested to allow new technologies to be transferred for the benefit of the older patient and, on the other hand, further researches and quality control are needed to avoid any potential risks of non-tested technological interventions in order to protect the elderly population. Anti-ageing medicine is a transnational movement, thus, it is only through a concerted European and international regulation on anti-ageing medicine that the population will be better informed and allow for a safer and informed decision for every consumer.

The book is addressed to readers who are going through a difficult period of life and trying to survive. You will find in it a description of various crises, pre-crisis and post-crisis situations, and learn to help yourself and others. You will see how important it is to support pregnant women, young parents in time, to show sensitivity to the problems of children, adolescents, and youth. You will find ways to overcome the crises of adulthood and old age. You will be able to better understand the psychological consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic, support patients and those who have experienced recent losses.

A reference work for specialists in student counselling and for those who employ counsellors in mental health services. It provides an analysis of research in this area and provides useful information on the extent and severity of student mental health problems and the effectiveness of counselling and psychotherapy across the student population. This is the first publication to systematically identify, assess and review research in this area.