bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing the Criteria for the Quality of Elderly Medical Care From the Multiple Perspectives
Authors: Lee Wan-I , Chen Chun-Chi , Huang Yu-Bin
Published: May 2022

In 1993, Taiwan has transformed into an aged society. Compared with general patients, older patients differ considerably in body functionality, mentally, and mobility-wise. The primary customers of medical institutions are adult patients in Taiwan, and the needs of older patients are often ignored; however, older patients visiting the case hospital in this study accounted for nearly 30% of the total number of outpatients. This indicates that the needs of older patients are a matter requiring the serious attention of medical personnel. This is a common issue for all countries that were entered an aging structure of the population. This study investigated the attention paid by supervisors and medical personnel involved with medical decisions to the quality of medical services received by older outpatients. An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was employed to interview 10 experts in older medical care providing age-friendly medical care at the case hospital, medical staff including senior physicians, nursing department supervisors, administration department supervisors, and certified managers. The results indicate that the supervisors and medical personnel considered the “communication and services” provided to older patients during their medical treatments to be the most crucial factor in their treatment process, rating it twice as important as the next most important criteria, the care process and physical environment. Medical personnel paid great attention to communicate with and servicing older patients; listening to their needs and concerns was deemed the most critical, followed by being able to empathize with them to solve problems. Asking patients about their problems when they visited the hospital was considered the most crucial aspect of the care process; in the physical environment, it was spatial planning and traffic flow design. The results of this study enable other countries' medical institution managers and relevant competent authorities to gain insight into the attention paid by front-line employees in promoting age-friendly medical care. If supervisors and medical personnel involved with medical decisions share a similar attitude toward promoting medical service quality, government authorities and medical institutions can implement and enhance an age-friendly medical treatment environment for older patients, as well as increase quality of patient-centered medical services.
A New System to Assist Elders' Self-Care and Their Informal Caregivers
Authors: Esteves Marisa , Esteves Marcia , Abelha António Carlos
Published: May 2022

The ageing of a population increases the number of elders dependent in self-care. Thus, being dependent in a home context is a fact that deserves attention from social support entities integrated into the community, such as nursing homes, which play a central role in supporting the families involved. In this sense, this study is aimed at seniors dependent in self-care, their informal caregivers, and health professionals from Portuguese nursing homes and emerged to assist elders' self-care and their informal caregivers and to strengthen the communication strategies between the different elements of the target audience. Therefore, the design and development of an archetype of a new system is proposed, which main objectives are to accompany, teach, and share information between its users, taking into account safe medical validation and ethical issues, through emerging health ICT technologies. This archetype is a reinforcement, that is, a way to promote and complete the knowledge and skills to deal with elders' well-being and health, as well as their informal caregivers' welfare.
Informal Cares and Caregivers in Rural Elderly
Authors: Perales Nuria María García , Jiménez Borja Rivero , Caballero David Conde , González Beatriz Muñoz , Juarez Lorenzo Mariano
Published: May 2022

The aging population means that health systems rely on informal carers to meet the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of older people. In this context, it is particularly important to know the perceived quality of life of informal carers. Health studies highlight the close relationship between care work and the carer's objective health. Through a qualitative ethnographic methodology, by means of open interviews with carers from rural areas of Extremadura (Spain), this study deepens the knowledge of the emotional costs to which the figure of the informal carer is subjected. The authors approach the social-emotional dimension in places where it is not always possible for public health policies to be fully developed. In this situation, moreover, some moral characteristics of these environments take on special importance.
Better Future for Home-Cared Elderly Patients
Authors: Edirisinghe Ruwini
Published: May 2022

The need for innovative technologies that monitor and assist the independent living of elderly people in their homes is growing. The socio-economic benefits by utilizing such solutions are shared between many parties including the elderly people, support services and caregivers, and the medical system. This chapter proposes a wearable smart clothing-based monitoring system for home cared elderly patients. The development of the prototype smart cloth, which currently senses and alerts about body temperature, is discussed in this chapter. The proposed system is expected to provide a more dignified life for the elderly home cared patients by maintaining their independence and privacy while saving public and private money.
Elderly Women Empowerment in the Aging Process
Authors: Özsungur Fahri
Published: May 2022

This study was carried out to draw a road map for the cognitive empowerment of women in the aging process. The fact that women are under negative effects in physical, biological, and cultural contexts reveals the fact that they may have some psychological and perceptual problems. Perceptually, struggle against the difficulties experienced in the aging process requires a cognitive approach. Improving women's perceptual self-management skills will lead to success in the aging process. The theoretical framework of the study is explained with the topics of successful aging theory, successful aging in the workplace, cognitive theory of aging. Cognitive empowerment is explained with the topics of perception in aging, psychological effects, socio-emotional selectivity theory, emotional regulation, expressive suppression, cognitive reappraisal self-perception in aging, the self paradox, interpersonal conflicts, personality theory of aging, physical perception effects. Besides, recommendations are presented with a cognitive approach to overcome the difficulties in the aging process of women.
The Interplay of Biological and Socio Environmental Factors in Aging and Disorders in Women
Authors: Jagota Anita , Jannu Navya , Boro Suchitra
Published: May 2022

Aging is a biological, social, and environmental phenomenon characterized by progressive decline in all physiological functions. Age depends upon genes, social and environmental influences, and lifestyle. Although aging occurs at varying rates, it takes greater toll on gender. Beyond multiple social inequalities, women experience proportionately higher rates of chronic illness, disability, and deterioration in the body appearance leading to depression, decreased socialization resulting in sleep disorders. Therefore, onset of sleep and health disorders with aging in women were studied in variable cross sections of society with variable social structures and lifestyles. The case studies involved the field work and data collection from old age homes and individuals. The analysis of the interplay of biological, social, and environmental factors influencing sleep disorders in aging women done through such studies will help in designing policies and measures for improving economic level, social support, functional ability, psychosocial stress, loneliness, depression, and health services.
Elderly Behavior Prediction Using a Deep Learning Model in Smart Homes
Authors: U. K. Sridevi , Sudhir Sophia , Palaniappan Shanthi
Published: May 2022

The goal of a smart home is to keep track of the behaviors of the older adults with disabilities within the home, and then anticipate their activity to help with other actions. Elderly and disabled people have problems with their daily lives, while most other people are unaware of their difficulties. Helping the elderly to live independently allows them to lead their daily lives in a better manner. The implementation of analytics and machine learning algorithms leads to a predictive approach to health care services. In this chapter, a learning model in a smart home concept focuses on making it possible for the elderly to remain safe and comfortable at home. The transformative home security device learning architecture of the smart home platform is a valuable solution to studying mobility patterns at home, with the ability to identify behavioral changes related to issues of wellbeing. A predictive learning system can effectively recognize and identify the behavior of the elderly. A learning model, a recurrent neural network (RNN) is proposed to evaluate the people's activity. The focus of the present study is to forecast the deterioration in mental function and give warnings for the benefit of seniors.
New and Emerging Issues for Technologies to Support Older Adults to Age in Place
Authors: Whiddett Dick , Hunter Inga , Elers Phoebe , Lockhart Caroline A. , Guesgen Hans W. , Singh Amardeep
Published: May 2022

There is increasing interest in using emerging technologies, such as social media, digital devices, and smart home technologies, to distribute information throughout an older person's formal and informal support networks to assist them to live independently in their own home (to age in place). An open research workshop was conducted as part of a health informatics conference, 24 self-selected participants were organised into sub-groups to discuss four generic questions relating to the collection and distribution of an older person's health information. Thematic analysis of the discussions identified three major themes relating to roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, information collection and interpretation, system management and control. The findings emphasise the importance of taking a socio-technical perspective to understand the requirements of all stakeholder groups. A number of new and emerging research issues are identified, particularly in relating to the long-term management and adaptation of personal support networks and technologies.
Technology to Improve Elderly Nutrition
Authors: Rivero Jiménez Borja , Conde Caballero David , Muñoz González Beatriz , Mariano Juarez Lorenzo
Published: May 2022

The ageing of the population is one of the main emerging problems for this century. Knowledge and understanding of the food ideologies and practices of this adult population is a vital issue in health policies and interventions. With the traditional tools and assumptions of ethnographic fieldwork, the research is oriented towards a series of objectives in order to complete the limited knowledge on these issues. Through some of the categories that emerge from the fieldwork, the authors analyze the ideology, practices, and representations on food in the adult population and try to propose some spaces from where technology can work on solutions.
Contribution of an Intelligent Virtual Assistant to Healthy Ageing in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Pereira Guerreiro Mara , Brito Félix Isa , Balsa João , Carmo Maria Beatriz , Henriques Maria Adriana , Cavaco Afonso , Cláudio Ana Paula
Published: May 2022

This chapter describes the development of a theory-driven and evidence-based digital intervention to facilitate self-care in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and, additionally, its contribution to healthy aging and the individual care plan. T2D is highly prevalent in older adults. Difficulties in adopting and maintaining desirable self-care behaviors is associated with lack of glycemic control and subsequent complications, which significantly burden patients, their families, and the health system. The VASelfCare (Virtual Assistant Self-Care) intervention is a software application that provides an interface with a 3D anthropomorphic virtual assistant targeting three key self-care behaviors: medication-taking, physical activity, and a healthy diet. Other VASelfCare elements are intended for nurses providing diabetes consultations, including a web-based back-office with a patient data dashboard, which streamlines integration of care. The application prototype has been co-produced with older adults with T2D, primary care health professionals, and other stakeholders.
Aging Suit
Authors: Rivero Annika Maya
Published: May 2022

The population pyramid is being inverted and the designers are facing challenges in the way they design products, spaces, and services for elder people. Although the design is composed of both cultural and social aspects, the functional aspect takes relevance for autonomy and empowerment of the person that gets older. To design products centered on the physical capacities of the elder population, the aging suit has being used as a tool for the gerontodesign. In countries like Mexico, its application is limited by the manufacturing cost. For this reason, as part of a design methodology for elder people, a low-cost suit was developed focus on the design students and professionals located in Latin America.
Impact of Attentional Loading and Task Constraints on Postural Control of Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Przysucha Eryk , Vollebregt Brontë A. , Zerpa Carlos
Published: May 2022

Postural control is attention demanding, and it may be jeopardized when a secondary cognitive task is involved, particularly for older adults. The magnitude of this interference depends on different individual (perceptuo-motor status), task (single vs. dual tasking), and environmental constraints (support surface). The purpose of this research was to examine if older adults may be affected by various types of secondary cognitive tasks, while maintaining quiet standing on different support surfaces. In line with conceptual models, the results indicated that postural control of older adults was compromised when they were required to dual-task, especially when the support surface was challenging. This was a robust finding across all the measures of COP. In regards to the degree to which different attentional tasks affected postural control, the results remained equivocal. From a practical standpoint, the results indicated that older adults should exhibit caution when simultaneously performing a balance and a cognitive task involved particularly when the surface is unsteady.
Manufacturers Should Consider Older Consumers' Diverse Needs and Develop a Diverse Set of Walking Aids
Authors: Baldwin Emma
Published: May 2022

Manufacturers worldwide could help many elderly people within society, maintain their independence and meet the demands of their environment with more ease and functionality, if they would consider the needs of elderly more carefully and involve them in development.
Center of Pressure Measurement to Evaluate Fall Risk in the Elderly
Authors: Hong Chong Min
Published: May 2022

The aim of this article was to develop a center of pressure (COP) measurement device and application to evaluate the fall risk among the elderly. The approach was designed to measure changes in COP in a standing position to assess balance, an important risk factor in falling. The developed approach consisted of both hardware and software; the hardware's function was to measure the sway in COP while the software controlled the device, displayed the results, and stored the data. Data was transmitted from device to tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth. This approach to COP measurement was configured as a dedicated application, making it easier for the elderly to measure their own COP for evaluating balance and fall risks using the measurement data. In conclusion, this device is easy and convenient for the elderly to use in their daily life and could help with fall management and prevention.
Predictors of Super-Performers in the Home Health Industry
Authors: Dey Sukhen , Pinto-Oehme Pamela
Published: May 2022

The world is aging. This paper focuses on the home health care sector. The authors have examined the patient experience aspects of the elderly population. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) designed a Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey specifically for the home healthcare population (HHCAHPS). This paper has identified super-performers within the U.S. home healthcare agencies. By super-performers, this research implies agencies that received superior consumer experience ratings among the U.S. home healthcare segment. The authors applied machine learning techniques to compose a predictive model and identify the predictors of super-performer agencies. The study signals the need for clinically oriented variables for a better model. This paper intends to continue this research with the additional clinically-driven care measures for the patients at home.
A Field Study of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment using Tablets for Communication at Home
Authors: Yurkewich Aaron , Stern Anita , Alam Rushmita , Baecker Ron
Published: May 2022

This article describes how a tablet-based communication technology designed for older adults was explored for its adoption and impact on family relationships. A case study methodology was employed to collect and analyze interviews, field notes, observations and messaging activity over a 12 week period. Twelve participants, eight with a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score suggestive of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), were paired with a student to learn and use InTouch. 1212 messages were sent, from which text, audio, photo, and video data types were used 705, 280, 143 and 84 times, respectively. Most participants voiced that personalized text messaging was not the easiest feature to use, but was their preferred mode. Two participants used audio more than text, highlighting a need for feature customization. Older adults view a simplified tablet-based interface as a valuable means of enhancing communication with friends and family. With guided weekly support older adults learned to use this technology independently and integrated its use into their daily lives.
Interconnecting IoT Devices to Improve the QoL of Elderly People
Authors: Flores-Martin Daniel , Pérez-Vereda Alejandro , Berrocal Javier , Canal Carlos , Murillo Juan M.
Published: May 2022

The rate at which the internet is growing is unstoppable due to the large number of connected smart devices. Manufacturers often develop specific protocols for their own devices that do not usually follow any standards. This hinders the interconnection and coordination of devices from different manufacturers, limiting the number of daily activities that can be supported. Some works are proposing different techniques to reduce this barrier and avoid the vendor lock-in issue. Nevertheless, this interconnection should also depend on the context. In this chapter, the authors propose a system to dynamically identify the interconnections required each specific situation depending on the context. This proposal has been tested in case studies focused on elderly people with the aim of automating their daily tasks and improving their quality of life. Further, in a world with an accelerated population aging, there is an increasing interest on developing solutions for the elderly living assistance through IoT systems.
Video-Based Human Activity Recognition for Elderly Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Vijayaprabakaran K.  , Sathiyamurthy K.  , Ponniamma M.
Published: May 2022

A typical healthcare application for elderly people involves monitoring daily activities and providing them with assistance. Automatic analysis and classification of an image by the system is difficult compared to human vision. Several challenging problems for activity recognition from the surveillance video involving the complexity of the scene analysis under observations from irregular lighting and low-quality frames. In this article, the authors system use machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of activity recognition. Their system presents a convolutional neural network (CNN), a machine learning algorithm being used for image classification. This system aims to recognize and assist human activities for elderly people using input surveillance videos. The RGB image in the dataset used for training purposes which requires more computational power for classification of the image. By using the CNN network for image classification, the authors obtain a 79.94% accuracy in the experimental part which shows their model obtains good accuracy for image classification when compared with other pre-trained models.
Proposal for Pervasive Elderly Care
Authors: Huttunen Hanna-Leena , Halonen Raija , Klakegg Simon
Published: May 2022

This chapter reports how interaction between family members and caregivers as perceived by family members could be improved via context-aware, imperceptible internet of things (IoT)-based solutions. The qualitative study focused on investigating experiences of the family members and the communication between caretakers in sheltered accommodation. Interviews including both open and closed questions revealed that there is high need for improving the communication, adding to the sparse earlier knowledge. The study revealed that the family members were willing to adopt an application to improve the communication that currently was experienced as too limited and vague. The results provide a fruitful base for further actions to improve communication between family members and professional caretakers.
Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly
Authors: Arco Helena Maria , Costa Maria Arminda
Published: May 2022

Urinarsy incontinence involves difficulty in retaining urine, making it a problem with multiple consequences. The purpose of this chapter is to encourage reflection on this situation and identify potential action with a view to promoting self-care in the elderly with urinary incontinence. The authors undertook an ethnographic survey in convalescence units in which they observed and interviewed elderly patients with urinary incontinence and healthcare professionals. Implementing an “observation, reporting, and reflection” approach, they carried out a content analysis. Three cultural dimensions emerged affecting self-care. Functional dependence and vulnerability led to an impaired attitude to the body, which constituted the primary challenge in the process. The promotion of self-care was marked by difficulties, strategies, and modes of action where the nurses played a significant role in liaison with the multidisciplinary team. The preparation for discharge was marked by points of contention and negotiations that decided whether the patient would return home or be the subject of referral.
Twin Contributors to the Physiology of Ambulatory Wellbeing and Falls Prevention in Ageing Populations
Authors: Hayes Catherine
Published: May 2022

Being able to theoretically underpin the gerontology of ageing is a fundamental part of designing and constructing bespoke research and care interventions for the exploration of fall prevention in practice. Within the context of home care and community-based settings being able to integrate fall prevention into the integrated care that older people receive, their ambulation, health, and wellbeing, and subsequently their longevity in senior years, can be extended and sustained in terms of quality and satisfaction. This chapter contextualises and frames falls and fall injuries as a societal challenge by deconstructing the characteristic physiological processes of senescence and identifying key areas for fundamental address in the prevention of falls ‘in situ'. The chapter's focus is predominantly aligned to those processes of natural senescence aligned with normal ageing processes, alongside those pathologies which constitute abnormal pathological processes, which occur more often in older adults as a consequence of these processes of senescence.
Television Use and Consumption of Elderly Americans
Authors: Dunn Robert Andrew , Marshall Stephen W.
Published: May 2022

The present research offers a state-of-the-art review on the elderly and their consumption of television, including new advancements in the media, potential motivations, and resulting effects. As the elderly watch more television than any other demographic, it is imperative that the research community is familiar with the nature of that relationship. The authors first discuss the nature of television viewing in today's modern digital landscape. This overview is followed by an assessment of current television consumption by the elderly, with particular attention given to TV news, a popular genre for the elderly, and assessments of TV quality by senior citizens. Finally, the researchers discuss the effects of television on older audiences, including physical, emotional, and mental health.
Using Notions of “Play” Over the Life Course to Inform Game Design for Older Populations
Authors: Brown Julie A. , De Schutter Bob
Published: May 2022

Play is a lifelong construct that is individually defined and is influenced by multiple variables that affect how play is interpreted and experienced in old age. This chapter highlights the significance of using a life course perspective to explore how play is shaped and reflected through digital gameplay and preferences as a game player ages. Using grounded theory methodology, 51 participants (age 43–77) were interviewed individually. The resulting transcripts were coded to identify emergent themes. The findings demonstrate 1) how play changes throughout the lifespan, 2) how play preferences established in childhood influence digital gameplay for aging adults, and 3) how aging adult gamers aspire to continue gaming as they grow older. Collectively, these themes provide insight into the aspects that need to be taken into account when designing games for aging gamer populations.
Gender and Elderly Care in Africa
Authors: Kimaro Lucy Rafael
Published: May 2022

The aging population worldwide is growing very fast: 8.5% are aged 65 and over. This is expected to jump up to 17% by 2050, in Africa 4.5%, by 2030. The authors argue that the majority of elderly people depend on services provided by their families and religious institutions. Although the African culture encourages family members to respect and care for their elderly persons, this has not been the case due to economic challenges facing families. Many elderly men and women live in poverty. Women suffer more because of cultural beliefs and responsibilities to care for HIV AIDS orphaned grandchildren. The beliefs that associate elderly women with witchcraft lead to abuse and killing of innocent people. The authors highlight the challenges for religious institutions to give shelter and provide medical services. They struggle with limited funds to provide what elderly people need to protect their dignity. Elderly people need a lot of love and good care, and the lack of trained elderly care takers becomes a challenge.
Impact of Tuberculosis in Elderly Population
Authors: Chooramani Gagan , Singh Pooja
Published: May 2022

The World Health Organization has declared that the spread of tuberculosis is a global emergency. Despite the implementation of strong tuberculosis-control initiatives by WHO, this highly infectious disease continues to affect all vulnerable populations, including the elderly population. Adverse social factors and poor living conditions also affect the elderly much more than the young. The clinical characteristics of tuberculosis in older adults can be unusual and may be confused with age-related illnesses. Various factors related to old age can also cause complications in the diagnosis, treatment, and disease outcomes for tuberculosis patients. The contributory factors may be poor memory, deafness, mental confusion, or impairment of speech. In addition, therapy for tuberculosis in elderly individuals is challenging because of the increased incidence of adverse drug reactions. Hence, understanding the impact of these substantial aspects will help to overcome the problem of tuberculosis in the elderly population.
Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Elderly Population of Alentejo
Authors: Marques Maria do Céu Mendes Pinto , Vaz Ana Filipa Pereira , Leite Ana Sofia Emídio Cardoso , Araújo Cláudia Sofia , Condeço Cláudia Roque , Ribeiro de Deus José
Published: May 2022

The objective of this chapter is to identify cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly and their prevalence in the elderly population of Alentejo. The research question was elaborated according to the PI[C]OD methodology. The prevalence studies included allow the authors to identify the risk factors with the greatest impact on cardiovascular diseases, with the analysis of at least one of the factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, alcoholism, and sedentary lifestyle) and their prevalence in the elderly from the region of Alentejo. The results present the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, mainly at the national level, compared to those at the regional level, with a small number of exclusive studies in the Alentejo region, while simultaneously disaggregating the results by age group. From the data obtained, it can be concluded that the prevalence of risk factors is generally increased in the elderly population and, consequently, in Alentejo, because it is a region in the interior of the country that is predominantly rural and very old.
Concerns of Elderly Women's Wellbeing
Authors: Bandila Ratna Kumari
Published: May 2022

Marginalization/isolation or alienation in old age is among the most common issues that are affecting older women. Elderly women, who are still living with their sons/daughters and grand-children, are also suffering from emotional alienation. Due to fast changing socio-economic scenario of the country, fast paced modern lifestyle, and rapid urbanization across the country, younger generations hardly interact with their elderly family members. Popularity of nuclear family system has virtually crushed the strong traditional bond between grandchildren and grandmothers. The authors analyze this situation thoroughly and ask themselves (1) do the national policies for older persons help the aged women to enhance their wellbeing and (2) does the judiciary show alternate arrangements for the wellbeing of our senior citizens?
Corporate Elderly Entrepreneurship in the Digital World
Authors: Özsungur Fahri
Published: May 2022

The purposes of this study are to address elderly entrepreneurship in the context of corporate entrepreneurship, to determine its dimensions, and to make suggestions with the results obtained. The systematic review method was adopted in the study. According to the findings, it has been determined that corporate elderly entrepreneurship includes innovative risk and opportunity management, innovative elderly initiative, innovative proactivity, competition management, and resource management. It is recommended to meet the needs arising due to the social, psychological, cognitive, physical, and health-related decline of elderly consumers through corporate social entrepreneurship. This type of entrepreneurship is an important approach added to the literature to meet the consumer needs that differ with the increasing elderly population. Providing the needs and satisfaction of the elderly is possible with corporate entrepreneurship. Determining the future needs of the elderly living in a nursing home or with their families requires management in innovation.
The Philosophy of the Objective and Purpose of Islamic Law
Authors: Azahari Raihanah , Rahman Asmak Ab , Abdullah Raihanah , Rahim Mardhiah A.
Published: May 2022

Population and life expectancy of the elderly are increasing in Malaysia, while the birth rate is declining. Increasing age results in physical and psychological changes. Life at this age can be challenging, especially from an economic standpoint. Economic protection refers to a sense of safety and protection derived from a solid income or other resources to support present and future needs. People need food, clothing, shelter, and good health to survive. In Islam, this is a basic requirement for human life. Inadequate economic protections contribute to increased poverty and affect the quality of life, contrary to the philosophy of the objectives of Islamic law, which seek to preserve its five major interests: religion, life, property, lineage, and intellect. As a holistic religion, Islam does not ignore economic protection and its role in preserving human life, including for the elderly. This chapter discusses forms of economic protection for the elderly that ensure achievement of the objectives of Islamic law.
Non-Invasive Ventilation
Authors: Marques Maria do Céu Mendes Pinto , Mourato Ana Isabel Calha , Batista Gonçalo , Trindade Inês , Damasceno Joana , Nobre Sara Abreu , Félix Teresa
Published: May 2022

The objective of this chapter is to analyze articles on the adaptation of the elderly to NIV. The methodology is integrative literature review, using the PICO methodology. After analyzing the content covered, the authors found that there are common factors regarding the adaptation of elderly users to NIV. COPD users are the main users of NIV. This technique promotes an improvement in the quality of life. The introduction of NIV in the user's daily life requires behavioral and lifestyle changes involving health professionals, the user, and caregivers. The choice of the type of ventilator and interfaces is important, in issues such as late assessment of the user's condition and the influence of external factors in adapting to NIV, such as the use of drugs. The adaptation of the elderly user to NIV is influenced by socio-demographic, pathological, anatomical, and associated factors.
Aging Population
Authors: Nair Sree Lekshmi Sreekumaran , Rao Bismah , Haque Adnan ul
Published: May 2022

In the wake of the pandemic, many lessons have been learnt, and different challenges have been incurred, leading to the creation of not only stress but also limiting the activities of old-age people. One of the most vulnerable sections of the society is the ‘aging population'. This theoretical chapter discusses the concerns and complexities affecting the aging population in the present pandemic (COVID-19) and how the concerns and complexities impact social and economic activities. The chapter also explores the stress variable. The chapter uses the current scenario and secondary sources to explore the research phenomenon in-depth. Recommendations to the policymakers are given at the end.
Policies, Programs, and Schemes for the Elderly in India
Authors: Gupta Nidhi , Raju S. Siva
Published: May 2022

Till the end of the twentieth century, aging was considered an issue of the developed countries. However, given the rapidly aging population in developing countries, coupled with the rapidly changing socio-economic and cultural contexts like urbanization, increasing women participation, individualism, and nuclear families, it has been acknowledged that aging poses greater challenge to these countries owing to resource constrains and lack of political commitment. India is undergoing a rapid demographic transition with 104 million older adults in 2011, which is projected to triple by 2050. This transition poses challenges for the health and social systems, and there is an urgent need to strengthen these system with inclusive policies and developmental approaches. This chapter highlights population aging issues and initiatives undertaken to address aging issues in India by critically reviewing the efforts made at global as well as national levels over the years against emerging challenges.
This Seed Will Bear No Fruit
Authors: Eboiyehi Friday A.
Published: May 2022

The continuous increase in the number of older people and the gradual erosion of the extended family system which used to cater to them are alarming. While older people in much of the developed countries have embraced old people's homes as an alternative, the same cannot be said of older people in Nigeria who still believed that it is the duty of the family to accommodate them. The chapter examined the perception of older people about living in old people's home in some selected local government areas in Osun State, Nigeria. The study showed that their perception about living in old people's home was poor as many of them still held on to the belief that it was the responsibility of their family members to house them as it was done in the olden days. Although a few of the interviewees (particularly those who are exposed to what is obtained in the Western world and those with some level of education) had accepted the idea, many preferred to live with their family rather than being dumped in “an isolated environment,” where they would not have access to their family members. Pragmatic policy options aimed at addressing this emerging social problem were highlighted.
Food Systems
Authors: Jochemsen Henk , Rademaker Corné J.
Published: May 2022

Today's predominant food system on the one hand produces plenty of food, making food relatively cheap for most people in the world. However, for many people, the food they can afford is insufficiently nutritious. Major global health problems like obesity are partly a result of the present food system. Furthermore, the modern industrial way of producing food has negative environmental consequences, consisting among others of a decline in soil fertility and a loss of biodiversity. Another food system is required to obtain sustainable global food and nutrition security. This food system should observe the normativity of the agricultural practices that produce food. The authors' analysis of agricultural practices shows that the farm is economically qualified but that the primary process of care for soil, crops, and animals can best be seen as an ethically qualified supporting practice that steers the “meaningful shaping” of the interventions foundational for agricultural practices.
A Fuzzy-Based Sustainable Solution for Smart Farming
Authors: Pandey Kavita , Jain Shikha
Published: May 2022

Agriculture is an important sector in many developing countries, but the traditional methods are not sufficient to produce a good amount of crop. Moreover, the natural calamities are also destroying a large portion of the crop. Hence, this chapter proposes a prototype model, AgriHelp, to address an agricultural issue using fuzzy logic. The model takes two parameters as input: when and where the farmer wants to sow the crop. Using this information along with available dataset, AgriHelp extracts the expected min-max temperature, rainfall and soil type in the region in the specified season and suggests the best-suited crop to the farmer. The model can further be extended by incorporating more features.
Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria
Authors: Chandra Dinesh , Pallavi  , Barh Anupam , Sharma Ishwar Prakash
Published: May 2022

Conventional agriculture plays a substantial role in meeting the food demands of a growing human population, which has led to an increased reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Chemical fertilizers are industrially manipulated substances and composed of known amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In appropriate and misuse use of chemical fertilizers causes air and ground water pollution by eutrophication of water bodies and causing health problem in human. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to emphasize the importance and use of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) as a gateway to sustainable agriculture that could ensure plant productivity and quality agricultural practices in an environment friendly manner. In this respect, efforts have been made to products of nutrient rich high-quality food in feasible way to ensure bio-safety. The innovative aspect of farm production attracts the need of biological based organic fertilizers, an exclusive alternative to agro-chemicals. Organic farming is one of such strategies that not only ensures food safety but also adds to the biodiversity of soil. The eco-friendly approaches trigger a wide range of application of PGPB that leads to improved plant growth, soil health, nutrient uptake and plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. PGPB is an essential component of organic farming and play crucial role in maintaining long term soil fertility and sustainability and would be a viable alternative for farmers to increase productivity per unit area in organic farming for an era of prosperity and clean environment.
European Agriculture in 2020
Authors: Cristache Silvia Elena , Rotaru Florica Georgeta , Rotaru Elena Cristina
Published: May 2022

The chapter is structured in two parts: the first part presents the agricultural policy of the European Union in accordance with the Treaty of Lisbon and the Europe 2020 Strategy. At the same time, the National Rural Development Program of Romania is presented. In the second part of the chapter an econometric analysis of the agricultural sector is made. The linear multifactorial regression model presented in the second part of the chapter was based on data provided by Eurostat: surface cultivated with pesticides, GDP/capita, net investment in agriculture. The model proposed in this chapter explains and highlights the existence of a positive, linear, and significant relationship between the variables included in the model. The multiple linear regression model indicates that, with the increase of one million euros per GDP, the value of the surface cultivated with pesticides in Romania will grow by an average of 132.08 hectares.
Re-Conceptualizing Smallholders' Food Security Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Oyo Benedict , Kalema Billy Mathias , Guma Isdore Paterson
Published: May 2022

Smallholder African systems operate in harsh environments of climate changes, resource scarcity, environmental degradation, market failures, and weak public and/or donor support. The smallholders must therefore be prepared to survive by self-provisioning. This chapter examines the nature of vulnerability of smallholders' food security caused by above conditions in the context of system dynamics modelling. The results show that smallholders co-exist whereby the non-resilient households offer labor to the resilient households for survival during turbulent seasons irrespective of the magnitude of external shocks and stressors. In addition, non-resilient households cannot be liberated by external handouts but rather through building their capacity for self-reliance. Using simulation evidence, this chapter supports the claim that in the next decade only resilient households will endure the extreme situations highlighted above. Future research that employs similar systems-based methods are encouraged to explore how long-term food security among smallholders can be sustained.
Sustainable Smart Farming for Masses Using Modern Ways of Internet of Things (IoT) Into Agriculture
Authors: Chowhan Rahul Singh , Dayya Purva
Published: May 2022

Modern technologies are revolutionizing the way humans have lived. The world's population is expected to reach 9.6 billion by year 2050 and to serve this much population, the agricultural industries and layman farmers need to embrace IoT and e-agriculture or ICT in agriculture. Feeding the global population is the biggest problem of the world. The terminology has advanced from IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), IoFT (Internet of Farm Things), IoSFT (Internet of Smart Farming Things), etc. The agriculture industries are open for ideas, advances, and technically trained workforce to help sustain ever increasing needs of food and allocate better choices of resources. Smart farming is less labor intensive and more capital intensive. Smart farming is furthering the Third Green Revolution around the globe by using various ICT technologies in agriculture.
A Comparison of Population Growth Rate and the Rate of Increase in Food Crop Production in Africa
Authors: Ankomah Emmanuel Kofi
Published: May 2022

Millions of people in Africa require sufficient food for healthy living. However, inefficient farming practices are making a lot more people hungry and poor. Simultaneously, the population keeps on increasing. The legitimate question that this study seeks to address is how the production capacity can meet the needs of the increasing population in the future. The chapter examines the increase in population growth and its consequences on food production with the consideration of the theory of population growth by Thomas Malthus. The result of time series data analyzed shows that population growth is increasing at a high rate whereas food production growth is increasing at a decreasing rate. The trend seems to confirm that the Malthus population theory is still relevant in Africa. The study recommends that stewards and policymakers invest immensely in agriculture to improve technology, skills, methods, and know-how to boost food production and invest in women in adopting family planning to decrease population growth for the solution of food deficiency.
Sustainable Development in Agriculture Through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Smarter India
Authors: Ramasamy Siva Shankar
Published: May 2022

This research work deals with the potential evidence to influence ICT towards the agricultural sector. Indian agriculture is gradually languishing due to the lack of technological inputs and advancement. Information with use of ICT for farmers should be gathered and processed properly by networking and ICT. The optimum utilization of ICT will be utilized for the farmers which paved the way for upheavals in agriculture development and our farmers too. E-governance is one of the ways to reach all farmers to promote availability of resources through information and communication technology, and it is a tool to promote sustainable agriculture as well. In India, lots of e-governance schemes and programmes are available for agricultural sustainability.
Prioritization of Farming Process by Considering Sustainability as Major Issue
Authors: Satapathy Suchismita , Mishra Debesh
Published: May 2022

Agriculture assumes an imperative role in the development of Indian economy, and it additionally contributes around 15% to the nation's GDP, offering work chances to around half of its population. Diverse devices and supplies implied for farming machines are utilized in farming processes which are either manually or mechanically operated. In spite of the fact that there have been advancements in new technologies, sustainability is the most important issue in farming. Modern farming process and advanced machineries have solved OHS (occupational health and safety) problems of farming. But modern equipment's smoke, dust, chemicals, and fertilizers both in manual-driven farming and modern farming are major environmental issues. So in this chapter, sustainability issues in farming are prioritized such that the policies, equipment, and process must be modified.
Climate Smart Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Loures Luis , Ferreira Paulo , Loures Ana , Barradas Vera
Published: May 2022

Careful management of agricultural ecosystems is considered a vital procedure to ensure both environmental health and the sustainability of this sector, particularly when, besides all the argumentative used by farmers, there are no globally accepted sustainable management solutions for agriculture. This scenario poses several challenges for the agricultural sector all over the world, especially on an increasing climate change situation, in which extreme weather phenomena tend to be gradually more severe, as is the case of floods and draughts. Still, considering that the last decades were marked by great developments in agricultural management systems as is the case of precision agriculture, hi-tech-agriculture, organic farming, conservation agriculture, sustainable agriculture, smart farming, among others, it is crucial to assess specific case studies, in which the application of predetermined sustainable farming principles and/or procedures contributed to increase their resilience to climate change on a sustainable manner.