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Female longevity is observed in humans and much of the animal kingdom, but its causes remain elusive. Using a genetic manipulation that generates XX and XY mice, each with either ovaries or testes, we show that the female XX sex chromosome complement increases survival during aging in male and female mice. In combination with ovaries, it also extends lifespan. Understanding causes of sex‐based differences in aging could lead to new pathways to counter age‐induced decline in both sexes.

This cross-sectional study examined the association between job loss during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the Japanese working population and whether universal financial support program has a protective influence on the HRQOL. Two self-reported internet surveys were used to determine job loss during the pandemic: one was conducted between February and March 2020, just before the COVID-19 emergency declaration by the Japanese government (April 2020), and the other was conducted between August and September 2020. For the dependent variable, we used the EQ-5D-5L utility score (QOL utility score), which was assessed between August and September 2020. The independent variables were job loss after the state of emergency was declared and two types of government financial support (either universal support or support targeting child-raising households). The Tobit regression model was applied, adjusting for covariates. Job loss during the pandemic was negatively associated with the QOL utility score in the fully adjusted model; the coefficient (95% confidence interval [CI]) for job loss during the pandemic was −0.07 (−0.11 to −0.03). For the government financial support variables, the universal financial support program was associated with a better QOL utility score of the coefficient (95% CI), 0.05 (0.03 to 0.08). Job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively associated with HRQOL, while universal financial support is positively associated with HRQOL. Our study results imply that universal financial support during the COVID-19 era has a protective influence on an individual’s HRQOL.

Abstract The association between diet and frailty in older adults may be related to social factors. This study aimed to investigate whether there is an interaction effect between balanced diet and social participation on frailty in older Japanese. Balanced diet was defined as the consumption of more than one meal per day that contained carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Data were collected from 4,832 community-dwelling older adults aged 65-89 years through self-reported questionnaires (response rate 49.0%). Frailty was measured using the Kihon Checklist developed by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. We stratified participants by age (65-74 and 75-89 years) and conducted logistic regression models adjusted for economic status, gender, marital status, living alone, disease, and physical activity. The interaction between dietary diversity and social participation in frailty was also assessed. Results showed that in both age groups, consuming balanced diet was associated with a lower risk of frailty (OR=0.56, 95%CI=0.40–0.79). Lack of social participation was found to be a risk factor for frailty (OR=1.51, 95%CI=1.03–2.21). Furthermore, the interaction between balanced diet and social participation revealed that a combination of lack of social participation and balanced diet was also associated with a lower frailty risk in the 75-89 age group (OR=0.63, 95%CI=0.40–0.99). These findings suggest that balanced diet consumed at least once a day may be beneficial for preventing frailty for older adults, however, social participation should also be taken into consideration for those aged 75-89. This study has some limitations as a cross-sectional study. Longitudinal research is needed.

Abstract The proportion of older adults (age 65+) in Japan has been steadily growing, and reached almost 30% in 2022, its highest-ever level. As the benefits of aging in place have been promoted at individual, community, and policy levels, the number of households where an older adult cares for another older adult has been increasing. However, currently little is known about the challenges and facilitators of older-to-older caregiving. This study aims to review extant literature to identify challenges experienced by older-to-older caregivers and facilitators that could help them. Drawing on a review protocol informed by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), we searched six databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, Google Scholar) using combinations of search terms including “older,” “aged,” “senior,” “caregiver,” “carer,” “care provider,” and “care recipient.” To be included in the study, the literature must be written in English and based on empirical studies focusing on older caregivers (age 65+) who care for older adults (age 65+) in community settings. The reviewed literature suggests that older caregivers experience substantial distress, caregiver burden, and sleep deprivation, which increases the risk of depression and diminished well-being, particularly if they care for older adults living with dementia. Facilitators of caregiving include strategies for self-care and problem-solving to address challenges. Future research needs to investigate (1) support options that could reduce older caregivers’ burden and promote their well-being and (2) older care recipients’ experiences of being cared for by older cares.

Cognitive fatigue arises after a long-lasting task, as attested by increases in reaction times (RTs). However, most studies have focused on young adults. Therefore, we investigated cognitive fatigue through changes in RT distributions in three age groups—young, middle-aged, and older adults—during a 160-min Stroop task. Task duration was divided into four blocks and the ex-Gaussian parameters (μ, σ, τ) were extracted from individual RT distributions in each time block for each item type. The results showed a significant Group effect on μ. Young adults had smaller μ values than the other two groups, meaning that middle-aged and older people performed the whole task slower than young adults. By contrast, τ showed no Group effect but increased with Time-on-Task in middle-aged people. Older adults did not show τ increase with Time-on-Task, which echoes studies showing some resistance to task monotony in this population. Globally, our results showed dissociated age and Time-on-Task effect on the ex-Gaussian parameters, confirming the relevance of this approach in the cognitive fatigue domain. We proposed here that cognitive fatigue affects only the decision component of response production, and that midlife may be a life stage with high sensitivity to cognitive fatigue.

This study validates the French version of the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale, one of the most used self-report measures of parental sense of competence. Given its impact on parenting and child outcome, assessing and strengthening the parental sense of competence is a central dimension of improving parental competence. While the PSOC is widely used in French-speaking research, it has not yet been validated. In addition, the number of factors in the PSOC has been contested and the internal structure of the PSOC has been only partially confirmed in cross-cultural studies. The present study assesses the reliability and the factor structure of a French version of the PSOC using confirmatory factor analysis. Participants were French-speaking mothers from two independent samples ( N  = 1671, N  = 681). They completed three online questionnaires: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the PSOC, and the Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale. Findings supported a three-factor solution, with the exclusion of three items that lacked specificity. Our results also demonstrate the discriminant properties of the PSOC and the construct validity of the PSOC. In conclusion, our findings support the validation of the French version of the PSOC with the removal of three items and the rewording of items for which the vocabulary was no longer up to date. Highlights This study is the first validation of the Questionnaire d’Auto-Évaluation de la Compétence Éducative Parentale (QAECEP), a French version of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale. The analysis demonstrates the good fit of a three-factor model composed of 13 items, after the removal of three items. The results support the use of the QAECEP as a measure of parental sense of competence, with potential future refinements as the rewording of items.

Abstract Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 residents in a Maryland condominium, four to six months after the presence of the epidemic in the US was recognized in mid-March. The objective was to determine to what extent the restrictions resulting from the presence of a new disease was affecting older adults in their daily lives, and in their plans for the future. All respondents were over the age of 60 and half were more than 80 years old. Two-thirds lived by themselves; most others lived with a husband or wife. Respondents for the most part were following guidelines to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid close contact with persons outside their homes, including other family members. Over half had already made dramatic changes in their daily activities. Some found an opportunity to develop new skills, had connected with people from the past, or had become more introspective. Others, while exhibiting some of the same characteristics, were more focused on the restrictions they faced, and were more aware than ever of the limited amount of time left in their lives. Differences between respondents in the emphasis of their perspectives are explored, by age, gender, and other characteristics.

Abstract Using the Study on the Lifestyle and Values of Senior Citizens (The Eighth International Study by the Japan Cabinet Office), the social interactions were assessed in the context of health and life satisfaction of the older adults of the U.S and Japan to confirm the relationship between ICT usage and social interactions. The less social interaction was defined as those who answered that they had no \"role in the family,\" \"working,\" or \"social activities such as volunteering.\" The proportion of less-social interaction people and non-use of ICT increased with age, but the proportions of Japanese were higher than that in Americans. The adjusted odds ratio for non-use of ICT to the risk of isolation of the older adults in Japan was 2.43 (95% CI: 1.59-3.73), but no significant relationship was observed in American older adults. Future research will examine the use of ICT by older adults in each country.

Abstract With demographic aging, many older adults require home medical care. Although home-based primary care is promoted in the United States and Japan, there is insufficient evidence about it. We aimed to study the characteristics and prognoses of long-term home care patients. We prospectively registered 151 patients, estimated to receive physician home visits for more than six months, in a clinic in Chiba, Japan, in 2020. The mean (±SD) age was 83.9±10.0 years and ranged from 31 to 102 years. Most patients were men (60.3%) and aged 65 years or above (95.3%). We investigated clinical information, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Revised Japanese version (ESAS-r-J), Dementia Assessment Sheet in Community-based Integrated Care System 21 items (DASC-21), EuroQOL 5 dimensions 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) every six months, and the incidence of hospital admission, death, and patient transportation by ambulance. The most frequent diagnoses were dementia (31.1%), bone and articular diseases (17.2%), cerebrovascular diseases (11.9%), organ failure (9.3%), and neurological diseases (9.3%). Most patients (78.2%) showed more than 30 points on the DASC-21, suggesting cognitive impairment. Worse wellbeing, drowsiness, tiredness, anxiety, depression, and pain were the most prevalent symptoms. EQ-5D-5L index values were distributed around-0-0.2 and 0.4-0.7. During the first three months of physician home visits, 21.9% of patients had hospital admissions, 12.5% of them died, and 11.7% required hospital transportation by an ambulance. In this study, most long-term home care patients suffered from cognitive impairment. In addition to receiving care for daily life, these patients require intensive medical management.

Abstract To combat the COVID-19 pandemic strict contact restrictions have been imposed on institutions for both older and younger people, social structures have been locked down, families have been urged to reduce contact with older relatives, and people over 65 have been temporarily banned from their workplaces and from attending events, both in public and private spaces. These measures are assumed to have a number of psychosocial consequences. For this questionnaire study, 268 pupils (7-to-10 years-old) of nine different schools in Hamburg, Germany, with different social index were asked about how they experienced, perceived, and behaved during the COVID-19 pandemic. 75% of the children reported on restricted contact to their grandparents: While 41% did not meet their grandparents at least for a certain time at the beginning of the pandemic, 34% did not meet their grandparents during the whole first year of the pandemic. Of those who met their grandparents, 25% kept physical distance to them. These contact restrictions were significantly higher in schools with a lower social index, chi2(8)=15.49, p=.05. Those children who never met their grandparents also reported on higher perceived stress, t(220)=-2.37, p=.019, d=-.33, tended to have lower subjective well-being, t(223)=-1.73, p=.09, d=-.24, and had higher risk perceptions concerning COVID-19 infections, t(223)=-2.18, p=.03, d=-.31. Hence social isolation and loneliness is not only an issue for older people themselves, but contact restrictions also potentially increase the stress load and impair the well-being of children who have to do without support and care of their grandparents in sensitive developmental phases.