To synthesise evidence on the relationship between food insecurity and social networks among older adults, focusing on conceptualisation and measurement, analytical positionality, directionality of associations and research gaps.

A scoping review.

Global evidence.

Adults aged 60 years and older.

Sixty articles met the inclusion criteria. Research activity increased markedly after 2014, with 45 % published between 2020 and 2025. The median interval between completion of data collection and publication was 4 years. Most were conducted in high-income countries and employed quantitative designs, with limited representation from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and few focusing exclusively on older adults. Food insecurity was assessed using diverse instruments, most commonly the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Social networks were often proxied by marital status, living arrangements or perceived social support, with few studies employing validated instruments or theoretical frameworks. Most studies treated social networks as determinants of food insecurity, while reverse/bidirectional pathways, as well as more nuanced analytical positions such as networks as mediators/outcomes, were rarely explored.

This review identifies critical gaps in the evidence, including limited research in LMIC, narrow methodological approaches and a lack of attention to bidirectional pathways, which could indicate strategic entry points for food- or network-based intervention. Addressing these gaps through more diverse, globally informed approaches is essential to deepening the epidemiological understanding of how food insecurity and social networks shape ageing.

The Word List subtest of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery has been widely used in clinical research to identify and track cognitive disorders. However, normative data and change scores are lacking. The current study aimed to create normative data for the Word List subtest.

CERAD Word List data from 1,530 older adults diagnosed as cognitively intact, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), or dementia were seen for two annual visits in a longitudinal observational study from the Uniform Data Set of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center. Multiple linear regression predicted Time 2 scores from Time 1 scores, demographic variables (age, education, sex, and race), and retest interval. Validation included comparing predicted scores to observed scores in the original sample, and additional validation across five comparison groups (cognitively intact, MCI, dementia, worsening cognition, or improving cognition) and one-sample chi-square test of probabilities to compare group classification to predicted categorization based on chance alone.

The four demographic variables significantly predicted test scores for the six primary scores from the Word List subtest. For change data, when predicted Time 2 scores were compared to observed Time 2 scores, there were significant differences for 4 of the 6 scores, but the effect sizes were small. Significant differences were found across the five comparison groups for Total Recall and Delayed Recall (p-values < .001).

The current study provides normative data and regression-based change scores for the CERAD Word List subtest for older adults.

Canada’s rapidly aging population poses unique challenges for rural and remote communities such as the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.

Through creative community engagements and community-based participatory research, the Who Cares? project explored experiences of aging and approaches to care by gathering stories from across the Sunshine Coast.

Qualitative data were gathered from numerous community gatherings and twelve one-on-one interviews.

Reflexive and collaborative thematic analysis revealed that gaps in health services, staffing, and social supports, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have since deepened isolation among older adults. Structural barriers included inadequate transportation, housing insecurity, and limited health care access. Findings also revealed that despite these stories of need, communities on the Sunshine Coast demonstrated resilience through informal care networks, volunteerism, and collaborative caregiving practices that transcended institutional settings.

These findings point to the need for systemic and community-driven approaches to aging care that prioritize equity, accessibility, and proactive planning, while recognizing care as a shared responsibility embedded in relationships and community assets.

Depression is a major global health concern, yet evidence on depressive symptom severity among older adults with neurodegenerative disorders in Africa remains limited. This study assessed depressive symptom severity and associated sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial factors in Nigeria.

This hospital–based cross-sectional study recruited 304 adults aged ≥60 years with clinically confirmed Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia from six federally accredited neuropsychiatric hospitals (November 2024–October 2025). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the GDS-15. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used.

Severe depressive symptoms were observed in 85.2% of participants. Factors associated with severe symptoms included age ≥70 years (AOR = 4.32, 95% CI: 2.20–8.49), male sex (2.80, 1.49–5.27), unmarried/separated status (2.50, 1.22–5.13), living with family (6.27, 3.19–12.31), medication dependence (11.8, 5.88–23.79) and comorbidities (16.3, 7.70–34.57). Tertiary education was inversely associated with severe symptoms (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21–0.80).

Severe depressive symptoms were highly prevalent in this clinically selected sample. Integrated depression screening, appropriate clinical management and tailored psychosocial support are warranted.

Population-based longitudinal evidence using administrative healthcare registries remains limited. We aimed to estimate the burden and temporal trends of major depressive disorder (MDD) among individuals aged ≥65 in Lombardy, Italy, 2013 to 2023.

We conducted a retrospective population-based longitudinal study using multi-source administrative healthcare registries (Lombardy region, Italy), including an open cohort of individuals aged ≥65 years. Incident and prevalent MDD cases were identified from 2013 to 2023, through an algorithm combining hospital discharge records, administrative exemptions, long-term care facility admissions and community psychiatric services. Age-standardised incidence rates per 100,000 person-years and annual prevalence (%) were estimated overall, by sex and age, using the age-truncated (≥65) WHO standard population. Annual percent changes (APCs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Poisson regressions.

We identified 19,851 incident MDD cases during the study period. Age-standardised incidence declined from 126.5/100,000 person-years (95% CI 121.7–131.3) in 2013 to 50.6 (47.6–53.7) in 2023, with an APC of 10.8% (−11.8 to −9.7). Age-standardised annual prevalence decreased from 0.94% (0.93–0.95) in 2013 to 0.63% (0.62–0.64) in 2023, corresponding to an annual decline of 3.0% (−4.7 to −1.3). Rates were higher among females. Burden and trends did not differ significantly by sex but across age groups, with the largest reductions among individuals aged 80 years or older.

Administrative data capture clinically diagnosed MDD within the healthcare system, rather than the broader burden in the community. Comparable epidemiological estimates are needed to interpret trends across different settings.

Older adults with mental health (MH) issues often struggle to navigate a complex and fragmented healthcare system, leading to poorer outcomes. To address this, an acute care hospital in Ontario partnered with a community agency to develop an innovative MH Patient Navigation Program supporting older adults across the care continuum. Two Occupational Therapists were hired as Navigators.

A patient-tracking tool was codesigned to document patient characteristics, provided supports, and outcomes.

Using a cohort observational design, data were analyzed to describe patient demographics, referral reasons, complexity, navigator interventions, scope of practice, and program impact.

Patients were mostly female (58.5%) with a mean age of 71.7 years. Common MH conditions included mood disorders (31.4%), substance misuse (21.6%), anxiety (13.7%), and psychotic disorders (11.8%), with 41.1 per cent having a secondary MH condition. Navigators delivered multifaceted supports, with navigation, counselling, and home safety being most common.

Findings highlight program value and areas for refinement.

Older adults with multimorbidity (OAMM) commonly receive depression and pain management through primary care, where symptoms are typically assessed through retrospective recall. Even with validated questionnaires, recall bias has been reported in younger populations for both depression and pain. However, recall bias for depression and pain has not been explored in OAMM. We examined discrepancies between prospectively measured and recalled symptoms of depression and pain among OAMM.

We analysed data generated from a 14-day pilot feasibility trial of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in OAMM (N = 18, age range 67–95). We examined discrepancies between retrospectively assessed depression and pain intensity over two weeks compared to follow-up, baseline characteristics correlated with discrepancies, and recency effects.

We found overreporting across most symptoms, with the largest discrepancies between prospectively recorded and recalled symptom scores for pain intensity and fatigue (d = .49). There was no association between recalled and EMA-measured items for appetite and trouble sleeping. Pain intensity at day 14 was associated with discrepancies in recalled pain (r = −.52, p =.029), and both day 14 mood and negative self-thoughts were associated with discrepancies in trouble concentrating recall (r = −.67, p =.002 and p = −.72, p <.001, respectively) – suggesting recency effects.

We found preliminary evidence of recall bias among OAMM, including overreporting and recency effects of pain and depression symptoms. Given the reliance on recall during primary care visits, more research is needed.

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health condition, causing significant distress, disability and cost.

This pilot study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an eight-week self-directed online exercise intervention, supported by wearable activity monitors (WAMs), for mid-life and later-life adults with clinically significant anxiety, and provided preliminary estimates of effectiveness.

The Exercise Therapy to Reduce Anxiety (ExTRA) project recruited 21 participants aged 40–77 years with Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) anxiety scores >7. The ExTRA online platform integrated with the WAMs, and provided information about anxiety, exercise programmes and strategies to help meet national physical activity guidelines, overcome barriers and set goals.

ExTRA was feasible, with a 63% recruitment rate and 100% retention rate. Overall, evaluation questionnaire responses demonstrated high acceptability. At week 8, WAM average steps/day increased by 1358 (p = 0.036, Hedge’s g = −0.47), and fairly/very active minutes (3/6 metabolic equivalents) increased by 81.2 min/week (p = 0.024, g = −0.51), with moderate effect sizes. There was no statistically significant change on the self-report Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The DASS-21 anxiety score reduction of 2.3 (p = 0.060, g = 0.42) from baseline to week 8 approached statistical significance. DASS-21 stress and depression scores were significantly reduced by 3.9 (p = 0.013, g = 0.57) and 3.7 (p = 0.02, g = 0.53), respectively, from baseline to week 8. There was no significant change in self-efficacy or dementia risk.

The ExTRA intervention is feasible and acceptable, with positive signals for increasing objectively measured physical activity and improving mental health. Findings support and inform the design of randomised controlled trials to assess efficacy of this potentially automated and scalable intervention.

Globally, suicide is more prevalent in older adults compared with any other age group. Although some research has identified risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviour in older adults, further research is needed to provide an up-to-date overview to inform service delivery.

This study protocol describes mixed-methods research that will examine and identify factors associated with self-harm and suicide in older adults (aged 60 years and older) living in Ireland.

Four stages will be conducted. First, data from the National Self-Harm Registry of Ireland (NSHRI), will be used to examine recent hospital self-harm presentations of older adults, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, a case-series study will examine the adverse life events and psychosocial factors experienced by older adults before dying by suicide, using data from closed coronial files, through the Irish Probable Suicide Deaths Study (IPSDS). Third, risk of suicide following hospital-presenting self-harm will be examined among older adults via data linkage of the NSHRI and IPSDS. Finally, using semi-structured interviews, the service needs of older adults with suicidal behaviour will be explored from the perspectives of older adults, carers and healthcare practitioners.

A comprehensive understanding of adverse events and psychosocial factors associated with the suicidal behaviour of older adults is needed to inform service provision. This proposed research is aligned with (inter)national priorities, mental health promotion and suicide reduction policies. It aims to address gaps in mental healthcare interventions for older adults at risk of suicide.