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Sheltered housing and care for older people: perspectives of tenants and scheme managers
- Authors:
- TAYLOR Brian J., NEILL Andrea
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(4), December 2009, pp.18-28.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Sheltered housing schemes for older people took a new turn in the UK with the community care policy of the early 1990s giving care provision for people living in such schemes. There is relatively little research on what sheltered housing schemes provide and what makes them work well. This study looked at sheltered housing provision for older people in the north Antrim area of Northern Ireland through 10 focus groups with tenants and 16 questionnaires administered with managers of schemes. The findings showed that tenants valued the independence and choice of sheltered housing in comparison with institutional care. They also highly valued the social interaction and social events with other tenants. Scheme managers were often available to tenants for long and anti-social hours. The home care arrangements were regarded as satisfactory although there were criticisms of the limited hours for tasks and the skills of some care workers. Some scheme managers thought that the publicly-funded homecare service would be more efficient if the staff were managed from the housing scheme. The overall conclusion was that well-planned and well-located supported housing schemes with appropriate attention to social aspects lead to good self-reported quality of life and satisfaction of the tenants. An area for further research is the effectiveness of different arrangements for the provision of care in such schemes.
Early intervention in dementia care in an Asian community: lessons from a dementia collaborative project
- Authors:
- SEABROOKE Viniti, MILNE Alisoun
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(4), December 2009, pp.29-36.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
The number of older Asians in the UK, and therefore at risk of developing dementia is increasing. The emerging need to address early diagnosis is especially prominent in areas where Asian communities are long established. Set up under the auspices of the South East Dementia Services Collaborative, this pilot project aimed to raise awareness of memory problems and facilitate access to early intervention for older Asians in North West Kent. Using an evaluation methodology adopted by the Collaborative and working through a multi-agency steering group, the project identified an appropriate primary care practice, established a link with a specially trained Asian nurse and devised a set of project materials. By inviting older Asian patients with memory problems to make an appointment with the nurse, and enclosing a culturally relevant information leaflet, older people were encouraged to come forward. The project outcomes include significantly increased referral rates from black and minority ethnic communities to specialist services and greater awareness of dementia-related issues in both primary care and Asian care services. Overall, the evaluation suggests that by engaging with a committed primary care practice it is possible to engage a hitherto marginal group of older people in early intervention in dementia and raise awareness about its benefits.
Elders, drama and the good life
- Author:
- WEINER Ron
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(4), December 2009, pp.49-52.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
This article starts by arguing that, rather than considering the older generation as a problem for society, old age should be a time for new skills, for development and change. In particular, it discusses the role that drama can play for older people, teaching skill development and retention, role training, social communication and support, understanding societal problems, and leading to receiving positive feedback and having creative fun. It describes 2 theatre projects in which elder participants develop their creativity, explore issues to do with the ageing process, and confront many of the stereotypes about growing old. It discusses the effects of these projects on the participants, their friends and families, and the wider community.
What works well in community care: supporting older people in their own homes and community networks
- Authors:
- SEDDON Diane, HARPER Graham
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(4), December 2009, pp.8-17.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
This paper presents findings from a qualitative study that sought to identify what works well in supporting older people to live in their own homes and local communities. Data was collected from 6 focus groups convened with key stakeholders: 2 with older people, 2 with carers, 1 with direct service providers, and 1 with care managers. When considering what helps older people to live in their own homes and local communities the themes that emerged from the focus groups were person-centred support, maintaining community connections, and flexible support arrangements. To be effective, support needs to be underpinned by a person-centred approach which takes into account individual preferences and priorities, and is organised locally to where older people live. Statutory organisations are often constrained by restrictive thinking and financial pressures lead to resource-centred rather than person-centred responses to individuals in need. The findings suggest that commissioners of services should be more creative in developing flexible providers in local communities. The potential of an action research programme to explore these ideas and enable processes for development, outcomes for older people, their carers and the communities in which they live, as well as the costs, to be tested comparatively with traditional services is noted.
The effects of eight-week balance training or weight training for the elderly on fear of falling measures and social activity levels
- Authors:
- KIM Sukwon, LOCKHART Thurmon, ROBERTO Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(4), December 2009, pp.37-48.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Falls are a result of complex integration of physical, psychological and social factors among older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the influence of participating in an 8-week physical training (i.e. balance or weight training) would influence older adults’ psychosocial functioning, particularly the fear of falling and participation in social activities. Eighteen older adults aged 65 years or older in Virginia, USA voluntarily participated in the study, and were randomly and evenly assigned either to the balance training, weight training, or control group (who engaged in social activities). Questionnaires were used to measure the fear of falling and social activity levels. The results showed that psychological factors improved in all groups after 8 weeks. Social interaction levels did not improve in any of the 3 groups, although all the participants exhibited improvements in being socially independent. The results suggested that being physically active as well as being socially active could results in being less fearful of falls, more confident of leaving residency, being more independent, and being more active.
Making a difference
- Author:
- MARKS Ruth
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(4), December 2009, pp.4-7.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
In April 2008 Wales became the first country in the world to appoint an independent champion for older people. This article is written by Ruth Marks, the first Commissioner for Older People for Wales. This position has 4 general functions: to promote awareness of the interests of older people in Wales and of the need to safeguard those interests; to encourage best practice in the treatment of older people in Wales; to keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of the law affecting the interests of older people in Wales; and to promote the provision of opportunities for, and the elimination of discrimination against, older people in Wales. The United Nations Principles for Older Persons, independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity, underpin the role, and organisations and public bodies are encouraged to use these principles as guiding values. The legal power of the Commissioner’s position to review the effectiveness of relevant legislation is discussed. The article describes the work done so far, particularly the consultations with individuals and relevant organisations, and discusses the main issues identified by these meetings.
Ageing and work
- Author:
- BALL Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(2), June 2009, pp.47-53.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
In order to respond to demographic changes and a growing ageing population, human resource management policies in organisations have been urged to take age positive approaches to the management of their organisations. However understanding of demographic change is often limited in many organisations. This paper briefly explores the demographic context and comments on the main policy responses in relation to workforce issues. It then considers the sorts of measures that might be needed to make work compatible with a significantly older working population.
Slowing human ageing
- Author:
- WILSON David L.
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(2), June 2009, pp.23-29.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Knowledge of why and how we age is pointing to ways to extend human longevity. Studies in model organisms indicate that increasing the expression of repair and maintenance genes results in slower ageing and increased life expectancy. The evidence for the view that we will soon be able to slow human ageing is described, as are possible societal consequences.
The relationship between longevity and healthy life expectancy
- Authors:
- ROBINE Jean-Marie, SAITO Yasuhiko, JAGGER Carol
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(2), June 2009, pp.5-14.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
The authors discuss the relationship between longevity and health at an individual, national and global level. The authors draw on evidence to discuss whether centenarians are healthy people; whether nationally, the increase in healthy life expectancy is slower or faster than the increase in total life expectancy; and globally, whether countries with the highest life expectancies also have the highest healthy life expectancies.
In the balance: silver tsunami or longevity dividend?
- Author:
- PERRY Daniel P.
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(2), June 2009, pp.15-22.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
An increase in life expectancy may result in an increase in the number of people with chronic illness and diseases. The author looks at the possible scenarios: an increase in chronic age-related disease and disability; insurmountable social and economic stress; or a future in which older people continue to function and contribute during extended healthy years of life made possible by scientific and medical advances. The latter vision, termed the 'longevity dividend', is discussed in terms of strategies for achieving this goal.