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What keeps them going, and what gets them back? Older adults’ beliefs about physical activity maintenance
- Authors:
- HUFFMAN Mary Katherine, AMIREAULT Steve
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 61(3), 2021, pp.392-402.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: The overall purpose of this article was to investigate beliefs related to physical activity maintenance among adults aged 60 years or older. Research Design and Methods: Study 1 identified modal, salient behavioral, normative, and control beliefs using a free-response format. Study 2 was designed to gain a deeper understanding about these beliefs through in-depth semistructured interviews. Results: Findings indicate that perceived physical and emotional benefits, scheduling and having a physical activity routine, social support, and features of indoor and outdoor locations are facilitating of maintenance. Some beliefs appear more relevant to sustained engagement in physical activity, while others may be more helpful for reengagement after 1 week of inactivity. Discussion and Implications: This investigation raises new hypotheses for future research and provides insight for the use and adaptation of behavior change strategies that are potentially more acceptable and effective for the promotion of physical activity maintenance for older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)
Retirement housing: marketing retirement housing as aspirational and not a sign of crisis
- Author:
- SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU
- Publisher:
- Shakespeare Martineau
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
In this report we will explore the disparity between the public and housing provider perceptions of the retirement housing sector; and in particular, the way the sector is described, awareness of the benefits and services on offer, the perception of what ‘type’ of person would benefit from retirement housing and public understanding of retirement property tenures. We consult experts from across the industry – including representatives from Housing 21, Lifestory Group, Housing LIN (Learning and Improvement Network), Orbit Group, Elderly Accommodation Counsel, the Local Government Association, the Chartered Institute of Housing and Shakespeare Martineau – and outline the need for clarity in messaging and a benefits – not age-focused – approach to marketing and targeting. We outline how the sector can make retirement housing aspirational and not a sign of crisis or defeat through marketing and education, and identify the demographics that need the greatest education around the benefits and how best to market to them – based on our research. As well as potentially missed opportunities of where to build and when to include higher end facilities and services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Generation Z undergraduate social work students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward older persons: implications for professional training
- Authors:
- GEYER Stephan, LOUW Liebie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(1-2), 2020, pp.92-113.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Appropriate gerontological social work services are, amongst others, dependent on social workers’ knowledge of and attitudes toward older persons. The current cohort of students, known as Generation Z, are global citizens. This study determined and described South African undergraduate social work students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward older persons. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken with B Social Work students (N = 395) at two universities. Data collection included the three scales of Palmore’s First Facts of Aging Quiz in multiple-choice format (1996) and four scales of Fraboni’s Scale of Agism (1990). Age and five categorical factors were considered to determine their simultaneous impact on each of the seven scales/subscales of the two instruments by performing multi-way ANOVA models. An unexpected finding was that the factor ‘completed a course in gerontology’ did not have any impact on any scale. Year level of study, area of childhood residence and consideration to work exclusively with older persons after graduation simultaneously impacted respondents’ ‘overall attitude’ toward older persons. Two factors (i.e., year level of study and area of childhood residence) mutually impacted respondents’ ‘overall knowledge’ of aging. Recommendations for the training of Generation Z students are offered concerning course content and pedagogical interventions. (Publisher abstract)
The social-political challenges behind the wish to die in older people who consider their lives to be completed and no longer worth living
- Authors:
- WIJNGAARDEN Els van, GOOSSENSEN Anne, LEGET Carlo
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of European Social Policy, 28(4), 2018, pp.419-429.
- Publisher:
- Sage
In the Netherlands, physician-assisted dying has been legalised since 2002. Currently, an increasing number of Dutch citizens are in favour of a more relaxed interpretation of the law. Based on an ethos of self-determination and autonomy, there is a strong political lobby for the legal right to assisted dying when life is considered to be completed and no longer worth living. Building on previous empirical research, this article provides a critical ethical reflection upon this social issue. In the first part, we discuss the following question: what is the lived experience of older people who consider their lives to be completed and no longer worth living? The authors describe the reported loss of a sense of autonomy, dignity and independence in the lives of these older people. In the second part, from an ethics of care stance, the authors analyse the emerging social and political challenges behind the wish to die. Empirically grounded, it is arugued that the debate on ‘completed life in old age’ should primarily focus not on the question of whether or not to legitimise a self-directed death but on how to build an inclusive society where people may feel less unneeded, useless and marginalized. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mentalization in dementia care: an autoethnographic account of a project worker’s experiences
- Authors:
- LUXMOORE Bethany, McEVOY Phil
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 21(3), 2017, pp.147-156.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Mentalization is a psychodynamic concept that can help us to understand our emotional responses to others. The purpose of this paper to illustrate how the concept of mentalization may be applied in dementia care. Design/methodology/approach: An autoethnographic account of the author’s experiences (first author), working as a project manager in which the author used the concept of mentalization to pay close attention to how the author’s emotional responses to people with dementia influenced thier communicative interactions. Findings: This paper outlines how the author processed the author’s own internal experiences in both mentalizing and non-mentalizing modes, as the author wrestled with feelings of conscious incompetence. In the non-mentalizing mode, the author was pre-occupied with the author’s own anxieties. The author struggled to relate to or make sense of the experiences of the individuals with advanced dementia that the author engaged with. Moving towards a mentalizing stance helped the author to attune to the embodied experiences of the people with dementia and recognise the reciprocal nature of our communicative interactions. Originality/value: This paper illustrates the role that mentalization may play in developing natural and authentic strategies to support communicative engagement in dementia care. These strategies may be of potential value to family carers. Family carers who can maintain a mentalizing stance may be more able to respond in empathic, person- centred ways to people who are living with dementia. On the other hand, non-mentalizing responses may be a root cause of mis-understanding and emotional disengagement. (Publisher abstract)
Exploring the attitudes and behaviours of older people living with cancer
- Author:
- IPSOS MORI
- Publisher:
- Ipsos MORI
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 86
- Place of publication:
- London
This study identifies a range of attitudes and perceptions which shape the way that older people access cancer services, influencing when and how they seek help, as well as the outcomes they experience. The findings are based on two online panel surveys of 1,004 adults aged 55 and over living with cancer and 500 adults of the same age range who have never had a cancer diagnosis. In addition, fieldwork was undertaken and 26 in-depth interviews with people aged 55 and over living with cancer and two focus groups with older people who have never had cancer carried out. A number of key themes emerge from the research, including: there are differences in the views of older people with cancer and those who have not been diagnosed with cancer, with those with direct experience of the condition having more positive perceptions about it; some of the preconceptions that people may hold about older people’s attitudes have been challenged, for example, older people are no more likely to choose not to have treatment than younger people, and no more likely to be concerned about the consequences of having treatment; a series of misconceptions about the risk of cancer and eligibility for screening may impact upon early diagnosis efforts and should be addressed; older people are more likely than younger people to place trust in their health professionals but at the same time believe that discrimination against older people does exist (albeit not necessarily in their personal experience); nonetheless, older people say they are willing to seek help, but are not necessarily aware of the services that exist to support them. Independence matters to older people. (Edited publisher abstract)
Health beliefs of community dwelling older adults in the United Arab Emirates: a qualitative study
- Author:
- CAMPBELL Carol
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 40(1), 2015, pp.13-28.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
There is a paucity of information about the health beliefs that older adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hold. This is a serious omission as understanding people’s ideas about health maintenance and disease prevention informs public health policy and practice. Using a qualitative methodology, twenty-three community dwelling adults aged between sixty and eighty years were interviewed. The data were analysed to uncover the meanings of health and health beliefs ascribed by the participants within their narratives. Participant narratives revealed representations of health that were in close alignment with previous research. ‘Health as value’ also emerged as a distinct health belief. Analysis of the interview data identified three superordinate themes labelled ‘Health is what you eat’; ‘Health was better in the past’; and ‘Health is from God’ as factors that participants attributed to their health. The implications for the health care system in the UAE are discussed. As the first study of its kind within the UAE, this study provides a solid base from which future studies exploring health beliefs and social representations of health can build upon. (Edited publisher abstract)
Perceptions of cause and control in people with Alzheimer’s Disease
- Authors:
- MATCHWICK Claire, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 54(2), 2014, pp.268-276.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: To explore cause and control illness representations in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Design and Methods: Six older adults living in the North West of England completed semi-structured interviews that were subject to an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged indicating that participants were trying to make sense of their AD by comparing it with their previous experience of physical health illnesses. All participants acknowledged their diagnosis of AD but engaged with it in a graded way because of a lack of tangible diagnostic evidence. Participants developed pragmatic emotional responses to their situation. Implications: One of the main implications of the results is that caution needs to be exercised within clinical practice so that the pragmatic responses of individuals with AD are not pathologised. (Edited publisher abstract)
Investigating the triggers into claiming pension credit
- Authors:
- BHATTACHARY Darren, SLADE Zoe
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 63p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This research investigated the events that act as a trigger to thinking about, making enquiries about or claiming Pension Credit for existing pensioners. The research involved 55 qualitative depth interviews with pensioners in ten areas of the United Kingdom (UK). Interviews lasted for approximately 30 minutes and were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed. Pensioners’ awareness of and their perceived need for Pension Credit had an impact upon the customer journey. Four distinct segments emerged based upon these two factors. There were those not comfortable discussing financial matters, other than with close family. They had low awareness and low perceived need of Pension Credit. They had low awareness but a high perceived need of Pension Credit. Those that thought they had enough money to ‘survive on’ and thought they would be ineligible. They had high awareness and a low perceived need of Pension Credit. The most financially vulnerable group were too proud to get additional support – viewing Pension Credit as a handout. They had a high awareness of and a high perceived need for Pension Credit.
Attitudes towards mental health services in Hispanic older adults: the role of misconceptions and personal beliefs
- Authors:
- JANG Yuri, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 47(2), April 2011, pp.164-170.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Focusing on misconceptions and personal beliefs associated with depression, this study explored predictors of attitudes toward mental health services in a sample of 297 Hispanic older adults living in public housing in the USA. Results from a hierarchical regression analysis showed that negative attitudes towards mental health services were predicted by advanced age, belief that having depression would make family members disappointed, and belief that counselling brings too many bad feelings such as anger and sadness. Findings suggest that interventions designed to promote positive attitudes toward mental health services of older Hispanics should address misconceptions and personal beliefs.