Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Older men: their social worlds and healthy lifestyles
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Over recent years there have been substantial advances in social scientific understanding of the lives of older women, but older men have been largely neglected. This research has redressed the imbalance by analysing how gender roles and relationships influence the quality of life of older men, focusing particularly on older men who live alone. Previously little was known about the quality of life, kin and friendship relationships of older divorced and never married men. Our research has examined how loss of a marital partner through widowhood or divorce may differently affect their social relationships and health-related behaviour.
Quality of life and real life cognitive functioning
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
This study examined the predictive value of mid-life risk factors for cognitive functioning in old age. Participants were drawn from a study of middle-aged people living in research conducted 30 years ago. Current cognitive functioning, both 'abstract' and 'real world', was assessed, along with attitudes and beliefs regarding how to maintain cognitive functioning in old age. Cognitive functioning was then examined in relation to perceived quality of life.
Women, ethnicity and empowerment in later life
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Studies of later life are increasingly emphasising its positive aspects as a time which is not necessarily linked to decline and dependency. While it is important not to underestimate the material and resource needs of older people and the very real constraints within which many live, it is also necessary to challenge negative stereotyping and examine the possibilities for pursuing satisfying lives. Gender is also accepted as an important variable in the experience of advancing years. Since women live longer than men, the proportion of older women to men increases with age and more women than ever reach older' old age. One aspect of the ageing process which is relatively underresearched relates to ethnicity. Although minority ethnic groups tend to have a smaller proportion of their population over 60 years, this is changing and commentators expect the current situation, where there are more minority ethnic men than women in the older population, to be reversed in the future. This project conducted interviews and focus groups with women aged 60+from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. It focussed on quality of life, empowerment and what the women identify as enhancing or debilitating in terms of living their later years.
Ethnic inequalities in quality of life at older ages: subjective and objective components
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Profound changes are affecting life at older ages in Britain, but the extent to which their impact might vary across different ethnic groups has rarely been studied. This study set out to investigate inequalities in the circumstances of older ethnic people, using a broad conceptualisation of quality of life. The study was conducted in two phases. The first used respondents to the Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities to draw a sample for a qualitative interview. This focussed on ethnic differences in influences on and levels of quality of life, relating this to the circumstances and biographies of respondents. The second involved secondary analysis of the Fourth National Survey data to explore levels of inequality across ethnic groups. Both elements of the study focussed on four ethnic groups: Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani and white.
Spiritual beliefs and existential meaning in later life: the experience of older bereaved spouses
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
The current generation of British older people were brought up within a much more religious society than today's. Yet little is known about the belief systems they currently hold. This research explores the significance of spiritual belief for the well-being of a sample of older bereaved spouses drawn from a Christian background.
Exploring perceptions of quality of life of frail older people during and after their transition to institutional care
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Reports on research to investigate the quality of life of older people with severe physical and/or mental conditions or disabilities at the end of their lives. The research aims to contributed to the understanding of the quality of life for frail older people, from the perspective of older people themselves. The research used a symbolic interactionist framework and takes a subjective, qualitative approach to quality of life as a multi-dimensional concept, including social, psychological, emotional, cultural, spiritual and environmental dimensions. This ethnographic research included six focus groups, naturalistic observation, and interviews with 52 individuals who had moved into care homes in the previous six months.
Quality of life and social support among older people from different ethnic groups
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
In-depth interviews were carried out with 203 older people from Caribbean Asian (including Chinese) African and White communities aged 55 and older people. Briefly reports on the results of the research including the impact of racial discrimination on quality of life; sources of social support; and the role of expectations in quality of life. Results of the study suggest that ethnicity influences both individual and collective personal responses to perceptions of quality of life.
Older women's lives and voices: participation and policy in Sheffield
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Presents the findings of an exploratory study which aimed to raise awareness of the issues affecting the quality of life of older women across different ethnic groups and their involvement in the services available to them. The study adopted a participatory approach, involving older women in designing and carrying out the research, and in promoting and evaluating change where possible. Discusses briefly the findings of the research and issues relating to participation of service users in research projects.
Older people in deprived neighbourhoods: social exclusion and quality of life in old age
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
This research examined the circumstances of older people living in socially deprived areas of three English cities. In seeking to provide new insights into the nature of inequalities within older age, the study addressed the conditions of social exclusion in deprived urban neighbourhoods and the processes that contribute to social exclusion in later life. The focus on older people in deprived neighbourhoods is closely tied to contemporary public policy concerns. In recent years, such neighbourhoods have been subject to considerable social policy intervention, linked to attempts to reduce the geographical divide between Britain's most deprived areas and the 'mainstream of society'. In this respect, the research sought to examine the degree to which residence in an area of concentrated poverty might compound the impact on older people of other forms of social exclusion, and lead to a diminished quality of life. The research was undertaken in the three most deprived electoral wards in Liverpool, Manchester and the London Borough of Newham. Data collection consisted of a survey of 600 people aged 60 and over in the three cities, and semi-structured interviews with 130 people in the same age group.
Older widow(er)s: bereavement and gender effects on lifestyle and participation
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
This project examined the lifestyles of women and men widowed in late life, highlighting gender, social participation, wellbeing and emotional response, with a view to promoting more effective adjustment to bereavement and widowhood.