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Technology and active agency of older adults living in service house environment
- Authors:
- SALLINEN Merja, HENTONEN Outi, KARKI Anne
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 10(1), 2015, pp.27-31.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore whether or not the assistive and safety technology that is currently used in service house environment supports the active agency of the elderly residents. Method: Twelve purposively chosen elderly residents were interviewed. The data were analysed by theory-driven content analysis using the modalities of the agency-model as a theoretical frame. Results: The technological devices and systems partially support the active agency of the residents. Deterioration of their functioning seems to limit the use of devices as well as complicate their learning on how to use these systems. The respondents had only few insights of the possibilities that this technology could offer to them in their daily life and they were not expecting their functioning to improve in the future. The homeliness and intimacy of the environment was highly appreciated. Conclusions: Although the attitude towards technology was, in general, reserved, technology was seen as one possibility to support active agency. The current technologies seem to be designed from the needs of the organisation and not from the needs of the residents. In the future, more emphasis needs to be put on designing individualised devices in cooperation with the users. Implications for Rehabilitation: 1) To support independence, autonomy and active agency of the older adults, the technological solutions must be based on perceived needs of the individual and the design should be adaptable to the functional limitations one has; 2) Nursing staff's knowledge about assistive devices and technologies need to be updated on regular bases in order to be able to recommend appropriate devices for the elderly; 3) Taking into account the fact that many older adults have mild to moderate memory problems as well as difficulties with vision and hearing, more attention needs to be paid to didactics, i.e. how the introduction and guidance of the use of new technologies, assistive devices or safety systems is best done with them. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social capital and self-rated health among older adults: a comparative analysis of Finland, Poland and Spain
- Authors:
- KOUTSOGEORGOU Eleni, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(3), 2015, pp.653-667.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The aim of this paper is to investigate the association between structural and cognitive aspects of social capital and self-rated health among adults aged 50 or more, living in three countries: Finland, Poland and Spain. The study, which was based on data from the European Social Survey (2008/09), was a part of the EU research project COURAGE in Europe. More specifically the paper assesses the association between social capital indicators - informal social network and general trust - and good self-rated health through single-level and joint effects analyses. The results showed that Finland was a country of high social capital, in terms of both social networks and general trust, while Spain showed low levels of general trust and Poland low levels of informal social networks. As to the association between social capital and self-rated health, high levels of general trust and high networks were found to be associated with good health among all countries' respondents. Older persons living in partnerships, with higher education, higher levels of engagement in informal networks and general trust, were found to be more likely to show good self-rated health. The comparative analyses revealed different associations between social capital and health according to country. (Edited publisher abstract)
The effect of out-of-home activity intervention delivered by volunteers on depressive symptoms among older people with severe mobility limitations: a randomized controlled trial
- Authors:
- RANTAKOKKO Merja, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 19(3), 2015, pp.231-238.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: To examine the effects of an individualised outdoor activity intervention carried out by volunteers on depressive symptoms among community-living older people with severe mobility limitations who have difficulties accessing the outdoors independently. Methods: Secondary analyses of the 'Volunteering, Access to Outdoor Activities and Wellbeing in Older People' (VOW) data (ISRCTN56847832). VOW was a randomised single blinded two-arm controlled trial conducted in Jyväskylä, Finland, in 2009-2011. At baseline, 121 people aged 67-92 years with severe mobility limitations were interviewed at home and randomized into either an intervention or waiting list control group. Volunteers (n = 47) had retired from regular work and were trained for the study. A volunteer assisted the participant in attending recreational out-of-home activities once a week for three months. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for the Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: In the intervention group the CES-D score did not change during the intervention, while in the control group it increased from 17.0 ± 1.3 to 19.1 ± 1.4 (intervention effect p = .096). Among the subgroups with minor depressive symptoms at baseline, the CES-D score decreased in the intervention group and increased in the control group. Conclusion: A three-month outdoor activity intervention may improve mood among older people with severe mobility limitations. More randomized controlled trials of the topic are needed. (Edited publisher abstract)
The care of older people with dementia in surgical wards from the point of view of the nursing staff and physicians
- Authors:
- HYNNINEN Nina, SAARNIO Reetta
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(1-2), 2015, pp.192-201.
- Publisher:
- John Wiley and Sons
Aims and objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the care of older people with dementia in surgical wards from the viewpoint of the nursing staff and physicians. Background: There has been little research on the impact of the increasing number of older people with dementia in surgical wards and the preparedness of multi-professional staff caring for them. Design: A qualitative, descriptive design was used. Methods: The data were collected using unstructured interviews with nursing staff (n = 19) and physicians (n = 9) who participate in caring for people with dementia in surgical wards. The collected data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Result: The nursing staff reported that caring for people with dementia was physically and mentally demanding. Physicians regarded memory disorder-related symptoms as primary causes of patients’ challenging behaviour, while in similar situations the nursing staff felt that such behaviour was related to their own personality or a deficiency in their nursing competence. The nursing staff commented that they had not received specific training in caring for people with dementia. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of developing nurses’ skills to meet the current demands of their jobs. Thus, nursing staff urgently require additional training to safely care for this group of patients. In addition, the well-being of nursing staff needs further support, and working practices in the wards should be reviewed. Relevance to clinical practise: Education and up-to-date information related to patient care strongly improve the quality of nursing. The results can be applied to the development of competences related to the care of older people with dementia in surgical wards from a multi-professional standpoint. (Publisher abstract)
To work or to care? Working women's decision-making
- Author:
- JOLANKI Outi
- Journal article citation:
- Community Work and Family, 18(3), 2015, pp.268-283.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Recent changes in older people's public care services in Nordic countries, in particular in Finland and Sweden, are based on implicit expectations that family members will increase their involvement in care. This study addressed the question of how Finnish working women who give care to their older parents argue for and against their decisions of working and caring and the meaning of work and care in these decisions. The data comprise 48 interviews with Finnish women, most of whom gave care to older parents. Majority of the interviewees emphasised the importance of work and refuted the idea of leaving work for care. The decision not to leave work for care was justified with worker identity, commitment to work, having no innate skills to be a carer, availability of support services and other carers and financial necessity. On the other hand, a few interviewees brought forward their willingness to leave work which was justified by constructing care as meaningful and valuable activity as opposed to meaningless paid employment, and with the intensification of work, and with ageing. Lengthy argumentation and several discursive tools indicate that women anticipated moral blame for the decision of giving work primacy over care, but also for leaving work. Thus, working carers balance between contrasting expectations to care and to work. (Edited publisher abstract)
Spatial practises and preferences of older and younger people: findings from the Finnish studies
- Authors:
- PUHAKKA Riikka, POIKOLAINEN Jaana, KARISTO Antti
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 29(1), 2015, pp.69-83.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
There are strong tendencies in urban segregation, not only according to social class, gender and ethnic lines but also according to age. This paper draws on the findings of three studies conducted in Lahti, Finland, to examine the intergenerational aspects of spatial practise. It is argued that people look at their environment through a generational gaze, such that different generations have different spatial preferences and practises. In this article, an age-friendly living environment refers to one that appeals not only to older people but to people of all ages. Age-friendly environments have no segregating borderlines, but rather enable the meeting and communication of different aged people and sustain age integration. As older and young people are most dependent on their living environments, the paper concentrates on their use of space and attachment to place. Special focus is given to recreational activities and places: How and where older and young people spend leisure time? What are their favourite places? What is the importance of nature and different kind of urban spots for them? On the basis of the differences and similarities found out in their spatial practises and preferences, the authors aim to discuss age-friendly environments that appeal to different aged people. The study is based on qualitative and quantitative data and draws out implications for future age-diverse communities (Edited publisher abstract)