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Mot en ny institutionsvardag. (Towards a new everyday life in institutions.)
- Author:
- VILJARANTA Liisa
- Journal article citation:
- Nordisk Sosialt Arbeid, 13(4), 1993, pp.19-27.
- Publisher:
- Universitetsforlaget AS
Describes a development project carried out in some institutions for the elderly in Finland. The project lasted almost three years, with the aim of changing the everyday life of the institution so that there would be greater scope for self-determination and participation for the older people. All the employees, from the superintendent to the caretaker, took part in the development and the associated group work, which was the most important working form used by the project.
Ideals lost? Current trends in Scandinavian welfare policies on ageing
- Author:
- DAATLAND Svein Olav
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of European Social Policy, 2(1), 1992, pp.33-47.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Considers the extent to which the traditional ideals underlying the Scandinavian welfare state - solidaristic and egalitarian - are under threat in the light of signs of less state ambition, and public criticisms about the amount of public expenditure.
Social care‐related outcomes in Finland. Construct validity and structural characteristics of the Finnish ASCOT measure with older home care users
- Authors:
- NGUYEN Lien, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 29(3), 2021, pp.712-728.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit four response‐level interview schedule (ASCOT INT4) for service users was translated into Finnish. The aim of this paper was to investigate the construct validity and structural characteristics of the Finnish ASCOT. We used data from a face‐to‐face interview survey of older people receiving publicly funded home care services, which was conducted in 2016–2017 (n = 493), excluding missing values and proxy respondents (n = 334). Chi‐square tests, adjusted residuals and analyses of variance were used to examine hypothesised associations between each attribute and a number of relevant variables regarding health and well‐being, disabilities, living arrangements, social contact and support, experience of service use, and the nature of the locality and environment. Structural characteristics were explored using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha test. The EQ‐5D‐3L and ASCOT were moderately correlated (r = 0.429; p < 0.001). The ASCOT attributes were statistically positively related to the overall quality of life. For other tested variables, we found a high number of significant associations with the control over daily life, occupation, social participation, and personal cleanliness attributes, but fewer significant associations with the other attributes. Cronbach's alpha was 0.697 and a single factor was extracted. This assessment provides evidence to support the construct validity of the Finnish ASCOT. The results support the introduction of the Finnish ASCOT into Finland for use in practical applications. Future research on its reliability would be useful. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older people in the context of COVID-19: a European perspective
- Authors:
- PENTARIS Panagiotis, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(8), 2020, pp.736-742.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The Coronavirus pandemic and associated measures for the protection of the public have impacted differently on different parts of the population and across different nations. In many areas, COVID-19 has also either exacerbated already existing or created new inequalities in relation to specific parts of the population. Older individuals are one group in society that has been widely impacted, while social isolation/shielding measures have placed them in higher risk of loneliness, isolation, financial deprivation and mental health challenges, to name a few. This commentary reflects on such inequalities across four European nations (the United Kingdom (UK), Republic of Ireland, Finland, Spain) and draws attention to the critical role of Gerontological Social Work (GSW), while emphasizing the ways in which social work can intervene. First, we identify common concerns for the rights of older people that span across all four nations, and second, we identify significant roles for GSW practitioners at the individual, community and policy levels and conclude with a call for GSW in these four nations to be reimagined in a time of global crisis. (Edited publisher abstract)
Art intervention among Finnish older people and their caregivers: experiences of art pedagogies
- Authors:
- POHJOLA Hanna, VAAJOKI Anne, VÄLIMÄKI Tarja
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 28(5), 2020, pp.1780-1786.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The benefits of art therapies on older people's health have been well documented. However, studies into the perspectives of pedagogues on conducting arts interventions are scarce and no empirical evidence of the views of professional pedagogues views have been published to date. In this study, seven professional art pedagogues were interviewed using a thematic interview approach focusing on the pedagogues’ experiences of conducting arts interventions with a family caregiver and care recipient dyads. The interviews were analysed inductively using thematic content analysis. According to the analysis, three intersecting themes were found that both steered the pedagogical process and emerged from the process: holistic pedagogy, professional development and witnessing. The themes revealed a further understanding of approaches to the interviewees’ teaching and the value of participatory community arts in practice. The pedagogues’ experiences encourage art pedagogy to be acknowledged in a wider context within communities and healthcare environments. Further studies on interdisciplinary projects in collaboration with art pedagogues and healthcare professionals are encouraged. (Publisher abstract)
Active and non-active agents: residents' agency in assisted living
- Authors:
- PIRHONEN Jari, PIETILA Ilkka
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(1), 2018, pp.19-36.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Culturally, institutional care has been seen to strip older people of their status as full adult members of society and turn them into ‘have-nots’ in terms of agency. The substantial emphasis in gerontology of measuring the activity and functional ability of the elderly has unintentionally fostered these stereotypes, as have traditional definitions of agency that emphasise individuals’ choices and capacities. The aim of this paper is to discover what kind of opportunities to feel agentic exist for people who have reduced functional abilities and therefore reside in assisted living. In this paper, agency is approached empirically from the viewpoint of Finnish sheltered housing residents. The data were gathered using participant observation and thematic interviews. This study suggests that even people with substantial declines in their functional abilities may feel more or less agentic depending on their functional and material surroundings and the support they receive from the staff, relatives and other residents. The perception that residents’ agency in assisted living cannot be reduced to measurable activity has methodological implications for gerontological research on agency. Care providers can utilise our findings in reasserting their residents’ quality of life. (Publisher abstract)
Lost and unfulfilled relationships behind emotional loneliness in old age
- Authors:
- TIILIKAINEN Elisa, SEPPANEN Marjaana
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 37(5), 2017, pp.1068-1088.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Using a qualitative approach, this article examines how the experiences of emotional loneliness are embedded in the everyday lives and relationships of older adults. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted in 2010 with older people who reported feeling lonely, often or all the time, during a cohort study in southern Finland. The research reveals the multifaceted nature of loneliness and its causes. Behind emotional loneliness, we identified lost and unfulfilled relationships, involving the loss or lack of a partner, the absence of a meaningful friendship, complex parenthood and troubling childhood experiences. Most of the interviewees have faced loneliness that only began in old age, but for some, loneliness has been present for nearly a lifetime. (Publisher abstract)
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)
Effect of social networks and well-being on acute care needs
- Authors:
- SINTONEN Sanna, PEHKONEN Aini
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(1), 2014, pp.87-95.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The effect of social surroundings has been noted as an important component of the well-being of elderly people. A strong social network and strong and steady relationships are necessary for coping when illness or functional limitations occur in later life. Vulnerability can affect well-being and functioning particularly when sudden life changes occur. The objective of this study was to analyse how the determinants of social well-being affect individual acute care needs when sudden life changes occur. Empirical evidence was collected using a cross-sectional mail survey in Finland in January 2011 among individuals aged 55–79 years. The age-stratified random sample covered 3000 individuals, and the eventual response rate was 56% (1680). Complete responses were received from 1282 respondents (42.7%). The study focuses on the compactness of social networks, social disability, the stability of social relationships and the fear of loneliness as well as how these factors influence acute care needs. The measurement was based on a latent factor structure, and the key concepts were measured using two ordinal items. The results of the structural model suggest that the need for care is directly affected by social disability and the fear of loneliness. In addition, social disability is a determinant of the fear of loneliness and therefore plays an important role if sudden life changes occur. The compactness of social networks decreases social disability and partly diminishes the fear of loneliness and therefore has an indirect effect on the need for care. The stability of social relationships was influenced by the social networks and disability, but was an insignificant predictor of care needs. To conclude, social networks and well-being can decrease care needs, and supportive actions should be targeted to avoid loneliness and social isolation so that the informal network could be applied as an aspect of care-giving when acute life changes occur. (Publisher abstract)
Producing and funding welfare services for seniors in the future
- Authors:
- KAARAKAINEN Minna, SUOMALAINEN Sanna, HYTTINEN Virva
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 17(2), 2013, pp.74-84.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the Finnish welfare state from the point of view of the production and funding of care services. The authors examine the views of different generations as to which agency should be responsible for providing care services, and how such services should be financed. Design/methodology/approach – The data used in the study was gathered in May 2011 in Finland, informants were aged 18 and 74 (n=1,011). Statistical methods used were analysis of variance (ANOVA), cross tabulation and multinomial logistic regression analysis (MLRA). Findings – The authors’ results show that most of the respondents hoped to be able to take care of themselves in their senior years. If this were impossible, the public sector was seen as the primary service provider. As expected, most of the respondents thought that the service system should be funded with tax revenue. Nevertheless, the authors’ results show that younger people are more willing than older people to take personal responsibility for funding the care services they need in their old age. Originality/value – The research findings indicate that in the future respect and the role of individual preparedness will be stronger. The fact that younger generations react seriously to individual preparedness may be vital for the whole system since public economic resources are limited. At the same time, research results exert pressure on decision-makers and current systems to create new, innovative options for funding and organising services.