Ageing and Society, 27(5), September 2007, pp.683-700.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Many gerontological studies have dealt with the leisure activities of older people and they have generated many important theories. Although outdoor activities and mobility promote good health in old age, both decrease with increasing age as people lose physical and mental functions. This paper examines the outdoor and indoor leisure activities of 3,950 older adults and their variations by personal and environmental characteristics in Germany, Finland, Hungary, The Netherlands and Italy. The main dimensions of activity were established by factor analysis, and in all countries four factors were found: home activities, hobbies, social activities, and sports activities. Both similar and distinctive pursuits characterised each dimension among the five countries. ‘Home activities’ mainly comprised indoor activities, but the other three dimensions involved more physical mobility. The scores of various socio-environmental characteristics on the factors enabled the attributes of the participants to be profiled. Sports activities and hobbies were performed more often by younger men, by those with good physical functioning and by those who drove cars. Social activities were performed more by women and those who used public transport. Home activities were more frequently performed by those with low physical function and women.
Many gerontological studies have dealt with the leisure activities of older people and they have generated many important theories. Although outdoor activities and mobility promote good health in old age, both decrease with increasing age as people lose physical and mental functions. This paper examines the outdoor and indoor leisure activities of 3,950 older adults and their variations by personal and environmental characteristics in Germany, Finland, Hungary, The Netherlands and Italy. The main dimensions of activity were established by factor analysis, and in all countries four factors were found: home activities, hobbies, social activities, and sports activities. Both similar and distinctive pursuits characterised each dimension among the five countries. ‘Home activities’ mainly comprised indoor activities, but the other three dimensions involved more physical mobility. The scores of various socio-environmental characteristics on the factors enabled the attributes of the participants to be profiled. Sports activities and hobbies were performed more often by younger men, by those with good physical functioning and by those who drove cars. Social activities were performed more by women and those who used public transport. Home activities were more frequently performed by those with low physical function and women.
European Network of Economic Policy Research Institutes
Publication year:
2012
Pagination:
128p.
Place of publication:
Brussels
This report present the findings and conclusions of research undertaken in the context of research projects carried out by a consortium of ENEPRI member institutes. This report is a contribution to Work Package 5 of the ANCIEN project, which focuses on the future of long-term care for the elderly in Europe. The report presents the quality indicators that were collected by the ANCIEN project partners in each country. The main contribution of this report is a classification of the quality assurance indicators in different European countries according to three dimensions: organisation type; quality dimensions; and system dimensions. The countries that provided quality indicators, which are used at a national level or are recommended to be used at a local level by a national authority, are: Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In total, 390 quality indicators were collected. Each quality indicator has been assigned to one or more options in each dimension.
This report present the findings and conclusions of research undertaken in the context of research projects carried out by a consortium of ENEPRI member institutes. This report is a contribution to Work Package 5 of the ANCIEN project, which focuses on the future of long-term care for the elderly in Europe. The report presents the quality indicators that were collected by the ANCIEN project partners in each country. The main contribution of this report is a classification of the quality assurance indicators in different European countries according to three dimensions: organisation type; quality dimensions; and system dimensions. The countries that provided quality indicators, which are used at a national level or are recommended to be used at a local level by a national authority, are: Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In total, 390 quality indicators were collected. Each quality indicator has been assigned to one or more options in each dimension.
Subject terms:
long term care, older people, performance indicators, social care provision, health care;
Content type:
statistical publication
Location(s):
Estonia, Hungary, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom
European Network of Economic Policy Research Institutes
Publication year:
2012
Pagination:
89p.
Place of publication:
Brussels
This report present the findings and conclusions of research undertaken in the context of research projects carried out by a consortium of ENEPRI member institutes. This report is a contribution to Work Package 5 of the ANCIEN project, which focuses on the future of long-term care for the elderly in Europe. This report analyses the quality assurance policies for long-term care (LTC) in the following countries: Austria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. First, it discusses quality assurance in LTC by analysing: the dimensions of quality, the policy frameworks for quality in LTC, the different levels of development of LTC quality policies at the international, national, organisational, and individual levels. Second, it describes the methodology for collecting and analysing data on quality policies in the selected countries. Finally, it discusses the results, identifying four clusters of countries based on quality policies and indicators for LTC. These clusters are compared to the clusters identified in Work Package 1 of the ANCIEN project. Policy recommendations are proposed.
This report present the findings and conclusions of research undertaken in the context of research projects carried out by a consortium of ENEPRI member institutes. This report is a contribution to Work Package 5 of the ANCIEN project, which focuses on the future of long-term care for the elderly in Europe. This report analyses the quality assurance policies for long-term care (LTC) in the following countries: Austria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. First, it discusses quality assurance in LTC by analysing: the dimensions of quality, the policy frameworks for quality in LTC, the different levels of development of LTC quality policies at the international, national, organisational, and individual levels. Second, it describes the methodology for collecting and analysing data on quality policies in the selected countries. Finally, it discusses the results, identifying four clusters of countries based on quality policies and indicators for LTC. These clusters are compared to the clusters identified in Work Package 1 of the ANCIEN project. Policy recommendations are proposed.
Subject terms:
long term care, older people, performance indicators, social care provision, health care;
Content type:
statistical publication
Location(s):
Austria, Estonia, Hungary, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom
Researchers in ten countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK) examine 27 minority groups over a three-year period, looking at social and welfare structures, health, employment and living conditions. This project is the first venture to begin compiling information on minority elders on such a scale. While the experiences of each country are distinct, there are undoubtedly similarities that can be drawn in terms of poor access to housing, lower paid employment and a worse state of health. The project involves minority groups who came from former colonial possessions in the post-war period and those who have arrived more recently, fleeing war and dispossession. It also examines the provision of groups who have known no other homeland yet are endemically discriminated against, such as the Roma.
Researchers in ten countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK) examine 27 minority groups over a three-year period, looking at social and welfare structures, health, employment and living conditions. This project is the first venture to begin compiling information on minority elders on such a scale. While the experiences of each country are distinct, there are undoubtedly similarities that can be drawn in terms of poor access to housing, lower paid employment and a worse state of health. The project involves minority groups who came from former colonial possessions in the post-war period and those who have arrived more recently, fleeing war and dispossession. It also examines the provision of groups who have known no other homeland yet are endemically discriminated against, such as the Roma.
Subject terms:
older people, social welfare, welfare state, black and minority ethnic people, employment, Gypsies, health needs;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom
Peer Review in Social Protection and Social Inclusion
Publication year:
2011
Pagination:
40p., bibliog.
Place of publication:
Vienna
Peer Reviews are a key instrument of the EU framework ‘the open method of coordination’. They aim to enable open discussion on social protection and social inclusion policies in the different EU Member States and facilitate the mutual learning process among them. This publication reports on a Peer Review held in London in January 2011 which focused on strategies for building ‘a good place to grow older’. The Peer Review was hosted by the UK Department for Work and Pensions and also involved representatives from Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Romania and Spain. This publication covers: the policy debate at European level; the main elements of the UK’s policy; the experiences in peer countries and stakeholder contributions; and discussions at the Peer Review meeting covering UK policy reforms (including pension reform and reforms to health and social care), the role of ‘Big Society’, and the principles behind the reforms. The main conclusions and key lessons to emerge from the Peer Review relate to: the transferability of the UK reforms; older people as a societal resource; old age as part of life’s course; diversity; active ageing and the extension of working life; volunteering; partnerships across sectors; the role of stakeholder organisations; access to information; the role of the environment; and strategies for scaling up pilot projects.
Peer Reviews are a key instrument of the EU framework ‘the open method of coordination’. They aim to enable open discussion on social protection and social inclusion policies in the different EU Member States and facilitate the mutual learning process among them. This publication reports on a Peer Review held in London in January 2011 which focused on strategies for building ‘a good place to grow older’. The Peer Review was hosted by the UK Department for Work and Pensions and also involved representatives from Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Romania and Spain. This publication covers: the policy debate at European level; the main elements of the UK’s policy; the experiences in peer countries and stakeholder contributions; and discussions at the Peer Review meeting covering UK policy reforms (including pension reform and reforms to health and social care), the role of ‘Big Society’, and the principles behind the reforms. The main conclusions and key lessons to emerge from the Peer Review relate to: the transferability of the UK reforms; older people as a societal resource; old age as part of life’s course; diversity; active ageing and the extension of working life; volunteering; partnerships across sectors; the role of stakeholder organisations; access to information; the role of the environment; and strategies for scaling up pilot projects.
Subject terms:
older people, pensions, policy, policy formulation, social care provision, ageing, European Union, health care;
Location(s):
Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Finland, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom
This report, using data from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Switzerland, is designed to inform and help plan the nature and direction of provision of health and social care services in the years to come. The project has the explicit intention of seeking to draw attention to the needs of minority ethnic (ME) elders and thereby improve the provision of services for them throughout Europe. Key findings showed that family was very important to ME elders in all countries and not surprisingly, most elders preferred to be looked after by their family in their own home. It is apparent that in every country there were significant proportions of ME elders on low incomes which were substantially less than the average incomes for elderly in the country concerned. In all countries there were quite significant proportions who described their general health as poor or very poor and these elders needed more medical treatment. The use of different health and social care services is not uniform across the different ethnic groups and countries. While each country has its own systems and procedures it is apparent that in all countries there are some elders who are failing to gain access to services. There are several things an organisation can do to help ME elders to overcome barriers and gain access to services. For example, information can be provided in appropriate languages, staff can be given training in culture-specific care, or new services may be designed specifically to meet the needs of different ME groups. The report makes several recommendations including the provision of clear information about the rights of the individual in accessing and using health and social care services and in different formats and languages. Adopt a person centred approach to patients and service users. Recognise that certain ethnic groups face particularly strong access barriers. Each of the issues is described in detail for each country included in the report.
This report, using data from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Switzerland, is designed to inform and help plan the nature and direction of provision of health and social care services in the years to come. The project has the explicit intention of seeking to draw attention to the needs of minority ethnic (ME) elders and thereby improve the provision of services for them throughout Europe. Key findings showed that family was very important to ME elders in all countries and not surprisingly, most elders preferred to be looked after by their family in their own home. It is apparent that in every country there were significant proportions of ME elders on low incomes which were substantially less than the average incomes for elderly in the country concerned. In all countries there were quite significant proportions who described their general health as poor or very poor and these elders needed more medical treatment. The use of different health and social care services is not uniform across the different ethnic groups and countries. While each country has its own systems and procedures it is apparent that in all countries there are some elders who are failing to gain access to services. There are several things an organisation can do to help ME elders to overcome barriers and gain access to services. For example, information can be provided in appropriate languages, staff can be given training in culture-specific care, or new services may be designed specifically to meet the needs of different ME groups. The report makes several recommendations including the provision of clear information about the rights of the individual in accessing and using health and social care services and in different formats and languages. Adopt a person centred approach to patients and service users. Recognise that certain ethnic groups face particularly strong access barriers. Each of the issues is described in detail for each country included in the report.
Subject terms:
multicultural approach, older people, social policy, social care, social care provision, user views, black and minority ethnic people, cultural identity, ethnicity, health care;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom
Presents a collection of papers looking at how payments for care schemes are developing across Western and Central Europe, the United States and Canada. Includes discussions of payments to 'volunteers', and consideration of the way in which social security and tax systems work to increase the incomes of care recipients and their carers. Also includes introductory chapters discussing general and theoretical issues involved in the development of systems of payments for care including the labour market, empowerment and the relationship between carers and care recipients.
Presents a collection of papers looking at how payments for care schemes are developing across Western and Central Europe, the United States and Canada. Includes discussions of payments to 'volunteers', and consideration of the way in which social security and tax systems work to increase the incomes of care recipients and their carers. Also includes introductory chapters discussing general and theoretical issues involved in the development of systems of payments for care including the labour market, empowerment and the relationship between carers and care recipients.
Subject terms:
labour market, mixed economy of care, older people, payments, social policy, taxation, carers, children, families, empowerment;
Location(s):
Canada, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Finland, France, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, United Kingdom, United States
Comparative study of the quality of life of people with learning difficulties. Includes papers on: quality of life in the Danish context; a six year study of a quality of life model; Australian legislation, service delivery and quality of life; overview of theory and practice in Germany; quality of life and unemployment among people with disabilities in Hungary; the National Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities Project in the USA; the California quality of life project; towards an understanding of quality of life in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities; quality of life and ageing; quality of life at school; training staff in quality of life issues; and the concept of quality of life and its current applications in the field of developmental disabilities.
Comparative study of the quality of life of people with learning difficulties. Includes papers on: quality of life in the Danish context; a six year study of a quality of life model; Australian legislation, service delivery and quality of life; overview of theory and practice in Germany; quality of life and unemployment among people with disabilities in Hungary; the National Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities Project in the USA; the California quality of life project; towards an understanding of quality of life in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities; quality of life and ageing; quality of life at school; training staff in quality of life issues; and the concept of quality of life and its current applications in the field of developmental disabilities.
Provides a reference source for various modes of care (both formal and informal) for older people throughout Europe. Each chapter follows the same format and covers: demography; socio-political and administrative background; social security and pensions; housing; health care; mental health care; residential care; personal social services; voluntary care agencies and support organisations; leisure pursuits and education; and older people in rural areas.
Provides a reference source for various modes of care (both formal and informal) for older people throughout Europe. Each chapter follows the same format and covers: demography; socio-political and administrative background; social security and pensions; housing; health care; mental health care; residential care; personal social services; voluntary care agencies and support organisations; leisure pursuits and education; and older people in rural areas.
Subject terms:
housing, informal care, leisure, leisure activities, mental health services, older people, pensions, population, residential care, rural areas, social policy, social care provision, voluntary organisations, benefits, care homes, comparative studies, demographics, education, health care;