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Older people – recipients but also providers of informal care: an analysis among community samples in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- MCGEE Hannah M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 16(5), September 2008, pp.548-553.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Data on both the provision and receipt of informal care among populations of older adults are limited. Patterns of both informal care provided and received by older adults in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI) were evaluated. A cross-sectional community-based population survey was conducted. Randomly selected older people (aged 65+, n = 2033, mean age (standard deviation): 74.1 years (6.8), 43% men, 68% response rate) provided information on the provision and receipt of care, its location, and the person(s) who provided the care. Twelve per cent of the sample (251/2033) identified themselves as informal caregivers (8% RoI and 17% NI). Caregivers were more likely to be women, married, have less education and have less functional impairment. Forty-nine per cent reported receiving some form of care in the past year. Care recipients were more likely to be older, married, have more functional impairment, and poorer self-rated health. Receiving regular informal care (help at least once a week) from a non-resident relative was the most common form of help received. Five per cent (n = 102/2033) of the sample reported both providing and receiving informal care. Levels of informal care provided by community-dwelling older adults were notably higher than reported in single-item national census questions. The balance of formal and informal health and social care will become increasingly important as populations age. It is essential, therefore, to evaluate factors facilitating or impeding informal care delivery.
Older people's views of support services in response to elder abuse in communities across Ireland
- Authors:
- BEGLEY Emer, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 13(1), 2012, pp.48-59.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This study investigated older peoples’ perceptions of interventions and services to support people experiencing abuse. Participants included 58 older people, aged 65 years and over, who took part in focus groups across Ireland. Preventative community-based approaches and peer supports were identified as important mechanisms to support people experiencing, and being at risk of, elder abuse. Choices regarding care provision and housing, as well as opportunities for engagement in community activities where they can discuss issues with others were identified as ways to prevent abuse. The policy implication of the findings from this research is that enhanced attention and resources should be directed to community activities that enable older people to share their concerns informally thereby gaining confidence to seek more formal interventions when necessary. Suggested for future research are presented.
Inequalities in old age: the impact of the recession on older people in Ireland, North and South
- Authors:
- PATSIOS Demi, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 13(1), 2012, pp.27-37.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This study investigated the consequences of the existing inequalities in older age in both Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Data was drawn from qualitative focus groups and analysis of existing data on social exclusion and poverty in NI and RoI. The analysis on publicly available data in the north and south of Ireland revealed few comparable measures on poverty and social exclusion. The study was, however, able to establish key pre- and intra-recession differences between older people in both areas. The qualitative analysis detailed the similarities and differences in the impact of the recession in north and south. In ending, the paper makes recommendations for improving data collection on measures which would allow policy makers and researchers to examine the current and future impact of the recession on the living standards and well-being of older people in Ireland.
Exploring community perceptions of the relationship between age and social exclusion in rural areas
- Authors:
- O'SHEA Eamon, WALSH Kieran, SCHARF Tom
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 13(1), 2012, pp.16-26.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper investigated community perceptions of the relationship between age and social exclusion in rural areas of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The research was conducted through focus groups with community stakeholders, which were undertaken in ten communities in different rural settings – village, near-urban, island, dispersed, and remote – in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Findings indicated four themes as important in determining exclusion or inclusion for older people living in rural areas: place; economic circumstances; social provision; and social connectedness. Within these themes, various tipping points emerged as important for pathways into and out of exclusion, most notably local systems of social support and the mindset of older people themselves in relation to participation. Implications for future research are discussed.
Understanding fuel poverty in the older population: research brief
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR AGEING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 16p.
- Place of publication:
- Dublin
Fuel poverty is defined as a situation where someone is unable to afford to heat their home to a level that is healthy and safe. It is caused by the interaction of high fuel prices, low income and poor energy efficiency in the home. The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) funded an all-island study in December 2009 which further builds on existing knowledge on fuel poverty but with a particular focus on older people. It involved an analysis of existing data and research on fuel poverty, a survey with older people on fuel poverty issues in ROI and an examination of mortality patterns in NI and ROI. It also identifies the groups among the older population who are most at risk of fuel poverty and the implications for their health and well-being. Key findings revealed that the older population is principally affected the most, with each one degree centigrade decrease in temperature being associated with 2.6% increased total mortality. The risk of fuel poverty is concentrated among older people living alone across the island of Ireland. 29% of all older people in ROI live alone and 32% of older people in NI. Increasing fuel allowance will in itself not address the root of the problem which centres on energy inefficient homes, low incomes and rising fuel prices.
Inequalities in old age: Ireland North and South 2011
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR AGEING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 12p.
- Place of publication:
- Dublin
The recession has affected many groups across Ireland. It has increased the risk of poverty in both Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). A previous study showed that the number of single pensioners in NI at risk of poverty had risen in the preceding six years. In ROI, while the rate of pensioners at risk had fallen, the research showed that there was heavy dependence on the State pension for income, and benefit cuts were likely to affect pensioners heavily. This follow-on study examined the impact of the recession across Ireland on the older population. Key findings showed that 23% of pensioner couples and 39% of single pensioners in NI have no income on top of state benefits. 93% of people aged 65 and over in NI benefit from the state pension compared to 91% in ROI. 45% benefit from other pension income, compared to 32% in ROI. As the income data shows for both NI and ROI, the groups with the lowest income will suffer severe consequences with any cuts to state benefits. In the bottom fifth quintile in terms of income in NI, single pensioners earn just £93 per week and pensioner couples earn £169 per week. The bottom fifth quintile in ROI earns €209.41 on average. It is these groups whose health, quality of life and lives will deteriorate with further cuts to state benefits.
Making older people equal: reforming the law on access to services in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- GLENNON Lisa, DICKSON Brice
- Publisher:
- Changing Ageing Partnership
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 93p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This research examined the law in other countries to see how they protect people against discrimination on the grounds of age when accessing goods, facilities or services. The aim was to see if similar laws should be implemented in Northern Ireland. Chapter 1 explains the legal, social and political background to the research project, including developments in England and Wales and at the level of the European Union. Chapter 2 sets out the findings that emerged from the research, based on a study of the laws operating in the four countries examined in detail (Republic of Ireland, Canada, the United States of America, and Australia). Chapter 3 provides a brief summary of the recommendations based on the research findings. The report concludes that there is a very strong case for amending the law of Northern Ireland so as to outlaw discrimination on age grounds when people are accessing goods, facilities or services. Appendices are included which provide an overview of the law in the four countries studied and details of the scope of protection provided.
Suicide statistics report 2016: including data for 2012-2014
- Author:
- SCOWCROFT Elizabeth
- Publisher:
- Samaritans
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 44
- Place of publication:
- London
A collation of suicide statistics for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland using information available from the official statistics bodies for the years 2012-2014. The document provides data and a description of the suicide rates in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, identifying trends and including breakdowns by age group. It also provides details about how to use suicide data and the differences between countries’ ways of producing them. It reports that there were 6,581 suicides in the UK and Republic of Ireland, in 2014. The figures suggest that rates of suicide in men are decreasing and female rates are increasing, although men remain more than three times more likely to take their own lives than women across the UK and Republic of Ireland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Understanding socio-economic inequalities affecting older people
- Author:
- McGILL Paul
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 74
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This report explores socio-economic inequalities and investigates whether there are inequalities that affect older people as a group compared with younger people, or inequalities that exist within the older population. It also examines how these inequalities change over time and whether they have a detrimental impact on older people or on a substantial number of them. Finally, it considers how harmful socio-economic inequalities can be reduced or eliminated and what the implications for policy-making are. Socio-economic inequalities are examined in three contexts. Chapter 1 examines evidence in Ireland, North and South, contained in research reports funded by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI). Chapter 2 carries out an analysis of spatial deprivation, specifically the proportion of older people in small areas of Northern Ireland with low incomes. Chapter 3 examines the earnings and incomes of older people in Ireland, North and South, including the impact of the first few years of the recession. Chapter 4 then sets out some of the general policy background to inequalities and outlines policy developments in Ireland, North and South. Finally, Chapter 5 discusses the policy implications with reference to the preceding chapters. (Edited publisher abstract)
Guidelines for nursing homes delivering end-of-life care to residents with dementia across the island of Ireland
- Authors:
- CAHILL Suzanne, DORAN Daphne, WATSON Max
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 13(1), 2012, pp.60-70.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This study investigated the experiences of elderly spouses whose relatives died with end-stage dementia in nursing homes in both Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI), with a view to improving quality of life for people with end stage dementia living in residential care settings. The study aimed to draft guidelines to a multi-disciplinary group of health service professionals for their critical appraisal and ratification. Results indicated that the care delivered was deemed by most elderly spouses to be of high quality, with person centred, individual, kind, professional care highly valued. Areas of dissatisfaction included poor communication, lack of involvement in key decision making, and poor symptoms control. Based on the study's findings, guidelines for the delivery of quality care in long stay residential institutions were developed in consultation with eight health service professionals.