Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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An “army of volunteers”? Engagement, motivation, and barriers to volunteering among the baby boomers
- Authors:
- HANSEN Thomas, SLAGSVOLD Britt
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(4), 2020, pp.335-353.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Aging baby boomers are expected to provide a large reservoir for the nonprofit sector. We find evidence which while broadly supportive of this idea also suggest limitations as to what can realistically be expected. Using data from the third (2017) wave of the Norwegian life-course, aging, and generation study (n = 2,993, age 53–71), this study found that a sizable proportion is already engaged (65–68% in the past year) and around half of non-volunteers (from 58% among the youngest to 43% among the oldest) express interest in volunteering. However, most volunteering is sporadic and less than half of volunteers participate on a weekly basis. Furthermore, most of the non-volunteers who express interest seem unlikely to realize their interest as they simultaneously report important motivational and ability-related barriers to volunteering. A further challenge is that few boomers are willing to make a major commitment to volunteering. Findings suggest that to mobilize boomers, nonprofit organizations need to accommodate more self-interested and flexible forms of involvement. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ageing and well-being in an international context
- Author:
- CLIFTON Jonathan
- Publisher:
- Institute for Public Policy Research
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 36p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
The author asks what lessons the UK can learn from several case studies from overseas about how the well-being of older people can be incorporated into a wider range of policy areas than those, traditionally, of pensions, health and social care. For example, in the UK an ageing population brings more focus onto mental health, loneliness and isolation issues, whereas life satisfaction is highest in Japan among those over 65. In addition, case studies from Ireland, the United States, Norway, Finland, New Zealand and China are presented with much variation in findings. Examples of how the well-being of older people can be addressed in the four key areas of relationships, work, learning and the built environment are discussed and put forward by the author as good practice for the future of an ageing population in the UK.
Does sense of coherence affect the relationship between self-rated health and health status in a sample of community-dwelling frail elderly people?
- Authors:
- SAEVAREID H. I., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 11(6), November 2007, pp.658-667.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The objective of this Norwegian study was to examine the association between self-rated health (SRH) and physical, functional, social and mental health measures in community dwelling elderly people needing nursing care. Of special interest was how coping resources (SOC) influenced this relationship. Self-rated health is a good predictor of future health status as measured by mortality and morbidity, decline of functional abilities, use of healthcare, and nursing home placement. The high mean age and the relatively high level of care-dependency in this sample, make this investigation important. A hierarchical regression analysis was applied in a cross sectional sample of 242 elderly (mean age 84.6 years). Results found subjective health complaints (SHC) in both sexes, and psychological distress (only in men), was associated directly with SRH. Coping resources associated with SRH directly, and indirectly through subjective perceived health (SHC and GHQ) but only in men. The influence of registered illness was mediated through the effects of subjectively perceived health in both women and men. Sex differences moderated the effects of SOC on SRH. Subjectively perceived health was more important in the perception of SRH than objective health measures. Men, in contrast to women, tend to convert physical illness into emotional distress.
Socio-demographic and other characteristics in persons 50 years and older with HIV/AIDS in five countries
- Authors:
- NOKES Kathleen M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Global Ageing, 4(2), August 2006, pp.5-13.
This article describes socio-demographic and HIV-related characteristics of people aged 50 and older living with HIV/AIDS in Columbia, Norway, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and the United States. The article is based on findings from a small cross-national study where participants completed an extensive socio-demographic survey. The sample consisted of 175 people from the United States, 10 from Puerto Rico, 17 from Taiwan, 19 from Norway and 9 from Colombia.
Depressive symptom profile in Parkinson's disease: a comparison with depression in elderly patients without Parkinson's disease
- Authors:
- EHRT Uwe, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(3), March 2006, pp.252-258.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Depression is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome in Parkinson's disease (PD), and may be etiologically related to the neurochemical changes accompanying this disease. It is still unclear whether the disturbances of neurotransmitter activities lead to a specific profile of depressive symptoms, that is characteristic for PD and differs from that in depressed patients without PD. The authors compared the individual depressive symptoms of 145 non-demented depressed patients with PD and 100 depressed patients without PD by comparing item scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale by way of MANCOVA. The severity of depression and the level of cognitive functioning in depressed PD patients were comparable with that of depressed control subjects. However, patients with PD showed significant less reported sadness, less anhedonia, less feelings of guilt and, slightly less loss of energy, but more concentration problems than depressed control subjects. The profile of depressive symptoms in PD differs from that in depressed subjects without PD. This finding is important for the conceptualisation and clinical diagnosis of depression in PD.
The association between depression, anxiety, and cognitive function in the elderly general population - the Hordaland Health Study
- Authors:
- BIRINGER Eva, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(10), October 2005, pp.989-997.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The participants in this study were 1,930 non-demented participants from the general population aged 72-74 years. Symptoms and caseness of depression and anxiety disorder were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Cognitive function was assessed by the Digit Symbol Test (modified version), the Kendrick Object Learning Test, and the S-task from the Controlled Oral Word Association Test. The results found a significant association between depression and reduced cognitive function. The inverse association between anxiety and reduced cognitive performance was explained by adjustment for co-morbid depression. The inverse association between depressive symptoms and cognitive function was found to be close to linear, and was also present in the sub-clinical symptom range. Males were more affected cognitively by depressive symptoms than females. The inverse association between depression and cognitive function is not only a finding restricted to severely ill patient samples, but it can also be found in the elderly general population.
The role of voluntary organizations in the care of the elderly in Norway
- Author:
- AMOAKO-ADDO Yaw
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 17(1), 2005, pp.83-102.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper describes the contributions of voluntary organizations to the provision of social services for the elderly in Norway. It presents data on the volume of social services provided by Norwegian voluntary organizations and discusses the recognition that the central government gives to such organizations, as well as the conditions for supporting voluntary organizations in the Norwegian welfare state. The analysis indicates the scope of the contributions made by these organizations in caring for older people. Though the size of contributions made by the voluntary organizations has been declining rapidly in recent years, the Norwegian government still recognizes their past contributions and the role they can play within the framework of the welfare state's social services for the aged. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)
Driving forces for home-based reablement; a qualitative study of older adults’ experiences
- Authors:
- HJELLE Kari Margrete, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 25(5), 2017, pp.1581-1589.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Reablement is an early and time-limited home-based intervention with emphasis on intensive, goal-oriented and interdisciplinary rehabilitation for older adults in need of rehabilitation or at risk of functional decline. The aim of this qualitative study was to describe how older adults experienced participation in reablement. Eight older adults participated in semi-structured interviews. A qualitative content analysis was used as the analysis strategy. Four main themes emerged from the participants’ experiences of participating in reablement: ‘My willpower is needed’, ‘Being with my stuff and my people’, ‘The home-trainers are essential’, and ‘Training is physical exercises, not everyday activities’. The first three themes in particular reflected the participants’ driving forces in the reablement process. Driving forces are intrinsic motivation in interaction with extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation was based on the person's willpower and responsibility, and extrinsic motivation was expressed to be strengthened by being in one's home environment with ‘own’ people, as well as by the co-operation with the reablement team. The reablement team encouraged and supported the older adults to regain confidence in performing everyday activities as well as participating in the society. The findings contributing to an understanding of how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation influence reablement. Some persons need apparently more extrinsic motivational support also after the time-limited reablement period is completed. The municipal health and care services need to consider individualised follow-up programmes after the intensive reablement period in order to maintain the achieved skills to perform everyday activities and participate in society. (Edited publisher abstract)
Depression in older cat and dog owners: the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT)-3
- Authors:
- ENMARKER Ingela, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 19(4), 2015, pp.347-352.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: Previous studies have shown that mental health among older people who live with animals could be improved, but contrary results exist as well. This study compared the self-rated depression symptoms of both female and male non-pet owners, cat owners, and dog owners. Method: Participants included 12,093 people between the ages of 65 and 101 in Norway. One thousand and eighty three participants owned cats and 814 participants owned dogs. Self-rated depression symptoms were measured using HADS-D, the scale of self-administered depression symptoms in HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Results: The main results showed higher mean values on the HADS-D for cat owners than for both dog and non-pet owners. The latter group rated their depression symptoms the lowest. When dividing the ratings into low- and high-depression symptoms, the logistic regression analysis showed that it was more likely that males who owned cats perceived lower depression symptoms than females who owned cats. No interactions were recognised between pet ownership and subjective general health status, loneliness, or marital status. Conclusions: Results provide a window into the differences in health factors between older females and males who own cats and dogs in rural areas. Results from population studies like ours might increase the available knowledge base when using cats and dogs in clinical environments such as nursing homes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Elderly people who committed suicide – their contact with the health service. What did they expect, and what did they get?
- Authors:
- KJOLSETH Ildri, EKEBERG Oivind, STEIHAUG Sissel
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 14(8), November 2010, pp.938-946.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Contact between elderly patients and healthcare professionals may be crucial for suicide prevention. This study investigated how elderly suicide cases had perceived the health service and what characterised their contact with it. The article describes a psychological autopsy study based on qualitative interviews. A psychological autopsy reconstructs the suicide through interviews with informants who knew the deceased well. The aim was to have two or three informants for each of 23 suicide cases aged over 65. The 63 informants were relatives, general practitioners, and home-based care workers. The systematic text condensation method was applied to analyse the interviews. The results indicated that many of the elderly expressed distrust of health service once their functional decline began. They feared losing their autonomy if they became dependent on help, and many therefore refused health service provisions. Communication between them and helpers failed. As they gradually became more dependent on medical care, many experienced that they were not given the desired help, which confirmed their distrust. The article concludes that contact between these people and the health service must inspire confidence for it to prevent suicide. Elderly people at risk of suicide are vulnerable and feel degraded if their autonomy is threatened by health personnel. The structure and organisation of the health service, and each worker's contact with the elderly, must preserve their dignity.