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Factors related to frequent usage of the primary healthcare services in old age: findings from The Swedish National Study on Aging and Care
- Authors:
- RENNEMARK Mikael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 17(3), May 2009, pp.304-311.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People aged 60 or more are the most frequent users of healthcare services. In this age range, however, both frequent and infrequent users can be found. Frequent users have high rates of illnesses. Previous research has found that the frequency may be influenced also by psychological and social factors. The aim of this study was to investigate to what degree such factors add to the explanation of differences in number of visits to a physician. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample consisting of 1017 individuals, aged 60 to 78 years, from the Blekinge part of the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care database. The data were collected during 2001 to 2003. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were used with frequent (three visits or more during a year) and infrequent use as a dichotomous dependent variable. The final statistical analyses included 643 individuals (63% of the sample). Independent variables were sense of coherence (SOC), internal locus of control, education level and social anchorage. Control variables were age, gender, functional ability and comorbidity. The results showed that comorbidity was most strongly related to frequent use. In addition, SOC and internal locus of control had small, but significant effects on the odds of being a frequent user. The lower the SOC and the internal locus of control were, the higher were the odds of frequent use. Education level and social anchorage were unrelated to frequency of use. The results indicate that frequent healthcare services users are more ill than infrequent users. Psychological factors influence the use only marginally, and social factors as well as age and gender are not by themselves reason for frequent healthcare services use.
Relationships between physical activity and perceived qualities of life in old age. Results of the SNAC study
- Authors:
- RENNEMARK Mikael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(1), January 2009, pp.1-8.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The Swedish SNAC-Blekinge baseline database, consisting of data on 585 men and 817 women 60-96 years of age, was utilized. The independent variables were light and strenuous physical activity. Four dependent variables concerned with various quality of life components were employed (well-being, engagement, emotional support and social anchorage). Age, gender, functional ability and co-morbidity were included as possible confounders. Non-parametric bivariate and multivariate statistical tests were performed. Correlations suggested there to generally be a positive relationship between physical activity and quality of life. Multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for possible confounders showed light physical activity to increase the odds of experiencing well-being, engagement and social anchorage, whereas strenuous physical activity increased the odds of experiencing engagement and emotional support. Thus, light physical activity and strenuous physical activity differed in their relation to quality of life generally. The results indicate that physical activity has a salutogenic effect by enhancing the quality of life, and it can be assumed to be connected to quality of life by generating pleasure and relaxation.
Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation
- Authors:
- HOMES AND COMMUNITIES AGENCY, GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health, GREAT BRITAIN. Department for Communities and Local Government
- Publisher:
- Homes and Communities Agency
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 59p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Following the Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods national strategy report, the Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation was established in 2009 to examine what further reform is needed to ensure that new build specialised housing meets the needs and aspirations of the older people of the future. This report brings together the findings and recommendations of the panel, which focused on improving the quality of life of the ageing population by influencing the availability and choice of high-quality sustainable homes and neighbourhoods, challenging the perceptions of mainstream and specialised housing for older people, raising the aspirations of older people to demand higher quality more sustainable homes, and spreading awareness of the possibilities offered through innovative design of housing and neighbourhoods. It highlights key design recommendations, offers case studies from London, Bristol, York, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden, proposes further work, links to parallel studies that emphasise the role of place making in enhancing quality of life, and forms the basis of advice to government ministers.
Caregiving and volunteering among older people in Sweden: prevalence and profiles
- Authors:
- JEGERMALM Magnus, GRASSMAN Eva Jeppsson
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 21(4), October 2009, pp.352-373.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examines the role of older people in Swedish society by exploring the prevalence of their informal caring and volunteering and by analysing the profiles of these contributors of unpaid work. Data were collected by means of telephone interviews in a Swedish representative survey conducted in 2005. The analysis reveals three distinct profiles of people involved in unpaid activities, including those involved both in informal caring and volunteering, a group that has been labelled “super helpers” or “doers” in earlier research. It is important for social policy planners to recognise these groups of older people and better understand the dynamics of their unpaid work in order to ascertain whether they might need support as providers and to enhance their well-being. There does not seem to be any simple contradiction between the parallel existence of a universal welfare model of the Swedish kind and an extensive civil society in which older people play important roles as active citizens.
Older women: work and caregiving in conflict?: a study of four countries
- Authors:
- MULLER Charlotte, VOLKOV Oleg
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 48(7), October 2009, pp.665-695.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Caring issues are important for industrialised societies that have been undergoing population ageing. In this article we consider caring as a factor in the outlook for midlife and older women with respect to economic security and economic advancement. We use demographic and economic data from the United States, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom, in particular to document the importance of continued labour force participation for older women to make ends meet in an era of high household costs of physician services, prescription drugs and other health-related services, and uncertainties about pensions. Data on employment status, industry, and occupation of economically active women in comparison with men indicate the extent of both gender gaps and progress affecting women's resources. The research of Dr. Myrna Lewis was a stimulus to the present exploration.
The welfare state, the individual and the needs for care: older people's views
- Author:
- GUNNARSSON Evy
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 18(3), July 2009, pp.252-259.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this qualitative study was to study how older people experience aging and reflect on their need for care in the Swedish welfare context. Sixteen people were interviewed, aged between 77 and 92 years. Staying healthy and independent in their everyday lives were prized values for the informants. Some brushed aside thoughts of being in need of home help services in the future and others had a more reflecting attitude. The informants did not want to burden either society or their children. Through mass media and the experiences of their neighbours, they had gained a negative impression of eldercare. They were uncertain if there would be any helping hand of good quality in the future. On the other hand, informants who already had home help thought that it was helping them to maintain independence in everyday life and they were also satisfied with the help they received.
Pattern of participation in leisure activities among older people in relation to their health conditions and contextual factors: a survey in a Swedish urban area
- Authors:
- PAILLARD-BORG Stephanie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 29(5), July 2009, pp.803-821.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The objective of this study is to describe the pattern of participation in leisure activities in an older population in relation to contextual factors as well as to mental and physical health. A cohort of 1,623 participants aged 75 or older living in Stockholm, Sweden was asked to list all the leisure activities they were engaged in. These were successively organised into 31 major categories and further grouped into mental, social, physical, productive and recreational types. The pattern of participation was examined in relation to age, gender, contextual factors (education, social network) and health status (depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, dementia, somatic diseases and physical limitation). In spite of their advanced age, the majority of the population was active, as 70 per cent had participated in at least one activity. Reading (19%) was the most prevalent individual activity, and mental activities (43%) the most prevalent activity type. Older age, female gender, low education status, having a poor or limited social network, mental disorders, and physical limitation, were all factors correlated with a decreased engagement in ‘at least one activity’. Contextual factors and health-related factors were related to the five activity types in different ways. The pattern of participation in leisure activities is associated with multiple factors and their recognition is essential to the facilitation of an active lifestyle in the older population.
Creating possibilities for action in the presence of environmental barriers in the process of ‘ageing in place’
- Authors:
- JOHANSSON Karin, JOSEPHSSON Staffan, LILJA Margareta
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 29(1), January 2009, pp.49-70.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The need for an understanding of ‘ageing in place’ as a progressive process has emerged among researchers in the field of environmental gerontology. The aim of this study was to explore this process, in relation to home modification services. Four older adults who had applied for home modification services in one Swedish municipality were included. Data were collected by open interviews with the participants in their homes on subsequent occasions, from before the modification had been installed until recognised stability in the situation relating to the home modification. In the analysis, the concept of place integration was used as a tool to explore the active relations that connect people and context over time. The main findings show that the participants used creativity and initiative to direct future situations towards increased possibilities for action. This indicates that services aiming to support people ‘ageing in place’ should be directed towards increasing possibilities for action rather than only facilitating activity performance. Furthermore, it can be concluded that if the service-users' creativity and efforts are recognised as resources in design and provision of services, services that aim to support individuals who are ageing in place have the potential to be empowering.
Older people’s ‘voices’ – on paper: obstacles to influence in welfare states – a case study of Sweden
- Authors:
- PERSSON Tove, BERG Stig
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 21(1), January 2009, pp.94-111.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Although the official rhetoric of welfare states fully supports the right of older people to express dissatisfaction with the services they receive, the reality is often very different. This study is based on interviews with senior social service officials in a random sample of 100 of the 290 Swedish municipalities, with analysis informed by Hirschman’s (1970) theory of exit and voice. It focuses on formal complaints procedures (or voice channels) and the role of residents’ and clients’ councils in residential and home-based care. Neither work effectively, with three main obstacles identified: lack of information provision on voice channels; a lack of coordination of voice channels; and inadequate documentation of complaints.
Psychosocial wellbeing and reasons for retirement in Sweden
- Authors:
- NORDENMARK Mikael, STATTIN Mikael
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 29(3), April 2009, pp.413-430.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The study used data from the Swedish Panel Survey of Ageing and the Elderly (PSAE), a nationally representative survey of the living conditions of older people in Sweden. The results show that almost one-half of all pensioners cited health problems as a contributory reason for ceasing work. Furthermore, those who retired for ‘push’ reasons, such as health problems or labour market factors, experienced lower psychosocial wellbeing than those who retired for other reasons. Moreover, the results show that those who were able to influence the time of their retirement enjoyed better psychosocial wellbeing than those who had little or no opportunity to do so. This was true when controlling for other factors relevant to the wellbeing of pensioners. The results lend support to the argument that, if a man's retirement is instigated because his skills are no longer required, there will be a decidedly negative effect on his wellbeing – and that this effect is stronger than the equivalent impact on a woman's wellbeing. In relation to previous findings in this field, the results make it clear that retirement is far from a uniform process or state.