Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Older people and lifelong learning: choices and experiences
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Little is known about older people's experiences of learning and education over the course of their lives, the factors that might affect whether they choose to learn in retirement and what role learning plays in their lives as they grow older. This research set out to explore these issues in depth using a range of different investigative methods including the use of a small group of older people themselves as interviewers of their peers.
Loneliness, social isolation and living alone in later life
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
A critical element in the quality of life of older people is social participation and engagement. This project, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches, investigated three key dimensions of social participation: loneliness, isolation and living alone in later life. The authors demonstrate that, overall, only a minority of older people are lonely (7 per cent) or isolated (11-17 per cent) and that this has shown little change in the past 50 years. We also show that while these concepts are interrelated they are not the same. Our data demonstrate the dynamic nature of loneliness and isolation across the lifecourse and the varying pathways into loneliness in later life. The report identifies two distinct groups: those for whom loneliness is a continuation of previous experiences and those for whom it is a 'novel' experience. In developing intervention to respond to loneliness and isolation we need to respond to the varying types and pathways into loneliness and isolation in later life.
Older people's experience of paid employment: participation and quality of life
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Recent and continuing demographic changes indicate an expected shortage of younger workers in the future and, consequently, an increasing need for older people to remain in employment beyond current pension ages. This shift demands consideration of issues relating to older people in the workplace and the likely impact of continued employment on quality of life. This research project was broadly concerned with labour force participation in the age range 50-75. It focused specifically on the relationship between participation in paid work and subsequent psychological well-being and life satisfaction and the possible determinants of labour force participation at older ages.
Transport and ageing: extending uality of life via public and private transport
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Accessible public transport and the independence that comes with car driving are generally thought to be linked to quality of life in old age. However, there has been almost no research on this topic in the UK. This study used a multi-method approach to explore the relationship between quality of life and access to public and private transport. The study also examined the extent to which the transport needs of older people are taken into account by transport professionals.
Older men: their social worlds and healthy lifestyles
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Over recent years there have been substantial advances in social scientific understanding of the lives of older women, but older men have been largely neglected. This research has redressed the imbalance by analysing how gender roles and relationships influence the quality of life of older men, focusing particularly on older men who live alone. Previously little was known about the quality of life, kin and friendship relationships of older divorced and never married men. Our research has examined how loss of a marital partner through widowhood or divorce may differently affect their social relationships and health-related behaviour.
Quality of life and real life cognitive functioning
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
This study examined the predictive value of mid-life risk factors for cognitive functioning in old age. Participants were drawn from a study of middle-aged people living in research conducted 30 years ago. Current cognitive functioning, both 'abstract' and 'real world', was assessed, along with attitudes and beliefs regarding how to maintain cognitive functioning in old age. Cognitive functioning was then examined in relation to perceived quality of life.
Ethnic inequalities in quality of life at older ages: subjective and objective components
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Profound changes are affecting life at older ages in Britain, but the extent to which their impact might vary across different ethnic groups has rarely been studied. This study set out to investigate inequalities in the circumstances of older ethnic people, using a broad conceptualisation of quality of life. The study was conducted in two phases. The first used respondents to the Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities to draw a sample for a qualitative interview. This focussed on ethnic differences in influences on and levels of quality of life, relating this to the circumstances and biographies of respondents. The second involved secondary analysis of the Fourth National Survey data to explore levels of inequality across ethnic groups. Both elements of the study focussed on four ethnic groups: Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani and white.
Exploring perceptions of quality of life of frail older people during and after their transition to institutional care
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Reports on research to investigate the quality of life of older people with severe physical and/or mental conditions or disabilities at the end of their lives. The research aims to contributed to the understanding of the quality of life for frail older people, from the perspective of older people themselves. The research used a symbolic interactionist framework and takes a subjective, qualitative approach to quality of life as a multi-dimensional concept, including social, psychological, emotional, cultural, spiritual and environmental dimensions. This ethnographic research included six focus groups, naturalistic observation, and interviews with 52 individuals who had moved into care homes in the previous six months.
Quality of life and social support among older people from different ethnic groups
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
In-depth interviews were carried out with 203 older people from Caribbean Asian (including Chinese) African and White communities aged 55 and older people. Briefly reports on the results of the research including the impact of racial discrimination on quality of life; sources of social support; and the role of expectations in quality of life. Results of the study suggest that ethnicity influences both individual and collective personal responses to perceptions of quality of life.
Older women's lives and voices: participation and policy in Sheffield
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Presents the findings of an exploratory study which aimed to raise awareness of the issues affecting the quality of life of older women across different ethnic groups and their involvement in the services available to them. The study adopted a participatory approach, involving older women in designing and carrying out the research, and in promoting and evaluating change where possible. Discusses briefly the findings of the research and issues relating to participation of service users in research projects.