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Estimating the economic and social costs of dementia in Ireland
- Authors:
- CONNOLLY Sheelah, GILLESPIE Paddy
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 13(1), 2014, pp.5-22.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Dementia is a costly condition and one that differs from other conditions in the significant cost burden placed on informal caregivers. The aim of this analysis was to estimate the economic and social costs of dementia in Ireland in 2010. With an estimate of 41,470 people with dementia, the total baseline annual cost was found to be over €1.69 billion, 48% of which was attributable to the opportunity cost of informal care provided by family and friends and 43% to residential care. Due to the impact of demographic ageing in the coming decades and the expected increase in the number of people with dementia, family caregivers and the general health and social care system will come under increasing pressure to provide adequate levels of care. Without a significant increase in the amount of resources devoted to dementia, it is unclear how the system will cope in the future. (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)
Older people’s perceptions of the term elder abuse and characteristics associated with a lower level of awareness
- Authors:
- NAUGHTON Corina, DRENNAN Jonathan, LAFFERTY Attracta
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 26(3), 2014, pp.300-318.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A national representative survey of 2,021 community-dwelling older people was carried out in 2010 using face-to-face interviews. The study examined how the term “elder abuse” was understood by this population and identified factors associated with lower levels of awareness. Over 80% of this population recognized the term elder abuse, and 56% demonstrated specific insight related to typologies, locations, and perpetrators of abuse. Less specific responses were given by 22% of participants, and a further 21% could not give a reply. Less specific or “don’t know” responses were independently associated with age 80 years or older, a lower level of education, impaired physical health, and living in economically deprived communities. Despite ongoing public information campaigns, there remained a significant portion of older people who may be unaware of or have limited insight into elder abuse. This study suggests a need for more targeted education campaigns aimed at specific higher-risk groups. (Publisher abstract)
Reminiscence in dementia: a concept analysis
- Authors:
- DEMPSEY Laura, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 13(2), 2014, pp.176-192.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This paper is a report of an analysis of the concept of reminiscence in dementia and highlights its uses as a therapeutic intervention used on individuals with dementia. No single definition of reminiscence exists in healthcare literature; however, definitions offered have similar components. The term life review is commonly used when discussing reminiscence; however, both terms are quite different in their goals, theory base and content. This concept analysis identified reminiscence as a process which occurs in stages, involving the recalling of early life events and interaction between individuals. The antecedents of reminiscence are age, life transitions, attention span, ability to recall, ability to vocalise and stressful situations. Reminiscence can lead to positive mental health, enhanced self esteem and improved communication skills. It also facilitates preparation for death, increases interaction between people, prepares for the future and evaluates a past life. Reminiscence therapy is used extensively in dementia care and evidence shows when used effectively it helps individuals retain a sense of self worth, identity and individuality. (Publisher abstract)
Standardising assessment instruments and care planning in Ireland
- Authors:
- van LENTE Eric, POWER Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 15(1), 2014, pp.46-60.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Scoping of instruments in use for assessment of needs and the practices that surround care planning in residential care for older people in Ireland, in the wake of the introduction of national standards. The paper discusses these issues. Design/methodology/approach: Survey of care providers using an online/postal questionnaire, developed from the domains of need outlined in the standards. Findings: There is wide variation in the use of standardised instruments for assessment. Within some domains, standardised instruments enjoy near universal usage. However, within other domains, standardised instruments are often absent, external professional input and/or guidelines dominate and/or instruments have been adapted in-house. Practices surrounding care planning are largely homogeneous and the preserve of medical professionals. Research limitations/implications: This research was confined to the Republic of Ireland, limiting generalisation. The self-selecting nature of participants must also be considered. Further research could include, examining how, over time, the standards are shaping care practice, particularly in relation to interdisciplinary working and person-centred care. Practical implications: The non-prescriptive nature of the standards presents a challenge to care providers in selecting appropriate standardised instruments for assessment. In addition, medical dominance of care planning limits the extent to which care plans can enhance the provision of interdisciplinary and person-centred care. Originality/value: This paper contributes to a growing literature on standardisation of assessment and care planning, provides a reference point for comparison with other nations and, in an Irish context, addresses an area that has received little attention to-date. As such, it is of interest to practitioners, care providers and regulators. (Publisher abstract)
Early-life circumstances and later-life loneliness in Ireland
- Authors:
- KAMIYA Yumiko, DOYLE Martha, TIMONEN Virpi
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 54(5), 2014, pp.773-783.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: This article examines the impact of early- and later-life circumstances on loneliness among people aged 65+ in Ireland. Design and Methods: Data are from the first wave of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged 50+. The participants (N = 2,645) aged 65+ were included in the analysis. Because of the large number of never married persons in the older Irish population, the authors first used a multinomial logistic model to examine which childhood circumstances are associated with current marital status. The authors then estimated multiple regression models for loneliness, in stages conforming to the life course, to examine the extent to which early events are mediated by later events. Results: Poor childhood socioeconomic status (for men and women) and parental substance abuse (for men) have direct effects on loneliness at older ages. Implications: The results indicate the significance of the childhood environment for understanding loneliness in later life. Future research should examine possible pathways not currently measured that may be responsible for the association of early environment and later-life loneliness and explore the links between childhood and other measures of well-being in old age. The relationship of childhood socioeconomic deprivation and parental substance abuse with adult well-being should be an important consideration in social policy planning. (Edited publisher abstract)