Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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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.
Mortality risk associated with combinations of loneliness and social isolation. Findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
- Authors:
- WARD Mark, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 50(4), 2021, pp.1329-1335.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background: Social distancing and similar measures in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have greatly increased loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Understanding the association between loneliness and mortality is therefore critically important. We examined whether combinations of loneliness and social isolation, using a metric named social asymmetry, was associated with increased mortality risk. Methods: The sample was derived from participants in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults aged ≥50. Survey data were linked to official death registration records. Cox proportional hazards regressions and competing risk survival analyses were used to examine the association between social asymmetry and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Results: Of four social asymmetry groups, concordant low lonely (low loneliness, low isolation) included 35.5% of participants; 26.4% were concordant high lonely (high loneliness, high isolation); 19.2% were discordant robust (low loneliness, high isolation) and 18.9% discordant susceptible (high loneliness, low isolation). The concordant high lonely (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.87) and discordant robust (HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.04–1.81) groups had an increased mortality risk compared to those in the concordant low lonely group. The concordant high lonely group had an increased risk of mortality due to diseases of the circulatory system (sub-distribution hazard ratio = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.03–2.25). Conclusion: We found that social asymmetry predicted mortality over a 7-year follow-up period. Our results confirm that a mismatch between subjective loneliness and objective social isolation, as well as the combination of loneliness and social isolation, were associated with an increased all-cause mortality risk. (Edited publisher abstract)
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.
Age-friendly environments and psychosocial wellbeing: a study of older urban residents in Ireland
- Authors:
- GIBNEY Sarah, ZHANG Mengyang, BRENNAN Cathal
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 24(12), 2020, pp.2022-2033.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: This article aims to estimate the association between age-friendly urban environments and psychosocial wellbeing in adults aged 55+ living in four Irish cities. Method: Data is from the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative ‘Age-friendly Cities and Counties Survey’ from four cities; Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway (n = 2,094). The Age-friendly Urban Index (AFUI), a perception-based measure of safety, access to services, and walkability, is used to measure urban environment quality on a scale of 35 (least favourable) to 105 (most favourable). Wellbeing was estimated using the following composite measures: quality of life (comprising hedonic (pleasure) and eudaimonic (control, autonomy, self-realisation) wellbeing); affective (depressive mood); and social (loneliness). Multivariate regression analyses (negative binomial and Poisson regression) were used to investigate the association between the AFUI and each wellbeing indicator. Models were fully adjusted for known demographic (age, gender, household structure, marital status), socio-economic (material deprivation, employment/occupation, education), social (social engagement, community activities) and health (self-rated health, mobility limitations) correlates of psychosocial wellbeing. Results: Older people living in cities with higher AFUI score were more likely to report higher quality of life overall, and higher hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. These adults also had lower depressive mood scores and reported lower loneliness levels. Results remain significant in the fully adjusted model. Limitations: Causal conclusions cannot be made because of cross-sectional data. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the relationship between the age-friendliness (safety, services, and walkability) of urban environments and multiple aspects of psychosocial wellbeing for older adults in Ireland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Rural old-age social exclusion: a conceptual framework on mediators of exclusion across the lifecourse
- Authors:
- WALSH Kieran, O'SHEA Eamon, SCHARF Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 40(11), 2020, pp.2311-2337.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Social exclusion amongst rural-dwelling older adults and the role of the diversity of people and places in mediating the construction of that exclusion has not been adequately investigated or conceptualised in the international literature. Consequently, how ageing in a rural community can function to disadvantage or protect older people remains poorly understood. With the aim of advancing conceptual understanding on rural old-age social exclusion, this article explores how exclusion is manifest in the lifecourse experiences of rural-dwelling older adults and the role of mediating factors in the construction of exclusion in different kinds of rural places. The analysis draws on ten rural case-study sites across Ireland and Northern Ireland, encompassing five kinds of rural communities: dispersed rural; remote rural; island rural; village rural; and near-urban rural. Data come from 106 interviews with older people ranging in age from 59 to 93 years. Rural old-age social exclusion is confirmed as a multi-dimensional construct, involving: social relations; service infrastructure; transport and mobility; safety, security and crime; and financial and material resources. This analysis demonstrates that social exclusion for rural-dwelling older people is multi-layered, and its prevalence and form is shaped by four mediating factors: individual capacities; lifecourse trajectories; place; and macro-economic forces. The findings are used to present a conceptual framework that emphasises the role of mediating forces on rural old-age social exclusion. (Edited publisher abstract)
An exploration of care‐burden experienced by older caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland
- Authors:
- EGAN Caroline, DALTON Caroline Teresa
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 47(3), 2019, pp.188-194.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: People with intellectual disabilities are experiencing increased longevity, and in parallel, their family caregivers are also ageing. The literature identifies that these caregivers are at risk of burden. The aim of this study was to measure the level of caregiver burden among older carers of adults with intellectual disabilities in an Irish sample and to analyse the effect of socio‐demographic factors upon experiences of caregiver burden. Materials and Methods: Thirty caregivers completed a survey questionnaire. Data were collected based upon participants’ self‐reports of burden using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and a socio‐demographic questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24. Results: Over 57% of carers indicated a mild‐to‐moderate level of burden. Analysis indicated that younger caregivers experience significantly higher levels of burden, when compared to older caregivers. Conclusions: This study contributes to our understanding of burden among an Irish population of older caregivers supporting an adult with an intellectual disability. It identified that carers do experience burden. The importance of proactive assessments and supports for these caregivers was revealed. This study highlights a lack of Irish research in this area and may pave the way for future research which could build upon its findings. (Edited publisher abstract)
Housing conditions and non-communicable diseases among older adults in Ireland
- Authors:
- GIBNEY Sarah, WARD Mark, SHANNON Sinead
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 19(3), 2018, pp.191-204.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Housing quality across the life course is an important health determinant. The purpose of this paper is to profile the current housing conditions of older adults in Ireland, and to investigate the association between housing conditions and heating problems and two types of non-communicable diseases: respiratory health problems and bone and joint conditions. Design/methodology/approach: Data are from the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative Age-friendly Cities and Counties Survey, a random-sample, population representative survey of 10,540 adults aged 55 and older collected in 2015–2016. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between poor housing (leaks, rot and damp) and poor heating (unable to keep the home adequately warm) and the likelihood of having a respiratory health problem or a bone or joint condition. Results are reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Findings: Overall, 10.2 per cent had poor housing and 10.4 per cent had poor heating. Poor housing and poor heating were strongly associated with respiratory health problems and there was a strong association between poor housing and bone and joint conditions. These associations were not explained by health behaviours or socio-demographic characteristics. Originality/value: Despite a number of publicly funded schemes available to assist in upgrading and maintaining housing, a considerable number of adults aged 55 years and older continue to report problems which are associated with an increased likelihood of respiratory health problem and bone and joint conditions and present a considerable threat to healthy ageing in place.
The discrepancy between social isolation and loneliness as a clinically meaningful metric: findings from the Irish and English longitudinal studies of ageing (TILDA and ELSA)
- Authors:
- McHUGH J.E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(6), 2017, pp.664-674.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: Scant evidence is available on the discordance between loneliness and social isolation among older adults. The authors aimed to investigate this discordance and any health implications that it may have. Method: Using nationally representative datasets from ageing cohorts in Ireland (TILDA) and England (ELSA), they created a metric of discordance between loneliness and social isolation, to which are referred to as Social Asymmetry. This metric was the categorised difference between standardised scores on a scale of loneliness and a scale of social isolation, giving categories of: Concordantly Lonely and Isolated, Discordant: Robust to Loneliness, or Discordant: Susceptible to Loneliness. The authors used regression and multilevel modelling to identify potential relationships between Social Asymmetry and cognitive outcomes. Results: Social Asymmetry predicted cognitive outcomes cross-sectionally and at a two-year follow-up, such that Discordant: Robust to Loneliness individuals were superior performers, but the authors were unable to find evidence for Social Asymmetry as a predictor of cognitive trajectory over time. Conclusions: The authors present a new metric and preliminary evidence of a relationship with clinical outcomes. Further research validating this metric in different populations, and evaluating its relationship with other outcomes, is warranted. (Edited publisher abstract)
Future need of ageing people with an intellectual disability in the Republic of Ireland: lessons learned from the literature
- Authors:
- DOODY Catriona M., MARKEY Kathleen, DOODY Owen
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(1), 2013, pp.13-21.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article synthesises current literature regarding ageing and service provision for people with an intellectual disability. It presents the context of intellectual disability in Ireland and ageing for people with intellectual disability in relation to increased longevity and service provision. Searches were conducted through electronic databases (EBSCO and CINAHL) retrieving literature published between 1980 and 2010. Computerised searches using the terms, ‘old age, aged, ageing, ageing, mortality, morbidity’, were used in conjunction with the terms ‘intellectual disability, mental handicap and mental retardation’. The review found that Ireland has and is seeing a dramatic change in the age profile of clients and the support services they require. While Ireland had specifically trained nurses in intellectual disability, they predominately work in residential settings. This can be seen as been at odds with the philosophy of supporting people with intellectual disability live at home with their family and the primary care system. As the ageing population is rising, intellectual disability services need to proactively develop and respond to this changing age profile by reviewing and adjusting the way in which they deliver services, not only in terms of how services develop and respond to a changing age profile but also in terms of collaborative working across all health services. (Edited publisher abstract)
The role of nurses in meeting the health care needs of older people with intellectual disabilities: a review of the published literature
- Author:
- JENKINS Robert
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 16(2), June 2012, pp.85-95.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Through medical intervention, people with intellectual disabilities now live longer in the UK and Ireland. As a consequence they are likely to have greater physical and mental health needs when compared to the general population. This review explored whether nurses have a crucial role to play in meeting such needs, and whether nurses are prepared for this role. A search was conducted for relevant English language articles dated between 1990 and 2011. Overall, there was little evidence of nurses undertaking effective interventions in meeting the health needs of older people with intellectual disabilities. Nurses have been alerted to the increase in numbers of older people with intellectual disabilities and offered some direction on their future role in this area. However, most of the current literature is based on informed opinion rather than research.