Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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A validity and measurement equivalence study of the ultra-short suicidal ideation scale with older adults
- Authors:
- NUGENT William Robert, CUMMINGS Sherry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 5(4), 2014, pp.439-459.
- Publisher:
- Society for Social Work and Research
Short-form scales are important tools for use in the assessment of suicide ideation and risk since their brevity makes them ideally suited for use in busy practice settings. This article reports results of a validity study of a short suicidal ideation scale (USSIS) used with an older adult population. The study tests the hypothesis that scores on the USSIS represent magnitude of sucidal thinking. The USSIS was used to gather data on more than 200 adults, ages 50 to 97 years, recruited from 2 clinical settings that serve older adults. Data are analysed to provide evidence from concurrent criterion, divergent, factorial, and known-groups discriminant validity. In addition, analyses was conducted to test measurement equivalence across the 2 study sites. Results are consistent with the scores on the USSIS representing magnitude of suicidal indeation, and with measurement equivalence across the study sites. (Edited publisher abstract)
Measurement of aggression in older adults
- Authors:
- RAVYT Scott G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 57, 2021, p.101484.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Aggressive behaviors are prevalent in late-life and are associated with important consequences for older adults, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Age-related changes in the manifestation of aggression are precipitated in part by the rise of cognitive impairment. Such changes necessitate the use of psychometrically sound measures. The present article identifies existing measures of aggression for older adults, highlights the strengths and limitations of these measures, and proposes avenues for future research in this area. Five full-scale measures of aggression, as well as five subscales of aggression embedded within larger non-aggression measures in older adults were identified. Overall, measures of aggression specific to late-life are predominately observational and limited to individuals with dementia or older adults living in long-term care settings. The psychometric properties of aggression scales in late-life generally indicate adequate internal consistency, interrater reliability, and concurrent validity. In contrast, the reliability and validity of subscales of aggression contained within larger neuropsychiatric measures are more difficult to ascertain due to limited research. Future investigations would benefit from examining the psychometric properties of widely-used self-report measures of aggression among older adults, further evaluating the psychometric properties of aggression subscales, and developing additional measures which are predictive of aggressive behaviors. (Edited publisher abstract)
Resilience: thoughts on the value of the concept for critical gerontology
- Authors:
- WILD Kirsty, WILES Janine L., ALLEN Ruth E.S.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 33(1), 2013, pp.137-158.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article examines the utility of the concept of resilience to the field of critical gerontology. It examines the history of the concept of resilience; explores some of the diverse ways that gerontologists are attempting to apply it to later life; and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of using resilience as a conceptual framework within critical ageing research. Ways of conceptualising resilience and ageing are also suggested, highlighting the different scales of resilience that impact on the ability of older people to negotiate adversity, and some key areas of resilience relevant to later life. The example of mobility resilience is used to illustrate how different scales of resilience operate within an area of resilience central to the ageing experience. Finally, some key principles for the use of resilience within critical gerontology are outlined, providing guidance on how to maximise the potential of the concept whilst avoiding some of the limitations associated with its historical usage. (Edited publisher abstract)
Recognising and assessing pain in people with dementia
- Authors:
- THOMPSELL Amanda, EASTON Nicola
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 20(2), March 2012, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
Evidence suggests that unless pain is routinely assessed it will not be discovered by care staff. However, pain is more likely to be recognised when using an assessment scale. This article sets out the case for using pain assessment tools regularly when caring for people with dementia. It describes two instruments, the Abbey pain scale and the Doloplus-2 scale, both of which are familiar to many care staff, and presents similarities and differences between them. The article also presents details of a training programme, the Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme, in Lambeth, London, for care staff to use the Doloplus-2 scale to assess patients and interpret the results. Building pain assessment into existing care systems means it will become familiar to more staff, and essential when an acute crisis occurs. Also, by using an instrument to assess pain on a regular basis, pain is more likely to be detected and acted upon.
Assessment of anxiety in older adults: a systematic review of commonly used measures
- Authors:
- THERRIEN Zoé, HUNSLEY John
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(1-2), January 2012, pp.1-16.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The aim of this review is to identify information regarding evidence-based instruments for assessing anxiety in older adults. A literature search was conducted to identify research articles in which anxiety measures were completed by older adults. After screening for suitability, a total of 213 articles were reviewed to determine the most commonly used anxiety measures with older adults, to examine the psychometric properties of these instruments, and to evaluate whether the instruments are appropriate for use with older adults. A total of 91 different anxiety measures were used in the 213 articles, with 12 of the measures most commonly used. Of these most commonly used measures, the majority lacked sufficient evidence to warrant their use with older adults. Based on psychometric evidence, 3 measures (Beck Anxiety Inventory, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and Geriatric Mental Status Examination) showed psychometric properties sufficient to justify the use of these instruments when assessing anxiety in older adults. In addition, 2 measures developed specifically for older adults (Worry Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory) were also found to be appropriate for use with older adults.
Fall assessment in older people
- Authors:
- CLOSE Jacqueline C. T., LORD Stephen R.
- Journal article citation:
- British Medical Journal, 17.9.11, 2011, pp.579-582.
- Publisher:
- British Medical Association
Draws on the authors own knowledge, evidence from recent Cochrane reviews and national and international guidelines to summarise the latest knowledge on falls assessment in older people. Coverage includes the best ways to assess and screen for the risk of falling in the community, in hospitals, and in nursing and residential care. Validated tests and tools are listed and case scenarios provided. Challenges such as the multifactoral nature of falls prevention and the need for further research on falls prevention initiatives are also discussed.
Cognitive assessment of older people
- Authors:
- YOUNG John, MEAGHER David, MACLULLICH Alasdair
- Journal article citation:
- British Medical Journal, 10.9.11, 2011, pp.527-531.
- Publisher:
- British Medical Association
This clinical review article focuses on cognitive assessment of older people (those aged over about 65 years) in the context of possible dementia, delirium, and depression. The article highlights the need for accurate assessments to include three components; observation of the patient, accounts from the carer, and the results of assessment instruments. It also describes some brief cognitive tests. The authors draw on their own experience; the guidelines on dementia, delirium, and depression published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE); and a systematic review of cognitive assessment instruments.
An evaluation of assessment tools used for older people with complex health and social care needs
- Authors:
- MCCORMACK B.G., et al
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 30p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This study examined current assessment instruments used in Northern Ireland used to assess the abilities and needs of older people. To instruments general applicability according to accreditation principles outlined as good practice by the Department of Health were examined. The coverage of the instruments according to the nine domains and 40 sub-domains of the National Service Framework for Older people were also examined. Eleven instruments were received from all Trusts providing community health and social care services. The instruments were then analysed looking at areas of good practice and the domains of assessment. Findings include: general assessment did not capture the perceptions of an older person regarding their health and social care needs or how their quality of life is affected by loss of ability; the level of participation by the older person in their assessment was unclear; considerable variability in the level of coverage of all nine domains within different Trust documentation. The findings support the necessity for to develop a standardized instrument; standardized on the level of assessment on each domain and standardized across all trusts.
The usability of the Northern Ireland single assessment tool for the health and social care of older people
- Author:
- MCCORMACK B.
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 30p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
The Northern Ireland Single Assessment Tool (NISAT) was developed for the National Service Framework for Older People. This comprised of three stands (Contact Screening, Core and Complex Assessment) supported by a number of specialists assessments (such as G.P assessment, Carers assessment, Specialist Assessment Summary). The NISAT was developed through a participatory process of engagement with front-line staff, and had acceptable psychometric properties. This study examined users options regarding the usability of the three components of the NISAT and invited comments on how best to implement training across the province. Assessors were given the opportunity to use the NISAT with a purposive sample of older people. The findings informed discussion with assessors regarding training, its structure, contents and format.
The reliability of the core element of the Northern Ireland single assessment tool (NISAT) for the health and social care of older people
- Authors:
- MCCORMACK B.G., et al
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 26p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
The Northern Ireland Single Assessment Tool (NISAT) was developed to address the assessment process as highlighted in the NSF for Older People. The NISAT consists of three main parts: the Contact Screening; the Core NISAT; and the Complex NISAT. The Core assessment consists of eight domains covering all areas of the older people's life - mental health; communication and sensory functioning; personal care and daily tasks; mobility and movement; awareness and decision making; accommodation and living arrangements; employment, finance and leisure; and physical health and medication. This study used case studies with a purposive sample of trained assessors to determine the inter-rater reliability of the Core NISAT. The study aimed to: determine the reliability (percentage agreement) of quantitative measures between assessors; determine the statistical significance of the quantitative measures; and determine the overall reliability of the Core NISAT. A sample of twenty seven assessors participated in the study. The quantitative findings from each of the 27 completed assessments for each case study were analysed. Overall there was a high level of inter-rater reliability on the quantitative measures contained in the core NISAT. This high inter-rater reliability was consistent across each domain and in each case study. It can be concluded from the findings that the core NISAT is reliable as a measure of older peoples’ needs and abilities.