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Smoking after the age of 65 years: a qualitative exploration of older current and former smokers' views on smoking, stopping smoking, and smoking cessation resources and services
- Authors:
- KERR Susan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 14(6), November 2006, pp.572-582.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this study was to explore older current/former smokers' views on smoking, stopping smoking, and smoking cessation resources and services. Despite the fact that older smokers have been identified as a priority group, there is currently a dearth of age-related smoking cessation research to guide practice. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used the health belief model as a conceptual framework. Twenty current and former smokers aged ≥ 65 years were recruited through general practices and a forum for older adults in the West of Scotland. Data were collected using a semi structured interview schedule. The audio-taped interviews were transcribed and then analysed using content analysis procedures. Current smokers reported many positive associations with smoking, which often prevented a smoking cessation attempt. The majority were aware that smoking had damaged their health; however, some were not convinced of the association. A common view was that 'the damage was done', and therefore, there was little point in attempting to stop smoking. When suggesting a cessation attempt, while some health professionals provided good levels of support, others were reported as providing very little. Some of the participants reported that they had never been advised to stop smoking. Knowledge of local smoking cessation services was generally poor. Finally, concern was voiced regarding the perceived health risks of using nicotine replacement therapy. The main reasons why the former smokers had stopped smoking were health-related. Many had received little help and support from health professionals when attempting to stop smoking. Most of the former smokers believed that stopping smoking in later life had been beneficial to their health. In conclusion, members of the primary care team have a key role to play in encouraging older people to stop smoking. In order to function effectively, it is essential that they take account of older smokers' health beliefs and that issues, such as knowledge of smoking cessation resources, are addressed.
Back from the brink: ageing, exercise and health in a small gym
- Authors:
- TULLE Emmanuelle, DORRER Nika
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(7), October 2012, pp.1106-1127.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study explored older adults' experiences of becoming regular exercisers in a gym, triggered by health problems, and their interactions with their younger gym instructors. Interviews were held with 15 men and women aged 55 to 83 years in Scotland. While participants reported significant benefits (greater health capital, expanded social networks and a return to active life after illness), they nevertheless were engaged in a complex and ambiguous negotiation of attitudes to bodily ageing and meanings of fitness and competence. In contrast, the instructors subscribed to a model of physical activity oriented towards physical capital as greater fitness. The paper suggests that these positions manifest competing understandings about what constitutes appropriate and desirable physical capital in later life. The authors concluded that there is a need to develop ways of breaking down barriers in communication to overcome divergent understandings of what constitutes legitimate physical capital people age.
The role of perceived barriers and objectively measured physical activity in adults aged 65–100
- Author:
- GELLERT Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 44(3), 2015, pp.384-390.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Objective: To test the predictive utility of perceived barriers to objectively measured physical activity levels in a stratified sample of older adults when accounting for social-cognitive determinants proposed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and economic and demographic factors. Methods: Data were analysed from the Physical Activity Cohort Scotland survey, a representative and stratified (65–80 and 80+ years; deprived and affluent) sample of 584 community-dwelling older people, resident in Tayside, Scotland. Physical activity was measured objectively by accelerometry. Results: Perceived barriers clustered around the areas of poor health, lack of interest, lack of safety and lack of access. Perceived poor health and lack of interest, but not lack of access or concerns about personal safety, predicted physical activity after controlling for demographic, economic and TPB variables. Discussion: Perceived person-related barriers (poor health and lack of interest) seem to be more strongly associated with physical activity levels than perceived environmental barriers (safety and access) in a large sample of older adults. Perceived barriers are modifiable and may be a target for future interventions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Issues of alcohol misuse among older people: attitudes and experiences of social work practitioners
- Authors:
- SHAW Catherine, PALATTIYIL George
- Journal article citation:
- Practice: Social Work in Action, 20(3), September 2008, pp.181-193.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This small-scale qualitative research focused on the experiences of social workers vis-vis older people who misuse alcohol. Based in an Older People's Team in the west of Scotland, the study explored service provision for alcohol misuse and examined whether practitioners felt the existing services provided by the Substance Misuse Team were effective in meeting the needs of older people with an alcohol problem. Using semi-structured interviews, data were collected from 18 participants, the majority (14) of whom were female and whose ages ranged from 31 to 54 years. Several key themes emerged including the extent of alcohol problems among older people and the complex reasons that cause older people to misuse alcohol. These reasons commonly related to the increasing challenges of old age. The data also demonstrated that current services are not meeting the needs of older people. Practitioners identified a need for an 'age-specific' approach to target more effectively the complex needs of older people. Recommendations from practitioners included ways to develop new and more effective services, including a more age-specific service, such as providing longer term support in older people's own homes, using a specialised support worker, and increasing staff training on alcohol use among older people.
Alcohol in care homes: what rules to play by?
- Author:
- MCCABE Louise
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 15(1), January 2007, pp.34-36.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
The author reports on a study of four care homes in Scotland, and the management of alcohol within those homes. Care home residents included older people, people with dementia and people with alcohol related brain damage. The study revealed a variety of ways of managing alcohol consumption. It is argued that more training is needed if care homes are to respond consistently to this complex issue.
Sooner rather than later: younger and middle-aged adults preparing for retirement
- Authors:
- ANDERSON Michael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 20(4), July 2000, pp.445-466.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
During the 1990s, the British population has been urged by government and financial institutions to make more personal preparation for retirement and to begin doing so while they are still relatively young. This article, set within a wider analysis of people's long-term planning behaviour, investigates the extent to which a sample of the general planning behaviour, investigates the extent to which a sample of the general population of Kirkcaldy in Scotland, mostly aged between 30 and 49, has given thought to the question of retirement, feels they have made financial preparation for it, and also how comfortable they expect retirement to be. The study concludes planning for retirement must be seen as part of planning as a whole, and that the propensity to plan is the outcome of a complex web or material, social, cultural and psychological factors.
If I had no choice: the housing needs of ethnic elders
- Editor:
- BARROW Jess
- Publisher:
- Age Concern
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 21p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
Short report based on research examining the housing needs of minority ethnic older people, with the primary aim of allowing their voices to be heard. Also examines relevant literature, the Scottish policy context, and the attitudes of local authorities towards meeting the needs of black and minority ethnic older people.
The general practitioner and older people: strategies for more effective home visits?
- Authors:
- CARLISLE Sandra, HUDSON Harriet
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 5(6), November 1997, pp.365-374.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article is based on findings from a pilot research funded by the Primary Health Care Development Fund in Scotland. This research confirms that community care changes have not to date effected a significant shift in GP perceptions, which are that the probable destiny of frail older people is to enter some kind of residential setting. Examines how and why GPs label certain patients as a 'problem' and uses this categorisation process to suggest that such patients are seen by GPs as having a 'moral career'. The research identifies a point in the career of the older 'problem' patient at which doctors could usefully refer to other agencies. Suggests a model for communication or collaboration as a way of enabling GPs to continue to provide sensitive and individually appropriate care for frail older patients in collaboration with appropriate others.
Count us in: meeting the changing needs and expectations of ethnic minority older people in Scotland
- Author:
- JOSHI Rohini Sharma
- Publishers:
- Trust Housing Association Ltd, Hanover Scotland, Bield Housing & Care
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 76
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report, published by Trust, Hanover (Scotland) and Bield Housing Associations outlines the findings from interviews and focus groups with older ethnic minority people living in Scotland. The interviews involved 355 participants and covered the key topics of: home environment, financial wellbeing, physical and mental health, care needs and caring responsibilities, and participation in society. The report highlights issues and barriers facing older ethnic minority people in each of these areas. In addition, 19 community staff also participated in focus group discussions. The recommendations include: that social services make earlier interventions to ensure home adaptations are made before they become urgent; developing sheltered housing and care accommodation to meet the needs of people with different cultural and language needs; and a wider network of lunch clubs, drop-in centres and day centres. (Edited publisher abstract)
Investigating the enabling factors influencing occupational therapists’ adoption of assisted living technology
- Authors:
- McGRATH Colleen E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 80(11), 2017, pp.668-675.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction: Research into technology adoption has focused on older adults’ motivations, with less exploration of the perspective of healthcare providers, including occupational therapists, who are often described as the gatekeepers to assisted living technology. Method: This qualitative study utilised semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 20 occupational therapists in England and Scotland. The goal was to identify those enabling factors necessary for occupational therapists to adopt assisted living technology. Results: Five themes emerged regarding the enablers needed to support the adoption of assisted living technology by occupational therapists, including: (1) a positive client–therapist relationship; (2) affordability; (3) time; (4) increased awareness, education, and training; and (5) usability features of the assisted living technology. Conclusion: With an ageing population and the increasing role that technology is playing globally in older adults’ lives, it has never been more important for occupational therapists to harness the potential of new, developing, and existing technologies to support people to live and age as well as possible. To accomplish this, however, requires that occupational therapists are equipped with the time, training, and education necessary to offer their clients assisted living technologies that are client-centred, usable, and affordable. (Publisher abstract)