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What is “elder abuse”? voices from the margin: the views of underrepresented Canadian older adults
- Authors:
- PLOEG Jenny, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 25(5), 2013, pp.396-424.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Relatively little is known about the definitions and perceptions of elder abuse held by marginalised groups of older adults in Canada. The current study used focus group methodology to explore perceptions of elder abuse among marginalised groups such as Aboriginal persons, immigrants, refugees, and lesbians. We found both similarities and differences in perceptions of elder abuse across groups. Groups identified traditional forms of elder abuse (i.e., physical, sexual, psychological/emotional, financial abuse, and neglect) as well as less frequently identified types of abuse such as disrespect and government or systemic abuse. Groups also discussed issues related to immigrant sponsorship arrangements and abuse in nursing homes. (Publisher abstract)
Dignity and older Europeans: final report of focus groups of UK older people
- Author:
- DIEPPE Paul
- Publisher:
- Dignity and Older Europeans Consortium
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 60p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Using focus groups with older people, this study explored how older people view human dignity in their lives, taking account of how this might be affected by factors such as age, illness, social and economic aspects, health and illness. The themes that emerged from the data are presented and compared to a philosophical account of dignity. The conclusion lists points for policy, education and service development in health and social care.
Overcoming old in age-friendliness
- Authors:
- LINDENBERG J., WESTENDORP R.G.J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 29(1), 2015, pp.85-98.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In this article, the authors explore views on an age-friendly space in the Netherlands by analysing the responses of older individuals (N = 54) in focus groups and by examining the perspectives around an age-friendly zone in the Netherlands, Parkstad Limburg. The authors found that a central issue in the wishes for living at a later age are adjustments to envisioned physical limitations that come with the ageing process; this includes adjustments to ensure safety, accessibility and mobility, in order to facilitate older individuals' efforts to stay engaged with the world around them. In their wishes, the older participants constructed ideal dwelling places that closely resembled a senior home, but at the same time they rejected wishing to live in a place that was identified as a senior home. The authors explain this paradox by the representation of such a space as being for old people, i.e. needy older individuals, which was not how the older participants wished to be identified. It is concluded that the conception of age-friendly environments will have to face the difficult challenge of overcoming the association with old age, while simultaneously taking into account adjustments that signify and relate to the ageing process and that seem inescapably tied to oldness. (Edited publisher abstract)
How do older people describe others with cognitive impairment? A multiethnic study in the United States
- Authors:
- LADITKA Sarah B., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 33(3), 2013, pp.369-392.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study used focus groups to describe how older people from diverse ethnic backgrounds view others with cognitive impairment. Forty-two focus groups were held which represented African Americans, American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos, Vietnamese Americans, and Whites other than Latinos (Whites) (N = 396, ages 50+). Axial coding connected categories and identified themes. The constant comparison method compared themes across ethnic groups. African Americans, American Indians and Whites emphasised memory loss. African Americans, American Indians, Latinos and Whites stressed withdrawal, isolation and repetitive speech. African Americans, American Indians, Vietnamese Americans and Whites emphasised ‘slow thinking’. Only Whites described mood swings and personality changes. Many participants attributed dementia to stress. Terms describing others with dementia included ‘Alzheimer's’, ‘dementia’, ‘senile’ and ‘crazy’. Euphemisms were common (‘senior moment’, ‘old timer's disease’). Responses focused on memory, with limited mention of other cognitive functions. Differences among ethnic groups in descriptions of cognitive health and cognitive impairment underscore the need to tailor public health messages about cognitive health to ways that people construe its loss, and to their interest in maintaining it, so that messages and terms used are familiar, understandable and relevant to the groups for which they are designed. Health promotion efforts should develop ethnically sensitive ways to address the widely held misperception that even serious cognitive impairment is a normal characteristic of ageing and also to address stigma associated with cognitive impairment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Dignity and older Europeans: comparative analysis of data from older people's focus groups from all centres
- Author:
- TADD Win
- Publisher:
- Dignity and Older Europeans Consortium
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 33p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
The findings of focus groups of older people carried out in six countries to explore how older people view human dignity in their lives, and how factors such as age, social and economic aspects, and health and illness are compared. The countries involved in the study were the UK, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia and France.
Dignity: the voice of older people
- Authors:
- BAYER Tony, TADD Win, KRAJCIK Stefan
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 6(1), June 2005, pp.22-29.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Reports on the findings of 89 focus group and individual interviews, involving 391 people aged 61plus in six European countries. The study was carried out with the aim of exploring how older people view human dignity in their lives. It was seen as highly relevant and important concept, enhancing self-esteem, self-worth and wellbeing. Three major themes were identified: respect and recognition; participant and involvement; and dignity in care. The empirical data reflected the theoretical model of human dignity in that it considered the dignity of personal identity as of importance and relevance. In conclusion, the authors assert that for the dignity of older people to be enhanced, communication issues, privacy, personal identity and feelings of vulnerability need to be addressed.
Funding and planning for social care in later life: a deliberative focus group study
- Authors:
- DIXON Josie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(5), 2019, pp.e687-e696.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined people's perceptions and behaviours in relation to planning for their social care needs, and their values and priorities concerning how social care should be funded. Eight deliberative focus groups were conducted in May 2018 with 53 participants, aged 25–82 years, in London, Manchester and rural locations near York and Sheffield. Multiple uncertainties created barriers to planning for social care needs including not knowing how much to save, not thinking it possible for an average person to save enough to meet significant needs, reluctance to plan for something potentially unnecessary, lack of suitable and secure ways of saving, and a perception of social care policy as unsettled. Participants also had significant concerns that they would not be able to obtain good‐quality care, regardless of resources. In addition, it was commonly thought unrealistic to expect families to provide more than low‐intensity, supplementary care, while use of housing assets to pay for care was considered unfair, both for home‐owners who could lose their assets and non‐home‐owners who were left reliant on the state although it was more acceptable where people were childless or had substantial assets. Participants thought any new arrangements should be inclusive, personally affordable, sustainable, transparent, good‐quality and honest. They preferred to contribute regularly rather than find considerable sums of money at times of crisis, and preferred to risk‐pool, with everyone obliged or heavily encouraged to contribute. Transparency was valued so those better at ‘working the system’ were not able to benefit unfairly and participants wanted to know that, if they contributed, they would be assured of good‐quality care. Trust in Government and other institutions, however, was low. New funding arrangements should incorporate measures to increase transparency and trust, be clear about the responsibilities of individuals and the state, provide meaningful options to save, and place significant focus on improving actual and perceived care quality. For acceptability, proposals should be framed to emphasise their affective dimensions and positive values. (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)
Christian worship leaders’ attitudes and observations of people with dementia
- Authors:
- KENNEDY Elizabeth, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 13(5), 2014, pp.586-597.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Background: The cognitive, emotional, and psychological consequences of dementia are profound and can include memory loss, processing and, communication difficulties, social isolation and agitation. Procedural memory remains fairly intact in people with dementia (PWD) and is readily triggered via sensory cues and prompts. As religious services are often highly structured, it is likely that PWD can participate competently, potentially enhancing their quality of life, and wellbeing. Aims: This study aimed to investigate Christian worship leaders’ attitudes and observations of PWD attending religious services, to identify recurring themes, and to generate hypotheses regarding the effects of participation in religious services on PWD. Method: The participants were Christian worship leaders experienced in conducting religious services for PWD. The study adopted a grounded theory approach consisting of two phases: a focus group of four worship leaders at Phase 1 and a series of one-to-one interviews with eight worship leaders at Phase 2. Results: Five linked themes emerged: familiarity and structure; enhanced sensory cues; significance of worship leader’s approach; social support from and for family and carers; and the personality and characteristics of the PWD. These themes were used to develop a conceptual model, sharing the moderating and mediating factors of wellbeing. Conclusion: Religious worship appeared to constitute a naturalistic psychosocial intervention comprised of the service itself and the social context. Further investigation and conceptualisation of the interaction between PWD and their social environment is warranted, and collaboration with those people who constitute the PWD’s social support network. (Publisher abstract)
Community-dwelling older adults' perceptions of dignity: core meanings, challenges, supports and opportunities
- Authors:
- BLACK Kathy, DOBBS Debra
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 34(8), 2014, pp.1292-1313.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The majority of older adults will face declining health and other factors that may impact dignity in the course of ageing in their communities. This paper reports on a study in the United States that explored older people's understandings and experiences of dignity through focus groups and a survey. Three key components of dignity are identified: autonomy, relational and self-identity. In addition, the paper discusses a range of factors that can facilitate or inhibit a sense of dignity for older people, including long-term health issues, sensory deficits and resilience to life events. Finally, the implications of these findings for policy and practice are considered in the context of American social structures and values. (Edited publisher abstract)