Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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When care is needed: the role of whistleblowing in promoting best standards from an individual and organizational perspective
- Authors:
- KELLY Daniel, JONES Aled
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 14(3), 2013, pp.180-191.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose – The aim of this paper is to scan the evidence and to make sense of the processes underpinning the maintenance of care standards and the meaning and significance of whistleblowing in the available literature. It formed part of a project examining attitudes to whistleblowing in the care of older people in Wales. The paper focusses on the actions of employees within organisations (such as hospitals or domiciliary care organisations) or professional groups (such as nurses and doctors) but does not include reference to whistleblowing or the raising of concerns by members of the public (such as relatives or patients). Design/methodology/approach–Published literature concerning whistleblowing in the UK and internationally was considered. Health and social care databases were searched (including PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, BNI, PsychLit, ERIC) and a wide variety of opinion pieces, research and theoretical explorations were accessed. Additionally, because whistleblowing occurs in workplaces other than health and social care, databases in the humanities, law and business were also searched. Other useful documents included public inquiry reports on matters both of public concern occurring in health and social care (e.g. The Shipman Inquiry, The Bristol Inquiry) as well as inquiries into events outside of this sector where whistleblowing was significant. Findings–There is no widely accepted theoretical framework or universally accepted conceptual underpinning for whistleblowing in the literature. This paper reveals various associated meanings, but all sources agree that whistleblowing is an imposed, rather than a chosen, situation and that whistleblowers are usually ordinary people who become aware of negative situations forcing them into a decision to remain silent, or to speak out. Another area of agreement within the literature is that the term whistleblowing has attracted overwhelmingly negative connotations. The simple choice between taking action or remaining silent belies the complexity of workplace cultures; including the care of older people. Originality/value–The paper explores a range of published sources from health care as well as other sectors. Although whistleblowing has been recognised as making an important contribution to patient safety, and the saving of lives, it has also had a somewhat tortured history in the health and social care sector, as well as in other industries. This paper explores whistleblowing in the context of recent UK policy developments and suggests the need for workplace cultures to be better understood; as well as promotion of open communication regarding concerns or unsafe practices. (Publisher abstract)
Buddhism-as-a-meaning-system for coping with late-life stress: a conceptual framework
- Author:
- XU Jianbin
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(1), 2018, pp.100-108.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Religion is increasingly conceptualised as a meaning system for adjustment and coping. Most of the conceptualisations are grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition. They may thus not be applicable to Buddhism, which provides a distinct tenor of meaning for coping. This article seeks to construct a conceptual framework of Buddhism-as-a-meaning-system for coping with late-life stress. Method: Literature review and conceptualisation were employed. Results: Under this framework, Buddhism functions as a meaning system involving existential meaning, cognitive meaning, and behavioural meaning. Conclusion: There is reason to believe that this framework promises to offer a holistic conceptual map of Buddhist coping in late life. Thus, it could serve as a guide for further empirical and theoretical exploration in the uncharted terrains of Buddhist coping in old age. In addition, gerontological practitioners could use this framework as a frame of reference when working with elderly Buddhist clients who are in stressful circumstances. (Publisher abstract)
Older Chinese immigrants' relationships with their children: a literature review from a solidarity-conflict perspective
- Authors:
- LIN Xiaoping, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 55(6), 2015, pp.990-1005.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: Older Chinese immigrants are one of the largest and fastest growing groups in Western societies. This article used the solidarity-conflict model to synthesise current research examining parent-child relationships in this group. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed databases to identify relevant articles. A narrative approach was used to review the literature. Results: Thirty-six articles were identified. Compared with Caucasians, older Chinese immigrants are more likely to live with children and have higher filial expectations. However, considerable numbers live independently. Of these, most live in public housing and rely on the community rather than their children for instrumental help. Many older Chinese immigrants have adjusted their filial expectations and valued being independent. They also provide extensive household help to their children. There are indications of intergenerational conflict, probably due to generational differences in attitudes toward life and limited intergenerational contact. Implications: This review suggests that although filial piety continues to influence older parent–child relationship in Chinese immigrant families, many changes have occurred. These findings have important implications for service planning and delivery for this cultural group. This review also provides evidence for the utility of the solidarity-conflict model. (Publisher abstract)
Defining successful aging: a tangible or elusive concept?
- Authors:
- MARTIN Peter, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 55(1), 2015, pp.14-25.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: Everyone wants to age successfully; however, the definition and criteria of successful ageing remain vague for laypersons, researchers, and policymakers in spite of decades of research on the topic. This paper highlights work of scholars who made significant theoretical contributions to the topic. Design and Methods: A thorough review and evaluation of the literature on successful ageing was undertaken. Results: The review includes early gerontological definitions of successful ageing and related concepts. Historical perspectives reach back to philosophical and religious texts, and more recent approaches have focused on both process- and outcome-oriented models of successful ageing. The authors elaborate a number of perspectives on successful ageing. Additional views on successful ageing emphasise subjective versus objective perceptions of successful ageing and relate successful ageing to studies on healthy and exceptional longevity. Implications: Additional theoretical work is needed to better understand successful ageing, including the way it can encompass disability and death and dying. The extent of rapid social and technological change influencing views on successful ageing also deserves more consideration. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social workers’ attitudes toward older adults: a review of the literature
- Authors:
- WANG Donna, CHONODY Jill M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Education, 49(1), 2013, pp.150-172.
- Publisher:
- Council on Social Work Education
Ageist attitudes toward older adults have been recognised as barriers to recruiting and training competent social workers. This article provides a systematic review of the literature that focused on social workers’ and social work students’ attitudes toward older adults and working with older adults. The authors sought empirical studies that used an attitudinal measure of ageism with a social work sample, and a total of 20 articles met the criteria. Characteristics of the studies’ participants, methodology, instruments, and results were evaluated. This article discusses the findings and offers implications for future research. (Publisher abstract)
Health care professionals and care staff challenges and experiences of managing sexual expression among older adults ≥60 years in long-term care facilities: a qualitative review and meta-synthesis
- Authors:
- HO Pei Juan, GOH Yong Shian
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 51(1), 2022, p.afab230.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Long-term care (LTC) facilities, in which older adults are institutionalised, have the responsibility to address their residents' rights, privacy and comfort in expressing themselves sexually in an acceptable manner. However, many older adults have reported barriers in their sexual expression, which is often a result of the care staff's attitudes in the facilities. This review synthesis evidence from qualitative studies on the challenges faced by care staff when supporting sexual expression of older residents in LTC facilities. The systematic review and meta-synthesis is reported according to the Enhanced Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research Statement. A systematic literature search for peer-reviewed studies was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL and ProQuest Theses and Dissertations from inception until December 2020. Sandelowski and Barroso's two-step approach was used to synthesise the evidence. Seventeen qualitative studies published between 2004 and 2020 were included. This review encapsulated the experiences and challenges of 4,387 care staff whose age ranged from 18 to 69 years. Through the meta-synthesis, four themes were identified: varying manifestations of sexual expression and situations encountered, a spectrum of care staff's attitudes, setting boundaries in dementia care and workplace support. Managing sexual expression can be challenging for the care staff, given the complex interplay between personal beliefs, social contexts, moral dilemmas, practical barriers and the lack of clear policies. This review highlighted the need to equip them with knowledge, skills and confidence in managing sexuality in LTC facilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring representations of old age and ageing: literature review
- Authors:
- SWIFT Hannah J., STEEDEN Ben
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Better
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 64
- Place of publication:
- London
This report summarises the key findings from a semi-systematic review of research and policy documents to explore on how society thinks and feels about ageing and older people. It focuses specifically on representations of age, ageing and older people, and on language and framing used around ageing. The research is summarised into ten key areas: understanding who is ‘old’; common traits, characteristics and expectations regarding older people and ageing; work, health and social care and other life domains; age as a social identity; intersectional identities; language and communication; age and ageing in policy; age and ageing in the media; values and social norms; and research tools for measuring attitudes to age and age stereotypes. The review found that representations of older people are predominantly negative, driven by age stereotypes that position older people as high-warmth but low competence, in decline and dependent. However, the literature also highlights some key areas for future research that could help to identify pathways to change, and lead more positive representations of older people, ageing and the ageing population. (Edited publisher abstract)
The experience of the transition to retirement: rapid evidence review
- Authors:
- HYDE Martin, et al
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Better
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 90
- Place of publication:
- London
A synthesis of research evidence on how people experiences the move from paid employment to retirement. The review considered people’s attitudes towards their upcoming retirement, the factors that determine any variation in attitude, and people’s experiences of the period post-retirement. It adopts a narrative synthesis approach, to combine the findings of qualitative and quantitative studies. Based on the review the literature, the report discusses the factors that impact on the experience of retirement across themes: gender; socioeconomic position; ethnic and cultural factors; family situation; health; attitudes to ageing; work and occupation; and preparedness and control. Key conclusions identified include, that: control over the retirement process leads to more positive adjustment to retirement; those in less advantaged social positions tend to have more negative experiences of retirement; positive attitudes toward the future predict high levels of planning among men; and negative expectations about the consequences of retirement predict difficulties in adjusting both for the person retiring and for their partner. The review concludes that organisations can have an important impact on expectations around retirement by supporting their older workers’ career development. It also argues that policy makers and practitioners must improve the resources that can help people increase their levels of control to enable them to make the decisions around work and retirement in later life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Fulfilling work: what do older workers value about work and why?
- Authors:
- MARVELL Rosa, COX Annette
- Publishers:
- Institute for Employment Studies, Centre for Ageing Better
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 23
- Place of publication:
- London
Outlines evidence on the characteristics of work that are important to people aged 50 and over, and provides suggestions of what employers can do to attract and retain older workers. It is based on 41 studies and reports which were selected from searches retrieving over 7,000 publications. The report discusses the evidence around three broad themes: work content – what older workers value about job roles and tasks; work culture – behaviours, management styles and values of employers; and workplace adjustments - practical steps that can help make work more age-friendly. The evidence found that older workers value employment that is personally meaningful, flexible, intellectually stimulating, sociable, age-inclusive and offers any adjustments needed for health conditions and disabilities. Older people also value opportunities for learning, mentoring others and career progression. Very few differences between the preferences of older and young workers were identified. However, health was the most important factor affecting older workers’ decisions to continue in work, ahead of job satisfaction and job quality. The pressures of caring responsibilities can also influence people's decision to continue working. The report makes a number of recommendations, including that employers should provide full and equal access to flexible working arrangements, occupational health support and appropriate workplace adaptations to help older workers to manage health conditions at work. (Edited publisher abstract)
Bruising in older adults: what do social workers need to know?
- Authors:
- MATTHEWS Sarah A. O., REYNOLDS Janet
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(6), 2015, pp.351-359.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss a research study exploring one aspect of adult safeguarding, that of non-accidental injury in older adults, specifically bruising. The study was undertaken with a view to analysing the current relevant literature and examining current practitioners’ views concerning bruising in older adults in order to understand social work practitioners’ awareness of and training in bruising. Design/methodology/approach: The paper describes a small-scale research study including two focus groups of social work and nursing practitioners. Themes arising from transcripts are coded by the analyst and are discussed in light of the summary and explanation of the literature reviewed following an initial scoping and exclusion exercise. Findings: The paper found that there is some evidence of typical and atypical non-accidental bruising emerging in older adults similar to that of children, but this tends to be treated as a clinical matter and mostly directed at medical staff. Research limitations/implications: Because of the chosen research aim, the research results focus on social work practitioners. Researchers are encouraged to explore other constituents further and to extend the scope of the literature review in terms of date and type. Practical implications: This paper will be of interest to all those concerned with the effective understanding of bruising as a sign of non-accidental injury in older people and especially the extent to which social work practitioners and others have to consider bruising during the course of their work with older people. Originality/value This paper fulfils an identified need to study what social work practitioners and others need to know during the course of their work with older adults.