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Hopes, fears and expectations about the future: what do older people's stories tell us about active ageing?
- Authors:
- CLARKE Amanda, WARREN Lorna
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 27(4), July 2007, pp.465-488.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
‘Active ageing’ is a key concept in current policy and research on ageing and yet is under-analysed or interpreted largely within an economic framework. This paper explores active ageing in the broader context of older people's lives. Drawing on a series of biographical interviews with 23 people aged 60–96 years, the discussion focuses on the theme of future hopes and concerns. Exhortations for ‘active ageing’ may be challenged by a lifelong unwillingness to look forward or plan ahead. Nevertheless, the findings show that fears for a future of limited resources, decline and dependency can exist alongside not only the desire to live longer but also the positive anticipation of forthcoming events and strong inter-generational relations. ‘Living for now’ and ‘taking a day at a time’ – and by extension the accomplishment of everyday activities rather than the activity-driven goals of earlier years – are common strategies for dealing with the unpredictability of later life. In this respect, even stopping paid work and entering residential care may be actively chosen and empowering even though they are steps towards disengagement and dependency. Similarly, planning for death, such as writing (living) wills and making funeral arrangements, may be positive and proactive responses to beliefs and concerns about dying. ‘Active ageing’ therefore needs to offer choices for life to be lived at all stages whilst recognising that much of the focus for older people is on ordinary needs, deeds and relationships.
The impact of superstition on behaviour in dementia
- Author:
- CARR Irene
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 13.11.07, 2007, pp.34-35.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
This qualitative study explores the possibility of superstition as a causal factor in some challenging behaviours shown by older people with dementia. In the study, carried out in Guernsey, local people, particularly older people, were informally interviewed to identify local superstitions. The study found at least three separate episodes of distressed and disruptive behaviour exhibited by people with dementia that appeared to have a direct causal link to superstitious practices.
Anticipating relocation: concerns about moving among NORC residents
- Authors:
- CARPENTER Brian D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 49(1/2), 2007, pp.165-184.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Most older people prefer to continue living at home for as long as possible, with the support of a variety of services. However, they may also have fears about the future. This paper presents results from an interview survey of 324 residents in a naturally occurring retirement community (NORC) and finds that 26% expressed concerns about having to move in the next few years. Residents who worried were mainly concerned about potential health problems (65%), followed by financial difficulties (26%), physical problems relating to housing design (12%), concern about ability to maintain the home (6%), fears of social isolation if they stay in the home (6%), and fears about declining autonomy (6%). The worried group were more likely to be older, female, single, and living alone in a flat. Their self-ratings of health status and social support were also lower. However, their actual degree of impairment was not noticeably different from the non-worried. The authors conclude by discussing the importance of identifying worried residents before their needs become critical, primarily by making services available and letting residents know about them. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Elderly people's attitudes and perceptions of aging and old age: the role of cognitive dissonance?
- Author:
- RON Pnina
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22(7), July 2007, pp.656-662.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of the research was to examine if and, how the attitudes and perceptions were changing during the aging process. The research sample included three hundred and eighty-eight elderly people between the ages of 65-92 who were sampled for the purpose of analyzing and comparing their attitudes and perceptions of old age and aging, in the present, to their attitudes and perceptions of these two concepts in the past. The research tool was composed of two parts: (A) a short demographic questionnaire which examined the following variables: gender, age, origin, family status and subjective health definition. (B) the second part was essentially qualitative in which subjects were asked via an interviewer to reply to an identical question relating to two different periods in their lives: in their youth (when you were a young man/woman) and today. The data received from the questionnaires was processed in two main methods: quantitatively - statistically and qualitatively - content analysis. The subjects' attitudes were categorized into six different typologies which were identified on a continuum: elderly people whose attitude towards old age and aging was negative both in the present and in the past were positioned at one end of the continuum. Subjects with a positive attitude towards old age, both in their youth and in the present were positioned at the opposite end of the continuum. Negative attitudes were more prominently described by powerful adjectives than positive attitudes were described by the subjects. For instance: Fear, Disgust. In the description of the positive attitude only one powerful adjective was used Splendor and Glory. A significant correlation was found between subjects whose attitudes towards old age in the present were negative and those who subjectively defined their health as bad.
Starting with lives: supporting older people's strategies and ways of coping
- Author:
- TANNER Denise
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 7(1), April 2007, pp.7-30.
- Publisher:
- Sage
A recent summary of research findings concluded that social policy and practice should use older people's lives as the starting point to plan and evaluate services (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2004). Based on the findings of a small-scale qualitative study and related research, this article explores the strategies and ways of coping used by older people to manage changes and difficulties that accompany ageing. It is suggested that older people's strategies and ways of coping can be understood as efforts to sustain a sense of self in later life and a model of some key processes involved is presented. The empirical findings of the study are related to theoretical models of ageing and identity management. Attention is directed to the interaction between structural resources and constraints, dominant cultural norms and values, and older people's individual capacities for reflexivity and interpretation. It is argued that this understanding has significant implications for the planning and delivery of social work and social care services that aim to promote the well-being of older people. In particular, practitioners need to understand the meaning and significance that difficulties and different approaches to managing them have for individuals. Interventions should be sensitive to, and seek to support, older people's cognitive ways of coping, as well as their practical strategies.
Living with dementia from the perspective of older people: is it a positive story?
- Author:
- STEEMAN Els
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 11(2), March 2007, pp.119-130.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Dementia, even at an early stage, may pose problems and challenge one's quality of life. Having accurate knowledge of what one experiences when living with dementia is important for developing proactive care for individuals with dementia and their families. The aim of this Grounded Theory study was to explore what it means for elderly people to live with early-stage dementia. This study interviewed 20 elderly people with probable mild dementia and their family members drawn from five memory clinics in Flanders, Belgium. Living with dementia was often presented as a positive narrative, one that told of only minor problems and which stressed abilities and contentment with life. Being valued, rather than losing one's cognition or identity was central in their experience. More in-depth analyses of participants' narratives revealed, however, that they were constantly balancing their feelings of value and worthlessness, struggling to remain someone of value. This struggle was prompted by threats posed by dementia and by the persons' interactions with others. Superficially, a positive narrative may be understood as a lack of awareness or as denial due to cognitive loss. The findings suggest, however, that we should look beyond this superficial view and seek to understand the narrative as an expression of one's attempt to counterbalance devaluation.
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.
Changing attitudes to learning in later life
- Author:
- McKECHNIE Brian
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 16(3/4), September 2006, pp.7-9.
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
This article reports on a project to examine why older people in the UK are the least likely of all age groups to participate in lifelong learning. The project also looks at ways to overcome barriers to their involvement.
Older, wiser and unlikely to present
- Author:
- PATRICK Eleanor
- Journal article citation:
- Therapy Today, 17(3), April 2006, pp.4-8.
- Publisher:
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
In order to understand how older people might use a counselling process, we need to hear their opinions. The author reports on a small study carried out with eight older people in order to find out how older people imagined counselling and whether they might consider bringing their own issues to such a session or series of sessions in an attempt to resolve them.
Journeying through old age and illness
- Author:
- MISSINNE Leo
- Publisher:
- Leveson Centre for the Study of Ageing, Spirituality and Social Policy
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 22p.
- Place of publication:
- Solihull
This paper opens with a meditative consideration of suffering in all its universality and diversity, and in its many styles and degrees. It considers the supposed virtues to be found in suffering, virtues which may indeed never surface in a particular life without the situation of suffering. This is put in the perspective of the Christian tradition and its views of ageing and old age itself; and finally to the attitudes necessary for the effective care of the elderly.