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The prioritisation of choice in eldercare: the case of Ireland
- Author:
- LOLICH Luciana
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Care and Caring, 3(4), 2019, pp.517-530.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
In recent decades, there has been a prioritisation of choice in eldercare in many Western countries. In many policy documents, choice is framed as giving older adults the choice to be cared for at home. The article draws on secondary sources to trace the impact of a logic of choice in eldercare in Ireland. It situates the analysis within the re-conceptualisation of care as a commodity and the home-care worker as the most ‘efficient’ option. The article examines the limitations of choice and questions whether choice should be the most important aspect of care in old age. (Publisher abstract)
Ensuring high quality health and social care for our older population: residential care in Ireland as a case example
- Author:
- O'CONNOR Irene
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(3), September 2009, pp.34-43.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Ireland faces similar challenges to the rest of Europe in that it has a rapidly increasing older population, seemingly infinite demand for health and social care and growing financial pressures. Against such a background, there are concerns about the quality of care provided for frail older people, especially in long-term care settings. This paper considers some recent policy development in Ireland, with a particular focus on long-term care. It describes the response to a series of inquiries about the quality of care in such environments and the subsequent formation of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). HIQA has just introduced a series of new inspections standards, and these are presented in the article. However, whilst these standards are to be welcomed, it is argued that standards alone will not result in improved quality unless there is also a recognition of the role and value of long-term care as a positive care environment for older people.
Defining responsibility for care: approaches to care of older people in six European countries
- Author:
- BLACKMAN Tim
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 9(3), July 2000, pp.181-190.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article examines the social care of older people in six contrasting European countries. Family, institutional and community care are compared, focusing on vulnerability, empowerment and the gatekeeping of resources. The article considers the position of older people in each care system by presenting individual case studies. The six countries include the family-oriented systems of Ireland, Italy and Greece, and the individual-oriented systems of Denmark, Norway and England. Overall, the different levels of provision of organised social care services are a major aspect of inequality within and between the countries. Whilst there is little prospect for any major policy transfer across national boundaries, there is potential for selective cross-national learning with regard to particular service developments.
Living in institutional care: residents’ experiences and coping strategies
- Authors:
- TIMONEN Virpi, O’DWYER Ciara
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 48(6), August 2009, pp.597-613.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Insights into daily living in residential care settings are rare. The discussion presented in this article is based on data collected during the course of an evaluation of a residents’ council established within a large public-sector residential care setting in Ireland. The facility caters mainly for older people, many of whom have cognitive impairments or severe physical disabilities. The analysis of the data is based upon Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and looks at physiological needs, safety needs, love/belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualisation needs. The article also discusses the coping mechanisms that the residents had developed to deal with the limitations and challenges of living in institutional care. The results demonstrated that although the residents did have concerns about basic needs, such as food, physical comfort, and interference with sleep, the inadequacy of these basic provisions were not the central difficulty for them. Rather, it was the lack of mental stimulation and respect shown to them and the loss of dignity and independence that ensued. The analysis indicated that ‘lower’ (basic) needs and ‘higher’ (esteem and self-actualisation) needs are closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing and should therefore be accorded equal emphasis by professionals employed within residential care settings.
Care provision and cost measurement: dependent elderly people at home and in geriatric hospitals
- Authors:
- BLACKWELL John, et al
- Publisher:
- Economic and Social Research Institute
- Publication year:
- 1992
- Pagination:
- 252p.,tables,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Dublin
Study comparing the costs of caring for older people in Ireland in the community and in long-stay institutions. Looks in particular at how costs change as dependency levels change.
Experiences of residents, family members and staff in residential care settings for older people during COVID-19: a mixed methods study
- Authors:
- SWEENEY Mary Rose, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Nursing Management, early cite February 2022,
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the COVID-19 pandemic as it was experienced by people on the front line in residential care settings for older people in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionate effect in residential care settings for older people in Ireland. Methods: A 2-phased mixed methods study was conducted, consisting of an online survey administered shortly after the 1st wave of the virus to staff, residents and family members and one-to-one interviews with family members shortly after wave 2 of the virus. Results: Isolation, loss of connectedness as well as a reduction in the level/quality of care provision led to significant adverse impacts for both residents and their families. Staff reported high levels of stress, trauma and burnout. Family input to care was suspended, with adverse consequences. Implications for Nursing Management: Strategies to ensure that residents’ physical, emotional and social needs and staffs’ professional and personal needs are appropriately supported during future waves of the pandemic should now be implemented. Conclusion: The pandemic had an extremely adverse impact on residents, family members and staff in care settings for older people. (Edited publisher abstract)
The lived experience of older adults transferring between long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors:
- MURPHY Elizabeth, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(1), 2022, pp.29-33.
- Publisher:
- Healio
Long-term care facility (LTCF) residents have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), from increased mortality and restrictive public health measures. The current study aims to describe the experiences of residents relocating between LTCFs at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emphasis was placed on residents' sense of home and how the pandemic and ensuing isolation affected their transition. This qualitative study follows the principles of constructivist grounded theory. Seven of 10 residents interviewed had cognitive impairment (mean age = 84 years). Four primary themes were elicited from the interviews focusing on residents' perceptions of their environment and highlights the value placed on privacy and control, the multifaceted feeling of loss during the pandemic, the importance of relationships as a source of comfort and pleasure, and resilience shown by residents in times of hardship. Our study indicates that residents experienced dichotomy and paradox during the pandemic, attempting to strike a balance between isolation and camaraderie, infection risk and mental health, and loss and resilience. The need for familial contact and socialization must be balanced against infection control measures. (Edited publisher abstract)
Engagement and social interaction in dementia care settings. a call for occupational and social justice
- Authors:
- MORGAN-BROWN Mark, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(2), 2019, pp.400-408.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
As full citizens, people with dementia are entitled to engage in social and occupational activities in residential care settings. Limitation or deprivation of choice and experience of valued occupations has been described elsewhere as occupational injustice. This research frames the unmet needs of people with dementia for occupation and social interaction, as issues of human rights and citizenship. It identifies a gap in current measurement tools of engagement in residential settings and in response, presents the Assessment Tool for Occupational and Social Engagement (ATOSE) as an objective measure of engagement. It examines results from a study of five residential care settings in Ireland using the ATOSE which included 73 residents with dementia and/or enduring mental health diagnoses. Residents spent on average, 38% of their time engaged and 62% of their time not engaged while in their communal sitting rooms. The ATOSE observations supported the rights of residents as citizens to have low levels of engagement addressed. A critical gerontology lens is employed to discuss concepts of citizenship, occupational justice, and social justice in the context of this research project. (Edited publisher abstract)
Caring for older Europeans: comparative studies in 29 countries
- Author:
- GIARCHI George Giacinto
- Publisher:
- Arena
- Publication year:
- 1996
- Pagination:
- 547p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Aldershot
Provides a reference source for various modes of care (both formal and informal) for older people throughout Europe. Each chapter follows the same format and covers: demography; socio-political and administrative background; social security and pensions; housing; health care; mental health care; residential care; personal social services; voluntary care agencies and support organisations; leisure pursuits and education; and older people in rural areas.