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Nutritional care of older people: a workbook
- Author:
- TAYLOR Amanda
- Publisher:
- M&K
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 53p.
- Place of publication:
- Keswick
This is a self-directed study workbook that can be used stand alone or as part of a more formal training programme. It is particularly relevant to care workers looking after people in their own homes, in residential care and in hospitals. Contents include: what is a health diet?; malnutrition and monitoring people who may be at risk of malnutrition; food fortification and nutritional supplements; special dietary needs; ethnicity, religion and culture; relevant policy guidelines and standards. The appendices include dietary history, food record and weight charts as well as checklists for best practice.
Help to reduce depression
- Authors:
- LYNE Jake, MOXON Sallie, SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 13.11.08, 2008, p.34, 36.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The results of a recent research project have found that care workers can help control depression among older people. The authors summarise some of the key messages from the study. In the second part of the article, the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) provides details of selected resources on reducing depression in older people.
Effectiveness of a training program for carers to recognize depression among older people
- Authors:
- McCABE Marita P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(12), December 2008, pp.1290-1296.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Depression is a mental disorder that is frequently not detected among older people. The current study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program to assist carers to better recognize depression among older people in both community and residential care settings. In total, 52 professional carers (26 in community care, 26 in residential care) across a range of occupations completed a four session (for personal care attendants) or six session (for registered nurses or managers) training program. The program provided training for staff to identify and respond appropriately to signs of depression. In addition, nurses and managers were trained on the use of screening tools and referral processes. Outcomes were evaluated at post-test, and 6-month follow-up. The results demonstrated that for all groups training was effective in increasing carers' knowledge of depression and self-efficacy in detecting depression, as well as reducing the barriers to care at both post-test and 6-month follow-up. The training program evaluated in the current study was effective in increasing the level of skills necessary for care staff to better detect depression among older people in both community and residential care settings. Further research is needed to determine if these improved skills are sustained over time, and if they actually improve the level of recognition of depression among older people.
Professional carers' knowledge and response to depression among their aged-care clients: the care recipients' perspective
- Authors:
- MELLOR David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(3), May 2008, pp.389-399.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Depression is an under-diagnosed disorder among the elderly, even in those who are in receipt of aged-care services. One factor associated with this under diagnosis has been identified as a reluctance amongst the elderly to discuss their mood and emotions with their medical practitioners. The current study focused on why depression is not recognised and acted on by those providing residential or home-based care to older people. This study interviewed 15 elderly people residing in high-level or low-level aged-care facilities, and three elderly people who were receiving personal care in their homes. All participants had been identified by their care agencies as depressed. Participants reported their perceptions of their personal carers' knowledge and practices in managing the residents' depression. Although the participants described their carers in positive terms, they were critical of their knowledge and skills in recognising depression, and indicated that the communication between personal carers and care recipients about depressive symptomatology was seriously flawed. Training for personal carers in these areas, and efforts to change organisational culture are recommended.
Themes in family care-giving: implications for social work practice with older adults
- Authors:
- SIMS-GOULD Joanie, MARTIN-MATTHEWS Anne
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 38(8), December 2008, pp.1572-1587.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study advances the understanding of family care-giving by examining the provision of care to an older relative by adult children. It focuses on examining ‘who helps whom’ by extending analyses beyond the typical dyadic focus of care-giving in later life. The data for this research are derived from CARNET: The Canadian Aging Research Network’s survey of employed Canadians. Specifically, the analysis focuses on verbatim data collected from fifty-five CARNET respondents with significant care-giving responsibilities. Through in-depth analysis of verbatim data, five themes in care-giving are identified: the presence and importance of absent care-givers, the presence of multiple care recipients, the participation of men in helping and care-giving, the balance of direct and assistive help, and the presence of paid helpers in care-giving networks. Three descriptive care-giving vignettes are used to illustrate the five themes. Conclusions underscore the implications for professional practice, policy and research when the lens of care-giving is extended to include multiple care-givers and care recipients.
Identity and relationships: on understanding social work with older people suffering from dementia
- Author:
- EMILSSON Ulla Melin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 22(3), November 2008, pp.317-328.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper discusses how the identity confusion among older people suffering from dementia might influence relationships and the staff's behaviour, and in that sense, be part of the care problems reported. Three studies carried out between 1993 and 2003 are introduced aimed at illustrating the severe care problems identified. The interaction between the residents and the staff is focused on and discussed from a psychodynamic viewpoint. Data show that the caregivers also become confused and express a need of affirmation comparable with that of the older people suffering from dementia. That is, even the caregivers' behaviour seems to be influenced by an identity-preserving ambition similar to the one of the dementia sufferers, and this might explain some of the problems in this form of care.
Contented dementia: 24-hour wraparound care for lifelong well-being
- Author:
- JAMES Oliver
- Publisher:
- Vermilion
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 286p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Outlines a new, practical method for managing dementia that will allow both the person with dementia and their carer to maintain a high quality of life throughout every stage of their illness. The SPECAL method (Specialised Early Care for Alzheimer's) described creates links between past memories and the routine activities of daily life in the present. The publication draws on real-life examples and is of relevance for carers, relatives and professionals.
Supporting older people in care homes at night
- Authors:
- KERR Diana, WILKINSON Heather, CUNNINGHAM Colm
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 16(4), July 2008, pp.35-38.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
Reports on a research study which looked at night time care practices in care homes in Scotland. The first stage of the study explored the experiences, practices and perspectives of staff, residents, managers and relatives affected and/or involved in night time care. Stage two involved action research (implementation and evaluation) to determine if and how night time care could be improved through a small number of interventions. The article highlights some of the key recommendations from the study.
Supporting older people in care homes at night
- Author:
- PETCH Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 29.5.08, 2008, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
This reports on a study funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on the nature and quality of night-time support provided to care home residents. The study aimed to ascertain the perspectives of different stakeholders and to identify, implement and evaluate practical changes that might improve the night-time experience of residents. Three care homes in Scotland were used as case study sites and interviews were conducted with 22 direct care staff, six managers, eight residents and 10 relatives. The study found that night time care generally received less attention and staff were often less experienced and had received little training.
Social care issues affecting older gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the UK: a policy brief
- Author:
- MUSINGARIMI Primrose
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 5p.
- Place of publication:
- London
As people get older they increasingly need social care support to assist them with activities of daily living. Older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people are less likely than heterosexuals to live with a partner or to have children who can provide care for them. For older LGB people there may also be anxiety about letting into their home individuals who may potentially be homophobic to care for them. Direct payments have been seen to be potential solution but caution must be taken as older LGB may not have the same capacity and confidence to be ‘employers’.