Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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A farewell to arms
- Author:
- HUNTER Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Matters (e-Magazine), September 2013, pp.10-13. Online only
- Publisher:
- The College of Social Work
A former US marine and Colorado cop Ruth Aten-Shearwood, talks about how her life changed when she moved to the UK, became a social worker and is now embedded in an 'extra care' housing development for older people in Derbyshire. (Publisher abstract)
The experience of engaging in occupation following stroke: a qualitative meta-synthesis
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Shoshannah, MURRAY Carolyn
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(8), 2013, pp.370-378.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction: A meta-synthesis is a means of extracting data from multiple qualitative studies about the same topic, re-analysing the findings and bringing them together as a collective whole. Data from six qualitative studies that investigated the experience of engaging in occupation following a stroke were extracted and reanalysed with the purpose of gaining a greater understanding of the subjective experience to inform occupational therapy practice. Methods: Six databases were systematically searched for literature published in English during 1990–2011. Seven studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool; six of these were included in the meta-synthesis. Findings: Five conceptual themes regarding occupational engagement emerged from the review: an emotional response, impact on identity, role of significant others, community access and the process of occupational adaptation. Conclusion: Engagement in occupation following a stroke is linked to self-identity and an emotional response; both of these, in turn, have an impact on capacity for occupational adaptation. Individuals are situated within a context of significant others and community. These findings give occupational therapists greater insight into the experience of older people following stroke in community settings. (Publisher abstract)
Older adults' perceptions of age-friendly communities in Canada: a photovoice study
- Authors:
- NOVEK Sheila, MENEC Verena H.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Community Practice, 21(4), 2013, pp.1052-1072.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philapelphia, USA
Despite the growth of the age-friendly communities movement, few studies have examined age-friendly characteristics within different community contexts. This study uses a participatory methodology to explore older adults’ perceptions of age-friendliness. The study employed the photovoice technique with 30 community-based older adults in one urban community and three rural communities in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Participants were provided with cameras and took photographs to illustrate the relative age-friendliness of their communities and to generate discussion in interviews and focus groups. Themes from photographs, interviews and focus groups were organised into three broad categories: age-friendly features, contextual factors and cross-cutting themes. The age-friendly features the authors identified in this study generally correspond to the World Health Organization domains of age-friendliness. In addition, the authors identified three contextual factors that impact the experiences of older adults within their community environment: community history and identity, ageing in urban, rural and remote communities, and environmental conditions. Finally, independence, affordability and accessibility were identified as cross-cutting themes that intersect with various community features and contextual factors. (Edited publisher abstract)
OASIS: a Community-based model for successful aging
- Authors:
- KERZ Marcia, TEUFEL James, DINMAN Michele
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 38(2), 2013, pp.122-136.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
OASIS, a national non-profit organisation founded in 1982, is dedicated to enriching the lives of people age 50 and older by offering programmes that stimulate the intellect, promote healthy and active lifestyles and encourage community service. The OASIS vision is for older adults across the United States to have opportunities to pursue vibrant, healthy, productive and meaningful lives. OASIS seeks to positively impact the older adults’ lives—by partnering with other organisations to share knowledge; offer evidence-based programmes; conduct evaluations; and adapt to meet the needs of diverse audiences. Today, nearly 40,000 people participate at any one time in OASIS programmes, with more than 6,700 volunteers providing over 488,000 hours of service each year. Approximately 370,000 adults are members of OASIS in 39 cities across the country. This number is expected to increase dramatically with the aging of the United States population. It is estimated that, between the years 2000 and 2030, the number of older adults will grow from 35 million to 72 million. (Publisher abstract)
Hoarding in the community: a code enforcement and social service perspective
- Authors:
- McGUIRE Joseph F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 39(3), 2013, pp.335-344.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Hoarding behaviours endanger individuals and their communities. Although there is a growing literature on clinically referred and elderly hoarders, there is limited information about hoarding behaviours beyond these contexts. This study examines the frequency, characteristics, and outcomes of cases involving hoarding encountered by code enforcement officials and social service staff. Prior to an in-service training, 236 social service staff members completed a 43-item survey about their experiences with cases involving hoarding. Respondents reported encountering between two and three cases per year. Although these hoarding cases were estimated to cost more than $3,700 in cleaning fees, 83% of respondents reported having received no prior training on dealing with hoarding. Survey responses suggested that hoarding situations were difficult to resolve and involved multiple community agencies. Collectively, hoarding behaviors appear to be a problem regularly encountered by social service members, who often serve as the initial point of contact. Along with increased training, future research is needed to develop and evaluate collaborative interagency protocols to manage this multifaceted problem. Empirically informed interagency protocols may facilitate the timely referral of community hoarders to mental health professionals and may lead to improved outcomes. (Publisher abstract)
Senior cohousing communities: an alternative approach for the UK?
- Author:
- BRENTON Maria
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 21p.
- Place of publication:
- York
This paper examines the notion of ‘cohousing’, draws on examples of cohousing from outside the UK and assesses the potential for cohousing in the UK. It was commissioned as part of the JRF programme on A Better Life, which aims to increase understanding of what can help older people with high support needs now and in the future. Cohousing is a form of group living which clusters individual homes around a ‘common house’ or shared space and amenities. Run and controlled entirely by members of the group working together, it is based on mutual support, self-governance and active participation. Two cohousing models exist, the inter-generational or family-based model and senior cohousing, for age-peer groups usually over the age of fifty. Cohousing is a way of living both ‘apart and together’ with a collaborative group of neighbours who know each other and sign up to certain values. They work to develop the social capital that creates and maintains a sense of community. This report draws on two events in Spring 2012. The first, in York, brought together people aged over 50, mainly from existing or recently formed groups interested in cohousing. The second, in Dunfermline, included representatives of local authorities and housing associations with people aged over 50.
Mentors' experiences of using the Active Mentoring model to support older adults with intellectual disability to participate in community groups
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 38(4), 2013, pp.344-355.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Social inclusion is a widely acknowledged goal; who is best positioned to provide support and how support is delivered are key questions. Using Active Mentoring training, members of community groups mentored a person with intellectual disability and supported their inclusion in that group. Methods: Interviews with 14 mentors explored their experiences of supporting a previously unknown person with intellectual disability to participate in their community group. Findings: The core theme was No Different From Us. Mentors saw beyond the disability, they valued others, were community leaders, and had intrinsic qualities. With some basic orientation to the task, mentors were able to support the inclusion of their mentee in the group. Conclusion: Community members are willing to support people with intellectual disability to join their community groups. The Active Mentoring training is one way of harnessing the goodwill of community groups and their members to include people with intellectual disability to participate on an individual basis in community groups. (Publisher abstract)
The condition of Britain: interim report
- Editor:
- LAWTON Kayte
- Publisher:
- Institute for Public Policy Research
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 96
- Place of publication:
- London
The Institute for Public Policy Research’s Condition of Britain programme considers how politics, institutions and policies need to change to respond after the 2007 financial crash. This report sets out the findings from the first stage of IPPR's work on this theme. It brings together five previously published briefing papers on: raising a family; growing up and becoming an adult; living in a good home and neighbourhood; finding a decent job and achieving financial security; and getting older and staying connected. Among the key findings are that: family life is under growing strain; young people’s prospects are increasingly uncertain; some neighbourhoods remain blighted by crime; a minority of people remain excluded from society; many people have lost faith in the benefit system; and more and more older people are facing loneliness and isolation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Detection of memory impairment in a community-based system: a collaborative study
- Authors:
- KIRAL Kahraman, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 38(2), 2013, pp.89-96.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The ability to distinguish between older people with cognitive impairment and those who age in a healthy manner is crucial because cognitive impairment may be a precursor to full-blown dementia. Therefore, an early diagnosis of cognitive impairment is important. However, patients are often admitted to a hospital only when they already have a serious cognitive impairment. Consequently, cooperative studies between clinics and community-based organizations may assist hospitals in detecting early cognitive impairment. This article examines how community-based organisations can contribute to the early diagnosis of dementia. A cooperation model between the Neurology Department of Mersin University Hospital and the Mersin branch of the Alzheimer's Association was developed. Trained professionals used a neuropsychological battery to evaluate 50 individuals at the Mersin branch of the Alzheimer's Association in Turkey. Individuals whose performance fell below the average (1 standard deviation or less) were subsequently referred to the hospital. On the basis of the neurological and neuropsychological assessments, 11 participants were placed in the mild cognitive impairment group and 39 were placed in the healthy group. The results suggest that the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination and the Three Words–Three Shapes Test are useful tools for detecting early memory impairments in a community-based setting. (Publisher abstract)
Toward an age-friendly city: the constraints preventing the elderly's participation in community programs in Akita city
- Author:
- KADOYA Yoshihiko
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 17(3), 2013, pp.101-108.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose – The inclusion of the elderly in community life is a major factor in achieving an age-friendly city. However, there has been little research investigating the constraints preventing the elderly's interaction with society. With that in mind, this paper is pioneering the investigation of such constraints. Design/methodology/approach – This paper used the results from the “Questionnaire towards an Age-Friendly City” by Japan's Akita City, a member of the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities. Findings – This paper reveals two constraining factors. First, living solo discourages elderly to interact with society. Second, the elderly who cannot drive a car tend to be reluctant to participate in social activities. Practical implications – To be age-friendly that encourages the elderly to participate in community life, municipalities may apply the following “implementations for practice”: implementing regular visits to the elderly who live alone; giving young people some incentives (e.g. tax reductions) to live with their aged parents/relatives; increasing the number of community buses in order to encourage the elderly to go out; and increasing community taxis by deregulating the industry. Originality/value – This paper contributes significantly to the study of the elderly's inclusion in community life, which is a major component of an age-friendly city. Although little research has analyzed the constraints preventing the elderly's social interaction due to data limitations, this pioneering paper identifies at least some of the constraints. This research can help to improve the health and wellbeing of elderly individuals in our society and it can help to create more age-friendly cities. (Publisher abstract)