Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Social support in later life: a study of three areas
- Authors:
- PHILLIPS Judith, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 30(6), December 2000, pp.837-853.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The research reported in this article examines elderly people's family and community networks in three urban areas of England: Bethnal Green, Wolverhampton and Woodford. These were the locations for a number of major studies in the 1940s and 1950s. Four decades on from the original studies, a social network approach was used to explore changes in the social relationships in these three areas. The research sought to assess whom older people identified as 'important' in their lives, and the role such people played in the provision and receipt of support.
On a tight leash
- Author:
- KLEE Deborah
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 23.8.07, 2007, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
As long-term care costs continue to risk, preventive, low cost community services to support older people are needed. This article examines the kinds of schemes that are required. The article highlights good practice in the areas of: third sector partnerships; a healthy eating and falls initiative from Age Concern; the use of time banks; and telephone trees which can be a useful community support network.
The roles and functions of the informal support networks of older people who receive formal support: a Swedish qualitative study
- Authors:
- DUNER Anna, NORDSTROM Monica
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 27(1), January 2007, pp.67-85.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Several studies of frail older people have focused on the relationship between formal and informal care, while others have examined the character of inter-generational relationships. Yet knowledge of the significance of the informal-support networks of older people who receive formal care is still scarce. The aim of this paper was to explore how older Swedes who receive formal elder-care experienced their informal support networks. The findings presented emanate from a qualitative case study. The structural, interaction and functional dimensions of the support networks were the main analytical tools. In the study population, the size of the formal support network varied from one to 12 people (or categories of people), and the size of the informal support network varied from one to six people (or categories of people). The main results demonstrate the importance of informal support with reciprocal relationships, and the value of confidants and emotional support, both of which contribute to feelings of belonging, security and wellbeing. A well-functioning formal and informal support network allows individuals to maintain autonomy in old age, even when they have to depend on help from others.
The supportive community; help seeking and service use among elderly people in Jerusalem
- Authors:
- AUSLANDER Gail, SOFFER Michael, AUSLANDER Brian
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 27(4), December 2003, pp.209-221.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
New and innovative services are needed to meet the needs of the growing elderly population of Israel. One such programme is the "supportive community" programme which aims to provide a range of critical services to older people in the community. This study followed the response of 181 older residents of the northern quarter of Jerusalem to an invitation to subscribe to this new programme and the extent of service utilisation among those who joined. Andersen's behavioural model of help seeking provided the theoretical framework for the study. Findings showed that predisposing characteristics of the elderly residents did not predict subscribing to the programme, rather, joining was predicted by a combination of enabling characteristics and need characteristics. The results of the findings have implications for attaining programme goals, efficient programme operation, and the well-being of the members.
Help in old age: facing up to the challenge; a longitudinal network study
- Author:
- WENGER G. Clare
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- Publication year:
- 1992
- Pagination:
- 237p.,tables,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Liverpool
Examines support networks for people over the age of 75, using quantitative and qualitative longitudinal data to show how the availability and sources of help in a wide range of areas depend on factors beyond the control of the individual. Draws attention to the significance of variation in network type and distribution of network type for care in the community, and suggests that these variations have not been given sufficient consideration in service planning.
Social and functional health of home care clients with different levels of cognitive impairments
- Authors:
- GARMS-HOMOLOVA Vjenka, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(1), 2017, pp.18-23.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: The ability to manage one's life with some degree of independence, to fulfill basic obligations, and to participate in social activities are social functions that delineate the core of ‘social health’. This study examines to what extent clients of community care in Europe (n = 2884) complete such activities despite their cognitive problems. It focuses on mildly and moderately impaired people, aged 65+ years. Methods: Data were collected using the interRAI HC-Assessment in IBenC-project. The association between participants' capacity and performance was tested in three LADLs (instrumental activities of daily living) and their cognitive performance and specific memory problems. Results: About 30 % of home care clients in Europe suffer from mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment. Their relatively independent coping with requirements of routine activities is strongly determined by overall cognitive performance. Specific memory functions seem unimportant, except for procedural memory. It is striking that all clients, and particularly those with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment, interact mostly with close relatives and friends. Mild-to-moderate cognitive limitations do not hinder clients from coping semi-independently with routine requirements. Discussion: When considering the influence of cognitive function on clients' capacity and performance in everyday activities and social relations, a comprehensive construct of cognitive function has to be applied. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social connections for older people with intellectual disability in Ireland: results from wave one of IDS-TILDA
- Authors:
- McCAUSLAND Darren, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(1), 2016, pp.71-82.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The literature on influences of community versus congregated settings raises questions about how social inclusion can be optimised for people with intellectual disability. This study examines social contacts for older people with intellectual disability in Ireland, examining differences in social connection for adults with intellectual disability and other adults. Materials and Methods: Data were drawn from the IDS-TILDA study in Ireland. A nationally representative sample (n = 753) included adults aged 40 years and older, with additional comparison with general population participants. Predictors of social contacts were explored. Results: Residence, level of intellectual disability and age were significant factors determining social contact. People in institutional residences, older respondents and those with severe/profound intellectual disability had the lowest levels of contact; older adults with intellectual disability had much lower rates than general population counterparts. Conclusions: Community-dwelling people with intellectual disability have greater social contact than those living in institutions, but levels are below those for other adults in Ireland. (Publisher abstract)
Social determinants of older adults’ awareness of community support services in Hamilton, Ontario
- Authors:
- TINDALE J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 19(6), November 2011, pp.661-672.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Community support services (CSSs), such as food services, transportation services, and volunteer visiting, enable persons coping with health or social issues to continue to live in the community. However, lack of awareness can lead to these services being underutilised. This study aimed to determine middle-aged and older adults’ awareness of CSSs and to identify the relationship between the social determinants of health and awareness of CSSs. In a telephone interview, 1152 community-dwelling older adults from Ontario, Canada were asked to read a series of 4 vignettes and whether they were able to identify a CSS they could turn to in that situation. Across the 4 vignettes, 40% of participants did name a CSS as a possible source of assistance. The respondents most likely to have awareness of CSS include the middle-aged and higher-income groups. Being knowledgeable about where to look for information about CSSs, having social support and being a member of a club or voluntary organisations are also significant predictors of awareness of CSSs. The results suggest that efforts be made to improve the level of awareness and access to CSSs among older adults by targeting their social networks as well as their health and social care providers.
Blended learning networks supported by information and communication technology: an intervention for knowledge transformation within family care of older people
- Author:
- PIERCY Kathleen Walsh
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 51(4), August 2011, pp.561-570.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article describes a Swedish model for knowledge transformation and community communication, called Blended Learning Networks (BLNs), which involves all key stakeholder groups within care for older people. The aim of BLNs is to enable older people, their families, and care providers to exchange knowledge and experience, learn from each other, and support each other in local development work. BLNs were established in 31 municipalities, headed up by a local facilitator. They are supported by a national themed network consisting of virtual meetings between local facilitators and national facilitators at the Swedish National Family Care Competence Centre. An evaluation was conducted to explore the utility of the BLNs comprising: focus group interviews with members of 9 BLNs; self-evaluation group sessions using the focus group questions in 16 BLNs; and virtual focus groups carried out with 26 of the 31 local facilitators and with the national facilitators. The participants reported an increased understanding of caregiver issues and of each group's roles. Of particular value were the stories shared by caregivers and the potential for change locally due to the involvement of decision makers. The practice demanded considerable skills of the local facilitators. An initial education for new local facilitators was deemed necessary.
The influence of nursing home residency on the capacities of low-dependency older adults
- Authors:
- WALSH Kieran M., WALDMANN Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(5), September 2008, pp.528-535.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
With the growing number of low-dependency older adults in long-stay care and the lack of categorisation of these institutions in the Republic of Ireland, it can be asked if such facilities are truly beneficial. This paper presents an explorative investigation of the influence of the nursing home environment on the capacities of low-dependency older adults. The participants consisted of 50 community residents, as a control group, and 50 nursing home residents ranging in age from 65 to 95 years. The methodology was based on a triangulation of three data sources: a battery of cognitive, sensory, sensorimotor and psychological well-being assessments; a semi-structured participant interview; and an institutional questionnaire. Cluster analysis was then used to identify natural performance groupings within the assessment battery data. There were two performance groupings within the dataset. Interestingly, two community residents were grouped with the majority of nursing home residents and six nursing home residents were grouped with the majority of community residents. The interpretation of the results was informed by the semi-structured interviews and the institutional questionnaires. Although causality cannot be attributed, findings indicate an association between the nursing home environment and the capacities of older adult residents.