Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Older people
- Author:
- MANTHORPE Jill
- Journal article citation:
- Research Matters, April 2002, pp.41-50.
- Publisher:
- Community Care
Looks at how dementia among people from ethnic minority backgrounds, intermediate care, and ethical questions on the involvement of dementia sufferers are some of the recent subjects of studies on older people.
Ethical perceptions towards real-world use of companion robots with older people and people with dementia: survey opinions among younger adults
- Authors:
- BRADWELL Hannah L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- BMC Geriatrics, 20(244), 2020, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioMed Central Ltd
Background: Use of companion robots may reduce older people’s depression, loneliness and agitation. This benefit has to be contrasted against possible ethical concerns raised by philosophers in the field around issues such as deceit, infantilisation, reduced human contact and accountability. Research directly assessing prevalence of such concerns among relevant stakeholders, however, remains limited, even though their views clearly have relevance in the debate. For example, any discrepancies between ethicists and stakeholders might in itself be a relevant ethical consideration while concerns perceived by stakeholders might identify immediate barriers to successful implementation. Methods: This study surveyed 67 younger adults after they had live interactions with companion robot pets while attending an exhibition on intimacy, including the context of intimacy for older people. This study asked about their perceptions of ethical issues. Participants generally had older family members, some with dementia. Results: Most participants (40/67, 60%) reported having no ethical concerns towards companion robot use when surveyed with an open question. Twenty (30%) had some concern, the most common being reduced human contact (10%), followed by deception (6%). However, when choosing from a list, the issue perceived as most concerning was equality of access to devices based on socioeconomic factors (m = 4.72 on a scale 1–7), exceeding more commonly hypothesized issues such as infantilising (m = 3.45), and deception (m = 3.44). The lowest-scoring issues were potential for injury or harm (m = 2.38) and privacy concerns (m = 2.17). Over half (39/67 (58%)) would have bought a device for an older relative. Cost was a common reason for choosing not to purchase a device. Conclusions: Although a relatively small study, the researchers demonstrated discrepancies between ethical concerns raised in the philosophical literature and those likely to make the decision to buy a companion robot. Such discrepancies, between philosophers and ‘end-users’ in care of older people, and in methods of ascertainment, are worthy of further empirical research and discussion. The participants were more concerned about economic issues and equality of access, an important consideration for those involved with care of older people. On the other hand the concerns proposed by ethicists seem unlikely to be a barrier to use of companion robots. (Edited publisher abstract)
A processural consent methodology with people diagnosed with dementia
- Authors:
- HUGHES Tessa, ROMERO Maria Castro
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 16(4), 2015, pp.222-234.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop an approach within the guidance of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) to meaningfully include people diagnosed with dementia (PDwD) in research endeavours. Design/methodology/approach: As part of a broader study of self-authored narratives of care experiences, PDwD were involved in the development and implementation of a process method of consent, in which consent conversations were contextual, responsive and ongoing, and were audited with the use of field diaries. Findings: Working within people’s relational contexts (i.e. care staff and family), eight participants with a range of dementia diagnoses and care needs made and verbally communicated research-related decisions. A desire to participate was consistently conveyed across research encounters, regardless of the extent of memory problems. Participants also demonstrated keen awareness of the links between memory problems, rights and inclusion, alongside a sense of personal identity and the capacities to clearly communicate this. Research limitations/implications: A process model of consent encouraged formal reflection upon ethical and pragmatic complexities, and is relevant to persons diagnosed with dementia making both care- and research-related decisions. Further work is needed to include people with a broader range of communication support needs. Originality/value: This research demonstrates substantial possibilities for eliciting and responding to the views of people with dementia diagnoses (previously excluded from research). Results open opportunities for genuine long-term research and care partnerships with PDwD for practice, service and policy development. (Publisher abstract)
A guide to research with care homes
- Authors:
- LUFF Rebekah, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 16(4), 2015, pp.186-194.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: A growing older population with complex care needs, including dementia, are living in care homes. It is important to support researchers in conducting ethical and appropriate work in this complex research environment. The purpose of this paper is to discuss key issues in care homes research including examples of best practice. The intention is to inform researchers across disciplines, leading to more sensitive and meaningful care home research practice. Design/methodology/approach: Experienced care homes researchers were invited to provide methodological insights and details not already reported in their publications. These have been analysed, creating key themes and linked to project publications. Findings: The need for reflexivity was a key finding. In particular, researchers need to: appreciate that the work is complex; see participants as potential research partners; and consider how cognitive and physical frailty of residents, staffing pressures and the unique environments of care homes might impact upon their research. Other challenges include recruitment and consenting people who lack mental capacity. Research limitations/implications: As the care homes research landscape continues to develop and grow, there still remains limited reflection and discussion of methodological issues with a need for a “safe space” for researchers to discuss challenges. Originality/value: This review is an updated methodological guide for care homes researchers, also highlighting current gaps in the mechanisms for continuing to share best research practice. (Publisher abstract)
That others matter: the moral achievement - care ethics and citizenship in practice with people with dementia
- Author:
- BRANNELLY Tula
- Journal article citation:
- Ethics and Social Welfare, 5(2), June 2011, pp.210-216.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
This article explores the care ethics in practice with people with dementia through a discussion on the contributing factors and conflicts in good care. It suggests that there are opportunities in practice for practitioners to sustain the citizenship of the people with whom they work. These opportunities arise as a matter of everyday decision-making, in the ways that service users and their families are facilitated to participate in decisions affecting their lives. Citizenship also hinges on the organisation of services to meet the needs of service users and carers. The article highlights a care situation which fails to meet the needs of one from the perspective of using an ethics of care. A social worker reflects on her role in the decision-making and the eventual lack of commitment from a wider team to provide good care. The author concludes that, to the question of whether others matter, we must consider whether the moral achievement has been accomplished – that is to show through practice that others do matter.
Lying in dementia care: an example of a culture that deceives in people's best interests
- Authors:
- ELVISH Ruth, JAMES Ian, MILNE Derek
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 14(3), April 2010, pp.255-262.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The use of lies in dementia care settings is endemic. Paradoxically, although many staff groups use deceptive techniques frequently, they are uncomfortable about acknowledging their actions. This article examines the issue of deception, using a 2-phased study design. The first phase involved developing a 16-item questionnaire to investigate attitudes towards lying to people with dementia. The second phase involved a workshop of 34 delegates attending a national UK older people’s psychology conference. In this workshop information on the use of lies was presented to determine whether it would lead to attitude change. The developed questionnaire and other measures of change were used in pre and post assessment of the effectiveness of the workshop in modifying attitudes to lying in professionals. The paper reports on the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. The results of the workshop demonstrate that the participants develop a more positive attitude towards the use of lies post workshop. The reasons underpinning changes in attitude are discussed. This study contributes to a more informed understanding regarding both the definition and use of lies. On the whole, participants developed a less generic perspective about lying, becoming more supportive of lies when used in specific situations in the best interests of the recipients.
The brain and person-centred care. 4. Memory, belief, emotion and behaviour
- Author:
- MILWAIN Elizabeth
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 18(3), May 2010, pp.25-29.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
The focus of this article is the changes that dementia often brings to memory functions, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease. Memory loss is the cardinal symptom of dementia and most people with dementia experience memory problems from early in the condition, particularly with learning and retention of new information or experiences. The link to memory loss is particularly strong in Alzheimer’s disease. The aim of this article is to explain how the human memory is organised and the consequences of persistent but gradual damage to some parts of this system. Two key messages emerge from this review. First, that it is not correct to think of people with Alzheimer’s disease as having no memory, and second, that life history work is vital for helping to understand many of the confusions that people with dementia experience. The second message leads to the issue of whether or not it is right to lie to people with dementia. This article concludes with some thoughts on this topic.
Dignity work in dementia care: sketching a microethical analysis
- Authors:
- ORULV Linda, NIKKU Nina
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 6(4), November 2007, pp.507-525.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study is concerned with issues of dignity in dementia care, in situations where staff members handle potential or actual conflicts and interaction problems between residents. Based on empirical data consisting of observations and video recordings in a residential facility for older people in Sweden, various coping strategies are identified in regard to whether or not, as well as when and how to interfere. Microethical analysis is used in order to discuss these coping strategies in relation to contextual conditions and ways of understanding, and values or aspects of dignity are highlighted. In dialogue with empirical data, nuances of ethical considerations are approached that are otherwise difficult to access analytically - thereby opening the door to a more reflective way of dealing with problematic situations in dementia care.
Person-centred advocacy: some ethical issues
- Authors:
- FOX Mike, WILSON Lesley
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 15(3), May 2007, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
The authors consider some of the ethical issues arising from advocacy work for older people with dementia within a residential home that was due to close.
Why do we ignore these ethical issues?
- Author:
- COX Janet
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, November 2003, pp.25-28.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
Explores the way a person with dementia's rights can be overridden and their freedom restricted even when everyone involved seems to be acting from the best of motives.