Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 24
Does sense of coherence affect the relationship between self-rated health and health status in a sample of community-dwelling frail elderly people?
- Authors:
- SAEVAREID H. I., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 11(6), November 2007, pp.658-667.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The objective of this Norwegian study was to examine the association between self-rated health (SRH) and physical, functional, social and mental health measures in community dwelling elderly people needing nursing care. Of special interest was how coping resources (SOC) influenced this relationship. Self-rated health is a good predictor of future health status as measured by mortality and morbidity, decline of functional abilities, use of healthcare, and nursing home placement. The high mean age and the relatively high level of care-dependency in this sample, make this investigation important. A hierarchical regression analysis was applied in a cross sectional sample of 242 elderly (mean age 84.6 years). Results found subjective health complaints (SHC) in both sexes, and psychological distress (only in men), was associated directly with SRH. Coping resources associated with SRH directly, and indirectly through subjective perceived health (SHC and GHQ) but only in men. The influence of registered illness was mediated through the effects of subjectively perceived health in both women and men. Sex differences moderated the effects of SOC on SRH. Subjectively perceived health was more important in the perception of SRH than objective health measures. Men, in contrast to women, tend to convert physical illness into emotional distress.
Older people: a gendered review and secondary analysis of the data
- Authors:
- BONO Emilia Del, et al
- Publisher:
- Equal Opportunities Commission
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 80p.
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
Part of the Equal Opportunities Commission Working Paper series, this study has two main objectives, firstly to look at the current and future situation of older people, here defined as people over 65 and to investigate the extent of gender differences in older people's degree of social inclusion.
Trends in suicide rates of the elderly in Austria, 1970-2004: an analysis of changes in terms of age groups, suicide methods and gender
- Authors:
- KAPUSTA Netsor D., ETZERSDORFER Elmar, SONNECK Germot
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22(5), May 2007, pp.438-444.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Suicides of the elderly (persons aged 65 and older) make up a large proportion of total suicides. Since suicide rates of the elderly are highest in western populations, addressing them as a risk group in prevention plans has been recommended. In order to assess possible approaches to prevention strategies, this study examines high-risk groups of the elderly. The authors examined official statistics on suicides that occurred in Austria between 1970-2004 (18,101 Suicides of the elderly). The authors analyzed time trends and differences in suicide methods as well as in age groups and both genders of the elderly. Three major high-risk groups were identified: elderly male suicides by firearms; elderly female suicides by poisoning, which occur more often with increasing age; and suicides of both genders by jumping from heights. Besides conducting treatment of psychiatric disorders of the elderly, restricting the means to commit suicide may help to prevent it among the elderly. Such specific prevention strategies should be implemented in national suicide prevention plans for the high-risk groups identified in this study.
Race and gender differences in perceived caregiver availability for community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults
- Authors:
- ROTH David L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 47(6), December 2007, pp.721-729.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study examined race and gender differences in perceived informal caregiver availability for participants aged 45 and older in a large US national epidemiological study. Cross-sectional data were collected in structured telephone interviews from 32,999 participants from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Participants were asked if they believed that someone was available to provide care for them in the event of a serious illness or disability and, if so, to describe that person. More than 80% of the participants reported having an available caregiver. Variables associated with lower perceived caregiver availability from a multivariable logistic regression analysis included being female, White, or unmarried; living alone; being older than 85; and having worse self-rated health. Spouses were the most likely caregivers for all racial and gender groups except for African American women, who identified daughters as the most likely caregivers. African American women also showed the smallest differential in perceived caregiver availability between married and unmarried (82.8% vs 75.7%), whereas White men showed the largest differential (90.9% vs 60.4%). Most individuals believe they have an informal caregiver available to them, but certain factors increase the risk of reporting no available caregiver. Increased efforts are needed to anticipate future caregiving needs, particularly for individuals who perceive a lack of available informal caregivers and may require more formal care services.
Estimates of the number of older people with a visual impairment in the UK
- Author:
- CHARLES Nigel
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Visual Impairment, 25(3), September 2007, pp.199-215.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article considers two key studies that have made it possible to produce estimates of the size of the older visually impaired population in the UK. It concludes that there are between about 1.6m and 2.2m people aged 65 years and over in the UK with visual acuity ranging from mild to serious levels of visual impairment. About half of visually impaired older people fall into the category of mild vision impairment (6/12 — 6/18). The other half has a moderate to severe visual impairment (VA < 6/18). Women aged 65 years and over with moderate or severe visual impairment outnumber visually impaired men by nearly three to one. Of those aged 75 years and over with moderate to severe visual impairment, about half of them have cataracts or refractive error, many of whom could have treatment or intervention which would considerably improve their vision. There are also an estimated 300,000 people aged 75 years and over in the UK with registerable eye conditions.
An investigation into the leisure occupations of older adults
- Authors:
- BALL Veronica, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(9), September 2007, pp.393-400.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study aimed to explore the current leisure occupations of adults over 60 years who considered themselves to be healthy and to identify the motivations that underpinned participation in those occupations. Structured interviews were conducted with 70 adults with a mean age of 72 years. The majority of the participants (51, 73%) reported engaging in leisure occupations. The range of leisure occupations was wide and included walking, sailing, listening to music, emailing and volunteering. Of these, 23% were active leisure, 18% passive leisure, 24% social leisure, 20% hobbies and 15% other leisure occupations. Content analysis was adopted to explain the motivators for taking part in these leisure occupations. It was found that enjoyment, pleasure and relaxation were the key motivators. This study shows that the majority of well older people are participating in leisure occupations and feeling positive about doing so. Further research is required to establish the role that occupational therapists can have in encouraging older adults to continue with or develop new leisure occupations to enhance health and quality of life.
The social context of death in old age
- Author:
- HOWARTH Glennys
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 11(3), September 2007, pp.17-20.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The author examines the notion of death as a taboo and considers the impact of social variables such as socio-economic status and gender on older people's encounters with mortality. The author also gives an insight into some of the attitudes of older people when thinking about notions of the good and bad death in relation to themselves and others for whom they care.
Healthcare consumption in men and women aged 65 and above in the two years preceding decision about long-term municipal care
- Authors:
- KRISTENSSON Jimmie, HALLBERG Ingalill Rahm, JAKOBSSON Ulf
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 15(5), September 2007, pp.474-485.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this study was to investigate healthcare consumption in men and women aged 65 and above in the two years preceding decision about long-term municipal care at home or in special accommodation and to investigate determinants for healthcare consumption. The study comprised 362 people (aged 65 or over), all subject to a decision about municipal care and/or services during 2002–2003, drawn from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC). Data were collected from three existing registers, the SNAC data covered age, gender, marital status, functional ability, informal care and living conditions and were merged with the Skane County Council's patient administration system PASiS and PrivaStat covering healthcare consumption from the year 2000 and forward. About 50% of the acute hospital stays (n = 392) occurred within 5 months prior to municipal care. The men had significantly longer stays in hospital, more diagnoses and contacts with other staff groups beside physicians in outpatient care compared to the women. The regression analysis showed heart conditions, cancer, musculoskeletal problems, genitourinary diseases, injuries and unspecified symptoms to be significantly associated with various kinds of healthcare consumption. The findings indicated a breakpoint in terms of hospital admissions about 5 months prior to municipal care and service and a share of 15% having several admissions to hospital. Early detection and preventive interventions to these people in a transitional stage of becoming increasingly dependent on continuous care and services seems urgent to prevent escalating acute healthcare consumption.
After age 60 India: a glimpse through census and NSSO
- Authors:
- SINGH D.P., YESUDIAN Princy
- Journal article citation:
- Indian Journal of Social Work, 68(4), October 2007, pp.545-560.
- Publisher:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences
As a means of helping the planning and policy makers to provide for the need of older people in India, this paper analyses the findings of the decennial Census of India and a National Sample Survey Organisations. The figures are discussed in relation to the ageing trend, spatial distribution of the elderly, socioeconomic and health profile.
Detection and prevalence of abuse of older males: perspectives from family practice
- Authors:
- YAFFE Mark J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 19(1/2), 2007, pp.47-60.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Family doctors' in the United States frequent contact with seniors put them in reasonable positions to detect elder abuse and initiate referral to adult protective services. Since doctor reporting is low, however, this paper explores whether the gender of patient and/or doctor impacts on identification of elder mistreatment, or creates differential detection of one gender over the other. Use of the validated Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI), and a structured social work evaluation, is described to provide some gender-based data from Canadian family practice. Specifically, while the prevalence of elder abuse is estimated to range from 12.0% to 13.3%, the specific prevalence was found for females to be 13.6% to 15.2% and for males 9.1% to 9.7%. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).