Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2016-17
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 51
- Place of publication:
- London
A listing of government-funded assistive technology research and development projects designed to enable the independence or wellbeing of disabled and older people. The report also highlights specific research activity in the areas of: assistive technology to improve mobility, assistive technology help children, assistive technology to increase independence and quality of life, and assistive technology for mental health. (Edited publisher abstract)
Looking to the long term: the Japanese approach
- Author:
- CURRY Natasha
- Publisher:
- Nuffield Trust
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing highlights two examples of preventative service from Japan which provide low level support to older people before their health deteriorates. The “Ten Million House” is run by volunteers and provides an informal meeting space for older people and activities. It aims to connect older people who are at risk of becoming isolated before their health deteriorates, providing them with an informal network they can rely on when their care needs increase. The ‘Dream Lake Village’ day centre provides low-level care to older people who live at home but who need some help with daily activities. It has been designed to increase users’ independence and prevent their decline. The examples show how, instead of waiting for those people to deteriorate to the point where they need care, the Japanese Government is encouraging municipal governments to invest in community facilities, volunteering and social support networks. (Edited publisher abstract)
Interventions to reduce dependency in bathing in community dwelling older adults: a systematic review
- Authors:
- GOLDING-DAY Miriam, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Systematic reviews, 6(1), 2017, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioMed Central
Background: The onset of bathing disability for older adults has been found to be an indicator and potential precursor of further disability. Thus interventions targeting bathing may prevent or delay further disability and the use of health and social care services. The aim of this systematic review was to identify interventions targeted at reducing dependency in bathing for community dwelling older adults, and determine their content and effectiveness in maintaining or improving function and quality of life. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic search of electronic databases including: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); MEDLINE; EMBASE; AMED; CINAHL; PsycINFO and OTSeeker. The search took place on 18 October 2016. The review included randomised controlled trials, nonrandomised controlled trials, and controlled before and after studies that evaluated an intervention designed to reduce dependency in bathing. Articles were screened for inclusion by two independent reviewers; risk of bias was assessed using quality assessment tools; and data extracted using pre-prepared forms. Disagreements were resolved by discussion and inclusion of a third reviewer. Results: The search process identified one study for inclusion in the review. This study evaluated a bathing intervention delivered by an occupational therapist following discharge from hospital. Overall, the findings suggest modest improvements in functional ability in favour of the intervention group although the results should be interpreted with caution. Conclusion: Despite evidence suggesting the importance of addressing bathing difficulties as a means of possible prevention of disability in the ageing process, there is a dearth of evaluative or interventional research studies. Further robust research is warranted, including studies of randomised and controlled design. (Edited publisher abstract)
Measuring active and healthy ageing in Europe
- Authors:
- ZAIDI Asghar, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of European Social Policy, 27(2), 2017, pp.138-157.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The active and healthy ageing measure reported here is calculated for the 28 European Union countries, with a specific focus on the current generation of older people and by using the latest data from multiple surveys. It covers diverse aspects of active and healthy ageing, by measuring older people’s contribution in relation to: employment, their unpaid familial, social and cultural contributions and their independent, healthy and secure living. An important contribution of this measure, referred to as the Active Ageing Index (‘AAI’), is that it also captures how countries differ with respect to capacity and enabling environments for active and healthy ageing. The AAI offers a breakdown by four domains of active and healthy ageing, and also by gender. Key findings are that Sweden comes at the top of the country ranking, followed closely by Denmark, the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands and Ireland. The four southern European countries (Italy, Portugal, Spain and Malta) are middle-ranked countries. Greece and many of the Central European countries are at the bottom, highlighting much greater untapped potentials of active and healthy ageing among older people in these countries and a need for greater policy efforts. Women fare worse than men in most countries, identifying a need for an emphasis on reducing gender disparity in experiences of active and healthy ageing. The AAI tool developed has the potential to identify the social policy mechanisms behind the differential achievements of active and healthy ageing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Visitors and resident autonomy: spoken and unspoken rules in assisted living
- Authors:
- BENNETT Colleen R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 57(2), 2017, pp.252-260.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: This article explores resident autonomy in assisted living (AL) and the effects that visitors and visiting the AL have on that autonomy. It examines formal and informal policies that govern visiting in AL, stakeholders’ views and enforcement of these policies, and the complex arrangements that visiting often entails in everyday life in the setting. Design and Methods: Data are drawn from a multiyear ethnographic study of autonomy in AL. Research from multiple sites included participant observation, informal and in-depth, open-ended interviews of various stakeholders, and the writing of field notes. Research team biweekly discussions and the Atlas.ti software program facilitated coding and analysis of interview transcripts and fieldnotes. Results: The ethnographic data highlight complicated factors related to visitors and visiting in AL. The article discusses two important aspects of visiting: (a) formal and informal policies at each setting; and (b) how resident autonomy is expressed or suppressed through rules about visiting in AL. Implications: The data underscores the importance of resident autonomy and quality of care in relation to visitors and visiting, especially how this relationship is affected by inconsistent and confusing formal and informal visiting policies in AL. (Publisher abstract)
Comprehensive assessment when older people are in hospital improves their chances of getting home and living independently
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH RESEARCH. Dissemination Centre
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health Research
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Place of publication:
- London
This NIHR Signal looks at the findings of an updated Cochrane review which compared the effectiveness of comprehensive geriatric assessment by a multidisciplinary specialist team with routine care for people over 65, excluding those with stroke and orthopaedic conditions. The findings show that older people who received comprehensive geriatric assessment when in hospital were slightly more likely to be living in their own homes one year later. People who received comprehensive geriatric assessment were also 20 percent less likely to be in a nursing home after three months or more. It concluded that comprehensive geriatric assessment may save NHS resources, but the quality of evidence was too low to assess this reliably. NIHR Signals highlight examples of important research and explain why the study was needed, what the study found and the implications of the findings. They include commentary from experts, researchers and those working in practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
The relationship of person-environment fit to perceptions of autonomy, competency and satisfaction among older adults with developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- HUTCHINGS B. Lynn, CHAPLIN Erica
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(3), 2017, pp.214-223.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The overlay of age-related cognitive and physical impairments onto existing intellectual and physical disabilities, a paucity of informal social relationships, a limited education and low income levels place the current generation of ageing adults with intellectual disabilities at risk of premature behavioural limitations and increased dependency. Person-environment fit and its relationship to perceptions of autonomy, competency, and satisfaction were explored through qualitative data collected from consumers. Face-to-face, in home interviews were conducted with 91 consumers who were asked to assess their own ability to carry out self-care and household tasks. Interviewers then observed consumers performing these tasks. A multi-stage data analysis process identified emergent themes that included issues related to autonomy versus dependence, belonging versus isolation, residential permanency versus transience, and social inclusion versus exclusion. The study also collected quantitative data, both from consumers and interviewers acting as observers. Consumer ratings of their own ability were consistently lower than observer ratings. Fostering home-based independence and autonomy among people ageing with developmental disabilities are discussed in relation to perspectives on the home environment. (Edited publisher abstract)
What works: hearing loss and healthy ageing
- Author:
- NHS ENGLAND
- Publisher:
- NHS England
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- London
This guide provides information for commissioners and care providers to help support older people with hearing loss in addressing their hearing and communication challenges and retain their independence. It looks at impact of hearing loss on overall health and wellbeing of the individual, the economic impact to society and the impact on an individual's independence. It outlines the responsibilities of commissioners and providers in relation to the provision of care for older people with hearing loss and provides useful advice for care providers to promote effective hearing and communication. Short case studies include screening for hearing loss in hospitals and care homes and supporting the management of hearing loss in care homes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Living, not existing: putting prevention at the heart of care for older people in Scotland
- Author:
- ROYAL COLLEGE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- London
This report focuses on the important contribution that occupational therapists can make to support further integration of health and social care in Scotland. It looks at the role of occupational therapy in helping older people to remain independent and live in their own communities for as long as possible, preventing or delaying the need for expensive care long-term. The report focuses on three key areas: prevention or delaying the need for care and support; helping older people to remain in their communities; and ensuring equality of access to occupational therapy. In each area, the report provides examples of best practice to how occupational therapists can contribution to preventative, person-centred services and provides recommendations to improve the design and delivery of services. Service examples include community initiatives to prevent and reduce the risk of falls in Aberdeen and a telecare services to support people with dementia to remain at home. The recommendations include for occupational therapists to work more closely with general practitioners, take on leadership roles to provide expertise to community providers on the development of person and community centred services; and the development of formal partnership agreements across local housing, health and social care sectors to ensure all older people have access to occupational therapy services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Living not existing: putting prevention at the heart of care for older people in England
- Author:
- ROYAL COLLEGE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- London
This report focuses on the important contribution that occupational therapists can make to support further integration of health and social care in England. It looks at the role of occupational therapy in helping older people to remain independent and live in their own communities for as long as possible, preventing or delaying the need for expensive care long-term. It also includes recommendations to ensure everyone has access to high quality proactive social care that promotes independence and self-determination. The report includes best practice examples and individual case studies to illustrate the positive impact of occupational therapy services. The case studies include Kent Enablement at Home Teams, a Care Home Liaison Team in Tower Hamlets, and Health 1000 Wellness Practice in Iford. It makes recommendations across three key areas: prevention or delaying the need for care and support; helping older people to remain in their communities; and ensuring equality of access to occupational therapy. These include for occupational therapists to work more closely with general practitioners, take on leadership roles to provide expertise to community providers on the development of person and community centred services. (Edited publisher abstract)