Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Turner's syndrome: continuing to thrive at 75
- Author:
- SMITH Jana O.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 31(3/4), 1999, pp.187-195.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Turner's Syndrome is a female chromosomal aberration, which occurs in approximately 1 in 2,500 female births. This article provides a psycho-social history of Dr Henry Turner's oldest patient with Turner's Syndrome. This chronicle illustrates the positive and negative impact of receiving little information about the syndrome, and provides recommendations for intervention by professionals who work with this population.
A novel participant-empowered pedagogical approach to engage and retain control group participants in arts-based randomized controlled trials
- Authors:
- MATTO Holly C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 102(4), 2021, pp.529-537.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
The overall purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the effect of arts classes (ballroom dance and ukulele) on older adults’ well-being compared with a social conversation control group. This article describes a novel participant-empowered pedagogical approach to enhance control group retention and engagement. Sixty-four participants (M = 71 years) participated twice weekly in a 10-week intervention that included ballroom dancing (n = 23), ukulele playing (n = 17), and social conversation (n = 24). Focus group themes revealed participants felt challenged as they crossed their comfort zones, increased confidence, and enhanced social connections. Community-engaged arts programs for older adults should further examine mechanisms that foster positive social connections during sessions, paying special attention to the design of the control group condition in RCTs where competing arts-based intervention groups may be more desirable to participants. (Edited publisher abstract)
A realist evaluation of loneliness interventions for older people
- Authors:
- DAY Alice, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 50(6), 2021, pp.2246-2253.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Introduction: the aim of this study was to develop a programme theory to inform the design of loneliness interventions and guide any future evaluations. Methods: we undertook a mixed-method evaluation, informed by the realist approach, of different approaches to loneliness in one health and social care system in the East Midlands, UK. We used a combination of documentary analysis, interviews/focus groups with service providers and users and quantitative analysis to develop an initial programme theory. Results: common aims of local interventions included enhancing social connectivity, providing emotional support and advice/information; recurring interventions included social activities, emotional support, advice and information, lunch clubs, learning new skills and practical support. None were robustly evaluated. Fifty-six service user or providers were involved in interviews or focus groups, which highlighted the causes of loneliness, preferred services, access to services, thoughts about intervention configuration and desired outcomes from services. The themes emerging from the interviews/focus groups from both service provider and service user perspectives were combined with all of the previous emerging data to create an overarching programme theory. Statements were constructed to allow service providers to think about which interventions might be useful to achieve specific outcomes in different contexts. Conclusion: the causes and consequences of loneliness vary widely between individuals, so a personalised approach is required to identify the causes and potential solutions. This study provides some high-level principles that can help commissioners and providers to tailor interventions to the individual needs of service users. (Edited publisher abstract)
Intervention characteristics associated with a reduction in fear of falling among community-dwelling older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Authors:
- KRUISBRINK Marlot, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 61(6), 2021, pp.e269-e282.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Fear of falling (FoF) is associated with decreased physical functioning and an increased fall risk. Interventions generally demonstrate moderate effects and optimized interventions are needed. Intervention characteristics, such as setting or delivery method may vary. We investigated which overarching intervention characteristics are associated with a reduction in FoF in community-dwelling older people. Research Design and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in community-dwelling older people without specific diseases was performed. Associations between intervention characteristics and standardized mean differences (SMD) were determined by univariate meta-regression. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Data on 62 RCTs were extracted, 50 intervention groups were included in the meta-analysis. Most intervention characteristics and intervention types were not associated with the intervention effect. Supervision by a tai chi instructor (SMD: −1.047, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.598; −0.496) and delivery in a community setting (SMD: −0.528, 95% CI: −0.894; −0.161) were—compared to interventions without these characteristics—associated with a greater reduction in FoF. Holistic exercise, such as Pilates or yoga (SMD: −0.823, 95% CI: −1.255; −0.392), was also associated with a greater reduction in FoF. Delivery at home (SMD: 0.384, 95% CI: 0.002; 0.766) or with written materials (SMD: 0.452, 95% CI: 0.088; 0.815) and tailoring were less effective in reducing FoF (SMD: 0.687, 95% CI: 0.364; 1.011). Discussion and Implications: Holistic exercise, delivery with written materials, the setting and tailoring potentially represent characteristics to take into account when designing and improving interventions for FoF in community-dwelling older people. PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews, registration ID CRD42018080483. (Edited publisher abstract)
Effectiveness of a care delivery model for high-need older adults in communities
- Authors:
- CHEN Kuei-Min, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 31(3), 2021, pp.298-306.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Purpose: This study aimed to test the effectiveness of High-Need Community-Dwelling Older Adults Care Delivery Model (HCOACDM) in Taiwan. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial with repeated measures design was conducted in eight community care centers, involving 145 high-need older adults who were assigned to the intervention group or comparison group. The HCOACDM was provided over 6 months. Functional ability, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and health care and social service utilizations were measured at baseline, at 3 months, and 6 months into the intervention. The participants’ satisfaction was measured at the end of 6-month intervention. Results: Positive effects were shown on all variables in the intervention group at both the 3-month and 6-month intervals (all p < .05). The intervention group had a higher satisfaction with care delivery than the comparison group (p < .05). Discussion: The promising findings supported a long-term implementation of the HCOACDM as applicable and beneficial. (Edited publisher abstract)
Use of dementia care mapping in the care for older people with intellectual disabilities: a mixed‐method study
- Authors:
- SCHAAP Feija D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34(1), 2021, pp.149-163.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The ageing of people with intellectual disabilities, with associated morbidity like dementia, calls for new types of care. Person‐centred methods may support care staff in providing this, an example being Dementia Care Mapping (DCM). DCM has been shown to be feasible in ID‐care. We examined the experiences of ID‐professionals in using DCM. Methods: We performed a mixed‐methods study, using quantitative data from care staff (N = 136) and qualitative data (focus‐groups, individual interviews) from care staff, group home managers and DCM‐in‐intellectual disabilities mappers (N = 53). Results: DCM provided new insights into the behaviours of clients, enabled professional reflection and gave new knowledge and skills regarding dementia and person‐centred care. Appreciation of DCM further increased after the second cycle of application. Conclusion: DCM is perceived as valuable in ID‐care. Further assessment is needed of its effectiveness in ID‐care with respect to quality of care, staff‐client interactions and job performance. (Edited publisher abstract)
Interventions promoting physical activity among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors:
- GRANDE Guilherme D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 60(8), 2020, pp.e583-e599.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Frequent participation in physical activity (PA) has benefits across the lifespan but is particularly important for older adults. PA levels are either measured by objective or self-reported survey methods. Objective PA measurement is used to increase accuracy. This systematic review investigated the effect of physical activity-based interventions on objectively measured PA levels among community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older. Research Design and Methods: Literature searches were conducted in five electronic databases and four clinical trial registries. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of physical activity–based interventions on objectively measured PA levels (e.g., accelerometers or pedometers) in community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older compared with no/minimal intervention were considered eligible. Data were pooled using the most conservative estimates reported from each study using the standardized mean difference (SMD). Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to evaluate the overall quality of the evidence. Results: Fourteen published trials and 3 ongoing trials were identified. There were significant effects favoring physical activity–based interventions compared with minimal intervention at short-term (less than or equal to 3 months) (SMD: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.43) and intermediate-term (more than 3 months and less than 12 months; SMD: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.49) follow-ups. The quality of evidence was moderate according to GRADE (downgraded for risk of bias). Discussion and Implications: Our findings suggest that physical activity–based interventions may increase objectively measured PA levels in community-dwelling older adults. Further studies are still needed to identify the optimal dose, intensity, and mode of delivery of physical activity–based interventions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Auto therapy: using automobiles as vehicles for reminiscence with older adults
- Authors:
- ANDERSON Keith A., WEBER Katherine V.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(5), 2015, pp.469-483.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Reminiscence can be beneficial for older adults and contribute to well-being and ego integrity. In this exploratory pilot study, researchers assessed the feasibility and tolerability of a reminiscence intervention using automobiles as the focal point. Nineteen older adults (N = 19) living in independent living facilities were asked to reminisce using photographs of automobiles from across their lifespan. The RE-AIM framework was used to assess the intervention in terms of reach (willingness of participants to engage in the intervention), effectiveness (impact of the intervention), adoption (willingness of the facility to deliver the intervention), implementation (fidelity and consistency of the delivery), and maintenance (feasibility of continuing the use of the intervention). Results found that the intervention was well-received, quickly established rapport, and effectively fostered reminiscence. Social workers may find this intervention useful in helping older adults to explore their lives. (Edited publisher abstract)
The heterogeneity of socially isolated older adults: a social isolation typology
- Author:
- MACHIELSE Anja
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(4), 2015, pp.338-356.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Recent statistics show a growing number of older adults who are living alone and are socially isolated. It is against this background that, in recent years, many interventions have been developed to address social isolation among the elderly. Evaluative studies show that most interventions are hardly effective, though. An important reason for this is the heterogeneity of the socially isolated. This article offers insight into this heterogeneity by presenting a typology with different profiles of socially isolated older adults and the intervention implications of this typology. The typology is derived from an extensive qualitative study on socially isolated elderly individuals in the Netherlands. The typology imposes some degree of order to a diversity of circumstances, ambitions, and possibilities of the socially isolated elderly, thereby deepening the understanding of the heterogeneity of this population. The definition of social isolation used in this study starts from a societal angle of incidence, namely the current policy context of Western European welfare states, in which governments emphasize the importance of independence and self-reliance of their citizens. Developed from that perspective, the typology provides a theoretical basis for applying interventions aimed at increasing self-reliance of social isolated elderly. This perspective on social isolation also has consequences for the way in which the effectiveness of interventions to alleviate social isolation is assessed. (Publisher abstract)
Daily crosswords improve verbal fluency: a brief intervention study
- Authors:
- MURPHY Mike, O'SULLIVAN Katie, KELLEHER Kieran G.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 29(9), 2014, pp.915-919.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: Phonemic verbal fluency (PVF) is a cognitive function that involves serial processes termed clustering and switching and which is impacted in both normal aging and dementia. The cognitive reserve hypothesis suggests that appropriate cognitive stimulation could maintain or improve cognitive performance. This study examines the effect on PVF performance of a brief crossword-based intervention in a cognitively normal, community-based sample. Methods: Thirty-seven members of active retirement groups volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to a crossword group and a control group. The former attempted a crossword daily for 4 weeks while the latter kept a daily gratitude diary for the same period. Results: 2 × 2 mixed analyses of variance revealed that the crossword group performed significantly better over time than the control group in both total PVF score and in the cluster size component. Conclusion: Daily crosswords may be a simple and effective means of bolstering PVF performance in older people. (Publisher abstract)