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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)
Completed suicide among nursing home residents: a systematic review
- Authors:
- MURPHY Briony J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 30(8), 2015, pp.802-814.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: This systematic review examines published research describing the frequency, nature, and contributing factors of completed suicides among nursing home residents. Methods: The review examined all original, peer-reviewed literature published in English between 1 January 1949 and 31 December 2013 describing completed suicides among nursing home residents. Information extracted for analysis included: study and population characteristics, method of suicide, potential risk factors, and interventions. Results: Eight studies were identified; the majority (n = 5) conducted in the United States of America. There were 113 suicides in nursing homes reported in the literature, 101 with detailed information available for aggregate analysis. The majority were male (n = 62, 61.4%), aged between 61 and 93 years. Suicide was most commonly by hanging (n = 27, 38.0%) or falling from a height (n = 27, 38.0%). Risk factors were considered in a proportion of studies. Depression was examined in 27 cases and present in 18 (67%). Duration of residence was examined in 25 cases, 13 (52%) of which had resided in the nursing home less than 12 months. Physical health was examined in 22 cases, 11 (50%) of whom were experiencing physical decline. Prior suicidal behaviour, cognitive function, and personal loss were also examined. Organizational risk factors and intervention strategies were rarely considered. Conclusions: There is a paucity of research describing completed suicide among nursing home residents. More large-scale research is required using standardised methods for reporting information to better understand and prevent completed suicides in this setting. (Edited publisher abstract)
Community hubs: a partnership approach to creating community based services for older people in Gloucestershire
- Authors:
- KEARSLEY Jill, GILMOUR Lesley
- Publisher:
- Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 11
- Place of publication:
- London
This case study provides an overview of the initial findings from the first year’s evaluation of the development of community hubs in Gloucestershire. There are currently nineteen community hubs for older people operating county-wide in Gloucestershire and they are either purpose built within extra care housing schemes or are situated within traditional sheltered housing schemes, village halls and day centres. They offer drop-in daytime opportunities or half and offer whole day opportunities for people over 55 upwards or lower if the health and care need is applicable. This study is based on a paper originally prepared for the Director of Public Health to demonstrate the outcomes being achieved for older residents in the county. In particular, it found that many older people withdraw or desist completely from attempting new activities. By providing a broad range of activities within a safe, comfortable environment, community hubs engender an ethos of active ageing and positive outcomes in wellbeing. The study suggests that with the growth of social prescribing, the community hubs represent a viable option for health professionals to refer and recommend into. (Edited publisher abstract)
Hidden citizens: how can we identify the most lonely older adults?
- Authors:
- GOODMAN Anna, SWIFT Hannah J., ADAMS Adrian
- Publisher:
- Campaign to End Loneliness
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 37
- Place of publication:
- London
This report summarises the findings from the Hidden Citizens project, providing insights regarding the pathways into and out of loneliness and examples of how interventions and services identify the loneliest older adults. The project was conducted in two parts. First, a meta-review was conducted to explore the features of loneliness, its underlying mechanisms and how intervention programs identify and recruit their participants. The findings of the meta-review informed the second part of the project in which a number of interviews and focus groups with older people, service commissioners, service organisation CEO’s, managers and practitioners were conducted. This report also contains specific recommendations for policy makers, service providers and service commissioners on how to improve services and service provision, and identifies avenues for future research to explore. It shows that the experience of loneliness is likely to be a culmination of one or more factors, or set of circumstances, which include: membership of different social groups; personality; psychological response; environmental factors; life events, traumas and transitions; and personal circumstances. The report sets out recommendations considering ways to identify people experiencing loneliness across three different levels: the population, organisational and individual level. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older people and social isolation: a review of the evidence
- Author:
- KINSELLA Sarah
- Publisher:
- Wirral Council Business and Public Health Intelligence Team
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- Wirral
A review of the current literature and evidence on effective interventions to tackle social isolation amongst older people. Based on the findings from the review, the report recommends that: interventions should be targeted at those most at-risk; base their activities on the evidence of what works; and focus on providing group activities, particularly those which have an arts, educational learning or social focus and are participatory. It also recommends exploring the use of using new technologies, such as the internet and Skype. (Edited publisher abstract)
Supporting older people to stay in their communities
- Author:
- OUTSIDE THE BOX
- Publisher:
- Outside the Box
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
A report from the We’re Here Too events, which were held in Falkirk and Greenock in 2015 and brought together people who wanted to see more opportunities for all older people to be able to participate in the issues that interest them. The report sets out the policy context and outlines examples of good practice, including: building community capacity in Highland Perthshire; chain reaction in Newcastle; learning from the lives of older people in Inverclyde; and Get Together groups in East Renfrewshire. The report suggest that people from different places describe similar experiences and the impact of what they were doing: older people are making a contribution in peer support roles and as volunteers; people are getting significant benefits, including people with higher support needs - the main impacts are in more social connections and improved mental wellbeing; there are benefits for people’s physical health and wellbeing when they are more active and looking after themselves. (Edited publisher abstract)
Lessons on social and health disparities from older lesbians with alcoholism and the role of interventions to promote culturally competent services
- Authors:
- ROWAN Noell L., GIUNTA Nancy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 26(2), 2015, pp.210-216.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Older adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) face greater health risks and possibly more costly care because of their reluctance to seek out health and long-term care services because of limited cultural sensitivity of service providers. This is particularly evident in older lesbians who face substantial risk of health problems associated with alcoholism and are less likely to be open with health care providers because of stigma combined with feelings of alienation, stress, and depression. More culturally competent health and long-term care may reduce health care costs by effectively addressing the dynamics of alcoholism, ageing, and lesbian culture. Training initiatives such as those developed by the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging in the United States have begun to address the need of a more culturally competent ageing services network. This article provides exemplars from empirical data on older lesbians with alcoholism to highlight some of the health, economic, and social disparities experienced in the ageing LGBT community. Current interventions in the form of cultural competence training for service providers are presented as a potential step toward addressing health disparities among LGBT older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ageing Well in Wales: introduction to co-producing age-friendly environments with older people in Wales
- Author:
- AGEING WELL IN WALES
- Publisher:
- Ageing Well in Wales
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 7
This guide is designed as an introduction to the rationale and practice of coproducing age-friendly environments with older people. It makes the case for why it is essential to make older people equal partners at every stage of developing age-friendly environments and presents an overview of the core principles that need to be taken into account when developing such an approach. These are: older people are involved in the entire process from beginning to end; they feel safe to speak and be heard; issues relevant to older people are addressed; the decision making process is clear; the skills and experience of older people are central to the process of change; the meetings, materials and infrastructure are accessible to older people; and progress is evaluated through looking at real changes in the lives of older people and agreeing how this can be measured. (Edited publisher abstract)
Only the lonely: a randomized controlled trial of a volunteer visiting programme for older people experiencing loneliness
- Authors:
- LAWLOR Brian, et al
- Publisher:
- Age Friendly Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 60
- Place of publication:
- Dublin
Loneliness is a significant problem among older people living in Ireland. The negative effects of loneliness on physical and emotional health are well documented in the literature. This study was established in the context of a dearth of effective interventions to alleviate loneliness. A peer visiting intervention for community dwelling older adults experiencing loneliness was designed and subjected to the rigour of a randomised controlled trial. It consisted of ten home visits to the intervention participants from a volunteer, themselves an older person. The volunteer built up a rapport with the participant and encouraged them to identify a social connection they wished to establish. Several participants made new social connections outside their home while most continued to receive visits from their volunteer following the end of the study period. The main study finding was very positive. The primary outcome, loneliness, decreased in the intervention group at one month and three month follow up. Potential benefits for the volunteers were also identified, in particular a decrease in loneliness. Both participants and volunteers reported that they enjoyed the intervention. The intervention is low cost and could be incorporated into existing support services or non-government organisations caring for community dwelling older adults. It is a potentially scalable model to deal with the major societal challenge of loneliness. (Edited publisher abstract)