Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Cognitive support for elders through technology
- Authors:
- ROGERS Wendy A., FISK Arthur D.
- Journal article citation:
- Generations, 30(2), Summer 2006, pp.38-43.
- Publisher:
- American Society on Aging
Describe an innovative research programme at Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, which focused on the development of 'aware home technology', that is cognitive interventions for older adults that support the maintenance of their health and well-being.
Long-term impact of fit and strong! on older adults with osteoarthritis
- Authors:
- HUGHES Susan L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 46(6), December 2006, pp.801-814.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The authors present final outcomes from the multiple-component Fit and Strong! intervention for older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis in the United States. A randomized controlled trial compared the effects of this exercise and behaviour-change program followed by home-based reinforcement (n = 115) with a wait list control (n = 100) at 2, 6, and 12 months. Fit and Strong! combined flexibility, aerobic walking, and resistance training with education and group problem solving to enhance self-efficacy for exercise and maintenance of physical activity. All participants developed individualized plans for long-term maintenance. Relative to controls, treatment participants experienced statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy for exercise, minutes of exercise per week , and lower extremity stiffness at 2 months. These benefits were maintained at 6 months and were accompanied by increased self-efficacy for adherence to exercise over time, reduced pain, and a marginally significant increase in self-efficacy for arthritis pain management. Despite a substantially smaller sample size at 12 months, significant treatment-group effects were maintained on self-efficacy for exercise and minutes of exercise per week, accompanied by marginally significant reductions in lower extremity stiffness and pain. No adverse health effects were seen. This consistent pattern of benefits indicates that this low-cost intervention is efficacious for older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis.
An employee assistance program for caregiver support
- Authors:
- MAINS Douglas A., FAIRCHILD Thomas J., RENE Antonio A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 47(1/2), 2006, pp.157-173.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The Comprehensive Caregiver Choices Program provided support for employee caregivers of elderly people for employees at a hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Key informant interviews and focus groups provided direction for program development and implementation. A full-time MSW and professionals with expertise in gerontology/ geriatrics provided education and care coordination services to caregivers. Approximately 4% of the hospital's workforce participated in the program. Attendees evaluated educational sessions and follow-up interviews were conducted with program participants. Caregiver support programs must continue to seek innovative and creative marketing and service delivery methods to reach out and assist working caregivers in need of support. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
The effects of an intervention group with the support of non-pharmacological Chinese medicine on older Chinese adults with insomnia: a pilot study
- Authors:
- CHAN Kai-Fong, NG Petrus, NG Ka-Ying
- Journal article citation:
- International Social Work, 49(6), November 2006, pp.791-803.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article reports a pilot study on an intervention group which integrated behavioural treatment and non-pharmacological Chinese medicine (acupressure and Chinese dietetic therapy) to reduce the problem of insomnia for older Chinese adults living in Hong Kong. There were 13 participants in the study. Among the 13 participants, 10 completed the post-group measurement PSQI after group intervention. Findings showed that the six-session group intervention was effective. The highlight of each session was presented and implications for social work practice discussed.
Meeting the need to belong: predicting effects of a friendship enrichment program for older women
- Authors:
- STEVENS Nan L., MARTINA Camille M.S., WESTERHOF Gerben J.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 46(4), August 2006, pp.495-502.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study explores the effects of participation in a program designed to enrich friendship and reduce loneliness among women in later life in the Netherlands. Several hypotheses based on the need to belong, socioemotional selectivity theory, and the social compensation model were tested. Study 1 involved two measurement points, one at the end of the program and the other 1-year later. Study 2 used a pretest–post-test control group design with a follow-up measurement. A combination of semistructured interviews and structured questionnaires was used to collect data. A comparison group was also drawn from a nationwide representative sample. Participants were characterized by deprivation on the need to belong; that is, loss of a partner, higher levels of loneliness and negative affect, and lower positive affect compared with a nationwide representative sample of same-aged women. Participants were more likely than women in a control group to report the development of new friendships and an improvement in friendship. The combination of new and improved friendships contributed to a significant reduction in loneliness within a year. There was no evidence of satiation of the need to belong among those who did not expand or improve friendships. Loss of a partner had no influence on friendship development; however, age did. Older participants were less likely to improve friendships. The action-oriented approach that focused on friendship development in this intervention might be applied to other goals considered important in later life (optimal health, autonomy, harmonious family relations).
Evidence-based interventions for community dwelling older adults
- Editor:
- ENGUIDANOS Susan M.
- Publisher:
- Haworth
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 176p.
- Place of publication:
- Binghamton
Evidence-Based Interventions for Community Dwelling Older Adults presents an overview of significant evidence-based programs that can improve the health of seniors living in community-based settings. The book examines research conducted on a variety of health-related issues, including depression, care management, falls prevention, physical activity, and medications management. It also looks at research models that were translated into real-life practice settings, explores the benefits of implementing evidence-based models into care settings, and provides examples of how to adapt tested programs to meet local agency and population needs. The health care delivery system in the United States has embraced evidence-based medicine, largely based on its potential to reduce unwanted variations and keep a lid on escalating health care costs. But there are few resources available on how to gather information about model programs and even fewer on how to adapt them for practice. Evidence-Based Interventions for Community Dwelling Older Adults discusses how to effectively manage care beyond the hospital or clinic, as researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and academics provide an overview of evidence-based practice that works toward the best possible care for patients. The book also highlights the efforts of social workers, pharmacists, and case managers, and illustrates the importance of the leadership efforts of the Administration on Aging, National Council on Aging, and the Centers for Disease Control.
Fall-risk evaluation and management: challenges in adopting geriatric care practices
- Author:
- TINETTI Mary E.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 46(6), December 2006, pp.717-725.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
One third of older adults fall each year, placing them at risk for serious injury, functional decline, and health care utilization. Despite the availability of effective preventive approaches, policy and clinical efforts at preventing falls among older adults have been limited. In this article the authors present the burden of falls, review evidence concerning the effectiveness of fall-prevention services, describe barriers for clinicians and for payers in promoting these services, and suggest strategies to encourage greater use of these services. The challenges are substantial, but strategies for incremental change are available while more broad-based changes in health care financing and clinical practice evolve to better manage the multiple chronic health conditions, including falls, experienced by older Americans.
What are the most effective and cost-effective services for informal carers of older people?
- Author:
- RESEARCH IN PRACTICE FOR ADULTS
- Publisher:
- Research in Practice for Adults
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- Dartington
Since the community care reforms of the early 1990s, practical support for informal carers has become one of the key building blocks of community care policy in England and Wales. In 2004, Linda Pickard wrote a report for the Audit Commission called 'The Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Support and Services for Informal Carers of Older People'. This summary highlights the key points. The focus is on five services: day respite care, residential respite care, in-home respite, social work/counselling and home care.
Draft national occupational standards: falls
- Author:
- SKILLS FOR HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Skills for Health
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 58p.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
This workforce competence is about working directly with individuals, and where appropriate their carers, to assess their risk of falls. The assessment may be aimed at primary or secondary prevention of falls and may take place on an ad hoc basis or as part of a structured programme for identifying individuals at risk of falls. The process should involve a holistic assessment of each individual and his or her specific needs.
Assisting older victims of disasters: roles and responsibilities for social workers
- Authors:
- TORGUSEN Barbra L., KOSBERG Jordan I.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 47(1/2), 2006, pp.27-44.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Based upon its skills and values, social workers have significant roles to play in the face of potential and actual disasters; yet, gerontological social workers have additional responsibilities for addressing the needs of older persons. This article provides an overview of issues to be considered by social workers, in general, and gerontological social workers, in particular, with regard to preparation for possible disasters and the consequences from such catastrophes that affect older persons. The article is written from an American perspective and draws on American examples. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).