Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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The effectiveness of dyadic interventions for people with dementia and their caregivers
- Authors:
- MOON Heehyul, ADAMS Kathryn Betts
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 12(6), 2013, pp.821-839.
- Publisher:
- Sage
To review the effects of dyadic interventions on caregivers and care recipients in the early stages of dementia searches were carried out on four databases (AgeLine, Medline, EBSCO, and PyscINFO) and relevant literature from 2000 onwards reviewed. The twelve studies identified used a variety of intervention approaches including support group, counseling, cognitive stimulation, skill training, and notebook-keeping. This review suggests that intervention programs for early-stage dementia caregiving dyads were feasible and well accepted by participants. The reviewed studies provided rich evidence of the significance of mutual understanding and communication to partners’ well-being and relationship quality within the caregiving process. The findings suggest that these intervention approaches improved cognitive function of the care recipients, social relations, and the relationship between the primary caregivers and the care recipients, although evidence of long-term effectiveness is lacking. (Edited publisher abstract)
Managing chronic pain in older people
- Author:
- SCHOFIELD Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 109(30), 2013, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
This article presents the results of a collaborative project between the British Pain Society and British Geriatric Society to produce guidelines on pain management for older people. The guidelines are the first of their kind in the UK and aim to provide best practice for the management of pain to all health professionals working with older people in any care setting. (Publisher abstract)
Addressing individual differences in mobility transition counseling with older adults
- Authors:
- BERG-WEGER Marla, MEUSER Thomas M., STOWE James
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 56(3), 2013, pp.201-218.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article reports on the final phase of a three-phase project examining issues related to age-related mobility transition preparedness. The goal of the third phase was to examine properties and correlates of the clinical assessment tool 'Assessment of Readiness for Mobility Transition' (ARMT) in a second, community-based sample of 133 older adults, with emphasis on variables relevant to social work assessment and intervention. Concurrent validity was supported. Higher readiness to cope with mobility transition and self-confidence related to fall risk, higher self-rated health/vision, and fewer maladaptive behaviours, but not social support/adaptive coping, suggesting that those at risk can benefit from person-centered intervention to mobilize strengths for transportation/mobility planning. Older drivers may harbour unrealistic expectations regarding nonfamily mobility support. Implications for practice, education, research, and policy are presented. (Edited publisher abstract)
Care coordination: translating policy into practice for older people
- Authors:
- SEDDON Diane, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 14(2), 2013, pp.81-92.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The findings from research on the implementation of Unified Assessment (UA) policy and the work of care coordinators who oversee the delivery of support to older people with complex needs are presented. The research used a mixed methods approach that included staff interviews (n=95) and focus groups (n=3) spanning eight local authority areas; one in North, Mid and South Wales. The care coordinator role is controversial and the lack of common terminology across health and social care obscures its importance. It is seen as a social care responsibility. Limited ownership amongst healthcare professionals leads to tensions in practice. The challenges of breaking down silo thinking embedded in established professional practices are highlighted as are infrastructural and capacity deficits. Disparities between policy intentions and practice means that UA is failing to meet core objectives relating to the delivery of seamless support. Practice implications identified are that practice development may be supported by: guidelines that are more prescriptive and include a formal role definition; joint training to promote shared understanding of key concepts; investment in administrative and IT infrastructures; and more coordinated direction at strategic level. (Edited publisher abstract)
Financial abuse of older people by family members: views and experiences of older Australians and their family members
- Authors:
- BAGSHAW Dale, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 66(1), 2013, pp.86-103.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The most commonly reported form of abuse of older people in Australia is financial abuse and the majority of perpetrators are family members. The number of people aged 65 years and over in Australia is growing rapidly and the challenges of ageing often require support and assistance from family members, so it is important to develop strategies to prevent this form of abuse. This article analyses data from two national online surveys that examined this issue. The first, conducted in 2009, explored service providers’ knowledge and understandings of financial abuse of older people, and the second, conducted in 2010, investigated older people's and their family members’ views and experiences of financial abuse. Service providers' knowledge of risk factors for financial abuse of older people mirrored the experiences of older people and their family members and also confirmed factors identified in the literature. However, the findings also showed that many older people were not mindful of the potential risks to their financial wellbeing, particularly when and if they experience diminished capacity. Therefore, the authors concluded that service providers may find it difficult to engage them in preventative strategies.
Evaluation of an agency-based occupational therapy intervention to facilitate aging in place
- Authors:
- SHEFFIELD Chava, SMITH Charles A., BECKER Mary
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 53(6), 2013, pp.907-918.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose: The United States faces a growing population of older adults and accompanying functional disabilities, coupled with constrained public resources and diminishing informal supports. A variety of interventions that aim to improve client outcomes have been studied, but to date, there is limited translational research that examines the efficacy of moving such interventions from clinical trials to agency settings. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate a restorative occupational therapy intervention relative to “usual care” among community-dwelling older adults. The intervention included a detailed assessment from a person–environment perspective and provision of adaptive equipment and home modifications where appropriate. The intervention (n = 31) and control groups (n = 29) were evaluated at 3 months and assessed for changes in functional status, home safety, falls, health-related quality of life (HRQoL; EQ5D), depression, social support, and fear of falling; a 4 subgroup analysis also examined outcomes by waiting list status. An informal economic evaluation compared the intervention to usual care. Results: Findings indicated improvements in home safety (p < .0005, b = −15.87), HRQoL (p = .03, b = 0.08), and fear of falling (p < .05, b = 2.22). Findings did not show improvement in functional status or reduction in actual falls. The intervention resulted in a 39% reduction in recommended hours of personal care, which if implemented, could result in significant cost savings. Implications: The study adds to the growing literature of occupational therapy interventions for older adults, and the findings support the concept that restorative approaches can be successfully implemented in public agencies. (Publisher abstract)
Mental wellbeing and older people
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Place of publication:
- London
A care pathway focusing on the role of occupational therapy and physical activity interventions in supporting the mental wellbeing of older people. It includes recommendations for NHS primary care and other professionals who have a direct or indirect role in promoting older people's mental wellbeing. This includes those working in local authorities and the wider public, private, voluntary and community sectors.
Funny things happen at the Grange: introducing comedy activities in day services to older people with dementia: innovative practice
- Author:
- HAFFORD-LETCHFIELD Trish
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 12(6), 2013, pp.840-852.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This paper shares outcomes from the evaluation of a community project where comedy activities were introduced into a day centre for older people with dementia as a result of a partnership between the day centre, a local university and a specialist comedy provider. Four workshops were provided using improvisatory activities and comedy, as a medium to engage older people in reflecting on aspects of their care environment. The main output resulted in a 30 minute ‘mockumentary’ of the ‘Her Majesty the Queen’ visiting the day centre, in the form of a digital reusable learning object to be used by social work and mental health professionals. The evaluation demonstrated some additional outcomes for those involved and highlighted the benefits of laughter and fun in promoting a positive climate. (Publisher abstract)
Preventing social isolation in later life: findings and insights from a pilot Queensland intervention study
- Authors:
- BARTLETT Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 33(7), 2013, pp.1167-1189.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper reports on the challenges of attempting to undertake a rigorous evaluation of three demonstration pilot projects targeting older people at risk of social isolation, conducted within different social settings in Queensland, Australia. The demonstration projects were part of the Queensland Cross-Government Project to Reduce Social Isolation in Older People (CGPRSIOP) led by the Office for Seniors within the Queensland Department of Communities. The programme incorporated validated psychological measures to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. While use of these measures suggested some promising results, the focus of this paper is on the methodological and practical challenges associated with utilising evaluation measures in community-based interventions. The detailed consideration of the methodological issues involved in this programme highlights some key lessons and offers new insights into evaluating interventions for reducing social isolation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Effects of an enhanced discharge planning intervention for hospitalized older adults: a randomized trial
- Author:
- ALTFELD Susan J.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 53(3), 2013, pp.430-440.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study aimed to identify needs encountered by older adult patients after hospital discharge and assess the impact of a telephone transitional care intervention on stress, health care utilization, readmissions, and mortality. Older adult inpatients who met criteria for risk of post-discharge complications were randomized at discharge through the electronic medical record. Intervention group participants received the telephone-based Enhanced Discharge Planning Program intervention that included biopsychosocial assessment and an individualized plan following program protocols to address identified transitional care needs. All patients received a follow-up call at 30 days post discharge to assess psychosocial needs, patient and caregiver stress, and physician follow-up. 83.3% of intervention group participants experienced significant barriers to care. For 73.3% of this group, problems did not emerge until after discharge. Intervention patients were more likely than usual care patients to have scheduled and completed physician visits by 30 days post discharge. There were no differences between groups on patient or caregiver stress or hospital readmission. Implications: At-risk older adults may benefit from transitional care programs to ensure delivery of care as ordered and address unmet needs. Although patients who received the intervention were more likely to communicate and follow up with their physicians, the absence of impact on readmission suggests that more intensive efforts may be indicated to affect this outcome. (Edited publisher abstract)