Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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ESSS Outline: Covid-19, social isolation and loneliness
- Author:
- SAUNDERS Robert C.
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 19
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
This summary provides an overview of recent evidence relating to: Covid-19, social isolation and loneliness. A search for academic research and grey literature identified a range of literature discussing isolation and loneliness, including the mental and physical effects they have, particularly around older people. Literature also suggests interventions that can help mitigate the health and mental health impact of loneliness. However, it found the quality of evidence for the majority of interventions is generally weak. Searches identified material relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown in the UK, as well as studies from isolated, confined and extreme environments, and from other pandemics around the world. (Edited publisher abstract)
Is greenery associated with mental health among residents of aged care facilities? A systematic search and narrative review
- Authors:
- CARVER Alison, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 24(1), 2020, pp.1-7.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Older adults living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) may be vulnerable to mental health issues. Evidence suggests greenery is beneficial for adults’ mental health in community settings. This review aims to summarise evidence of associations between greenery in RACFs and residents’ mental health. Method: Six databases were searched with three sets of terms related to: (1) exposure (e.g. garden, green); (2) outcome (e.g. mental health, well-being); and (3) setting (e.g. aged care, nursing home). The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed journal articles published in English up to 2017, reporting quantitative/qualitative associations between greenery and mental health in RACFs. Results: Of the nine articles identified, seven reported positive associations between greenery (in particular, garden use) at RACFs and some aspect of residents’ mental well-being (e.g. quality of life); however, four out of seven studies used observations and perceptions of staff and relatives. One study examined depression and reported reduction in depression following garden use, while one examined physiological indicators of stress (blood pressure, heart rate) and found no association with garden use. Seven studies examined garden use and four examined the presence of greenery (two examined both exposures). Conclusion: Exposure to greenery and use of greenspace in RACFs show promise for promoting mental health. However, the findings relied mainly on non-validated measures of mental health. More robust evidence based on valid and reliable mental health measures is needed. Future studies also need to examine the effect of visual exposure to greenery and the effect of greenery on stress reduction. (Publisher abstract)
Body image and body work among older women: a review
- Authors:
- MARSHALL Catherine E., LENGYEL Christina O., MENEC Verena H.
- Journal article citation:
- Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 7(4), 2014, pp.198-210.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on body image and aging among older women. Using existing qualitative research, this paper explores how aging affects body image and how women respond to body image issues as they age. Design/methodology/approach: Multiple databases were used to locate original and review articles on the topics of body image and aging, with a target population of women ages 60 years and older. The findings of the literature search were compiled, summarised and sorted to create themes. Findings: Women struggle with body image issues throughout their lives. Women tend to perceive age-related changes in appearance negatively, as a threat to their identity and social value. This is due, in part, to the sociocultural environment, which pressures women to “fight” ageing and maintain an ideal (young and thin) image at all costs. Some women do come to terms with their ageing body and report increased self-acceptance with age. However, others turn to various forms of body work (e.g. dieting, hair dye, makeup) in order to maintain their value in an appearance-based society. Practical implications: Poor body image can affect older women's emotional, psychological and physical health and overall well-being. Health care professionals, community workers and policy makers need to be made aware of these issues so that they can respond appropriately. Originality/value: There has been limited research exploring body image among older women. This paper identifies gaps in the literature and suggests avenues for future research in this area. (Edited publisher abstract)
Literature and policy review of the Joint Inquiry into Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life
- Authors:
- SEYMOUR Linda, GALE Elizabeth
- Publisher:
- Mentality
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 124p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This research has drawn on systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials, as well as on qualitative research that in the main uses narrative methods to report on findings. The data presented are only a partial answer to ‘what works’ with respect to the promotion of mental health in later life. It is important to note that if this review has uncovered no evidence to support a certain intervention or programme or approach, it does not mean there is no evidence available, only that there is no published evidence to support it.
Simple measures for assessing the physical, mental and social functioning of older people
- Authors:
- LOWLES Ruth V., PHILP Ian
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 11(2), June 2001, pp.12-14.
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
This literature review aims to identify the shortest, simplest and cheapest measures for assessing physical, mental and social functioning of older people.
A systematic scoping review of community-based interventions for the prevention of mental ill-health and the promotion of mental health in older adults in the UK
- Authors:
- LEE Caroline, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, early cite May 2021,
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Mental health concerns in older adults are common, with increasing age-related risks to physical health, mobility and social isolation. Community-based approaches are a key focus of public health strategy in the UK, and may reduce the impact of these risks, protecting mental health and promoting wellbeing. This study conducted a review of UK community-based interventions to understand the types of intervention studied and mental health/wellbeing impacts reported. Method: This study conducted a scoping review of the literature, systematically searching six electronic databases (2000–2020) to identify academic studies of any non-clinical community intervention to improve mental health or wellbeing outcomes for older adults. Data were extracted, grouped by population targeted, intervention type, and outcomes reported, and synthesised according to a framework categorising community actions targeting older adults. Results: In total, 1,131 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 54 included in the final synthesis. Example interventions included: link workers; telephone helplines; befriending; digital support services; group social activities. These were grouped into: connector services, gateway services/approaches, direct interventions and systems approaches. These interventions aimed to address key risk factors: loneliness, social isolation, being a caregiver and living with long-term health conditions. Outcome measurement varied greatly, confounding strong evidence in favour of particular intervention types. Conclusion: The literature is wide-ranging in focus and methodology. Greater specificity and consistency in outcome measurement are required to evidence effectiveness – no single category of intervention yet stands out as ‘promising’. More robust evidence on the active components of interventions to promote older adult's mental health is required. (Edited publisher abstract)
Sensory loss and its consequences for couples’ psychosocial and relational wellbeing: an integrative review
- Authors:
- LEHANE Christine M., DAMMEYER Jesper, ELSASS Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(4), 2017, pp.337-347.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Previous research has shown that marital communication is key to couples' successful illness adjustment. However, little is known about couples' experiences of health conditions characterised by communication difficulties such as acquired hearing, vision, and dual-sensory loss. The aim of this review was to identify the effect of sensory loss, and associated communication difficulties, on couples' relational and psychosocial adjustment. Method: A systematic search was conducted to identify studies investigating the social, psychological, and relational impact of sensory loss on couples. Results: Twenty-four articles met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Significant heterogeneity in the measurements and design of the quantitative studies prevented statistical data synthesis. All but two studies reported some effect of sensory loss on couples' psychosocial or relational wellbeing. Higher levels of marital satisfaction were found to buffer against adverse psychological outcomes. Results of quantitative and qualitative studies were synthesised to form an integrative model illustrating the associations between sensory loss and couples' relational and psychosocial wellbeing. Conclusions: Although this review reports an association between sensory loss and couples' relational and psychosocial wellbeing, the results should be viewed with caution given that relatively few studies on couples' experiences of acquired sensory loss exist, and many have methodological limitations. (Publisher abstract)
Social isolation, loneliness and health in old age: a scoping review
- Authors:
- COURTIN Emilie, KNAPP Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 25(3), 2017, pp.799-812.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The health and well-being consequences of social isolation and loneliness in old age are increasingly being recognised. The purpose of this scoping review was to take stock of the available evidence and to highlight gaps and areas for future research. Searches were carried out on nine databases for empirical papers investigating the impact of social isolation and/or loneliness on a range of health outcomes in old age. The search, conducted between July and September 2013 yielded 11,736 articles, of which 128 items from 15 countries were included in the scoping review. Papers were reviewed, with a focus on the definitions and measurements of the two concepts, associations and causal mechanisms, differences across population groups and interventions. The evidence is largely US-focused, and loneliness is more researched than social isolation. A recent trend is the investigation of the comparative effects of social isolation and loneliness. Depression and cardiovascular health are the most often researched outcomes, followed by well-being. Almost all (but two) studies found a detrimental effect of isolation or loneliness on health. However, causal links and mechanisms are difficult to demonstrate, and further investigation is warranted. The review found a paucity of research focusing on at-risk sub-groups and in the area of interventions. Future research should aim to better link the evidence on the risk factors for loneliness and social isolation and the evidence on their impact on health. (Edited publisher abstract)
The role and influence of micro-cultures in long-term care on the mental health and wellbeing of older people: a scoping review of evidence
- Authors:
- MIKELYTE Rasa, MILNE Alisoun
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 17(3), 2016, pp.198-214.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore evidence about the role played by micro-cultures in long-term care (LTC) settings in shaping residents’ mental health and wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach: A scoping review on micro-cultures in LTC, including database search of academic and grey literature using pre-determined combinations of key terms and specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. The review followed the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005). Findings: Micro-cultures (localised, distinctive cultures of a small group of people) in LTC are complex, multi-faceted and multi-directional; they include social dynamics as well as structural and environmental factors. Although much work has been done on the nature of micro-cultures, limited work has focused on LTC for older people. Initiatives to promote the mental health and wellbeing of residents rarely consider micro-cultures in any holistic way; they tend to be taken into account either as part of a contextual backdrop, or as a uni-directional process often equated with the concept of “care culture” or “organisational culture”. Originality/value: The role played by micro-cultures in influencing the mental health and wellbeing of older people living in LTC settings is significantly under researched. The findings of this review suggest that their complexity and multidimensionality challenges researchers. However if the authors are to develop interventions that promote the mental health and wellbeing of residents it is important to invest in work to explore their nature and systemic influence. (Publisher abstract)
Improving mental health in later life: the role of service user involvement
- Author:
- CREPAZ-KEAY David
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 17(3), 2016, pp.179-188.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe service user involvement, explain some of the key issues that define, affect or protect mental health in later life and show how involvement may contribute to better mental health in later life. Design/methodology/approach: The paper reviews existing definitions of involvement and mental health in later life; provides a more detailed review of some examples of involvement at a range of levels and illustrates how these could have a positive impact on mental health. Findings: Active involvement and engagement at all levels offers significant opportunities for older people to protect and improve their own mental health and the mental health of society as a whole. Research limitations/implications: This research does not set out to promote any particular intervention or involvement technique. The examples given have been evaluated in a variety of ways. Practical implications: Service user involvement should be considered as an important potential contributor to mental health in later life. Social implications: The paper encourages people in later life to be considered as a community resource rather than a problem that needs to be solved. Originality/value: This paper brings together existing research with a focus on the relationship between involvement and individual and collective mental health. (Publisher abstract)