Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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A review of factors which potentially influence decisions in adult safeguarding investigations
- Author:
- TRAINOR Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(1), 2015, pp.51-61.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to look at safeguarding documentation in relation to 50 adult safeguarding files for the period April 2010 to March 2011. This was followed up with semi-structured interviews with a small number of Designated Officers whose role it is to screen referrals and coordinate investigations. Findings from the research were used to redesign regional adult safeguarding documentation to ensure Designated Officers have access to the information necessary to assist them in reaching decisions. Designated and Investigating Officer training was also updated to reflect learning from the research thereby reducing the potential for variation in practice. Design/methodology/approach: A file tool was developed which examined the recorded information in safeguarding documentation contained within 50 service user files. The review tool looked at the personal characteristics of the vulnerable adult, the nature of the alleged abuse and the decisions/outcomes reached by staff acting as safeguarding Designated Officers. A semi-structured interview schedule asked Designated Offices to comment on the training and understanding of the process as well as the factors they believed were central to the decision making process. Their responses were compared to data obtained from the file review. Findings: A key finding in the research was that while factors such as type of abuse, the vulnerable adults’ consent to cooperate with proceedings, identity of the referrer, etc. did influence decisions taken there was a lack of clarity on the part of Designated Officers in relation to their roles and responsibilities and of the process to be followed. Research limitations/implications: The research was limited to one Health & Social Care Trust area and had a small sample size (n=50). Practical implications: The findings of the research led to a revamping of existing safeguarding documentation which had failed to keep pace with developments and was no longer fit for purpose. Adult safeguarding training courses within the Trust were redesigned to bring greater focus to the role and responsibilities of designated and Investigating Officers and the stages in the safeguarding process. Adult Safeguarding leads were established within programmes of care and professional support mechanisms put in place for staff engaged in this area of work. Social implications: Better trained and supported staff alongside more efficient safeguarding systems should lead to better outcomes in the protection of vulnerable people from abuse and harm. Originality/value: The research built on existing albeit limited research into what potentially influences staff involved in critical decision-making processes within adult safeguarding. (Publisher abstract)
Aging in place in gentrifying neighborhoods: implications for physical and mental health
- Authors:
- SMITH Richard J., LEHNING Amanda J., KIM Kyeongmo
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 58(1), 2018, pp.26-35.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: In the United States, the older adult population and the proportion of neighbourhoods experiencing gentrification are both growing. However, there is limited scholarship on the effects of gentrification on older adults, with most work focusing on those who leave rather than stay. This study examines the effects of remaining in a gentrifying neighbourhood on older adults’ self-rated health and mental health, with particular attention to outcomes for those who are economically vulnerable. Research Design and Methods: Data are from 6,810 community-dwelling respondents in metropolitan areas from the first wave of the National Health & Aging Trends Study combined with the 1970–2010 National Neighborhood Change Database. The authors estimate the effects of gentrification on self-rated health and mental health separately using a quasi-experimental approach and comparing two methods: matching design and linear regression. Results: Economically vulnerable older adults in gentrifying neighbourhoods reported higher self-rated health than economically vulnerable older adults in low-income neighbourhoods. Both economically vulnerable and higher-income older adults in gentrifying neighbourhoods had more depression and anxiety symptoms than those living in more affluent areas. Higher-income older adults in gentrifying neighbourhoods had poorer mental health than their counterparts in low-income neighbourhoods. Discussion and Implications: Findings call attention to the complexity of gentrification, and the need for more research examining how the intersection of neighbourhood and individual characteristics influences older adults’ health. Results reinforce the need for neighbourhood-level interventions as well as relocation support to promote health in later life and caution against an overemphasis on ageing in place. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental capacity and deprivation of liberty: the Law Commission’s review of the deprivation of liberty safeguards
- Author:
- SPENCER-LANE Tim
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 19(4), 2017, pp.220-227.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the Law Commission’s final report and recommendations on the reform of the deprivation of liberty safeguards under the Mental Capacity Act. Design/methodology/approach: Summary Findings: The proposals contained in the Law Commision Review and proposals for law reform are outlined. (Publisher abstract)
The role of the Court of Protection in safeguarding
- Authors:
- KEENE Alex Ruck, STRICKLIN-COUTINHO Kelly, GILFILLAN Henry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(6), 2015, pp.380-390.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to outline how questions relating to capacity arise in the context of safeguarding, and when applications to the Court of Protection are required in relation to those who may lack capacity. It also seeks to provide guidance as to how applications to the Court of Protection should be made so as to ensure that they are determined effectively and in a proportionate fashion. Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws on the practical experience of practising barristers appearing before the Court of Protection, and on the experience of a social worker who is an MCA/DOLS lead at a London local authority. The paper proceeds by way of a review of the relevant statutory provisions, an overview of the Court of Protection and then to a practical analysis of when and how applications to the Court need to be made. Findings: When to go to the Court of Protection in the safeguarding context is poorly understood, and there has not been proper recognition of the fact that proceedings for “adult care orders” have a strong forensic analogy with applications for care orders in relation to children. It is only by recognising these forensic similarities that local authorities can properly make use of the Court of Protection in the discharge of their obligations to vulnerable adults in their area. Practical implications: The paper should lead to a recognition that there is a specialist “adult protection court” within the Court of Protection, and that applications for adult care orders to that court require specific and careful preparation and presentation. It will therefore lead to better use of the Court of Protection in the safeguarding context and – ultimately – a better balance between empowerment and protection of vulnerable adults who may lack capacity. Originality/value: The paper is original in combining both legal and social work expertise to reach practical conclusions as to why such poor use has been made of the Court of Protection in safeguarding context. Its value lies in the deployment of that expertise to suggest how better use can be made in the future. (Publisher abstract)
‘They just throw you out’: release planning for older prisoners
- Authors:
- FORSYTH Katrina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(9), 2015, pp.2011-2025.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Older prisoners are the fastest growing incarcerated sub-group. They have more complex health and social care needs than both younger prisoners and their age-matched peers living in the community. Prisoners who have been recently released are at enhanced risk in terms of their physical and mental health. Consequently, there is a need for timely, multi-disciplinary release planning. The aim of this study was to explore the health and social care needs of older male adults discharged from prison into the community. Qualitative interviews were carried out with prisoners with four weeks left to serve (N=62), with follow-up interviews conducted four weeks after release (N=45). Participants were selected from nine prisons in the North of England. The constant comparison method was used to analyse the data. Older prisoners perceived release planning to be non-existent. There was a reported lack of formal communication and continuity of care, causing high levels of anxiety. Older prisoners experienced high levels of anxiety about the prospect of living in probation-approved premises; however, those who did go on to live in probation-approved premises had their immediate health and social care needs better met than those who did not move into such accommodation. Release planning for older prisoners is generally inadequate and there is currently a missed opportunity to address the needs of this vulnerable group (Publisher abstract)
Improving later life: vulnerability and resilience in older people
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 86
- Place of publication:
- London
A summary of the available evidence regarding the maintenance of resilience in older people, examining some of the factors and experiences that make older people more susceptible to the risk of adverse outcomes and exploring strategies to help build resilience in later life. The key topics covered are: social engagement; resources, including financial resources, housing and age-friendly neighbourhoods; health and disability; cognitive and mental health; and carers. The paper makes a number of recommendations, including: adopt a holistic view of all kinds of vulnerability in later life as the main focus rather concentrating on parts of the problem or parts of the body; make better use of the research evidence to identify problems earlier and to target resources; concentrate more on combating the effects of neighbourhood deprivation; work towards providing an age-friendly environment; facilitate home adaptations, aids and a better range of housing options; and root out ageism among professionals and society in general. (Edited publisher abstract)
Psychiatric disorder and personality factors associated with suicide in older people: a descriptive and case-control study
- Authors:
- HARWOOD Daniel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16(2), February 2001, pp.155-165.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Reports on a study to determine the rates of psychiatric disorder and personality variables in a sample of older people who had committed suicide and to compare the rates in a subgroup of this sample with those in a control group of people who died from natural causes. The sample covered four counties and one large urban area in central England. Results found seventy-seven per cent of the suicide sample had a psychiatric disorder at the time of death, most often depression. Personality disorder or personality trait accentuation was present in 44 percent. Depression, personality disorder, and personality trait accentuation emerged as predictors of suicide in the case-control analysis. Concludes that personality factors, as well as depression, are important risk factors for suicide in older people.
Depression and risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Results of two prospective community-based studies in the Netherlands
- Authors:
- GEERLINGS M.I., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, June 2000, pp.568-575.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Investigates whether depressed elderly people with normal cognition are at increased risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Results found that in the two independent samples of older people used, depression was associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline, but only in subjects with higher levels of education
Ageing and homelessness
- Author:
- COHEN Carl I.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 39(1), February 1999, pp.5-14.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Ageing homeless persons have been largely neglected in the gerontological and homeless literature. This article presents an overview of homelessness and ageing within the context of a testable, provisional model for explaining homelessness in this population in the USA. The author proposes variables that contribute to the aetiology and sustenance of homelessness among ageing persons.
Precious memories: a randomized controlled trial on the effects of an autobiographical memory intervention delivered by trained volunteers in residential care homes
- Authors:
- WESTERHO Gerben J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(11), 2018, pp.1494-1501.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: This study assesses the effects of an autobiographical memory intervention on the prevention and reduction of depressive symptoms in older persons in residential care. Trained volunteers delivered the intervention. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out with depressive symptoms as the primary outcome. The experimental condition received the intervention Precious Memories one-on-one, whereas the control condition had individual unstructured contacts with a volunteer. Participants were 86 older persons living in residential care. There were three measurements: pre-intervention, post-intervention (2 months after the first measurement), and follow-up (8 months after the first measurement). Besides depressive symptoms, the retrieval of specific positive memories was measured as a process variable. Anxiety, loneliness, well-being, and mastery were assessed as secondary outcomes. Results: Depressive symptoms improved equally in the intervention and the control condition at post-measurement. Participants with clinically relevant depressive symptoms also maintained the effects at follow-up in both conditions. The retrieval of specific positive memories improved more in the autobiographical memory intervention, although this was not maintained at follow-up. Anxiety and loneliness improved equally well in both conditions, but no effects were found for well-being or mastery. Conclusion: It is concluded that volunteers can deliver the intervention and contribute to the mental health of this highly vulnerable group of older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)