Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Older people speaking out: developing opportunities for influence
- Author:
- THORNTON Patricia
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation/York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 25p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Looks at organised opportunities for older people to have a say in influencing the services they use and the society they live in. Discusses the development of the concept of involvement, methods of involvement, issues where older people may miss out, and effects and evaluation of involvement.
The same old process?: older people, participation and deliberation
- Author:
- BARNES Marian
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 25(2), March 2005, pp.245-259.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Opportunities for older people to take part in decision making about public policies and services are expanding in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. This paper considers the potential of older people's participation in policy processes for both transforming the policy process and for achieving socially just outcomes. It argues that the way in which such participation takes place, in particular the nature of the deliberative processes, affects both who will feel able to take part and the capacity to develop new policy discourses which can challenge official perspectives and assumptions. It draws from critical perspectives on deliberative democracy to provide a theoretical framework. This work emphasises the importance of story telling and forms of exchange designed to offer recognition to others, as well as the rational argument more usually associated with deliberation on matters of public policy. The argument is illustrated with examples of participation initiatives that have involved ‘active’ older people and those who are users of social care services. Different styles and processes of exchange are distinguished in the three case studies. In one, active facilitation enables individual stories of ageing and of service use to be woven into collective narratives that offer an alternative vision of care services. In another, a strong emphasis on ‘greeting’ enables conflicting views to be expressed without participants falling out. In the third, styles of exchange familiar in formal debate limit the development of an alternative discourse. The conclusion suggests that attention needs to be given to the process of participation as well as to outcomes.
Co-research with older people: a systematic literature review
- Authors:
- JAMES Hayley, BUFFEL Tine
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, early cite February 2022, pp.1-27.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Interest in co-research with older adults has grown in the past 20 years, yet few published studies have addressed why and how older people have been involved as partners in research. This article presents a systematic review of the literature, examining the aims and challenges of co-research and the ways in which older adults can be involved in research. Systematic searches covering several databases were conducted, yielding a total of 3,293 articles, with 27 papers reviewed which involved older people as co-researchers across more than one stage of the research cycle. We find that co-research with older people offers improved understandings of the issues facing older people; more inclusive and responsive policy, practice and service design; and opportunities for co-researchers to develop new skills whilst giving voice to marginalised groups of older people. The analysis highlights the different ways in which older adults can be involved across phases of research, and identifies ethical, methodological and practical challenges encountered in the process. Involving older adults as co-researchers, while labour intensive and practically challenging, holds promise as an underdeveloped resource for social gerontology, as well as older people themselves. The paper identifies four pathways for improving and extending co-research: developing diversified structures of involvement, supporting co-researchers, embedding research rigour and ensuring co-ownership of change. (Edited publisher abstract)
Health outcomes associated with participating in community care centres for older people in Taiwan
- Authors:
- CHIANG Yu‐Hsien, HSU Hui‐Chuan
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(2), 2019, pp.337-347.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Community care centres (CCCs) are widespread across Taiwan and have provided health promotion and social activities for older people in communities since 1995. The purpose of this study was to describe the status of the delivery and management of CCCs for older people, and to explore the effects of individual factors and the organisational factors on the health‐related outcome of older people's participation in CCCs. The sample was taken from participants at CCCs in Taichung, Taiwan. Twenty‐five CCCs participated in the study. The managers and the elderly participants of CCCs underwent face‐to‐face interviews. In total, 417 elderly participants and 25 chiefs completed the face‐to‐face interviews. The participants reported that self‐reported health, sleep quality, memory, family relationships, care for health, and health literacy improved after they participated in the programme. There were no consistent organisational factors related to the outcomes. However, management style was related to sleep quality improvement and staffing getting paid was related to family relationship improvement. Policy recommendations are provided. (Edited publisher abstract)
A systematic review evaluating the impact of social support and social participation on senior adult quality of life
- Author:
- AL YAZEEDI Salma A.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Nursing and Hospital Care, 4(1), 2018, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioCore Group
- Place of publication:
- United States
Background: Senior adults encounter physical and psychological changes as they get older. Supportive social networks and social involvement among senior citizens are critical factors to enhance their quality of life (QOL). Purpose: This review aims to explore the ways in which social support and social involvement are essential factors for improving the QOL among adults aged 60 years and older. Methods: A systematic review of ten articles published between January 2005 and January 2015 using Cochrane, PubMed, and Psyc-INFO databases was conducted. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied for studies selection. Synthesis and Summary of Findings: Senior adults lived with a spouse and family members and being socially active were significantly associated with increased QOL. Factors such as more social support, higher level of education, continuous involvement in social activities, and having a supportive social network with family members or friends promote the QOL among senior adults. Conclusions: Social support and participation positively affect senior adults’ QOL. However, the relationship between the social factors and QOL in this population requires further investigation regarding specific meaning and determinants of quality of life to aid decision making of policy maker and other stakeholders. (Edited publisher abstract)
How can local authorities with less money support better outcomes for older people?
- Author:
- CLARK Angela
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 15p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Low level support can help support older people and help them remain in the communities in which they live. They can also result in less demand for more costly health and social care services. This paper presents a number of practice examples that provide assistance and low level intervention to promote the health, well-being, social engagement and independence of older people. It also highlights the importance of involving older people in decisions about their future support. Examples are discussed in the following areas: practical support at home and handyperson schemes; housing adaptations and home improvements; promoting health and wellbeing; reducing social isolation and exclusion; information, advice and advocacy; place-based approaches; assistive technology and telecare; and co-operative and mutuality-based approaches.
Ethical considerations when involving older people in public service
- Authors:
- SCOURFIELD Peter, BURCH Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Ethics and Social Welfare, 4(3), November 2010, pp.236-253.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
Relatively little research has been carried out into the real impact (emotional or otherwise) of involving citizens in decision making about public services. This article reports on the findings of a small-scale qualitative study involving older people who had been part of a consultation in response to the need to close a city drop-in centre in England. Five members of the original consultation group were interviewed. The authors discovered that when the outcomes of consultation are undesired and when the precise role of those involved is left unclear in terms of purpose, responsibility and accountability, people can be left with powerful, often uncomfortable, feelings. The ethical issues around of involving people without adequate, prior preparation or ongoing support are discussed and suggestions made as to how public organisations can take an ethically sound approach to participation.
Older people shaping policy and practice
- Author:
- OLDER PEOPLE'S STEERING GROUP
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 86p.
- Place of publication:
- York
Older people are a diverse population; their definitions of "a life worth living" and the support needed to achieve that should be paramount. Much policy and practice are still based on the assumption that older people are a ‘burden’. This is problematic for older people and means that resources fail to deliver their definitions of quality. Despite modernising initiatives, barriers in attitudes, approaches, and resources remain within the way that health and social care services operate.There are also good practices and empowering ways of working. These need to be retained and developed. Care services, however, are only a small part of the support that older people value and only a small part of the experience of growing older. Many older people remain isolated – living in one’s own home with no support or contact can be as disempowering as the stereotype of a nursing home. Older people are citizens with important roles in supporting families and within communities. They are also the biggest providers of support to other older people. Contrary to common perception, there is a great deal of evidence of support within communities but these networks are often hidden and tenuous. Involving older people – individually and collectively. Involvement is both individual (about one’s own life) and collective (about local and national initiatives). However, in current practice most involvement takes the form of set pieces, such as having an individual older person on a Social Services Committee. It is often simply about information-giving or consultations which have little effect in bringing about real change. Meaningful involvement requires standards about when older people are first included, how their involvement is resourced, their involvement throughout the whole process, and their scope to influence the outcomes. Older people can set an agenda for programmes of work about older people. There are examples to build upon of involving older people as commissioners of research, researchers and co-researchers, reference group members, users of research findings and peer reviewers.
Older people shaping policy and practice
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
Older people are a diverse population; their definitions of "a life worth living" and the support needed to achieve that should be paramount. Much policy and practice are still based on the assumption that older people are a ‘burden’. This is problematic for older people and means that resources fail to deliver their definitions of quality. Despite modernising initiatives, barriers in attitudes, approaches, and resources remain within the way that health and social care services operate.There are also good practices and empowering ways of working. These need to be retained and developed. Care services, however, are only a small part of the support that older people value and only a small part of the experience of growing older. Many older people remain isolated – living in one’s own home with no support or contact can be as disempowering as the stereotype of a nursing home. Older people are citizens with important roles in supporting families and within communities. They are also the biggest providers of support to other older people. Contrary to common perception, there is a great deal of evidence of support within communities but these networks are often hidden and tenuous. Involving older people – individually and collectively. Involvement is both individual (about one’s own life) and collective (about local and national initiatives). However, in current practice most involvement takes the form of set pieces, such as having an individual older person on a Social Services Committee. It is often simply about information-giving or consultations which have little effect in bringing about real change. Meaningful involvement requires standards about when older people are first included, how their involvement is resourced, their involvement throughout the whole process, and their scope to influence the outcomes. Older people can set an agenda for programmes of work about older people. There are examples to build upon of involving older people as commissioners of research, researchers and co-researchers, reference group members, users of research findings and peer reviewers.
Social service users' own definitions of quality outcomes
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
The Shaping Our Lives project, working in partnership with Black User Group (London), Service User Action Group (Wakefield), Ethnic Disabled Group Emerged (Manchester) and an alliance of user groups in Waltham Forest (London), looked at the application in practice of on-going work about what service users meant by 'user-defined outcomes'. Both the research and the development projects covered a range of experiences - including those of older people, mental health users, minority ethnic communities and disabled people and involving 66 users in all.