Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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The role of pets in the lives of older people: a review
- Author:
- McNICHOLAS June
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 18(3), 2014, pp.128-133.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to summarise some of the major scientific research projects that identify the value of pet ownership and pet interaction to older people with a view to disseminating such findings to health professionals and care workers engaged in the welfare of older people. Design/methodology/approach: A review of findings from major international studies across a number of health related disciplines. Findings: Pets may serve significant functions that enhance the physical, emotional and social well-being of older people. With recognition from health professionals, pet ownership may rank highly amongst those elements which should be preserved wherever possible. Originality/value: The dissemination of the importance of pet ownership to the health and well-being of older people, with special implications for policy development amongst care providers. (Publisher abstract)
Scoping study of older people in rural Scotland
- Authors:
- PHILIP Lorna, et al
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Executive. Social Research
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 118p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
In recent years rural policy issues have been to the fore in Scotland. However, the specific needs and characteristics of rural areas have yet to be raised in all policy areas. Issues concerning older people in rural Scotland are a case in point. There have been very few studies of older people in rural areas and in consequence there is little systematic understanding of their life experiences. This report reviews a wide range of material about older people in rural areas, presenting information around five quality of life themes: income, housing, accessibility, health and social care, and social and community life.
Healthy ageing in the 21st century: the best is yet to come
- Authors:
- BIRMINGHAM POLICY COMMISSIONS. III. Healthy Ageing in the 21st Century, FIELD Steve, (chair)
- Publisher:
- University of Birmingham
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
In 2011, the University of Birmingham launched a policy commission on healthy ageing, to explore different expectations for flourishing in later life, and how good health in later life can be promoted. This report has been published just as the Care Bill 2013/14 reaches its final stages in the House of Lord; and it urges policy-makers to “recognise and accommodate super-diversity when planning services for an ageing population. It presents seven key findings. First, the experience of ageing is complex, and only loosely associated with how old someone is. Second, different cultures think about ageing in different ways, yet our society does not fully understand these differences. Third, health inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage are also found in the older population. Fourth, enabling people to experience healthy ageing is a long-term project, which needs to be planned carefully. Fifth, older people want control and independence, but this can be in tension with their need for security, care and support. Sixth, technological support for older people can contribute to healthy ageing, if the support is sensitively developed and applied. Lastly, older people make a huge contribution to society. Some communities and faith groups draw on this contribution in responding to the needs of all their members. Sharing this good practice presents a real opportunity for communities of all kinds. The report discusses seven recommendations for healthy ageing in the UK’s 21st century super-diverse society. First, when planning services for an ageing population in the UK, cultural sensitivity should be a vital component. Second, the human rights of older people should be at the heart of health and social care policy. Third, a new statutory post of Commissioner for Older People should be created in England. Fourth, reciprocal relationships that bolster healthy ageing should be central to future care and support arrangements. Fifth, policy makers need to design policies that harness people’s instinctive behaviours to work towards, rather than against, healthy ageing. Sixth, more effort is needed to give older people a louder voice in respect of their environment and local community. Lastly, ageing in a super-diverse society is a major challenge that society does not yet fully understand; and Research Councils and other research commissioning bodies should prioritise gaining a better understanding. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social welfare, housing and health policy and the determinants of quality of life for older people in the Republic of Ireland
- Authors:
- HODGINS Margaret, MCKENNA Verna
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 11(2), June 2010, pp.19-28.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Commenting that improving quality of life for older people calls for public policy initiatives that have a positive impact on the determinants of quality of life, this paper reviews current social welfare, health and housing policy in Ireland with regard to provisions for older people and the policy portfolios that are of particular relevance to the determinants of quality-of-life identified in the literature. It covers social welfare policy and older people, housing policy and older people, housing maintenance and comfort, provision of social housing, health policy and older people, and health service delivery policy. The authors conclude that the absence of a rights-based approach in policy-making is evident in welfare, housing and health policy, and that, if older people are to be involved in the policy-making process, greater openness is required at all levels of society about older people’s rights, and capacity building needs to be undertaken among older people themselves.
Definition, measurement, and correlates of quality of life in nursing homes: toward a reasonable practice, research, and policy agenda
- Author:
- KANE Rosalie
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 43(Special Issue II), April 2003, pp.28-36.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article identifies challenges in defining, measuring, and studying quality of life of nursing home residents. A theoretical analysis was conducted based on literature and the author's own large-scale studies of quality of life of nursing home residents. Measuring quality of life is a relatively low priority in nursing homes because of focus on markers of poor quality of care, pervasive sense that nursing homes are powerless to influence quality of life, and impatience with research among those dedicated to culture change. The research argues that the resident voice must be sought in reaching operational definitions for quality of life and as reporters on the quality of their own lives, and that resident burden is a spurious concern that should not deter direct interviews with residents. Five challenges in measuring quality of life were identified: designing questions with appropriate response categories and time frames, developing a sampling strategy, aggregating information at the individual and facility level, validating what are ultimately subjective constructs, and developing an approach using observations and proxies to assess quality of life for approximately the 40% of the residents who will be impossible to interview. Although residents' perceived quality of life is partly a product of their health, social supports, and personalities, nursing homes can directly influence quality of life through their polices, practices, and environments, and, indirectly, through their approaches to family and community. A research agenda is needed, which includes both methodological research and studies of the correlates of quality of life.
Measurement of quality of care and quality of life at the end of life
- Authors:
- TILDEN Virginia P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 42(Special Issue III), October 2002, pp.71-80.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Consumers and providers demand better indicators for quality of care and quality of life at the end of life. This article presents recommendations for advancing the science of measurement at end of life. Measurement bridges the conceptual and operational levels of scientific research, clinical care, and quality improvement.
The ESRC growing older research programme
- Author:
- WALKER Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Social Policy and Society, 1(2), April 2002, pp.129-38.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article serves three purposes. The first and main one is to introduce the ESRC's Growing Older Programme and its research agenda. Secondly, it outlines the four main challenges confronting the programme and its research teams: the methodological one concerning 'quality of life', the democratic one of participation, the challenge of communication and, ultimately, that of policy impact. Thirdly, the demographic and policy contexts that helped to create the Programme and to which it must respond are also discussed briefly.
Telecare implementation guide
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health. Integrating Community Equipment Services
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health. Integrating Community Equipment Services
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 44p.
- Place of publication:
- London
In simple terms, telecare includes detectors or monitors (for example, motion or fall detectors) often linked to community alarm systems that trigger a warning at a control centre that can be responded to within defined timescales. There are a number of configurations for equipment and response.
Implementing telecare: strategic analysis and guidelines for policy makers, commissioners and providers
- Authors:
- BARLOW James, et al
- Publisher:
- Audit Commission
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 42p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Telecare can be defined as a service bringing health and social care directly to a user, generally in their own homes, supported by information and communication technology. It provides safety and security monitoring, physiological and activity monitoring and information. Telecare addresses a range of government policies and the Department of Health (DH) has outlined ambitious targets for telecare to be available in all homes that need it by December 2010. New grant funding has been made available to local councils as a first step. Telecare systems can support the independence and well-being of older or disabled people. They enable carers to respond to a crisis and can help prevent problems arising in the first place by providing early indication of deterioration in an individual's well-being). Telecare consists of assessment and referral of users; installation and maintenance of equipment; monitoring of users, and response in the event of an alert or change in condition.
Social alarms to telecare: older people's services in transition
- Author:
- FISK Malcolm J
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 290p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Healthcare, social welfare and housing policy agendas, while emphasising the importance of supporting the independent living of older people at home, have generally failed to take account of the actual or potential role played by social alarms and telecare. This book draws on research and practice throughout the developed world. It documents the emergence of these important technologies and considers their potential in different contexts. The book:offers the first international appraisal of social alarms and telecare; examines the links with smart homes, activity and lifestyle monitoring; and considers the potential of such technologies for older people with high levels of support need. It is argued that social alarm and telecare technologies must be brought into the mainstream of service frameworks and configured in ways that are user-led if their true potential is to be harnessed.