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Being occupied: supporting ‘meaningful activity’ in care homes for older people in England
- Authors:
- SMITH Nick, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(11), 2018, pp.2218-2240.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The benefits of meaningful activity in later life are well documented. Studies show that being occupied contributes to both physical and mental health as well as quality of life. Research also suggests that activity may be beneficial to people residing in care homes, including people living with dementia. This paper presents findings from a study which used the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT) to measure quality of life in six care homes located in the south-east of England. The study found, like previous ones, that care home residents’ days were characterised by a lack of activity. Drawing on observations, interviews and focus groups with residents and staff from these homes, this paper attempts to understand why care home residents do not engage in meaningful activities. The authors reject the idea that these low levels of activity are a natural part of the ageing process or that they can be explained by notions of resident choice. Instead, the findings point to both insufficient funding and working practices within care homes as more substantive explanations. These explanations inform a discussion of how the low levels of engagement in meaningful activity could be addressed and residents’ quality of life improved. (Edited publisher abstract)
Practical care: inspiring indoor activity planning
- Author:
- WOOD-TOWNEND Shelia
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing and Residential Care, 13(6), June 2011, pp.294-295.
- Publisher:
- MA Healthcare Ltd.
- Place of publication:
- London
Care home activity coordinators play an important role in residents' quality of life. The author explains what makes the activity programmes at care homes effective and provides some ideas for successful activities. Suggestions include animal-assisted therapy; music activities; intergenerational activities; intellectual stimulation, such as reminiscence therapy and computers; and activities focusing on every day skills, such as cooking.
Don't stop the music: why it is important that the over 55s stay abreast of new music technology
- Author:
- COURT-JACKSON Angela
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 15(1), March 2011, pp.19-25.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Music plays a key role in many peoples’ identity and self-expression. This study investigated the attitudes and perceptions of the over 55s towards new music technology, particularly portable music players and downloadable music. It also examined whether the over 55s are still interested in listening to music, and what barriers exist that limit access to new technology and how any limitations on access to the technology may be affecting their current music experience and compromising future listening. Data from 50 questionnaires 6 additional semi-structured interviews were included. Results revealed that people over the age of 55 listen to just as much music as they ever did. However, the lack of technological knowledge was the main barrier in their progress to newer music listening formats and technologies.
Staying active and promoting well-being among the elderly: a study of old age homes in Orissa
- Author:
- MISHRA Anindya Jayanta
- Journal article citation:
- Indian Journal of Social Work, 68(4), October 2007, pp.561-572.
- Publisher:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences
A convenience sample of 55 residents from six care homes in on district of India were interviewed to examine their quality of life. Residents were asked about the reasons for coming to the home, their current health status and the leisure or work activities they were involved in. Most residents were satisfied with the homes. The fact that homes took care of their basic needs (food, accommodation, shelter and medical care) were cited as the main reason for their satisfaction. However, being in touch with friends were contributory factors.
Alternative living
- Author:
- TAYLOR Amy
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 13.8.09, 2009, pp.30-31.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
All nine of Abbeyfield Kent Society's care homes have adopted a new approach to care called the Eden Alternative. Much of the work involves de-institutionalising the culture and environment of care and nursing homes and preventing residents from becoming bored or lonely. This article looks at the approach and how it has benefited one resident.
An investigation into the leisure occupations of older adults
- Authors:
- BALL Veronica, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(9), September 2007, pp.393-400.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study aimed to explore the current leisure occupations of adults over 60 years who considered themselves to be healthy and to identify the motivations that underpinned participation in those occupations. Structured interviews were conducted with 70 adults with a mean age of 72 years. The majority of the participants (51, 73%) reported engaging in leisure occupations. The range of leisure occupations was wide and included walking, sailing, listening to music, emailing and volunteering. Of these, 23% were active leisure, 18% passive leisure, 24% social leisure, 20% hobbies and 15% other leisure occupations. Content analysis was adopted to explain the motivators for taking part in these leisure occupations. It was found that enjoyment, pleasure and relaxation were the key motivators. This study shows that the majority of well older people are participating in leisure occupations and feeling positive about doing so. Further research is required to establish the role that occupational therapists can have in encouraging older adults to continue with or develop new leisure occupations to enhance health and quality of life.
The supportive community: a new concept for enhancing the quality of life of elderly living in the community
- Authors:
- BERG-WARMAN Ayelet, BRODSKY Jenny
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 18(2), 2006, pp.69-83.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examines supportive community programs in Israel, which aim to improve the quality of life of the elderly. These innovative programs pool existing resources to provide a benefits package that includes medical services, an emergency call switchboard, a “neighbourhood facilitator,” and social activities. Data were collected in 2000/2001 using qualitative and quantitative methods. The program provides specific services to meet needs that otherwise are not adequately addressed. The major contributions of the program reported by the members was increasing their personal security (two-thirds), easing the burden on their children (one-third), and enabling them to remain at home (one-quarter). The supportive community program enriches the variety of services available, thus providing the elderly with the choice of staying within their familiar surroundings of their homes and neighbourhoods. This model appears to be both a cost-effective way to facilitate aging in place and a way to meet many of the elderly's essential needs, thereby maintaining their quality of life. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Associative participation of older adults and subjective quality of life: exploring self-selection bias
- Authors:
- AHMED-MOHAMED Karim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(7), 2015, pp.1343-1363.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Active ageing policies seek to increase the quality of life of older people in three areas: health, security and participation. This paper focuses on a specific type of participation: associations. Its objective is to explore the possible self-selection effects of this type of participation, using global subjective quality of life indicators (satisfaction with life) and domain-specific indicators (satisfaction with leisure, community social integration and emotional resources). For this, a structural equation modelling analysis was conducted, taking into account bi-directional relationships between the variables of interest. The data come from a conditions and quality of life survey conducted in 2008 among a sample of 1,106 individuals aged 60 or over, living in community-dwellings in Spain. The results illustrate a complex model of relationships in which associative participation is not statistically significantly associated with the satisfaction measures used. This highlights the importance of self-selection effects and raises the issue of the effectiveness of associative participation as a tool to enhance the life satisfaction of older adults. (Publisher abstract)
Ensuring communities offer what older people want
- Author:
- WATSON Jessica
- Publishers:
- International Longevity Centre UK, Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 13
- Place of publication:
- London
This publication is one of a series of three briefings exploring how communities need to adapt to an ageing society. It explores the evidence on how communities can deliver services and activities to ensure that older people can retain and develop social connections, prevent loneliness and contribute to a good quality of life. Short case studies also illustrate international examples of delivering activities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Group and individual work with older people: a practical guide to running successful activity-based programmes
- Authors:
- CHIA Swee Hong, HEATHCOKE Julie, HIBBERD Jane Marie
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 208p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Being active is essential to a person's physical and mental wellbeing, and the need to engage in meaningful activity does not diminish with age. However, the effects of ageing, such as reduced vision and hearing, arthritis, dementia, and in some cases social isolation, can affect an older person's ability to participate in therapeutic and recreational activities. This book will enable professionals working with older people to initiate and run successful activity-based programmes, either individually or in groups. The authors guide the reader through the processes of group and individual work, and provide step-by-step instructions for a range of activities, including arts and crafts, music, drama, movement, relaxation, reminiscence, and day-to-day tasks such as taking care of personal hygiene and preparing food and drinks. The book describes the importance of assessing and evaluating activity-based work, with examples of completed evaluation and assessment forms. The book is designed for occupational therapists, creative arts therapists, health and social care practitioners and other professionals working with older people.