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Ageing and well-being in an international context
- Author:
- CLIFTON Jonathan
- Publisher:
- Institute for Public Policy Research
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 36p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
The author asks what lessons the UK can learn from several case studies from overseas about how the well-being of older people can be incorporated into a wider range of policy areas than those, traditionally, of pensions, health and social care. For example, in the UK an ageing population brings more focus onto mental health, loneliness and isolation issues, whereas life satisfaction is highest in Japan among those over 65. In addition, case studies from Ireland, the United States, Norway, Finland, New Zealand and China are presented with much variation in findings. Examples of how the well-being of older people can be addressed in the four key areas of relationships, work, learning and the built environment are discussed and put forward by the author as good practice for the future of an ageing population in the UK.
The impact of the Bealtaine arts programme on the quality of life, wellbeing and social interaction of older people in Ireland
- Authors:
- O'SHEA Eamon, LÉIME Áine Ní
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(5), July 2012, pp.851-872.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
There is evidence in the literature that the arts can enhance the physical and psychological wellbeing of older people. This article is based on an evaluation of a national arts festival in Ireland called Bealtaine that celebrates creativity in older people during the month of May. The festival is unique in the wide range of arts-related activities it includes and the different types of organisations involved, such as local authorities, libraries, educational institutions, health and social care organisations, and voluntary bodies for older people. The evaluation used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse two major postal surveys with organisers and consumers of the festival and face-to-face interviews with older participants, artists and organisers. The findings were positive in terms of the personal and social gains arising from participation in the festival. The authors concluded that the provision of enhanced and sustained funding for creative programmes for older people was essential for the well-being of older people in the country.
Inequalities in old age: Ireland North and South 2011
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR AGEING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 12p.
- Place of publication:
- Dublin
The recession has affected many groups across Ireland. It has increased the risk of poverty in both Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). A previous study showed that the number of single pensioners in NI at risk of poverty had risen in the preceding six years. In ROI, while the rate of pensioners at risk had fallen, the research showed that there was heavy dependence on the State pension for income, and benefit cuts were likely to affect pensioners heavily. This follow-on study examined the impact of the recession across Ireland on the older population. Key findings showed that 23% of pensioner couples and 39% of single pensioners in NI have no income on top of state benefits. 93% of people aged 65 and over in NI benefit from the state pension compared to 91% in ROI. 45% benefit from other pension income, compared to 32% in ROI. As the income data shows for both NI and ROI, the groups with the lowest income will suffer severe consequences with any cuts to state benefits. In the bottom fifth quintile in terms of income in NI, single pensioners earn just £93 per week and pensioner couples earn £169 per week. The bottom fifth quintile in ROI earns €209.41 on average. It is these groups whose health, quality of life and lives will deteriorate with further cuts to state benefits.
The spectrum of worry in the community-dwelling elderly
- Authors:
- GOLDEN Jeannette, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 15(8), November 2011, pp.985-994.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of worry, its associations with quality of life and depression, based on a large sample of community-dwelling elderly. Participants included 2,136 people aged 65 to 96 recruited through general practitioners. Interviews was used to rate symptoms which were classified into five levels of severity of worry ranging from simple, non-excessive to generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Findings revealed that 79% of participants reported worrying, 37% worrying excessively, 20% reported excessive, uncontrollable worry and 6.3% met criteria for GAD. Prevalence of all types of worry declined with age and was lower in men. Major depressive disorder was absent in those who did not worry, and had a prevalence of only 0.2% in those with non-severe worry. It had a significantly elevated prevalence at all levels of excessive worry, and a significantly higher prevalence in those with GAD. All levels of excessive worry were associated with reduced quality of life.
Age-friendly environments and psychosocial wellbeing: a study of older urban residents in Ireland
- Authors:
- GIBNEY Sarah, ZHANG Mengyang, BRENNAN Cathal
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 24(12), 2020, pp.2022-2033.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: This article aims to estimate the association between age-friendly urban environments and psychosocial wellbeing in adults aged 55+ living in four Irish cities. Method: Data is from the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative ‘Age-friendly Cities and Counties Survey’ from four cities; Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway (n = 2,094). The Age-friendly Urban Index (AFUI), a perception-based measure of safety, access to services, and walkability, is used to measure urban environment quality on a scale of 35 (least favourable) to 105 (most favourable). Wellbeing was estimated using the following composite measures: quality of life (comprising hedonic (pleasure) and eudaimonic (control, autonomy, self-realisation) wellbeing); affective (depressive mood); and social (loneliness). Multivariate regression analyses (negative binomial and Poisson regression) were used to investigate the association between the AFUI and each wellbeing indicator. Models were fully adjusted for known demographic (age, gender, household structure, marital status), socio-economic (material deprivation, employment/occupation, education), social (social engagement, community activities) and health (self-rated health, mobility limitations) correlates of psychosocial wellbeing. Results: Older people living in cities with higher AFUI score were more likely to report higher quality of life overall, and higher hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. These adults also had lower depressive mood scores and reported lower loneliness levels. Results remain significant in the fully adjusted model. Limitations: Causal conclusions cannot be made because of cross-sectional data. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the relationship between the age-friendliness (safety, services, and walkability) of urban environments and multiple aspects of psychosocial wellbeing for older adults in Ireland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Whose quality of life? a comparison of measures of self-determination and emotional wellbeing in research with older adults with and without intellectual disability
- Authors:
- SEXTON Eithne, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(4), 2016, pp.324-337.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Measures of quality of life (QOL) must be appropriate for specific groups but comparable across groups. In this paper, the authors compared how QOL is measured in research with older adults with and without an intellectual disability (ID). Methods: Measures used in 2 population studies of older adults with and without ID (Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing [IDS-TILDA], and The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing [TILDA]) were examined. Framed by Schalock’s Quality of Life Framework, conceptual content of measures of emotional wellbeing and self-determination were compared. The acceptability and concurrent validity of IDS-TILDA measures were evaluated. Results: The same measures of emotional wellbeing were identified in both surveys. However, measures of self-determination captured different aspects of the construct. Concurrent validity between self-determination and emotional wellbeing measures in IDS-TILDA was weak. Conclusions: Research with adults with and without ID is limited by the nature of current inclusive QOL measures: Instruments are required that have adequate conceptual coverage and are comparable across groups but appropriate and feasible to use. (Edited publisher abstract)
CASP-19 special section: how does chronic disease status affect CASP quality of life at older ages? examining the WHO ICF disability domains as mediators of this relationship
- Authors:
- SEXTON E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 19(7), 2015, pp.622-633.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: The effect of chronic disease status on quality of life (QoL) has been well established. However, less is known about how chronic diseases affect QoL. This article examines impairment in three domains of the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Health and Disability (ICF) – body function, activity and participation, as well as affective well-being, – as potential mediators of the relationship between chronic disease and QoL. Method: A cross-sectional sample (n = 4961) of the general Irish community-dwelling population aged 50+ years was obtained from the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TILDA). The CASP measure of QoL was examined as two dimensions – control/autonomy and self-realisation/pleasure. Structural equation modelling was used to test the direct and indirect effects of chronic disease on QoL, via variables capturing body function, activity, participation and positive affect. Results: A factor analysis showed that indicators of body function and activity loaded onto a single overall physical impairment factor. This physical impairment factor fully mediated the effect of chronic disease on positive affect and QoL. The total effect of chronic disease on control/autonomy (−0.160) was primarily composed of an indirect effect via physical impairment (−0.86), and via physical impairment and positive affect (−0.45). The decomposition of effects on self-realisation/pleasure was similar, although the direct effect of physical impairment was weaker. The model fitted the data well (RMSEA = 0.02, TLI = 0.96, CFI = 0.96). Conclusion: Chronic disease affects QoL through increased deficits in physical body function and activity. This overall physical impairment affects QoL both directly and indirectly via reduced positive affect. (Publisher abstract)
'I hate having nobody here. I'd like to know where they all are': can qualitative research detect differences in quality of life among nursing home residents with different levels of cognitive impairment?
- Authors:
- CAHILL Suzanne, DIAZ-PONCE Ana
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 15(5), July 2011, pp.562-572.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper examined whether similarities or differences existed in perceptions of quality of life (QOL) amongst nursing home (NH) residents with different levels of cognitive impairment (CI). Face-to-face interviews were held with 61 older people with a CI (13 mild, 20 moderate and 28 severe) living in Dublin based NHs. Four key themes of QOL were identified: social contact; attachment; pleasurable activities; and affect. Whilst some similarities existed between the three groups, findings revealed emerging differences, particularly between those with a mild and severe CI. Those with a severe CI reflected an absence of social contact, a quest for human contact and a lack of awareness of enjoyable activities. The majority also reported feelings of loneliness and isolation. Findings support the evidence that people with a CI and those advanced dementia can often still communicate their views and preferences about what is important to them. Whilst depression and anxiety are common in advanced dementia, the social inclusion of these people in day-to-day NH life needs a more careful consideration.
The influence of nursing home residency on the capacities of low-dependency older adults
- Authors:
- WALSH Kieran M., WALDMANN Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(5), September 2008, pp.528-535.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
With the growing number of low-dependency older adults in long-stay care and the lack of categorisation of these institutions in the Republic of Ireland, it can be asked if such facilities are truly beneficial. This paper presents an explorative investigation of the influence of the nursing home environment on the capacities of low-dependency older adults. The participants consisted of 50 community residents, as a control group, and 50 nursing home residents ranging in age from 65 to 95 years. The methodology was based on a triangulation of three data sources: a battery of cognitive, sensory, sensorimotor and psychological well-being assessments; a semi-structured participant interview; and an institutional questionnaire. Cluster analysis was then used to identify natural performance groupings within the assessment battery data. There were two performance groupings within the dataset. Interestingly, two community residents were grouped with the majority of nursing home residents and six nursing home residents were grouped with the majority of community residents. The interpretation of the results was informed by the semi-structured interviews and the institutional questionnaires. Although causality cannot be attributed, findings indicate an association between the nursing home environment and the capacities of older adult residents.
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.