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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 role of autonomy in explaining mental ill-health and depression among older people in long-term care settings
- Author:
- BOYLE Geraldine
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 25(5), September 2005, pp.731-748.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper examines the extent of mental ill-health and probable depression among older people in long-term care. It presents selected findings from a study in Greater Belfast, Northern Ireland, that compared the quality of life, autonomy and mental health of older people living in nursing and residential homes with those of older people living in private households who were receiving domiciliary care. Structured interviews were conducted with 214 residents in institutions and 44 older people receiving domiciliary care. The study found that those in private households were more severely physically-impaired and had a higher level of mental ill-health than the residents of institutional homes. It is suggested, however, that the mental ill-health effects were associated less with physical impairments than with the restrictions placed on the older person's decisional autonomy, and that long-term care environments that constrain the older person's autonomy contribute to the development of depression. Although the UK National Service Framework for Older People specified that those with depression should be given treatment and support, priority should also be given to preventing the depression associated with living in long-term care settings.
Evidencing the impact of and need for Acting Up
- Authors:
- SHIELDS Jessica, et al
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 72
- Place of publication:
- London
Established in Northern Ireland in 2011 by the arts organisation Kaleidoscope, Acting Up provides opportunities for older adults to get involved in the performing arts. This report explores the impact of the Northern Ireland Acting Up programme on those involved and examines the need for and potential uptake of the UK Acting Up pilot programme. It also summarises the emerging evidence base on the impact of creative arts activities on the wellbeing of older adults. Drawing on participant surveys and interviews the research found involvement in Acting Up had a beneficial impact for participants in the areas of improved mental health and wellbeing; recovery from mental ill health; improved memory and concentration; improved creative skills; and improved physical health and coordination. The impact of each of these is reported in detail using quotations from Acting up participants. The friends and families of participants also observed positive changes in and identified benefits for family relationships. The report also identifies some of the key ingredients the Acting Up model. These included: supporting a diversity of older adults to be involved; supporting participants to stay involved; providing flexible and responsive support; and encouraging participants to challenge themselves. (Edited publisher abstract)
Sheltered housing and care for older people: perspectives of tenants and scheme managers
- Authors:
- TAYLOR Brian J., NEILL Andrea
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(4), December 2009, pp.18-28.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Sheltered housing schemes for older people took a new turn in the UK with the community care policy of the early 1990s giving care provision for people living in such schemes. There is relatively little research on what sheltered housing schemes provide and what makes them work well. This study looked at sheltered housing provision for older people in the north Antrim area of Northern Ireland through 10 focus groups with tenants and 16 questionnaires administered with managers of schemes. The findings showed that tenants valued the independence and choice of sheltered housing in comparison with institutional care. They also highly valued the social interaction and social events with other tenants. Scheme managers were often available to tenants for long and anti-social hours. The home care arrangements were regarded as satisfactory although there were criticisms of the limited hours for tasks and the skills of some care workers. Some scheme managers thought that the publicly-funded homecare service would be more efficient if the staff were managed from the housing scheme. The overall conclusion was that well-planned and well-located supported housing schemes with appropriate attention to social aspects lead to good self-reported quality of life and satisfaction of the tenants. An area for further research is the effectiveness of different arrangements for the provision of care in such schemes.
Living matters dying matters: a palliative and end of life care strategy for adults in Northern Ireland
- Author:
- NORTHERN IRELAND. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 117p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
The Northern Ireland Health Minister launched 'Living Matters Dying Matters: A Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy for Adults in Northern Ireland’. Palliative and end of life care is the active care of patients with advanced progressive illness. This report outlines the strategy and identifies palliative and end of life care as a continuum of care that evolves as a person's condition progresses. This, the report suggests, is an integral part of care delivered by all health care professionals, families and carers, to those living with, and dying from any advanced, progressive and incurable condition. The strategy highlights how palliative and end of life care should focus on the person rather than the disease, and aims to ensure quality of life for those living with an advanced, incurable condition. The 5 year strategy presented offers vision and direction for service planning and delivery, and has been developed so implementation fits within the existing legal framework. The strategy builds on current and predicted demographics, intelligence and consultation which have informed the implementation of other departmental policy areas, service frameworks, and priorities for action targets and takes into account policy context from the other UK countries and the Republic of Ireland. The strategy sets out a vision for palliative and end of life care across all conditions and care settings based on what people value most and expect from such care – a vision which emphasises the importance of: understanding palliative and end of life care; best and appropriate care supported by responsive and competent staff; recognising and talking about what matters; timely information and choice; and co-ordinated care, support and continuity.
Rural ageing in Northern Ireland: quality of life amongst older people
- Author:
- HEENAN Deirdre
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 76p.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This study investigated the quality of life of older people living in rural areas in Northern Ireland. It highlights the diversity of experience and addresses the many assumptions which surround ageing in a rural context. Its purpose was to provide an insight into the reality of growing old in rural areas by listening to the voices of older people in Northern Ireland to explore their experiences, perceptions and attitudes. The study comprised qualitative research involving a number of methods including in-depth interviewing, focus groups and participant observation. Four main themes emerged from the research: perceptions of rural living; attachment to place; access to services; and community cohesion and social capital. The research highlights the high levels of unmet needs in rural communities and the lack of understanding of rural living. Disadvantage in rural communities exists beside advantage and prosperity. Housing deprivation, fuel poverty, social isolation, difficulty in accessing fundamental services, and withdrawal of services are key concerns in these communities. The report concludes that there is a need for policy makers charged with delivering services to address the hidden and dispersed nature of disadvantage in these rural communities.
Low expectations: attitudes on choice, care and community for people with dementia in care homes
- Author:
- QUINCE Chris
- Publisher:
- Alzheimer's Society
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 88p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report looks at the key issues affecting people with dementia living in care homes. Evidence is drawn from surveys of family members of people with dementia, staff working in care homes, and people with dementia themselves. The surveys were distributed to Alzheimer’s Society members, care homes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and through some Alzheimer’s Society staff and online. The report also presents evidence from a YouGov poll carried out in December 2012, of 2,060 adults, into perceptions about care homes and draws on existing public policy evidence on care and performance of care homes. The report looks at four main areas of care: the context of the care home market; the availability of information and support to help families and individuals make choices about moving into care; the quality of care; and the access and quality of external services delivered from outside the home, as well as findings around how the home works with the wider community. The surveys found low expectations about the quality of life of people with dementia in care homes. Views on the quality of care for people living in care homes were more positive, but there were concerns about ongoing investment in training. People also found the process of finding information on care homes challenging. Experiences of support from health services and engagement with the community were mixed. The report makes six recommendations to raise awareness, inform policy and change practice. Tables presenting results from the surveys are included.