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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)
Dignity and older people
- Authors:
- ARINO-BLASCO Sergio, TADD Win, BOIX-FERRER Josep Antoni
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 6(1), June 2005, pp.30-36.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
This article deals with professionals' views concerning the importance of dignity for older people and how this can best be maintained. Overall, participants painted a negative picture of the lives of older people, although clear distinctions were drawn between fit and frail older people. Indignities associated with old age arose from ill health, dependency, vulnerability, frailty and loss of competence. It was considered that technological advances made older people seem left behind. However, many described working with this age group as an enjoyable experience. Professionals identified the following factors as essential to dignified care: promotion of autonomy and independence,; a person-centred and holistic approach; maintenance of identity and encouragement of involvement; participation and empowerment; effective communication and respect. Undignified care was associated with invisibility, de-personalisation, abuse, humiliation and narrow and mechanistic approaches to care.
Dignity and older Europeans: methodology
- Authors:
- CALNAN Michael, TADD Win
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 6(1), June 2005, pp.10-16.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Describes the methods used within the Dignity and Older Europeans (DOE) Project and in particular the approach involved in developing the bibliographical database, the philosophical methods used in creating the theoretical model of dignity, together with the empirical methods involved in data collection with older people, health and social care practitioners and the younger and middle-aged adults. The article attempts to provide the reasoning for the chosen methods and highlight some of the difficulties involved in carrying out comparative cross-cultural research.
Dignity: the voice of older people
- Authors:
- BAYER Tony, TADD Win, KRAJCIK Stefan
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 6(1), June 2005, pp.22-29.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Reports on the findings of 89 focus group and individual interviews, involving 391 people aged 61plus in six European countries. The study was carried out with the aim of exploring how older people view human dignity in their lives. It was seen as highly relevant and important concept, enhancing self-esteem, self-worth and wellbeing. Three major themes were identified: respect and recognition; participant and involvement; and dignity in care. The empirical data reflected the theoretical model of human dignity in that it considered the dignity of personal identity as of importance and relevance. In conclusion, the authors assert that for the dignity of older people to be enhanced, communication issues, privacy, personal identity and feelings of vulnerability need to be addressed.
Living in institutional care: residents’ experiences and coping strategies
- Authors:
- TIMONEN Virpi, O’DWYER Ciara
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 48(6), August 2009, pp.597-613.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Insights into daily living in residential care settings are rare. The discussion presented in this article is based on data collected during the course of an evaluation of a residents’ council established within a large public-sector residential care setting in Ireland. The facility caters mainly for older people, many of whom have cognitive impairments or severe physical disabilities. The analysis of the data is based upon Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and looks at physiological needs, safety needs, love/belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualisation needs. The article also discusses the coping mechanisms that the residents had developed to deal with the limitations and challenges of living in institutional care. The results demonstrated that although the residents did have concerns about basic needs, such as food, physical comfort, and interference with sleep, the inadequacy of these basic provisions were not the central difficulty for them. Rather, it was the lack of mental stimulation and respect shown to them and the loss of dignity and independence that ensued. The analysis indicated that ‘lower’ (basic) needs and ‘higher’ (esteem and self-actualisation) needs are closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing and should therefore be accorded equal emphasis by professionals employed within residential care settings.
Dignity and older people: the voice of society
- Authors:
- STRATTON David, TADD Win
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 6(1), June 2005, pp.37-45.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
This article describes the findings of a focus group study designed to discover young and middle aged attitudes towards the subject of age and dignity. 89 focus groups were carried out with 505 participants aged between 13 and 59 years from the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Slovakia and Sweden. The results confirmed that dignity was important to people of all ages but particularly to older people. Being treated as an individual was critical for the maintenance of dignity. In the participating countries older people were generally treated negatively and undervalued and seen as vulnerable, second-class citizens. Old age was seen as a time for physical and mental deterioration, poverty and dependency. Suggestions for enhancing dignity included greater public awareness about dignity for older people and existing care and support services. Health policies should also tackle ageism in service provision and the developments of standards in health and social care.