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Well older adults within an urban context: strategies to create and maintain social participation
- Authors:
- ANDONIAN Lynne, MACRAE Anne
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(1), January 2011, pp.2-11.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Social participation has been found to promote health and wellbeing for older adults. In this study, well older adults participated in photovoice to explore how they create and maintain social participation while living alone in an urban community in California. Photovoice is an action research method in which people create and discuss photographs, and then share them with legislators, policy makers and health care providers to generate personal and community change. Photographs convey the participants' points of view directly and show others what life is like for a given group of people. The study participants were seven well older adults who live alone in San Francisco, California. Data from individual interviews and a focus group meeting were analysed to generate various categories that may have an impact upon social participation for older adults. The results found that social participation is promoted through a sense of belonging, acceptance of differences and change, and healthy and active living. Barriers to social participation include access to safe transportation and costs associated with resources. The results of this study may help to inform occupational therapy intervention to support social participation for older adults living alone in urban environments.
Appetite for life: what can help improve the mealtime experience
- Author:
- MALLOY Lynn
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 19(6), November 2011, pp.35-37.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
For older people with dementia, mealtimes can be describes as an essential rhythm for each day, and can also be the source of the greatest contact between residents and care workers. In this article, the author describes her review of 13 studies from the UK on the mealtime experience for people with dementia in formal care settings. The article focuses specifically on what can help mealtimes to provide ‘food for the soul’ as much as they provide fuel for the body, and the importance of guidance and emotional support for care staff. The author concludes that mealtimes are a multifunctional experience for residents with dementia, and how care homes promote this essential activity will significantly impact on how effectively mealtimes enhance overall well-being for residents.
Collected short stories
- Authors:
- CARATELLA Shaaron, REED Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 19(6), November 2011, pp.16-17.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
In 2009, Queens Court care home, London, worked with ‘Many Happy Returns’ to deliver a life story project called ‘Collected Short Stories’ – an autobiographical album that tracks the pictorial history of dementia patients’ lives using photographs and printed material. The album contained details of events such as work, marriage and children, as well as achievements in later life. The outcomes from Collected Short Stories have been manifold. As a results of the project, families spent time together discussing the albums. The residents' sense of value, well-being and self-esteem rose and their alertness and sociability has increased. The families' appreciation of their loved ones, the carers and the home has been strengthened. The carers' work enjoyment, motivation and commitment have increased both individually and as a team.
The third-age African American seniors: benefits of participating in senior multipurpose facilities
- Authors:
- TAYLOR-HARRIS Davette, ZHAN Heying Jenny
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(4), May 2011, pp.351-371.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Senior multipurpose facilities provide a wide range of services and activities for older adults including creative arts, exercise classes, recreation, nutritional meals, information and referrals, and paid work and volunteer opportunities. This purpose of this study was to examine the contexts and benefits of African American seniors' participation in multipurpose facilities. The research site was the Adell O. Stone Senior Multipurpose facility located in Atlanta, Georgia. Qualitative data was collected from 15 in-depth participant interviews, an interview with the multipurpose coordinator of the facility, and 6 months of on-site participant observations. The research revealed the physical, emotional, and social benefits that African American seniors reported as a result of their participation in various activities offered in the facility. The study presents a social context in which African American seniors constructed their new third age identities that is different from the wide-spread negative images depicted by the mainstream about this minority group. The policy implications of this research are discussed.
The unique and valuable support provided by mentoring and befriending
- Author:
- MULVIHILL Joe
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 15(1), March 2011, pp.34-37.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
With the UKs ageing population, and in conjunction with an overburdened NHS, this article argues the case for more mentoring and befriending projects to be set up to support older people with various levels of needs. The many benefits include reducing social isolation and helping with form filling. The article first presents an introduction to mentoring and befriending, along with some case study examples of projects in action. Then follows a discussion of some of the ways befriending can be used to support older people from a new report by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation. Finally, some implications for practice are outlined. Overall, the article concluded that befriending is an effective intervention in social care planning and should be adopted into packages of care and support for older people.
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.
Transforming the quality of life for people with dementia through contact with the natural world: fresh air on my face
- Authors:
- GILLIARD Jane, MARSHALL Mary
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 160p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This book simply demonstrates why we should provide the opportunities for people with dementia to experience the great outdoors. It gives a voice to people with dementia who have felt the benefit of getting closer to nature. The contributors explore many different ways in which people with dementia can experience and interact with nature through pursuits such as farming, gardening and walking, and the book includes a chapter on the therapeutic, life-enhancing effects of activities with animals. The book includes descriptions of projects and initiatives from around the world that have revolutionised the everyday experience of people with dementia, and made a real difference to their quality of life. Illustrated with photographs amply demonstrating the power of nature to lift the spirits and enrich life, the book will be an inspiring guide for relatives, carers and professionals who want to help people with dementia lead a richer life, experience nature fully and enjoy its many accompanying benefits.
Poor vision, functioning, and depressive symptoms: a test of the activity restriction model
- Authors:
- BOOKWALA Jamila, LAWSON Brendan
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 51(6), December 2011, pp.798-808.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study investigated whether vision related depression in older people contributed to poorer mental health by restricting routine everyday functioning. Data were drawn from a national sample of 1,178 older adults. Vision was assessed both subjectively and objectively. Respondents also reported on their levels of physical limitations, feelings of social isolation, and symptoms of depression. Findings revealed that subjective vision contributed to depressive symptoms indirectly by predicting more physical limitations and feelings of social isolation that, in turn, contributed to more symptoms of depression. Objective vision contributed significantly to physical limitations but was unrelated to feelings of social isolation and depressive symptomatology. Overall, poorer self-rated vision in older people contributed to lower mental health by restricting individuals’ ability to carry out routine day-to-day physical activities and increasing their feelings of social isolation. The authors concluded that interventions should focus on enhancing physical and social functioning in response to poor vision.
Gardening and the social engagement of older people
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 15(3), 2011, pp.112-122.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The Community Action in Later Life - Manchester Engagement (CALL_ME) project promotes independence and social engagement among older people in disadvantaged communities. This paper identifies ways in which community action can enhance the quality of life of older residents and reports specifically on four community gardening initiatives in Manchester. The paper, drawing on qualitative data from the four projects, presents evidence of how older people can be actively engaged in community projects. It explores the benefits of involvement including enhanced well-being, increased socialisation, learning and empowerment. The challenges faced by the initiative include maintaining interest, recruiting new members and needing external support. The paper discusses how gardening initiatives can involve and benefit older people and the wider community and the value of an action oriented approach in disadvantaged communities. Recommendations regarding the sustainability of such projects are made by providing education and training to enhance participants' skills.
Accessibility in public space as perceived by people with Alzheimer’s disease
- Authors:
- BRORSSON Anna, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 10(4), November 2011, pp.587-602.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Most people with dementia remain living at home as long as possible after being diagnosed, and hence their lives also include activities in public spaces. However it is thought likely that people living with Alzheimer’s disease experience reduced accessibility as a result of their illness. The aim of this study was to examine real experiences of accessibility in public space for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Seven people with early stage Alzheimer’s type dementia living in the Stockholm area were interviewed in depth (age 64-80 years, 5 female) using a grounded theory approach. The core category, accessibility as a constantly changing experience, was characterised by changes in the relationship between informants and public space. Changes occurred in activities and use of place and were related to familiarity and comfort, individual motives and interests, and planning and protecting. Other changes occurred in places and problematic situations related to everyday technologies, busy, noisy, crowded places, and changing landmarks. These changes reduced feelings of accessibility and increased difficulties in carrying out activities in public space.