Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Companion animals
- Author:
- ORMEROD Elizabeth
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 9(3), September 2005, pp.23-27.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Throughout the world, housing, health and social care practitioners are learning how contact with companion animals can improve the health and quality of life of older people. The author looks at the evidence.
Residual symptoms in older patients treated for major depression
- Authors:
- HYBELS Celia F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(12), December 2005, pp.1196-1202.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The purpose of this study was to identify residual symptoms in a sample of older adults treated for major depression and compare individual symptoms present at baseline with those at three months by remission status. The sample was comprised of 229 patients with DSM-IV major depression who were participants in the NIMH Mental Health Clinical Research Center at Duke University in the United States. Symptoms were measured using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). At three months, 86 patients (37.6%) had remitted, or had a MADRS score less than or equal to 9. In the remitted group, the most frequently reported symptoms at three months were inner tension and lassitude. Among nonremitters, the most frequently reported symptoms were reported and apparent sadness, as well as lassitude and inner tension. In the sample as a whole, the symptoms most likely to be present at baseline but not three months were pessimistic and suicidal thoughts, while the most frequently reported emergent symptoms were reduced appetite and inner tension. Patients were much more likely to no longer have a particular symptom than to acquire a new symptom. Overall, the symptoms present at three months were not severe in either group. In older adults treated for major depression, residual symptoms at three months may include emergent symptoms as well as persistent symptoms, and are likely to include symptoms of anxiety as well as sadness. These findings have clinical implications for the treatment of late-life depression.
HIV/AIDS fifty and older: a hidden and growing population
- Author:
- LEVY-DWECK Sandra
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 46(2), 2005, pp.37-50.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Contrary to common belief, HIV and AIDS are prevalent in the older adult population. Currently, between ten to fifteen percent of HIV/AIDS new cases occur in individuals fifty and older. With the aging of the baby boomer generation, and the introduction of erectile dysfunction medications, such statistics are guaranteed to increase at alarming rates. This population also faces hazardous risk factors that increase its possibility of contracting the disease. Stereotypes and lack of information continue to limit older adults from receiving the medical, educational, and psychological attention they need to avoid and to combat the virus. This article discusses the rising trends in the fifty and older population as well as some of the factors that increase the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among this population. Prevention, assessment, and treatment practices are also outlined; if instituted, these interventions may help promote a significant reduction in the rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the older adult population.
Ageism across the lifespan: towards a self-categorization model of ageing
- Authors:
- GILES Howard, REID Scott A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Issues, 61(2), June 2005, pp.389-404.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article uses this collection of articles on ageism as a springboard to discuss empirical lacunae in the literature as well as propose a self-categorization model of ageing phenomena. In particular, we argue that research would benefit from a more lifespan communication perspective. This includes the social origins of ageism that can be laid down early in development and perpetuated through collusive processes as individuals themselves age. Further, problems of interactively managing ageism, its intragenerational parameters, and the variable consequences of making death salient, are identified. Finally, we elaborate and illustrate a self-categorization model of ageing processes before critically examining panaceas proposed by others to ameliorate ageism.
The good practice guide to therapeutic activities with older people in care settings
- Editor:
- PERRIN Tessa
- Publisher:
- Speechmark
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 83p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Bicester
Written by the National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People (NAPA), a charity whose remit is to set standards and disseminate knowledge of good practice in activity provision and to support activity providers who work in care settings for older people, this guide offers: a model of good practice; a benchmark against which activity providers can measure and evaluate their practice; clear links to current national standards; guidance for care home owners and managers who wish to respond to the recent government initiatives on providing activities for their clients; and a call for clinical governance in the emerging 'profession' of activity provision.
A personal experience of successful doll therapy
- Author:
- GIBSON Shelia
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 13(3), May 2005, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
The author describes the difference doll therapy made to the quality of her mother's final months of life in a nursing home, the therapeutic consequences for the family and benefits for staff.
Psychosocial benefits of solitary reminiscence writing: an exploratory study
- Authors:
- ELFORD H., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 9(4), July 2005, pp.305-314.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Claims have been made that reminiscence has benefits for older people's psychological well-being, and that writing memories may be a therapeutic process. This paper describes an exploratory study in which five nursing home residents engaged in a process of writing their memories by themselves, in a series of booklets containing memory prompts and photographs, over a period of four weeks. Each completed booklet was typed up by researchers and returned to participants the following week, with a bound copy provided to participants at the end of the study period. Analysis focuses on two sets of data: an in-depth case study of one participant, and a thematic analysis of field notes, researcher reflections, and the written material produced by the other study participants. The case study revealed three main themes: views on the past; sharing the past; and confidence in writing about the past. The field note analysis indicated the presence of four themes: proof and maintenance of skills; psychological or internal processes; social contact; and pleasure in reminiscence. The writing was seen as cathartic and provided a meaningful purpose, an opportunity to exercise writing skills and memory, and a focus for participants to share key stories with others. This exploratory study suggests that there is potential in using solitary writing within a reminiscence framework to improve psychological well-being in older people. However, caution should be exercised when encouraging older people to write their stories. Issues of confidentiality, audience, support, and appropriateness of the activity for the individual need consideration.
Functions of reminiscence and mental health in later life
- Authors:
- CAPPALIEZ P., O'ROURKE N., CHAUDHURY H.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 9(4), July 2005, pp.295-301.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examines the extent to which various forms of reminiscence predict life satisfaction and psychiatric distress with and without control for the contribution of personality traits (n?=?420). Among older adults, reminiscences to revive old problems and to fill a void of stimulation were associated with lower life satisfaction and greater psychiatric distress. Reminiscence to maintain connection with a departed person also predicted psychiatric distress. In contrast, reminiscences for death preparation and to foster conversation were linked with higher life satisfaction. Based on our proposed model of the functions of reminiscence, discussion focuses on adaptive and non-adaptive uses of reminiscence in later life.
Review of assessment and treatment of PTSD among elderly American armed forces veterans
- Authors:
- OWENS Gina P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(12), December 2005, pp.1118-1130.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This review summarizes the available research related to difficulties in assessment with the elderly American Armed Forces veteran population. In addition, both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment interventions for PTSD are discussed. A literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, Medline, and the National Center for PTSD's PILOTS database. Evidence suggests that elderly veterans generally present more somatic symptoms of PTSD. Medical and psychological comorbodities, such as depression, substance abuse, or cognitive deficits can further complicate the assessment process. Cut-scores for existing instruments need to be further established with elderly veterans. Use of exposure therapies with the elderly has not been adequately researched and mixed results have been obtained for supportive therapy for treatment of PTSD. Controlled research investigating pharmacological interventions for PTSD with the elderly is also limited. The evidence suggests that some psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions already utilized with younger individuals may be useful with the elderly veteran population. However, research indicates that modifications may be required for working with the elderly population and further research in the areas of assessment and treatment are necessary.
Your rights to health care
- Author:
- EASTERBROOK Lorna
- Publisher:
- Age Concern
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 296p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This book provides information about the main entitlements to health care for older people, particularly NHS services provided in England. Chapters include: knowing your rights; asking for and getting help; GPs and primary care services; opticians and eyesight; hearing services; therapies and other support; mental health; going in to hospital; coming out of hospital; organ and blood donation; death and dying; and making complaints.