International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 37(3), 2022,
Publisher:
Wiley
Background: Older age is a substantial risk factor for serious illness from COVID-19. Moreover, isolation and quarantine are more likely to cause physical, mental and social deprivation in older age. Information and Communication Tools are means to prevent such consequences. Objective: This study aimed therefore to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown measures on the usage of an innovative technical support system deployed in Austria (AT) and Luxembourg (LU) consisting of several tools that allow independent living in older age. Methods: Thirty-nine older adults (11 male; 28 female) with a mean age of 74.3 (SD 7.3) years were included in the study. In total, 18 older people were recruited in AT and 21 in LU. Descriptive statistics were computed, and longitudinal models were fitted for technology use and self-reported mood. Results: The number of older adults using the system significantly decreased from the time before lockdown (39 [100%]) to during lockdown (26 [67%]) and thereafter (23 [59%]; p < 0.001). Multiple comparisons revealed a significant reduction in the average number of events for calendar and medication tools, but a substantial increase in communication and messaging events. Self-reported well-being declined during the lockdown and increased afterwards back to baseline levels. Conclusion: Communication was the main reason for using the support system. In addition, strategies and interventions are essential to support older adults when using information technology in the prolonged phases of the pandemic to sustain independent living.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background: Older age is a substantial risk factor for serious illness from COVID-19. Moreover, isolation and quarantine are more likely to cause physical, mental and social deprivation in older age. Information and Communication Tools are means to prevent such consequences. Objective: This study aimed therefore to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown measures on the usage of an innovative technical support system deployed in Austria (AT) and Luxembourg (LU) consisting of several tools that allow independent living in older age. Methods: Thirty-nine older adults (11 male; 28 female) with a mean age of 74.3 (SD 7.3) years were included in the study. In total, 18 older people were recruited in AT and 21 in LU. Descriptive statistics were computed, and longitudinal models were fitted for technology use and self-reported mood. Results: The number of older adults using the system significantly decreased from the time before lockdown (39 [100%]) to during lockdown (26 [67%]) and thereafter (23 [59%]; p < 0.001). Multiple comparisons revealed a significant reduction in the average number of events for calendar and medication tools, but a substantial increase in communication and messaging events. Self-reported well-being declined during the lockdown and increased afterwards back to baseline levels. Conclusion: Communication was the main reason for using the support system. In addition, strategies and interventions are essential to support older adults when using information technology in the prolonged phases of the pandemic to sustain independent living.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, Covid-19, service uptake, access to services, communication;
Research study providing an empirical analysis of the incomes of older people in 11 countries. Also presents the results, for a narrower range of countries, of an analysis of living standards, defined to include the value of government provided health and education services, as well as disposable cash income. In addition, looks at the role of owner-occupied housing and liquid wealth.
Research study providing an empirical analysis of the incomes of older people in 11 countries. Also presents the results, for a narrower range of countries, of an analysis of living standards, defined to include the value of government provided health and education services, as well as disposable cash income. In addition, looks at the role of owner-occupied housing and liquid wealth.
Subject terms:
income, older people, poverty, quality of life, ageing;
Content types:
research, government publication
Location(s):
Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
Set of papers given at a colloquium in March 1990 in Brussels, where a group of economists presented their theoretical and empirical progress on an EC initiated project on the care of elderly people. Divided into 4 parts: part 1: the ageing population and the organisation of the welfare state: macro economic analysis; part 2: significance of informal care of elderly people; part 3: how to meet the needs of elderly people: relevance of micro-economic analysis; and part 4: policy formation for older people. This section includes comparative studies of Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, West Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.
Set of papers given at a colloquium in March 1990 in Brussels, where a group of economists presented their theoretical and empirical progress on an EC initiated project on the care of elderly people. Divided into 4 parts: part 1: the ageing population and the organisation of the welfare state: macro economic analysis; part 2: significance of informal care of elderly people; part 3: how to meet the needs of elderly people: relevance of micro-economic analysis; and part 4: policy formation for older people. This section includes comparative studies of Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, West Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.
Subject terms:
older people, policy, social care provision, comparative studies, financing;
Location(s):
Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Europe, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
Collection of articles looking at the contexts for, and the outcomes of, the diversity of social care provision by the member states of the European Union. The book first addresses how we define social care in Europe and looks at the differences between member states. Goes on to look in more detail at the context for social care provision and the constitutional framework provided by the European Union itself. Further chapters cover Europe's mixed economy of welfare and provide detailed analysis of the impact of social care provision on 3 key clients groups: children and families, disabled people and older people.
Collection of articles looking at the contexts for, and the outcomes of, the diversity of social care provision by the member states of the European Union. The book first addresses how we define social care in Europe and looks at the differences between member states. Goes on to look in more detail at the context for social care provision and the constitutional framework provided by the European Union itself. Further chapters cover Europe's mixed economy of welfare and provide detailed analysis of the impact of social care provision on 3 key clients groups: children and families, disabled people and older people.
Subject terms:
home care, mixed economy of care, older people, physical disabilities, social welfare, social care, social care provision, children, comparative studies;
Location(s):
Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Europe, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
University of Kent. European Institute of Social Services
Publication year:
1993
Pagination:
180p.
Place of publication:
Canterbury
Bibliography focusing on documents from the 12 EC member states relating to: social welfare policy; general social work policy and practice; and specific areas of social services client-based work. It does not include items on: poverty; social security; homelessness; travellers; and migrants.
Bibliography focusing on documents from the 12 EC member states relating to: social welfare policy; general social work policy and practice; and specific areas of social services client-based work. It does not include items on: poverty; social security; homelessness; travellers; and migrants.
Subject terms:
older people, organisations, social policy, social welfare, social work, social care provision, travellers, children;
Location(s):
Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Europe, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
Provides a reference source for various modes of care (both formal and informal) for older people throughout Europe. Each chapter follows the same format and covers: demography; socio-political and administrative background; social security and pensions; housing; health care; mental health care; residential care; personal social services; voluntary care agencies and support organisations; leisure pursuits and education; and older people in rural areas.
Provides a reference source for various modes of care (both formal and informal) for older people throughout Europe. Each chapter follows the same format and covers: demography; socio-political and administrative background; social security and pensions; housing; health care; mental health care; residential care; personal social services; voluntary care agencies and support organisations; leisure pursuits and education; and older people in rural areas.
Subject terms:
housing, informal care, leisure, leisure activities, mental health services, older people, pensions, population, residential care, rural areas, social policy, social care provision, voluntary organisations, benefits, care homes, comparative studies, demographics, education, health care;
University of Kent. European Institute of Social Services
Publication year:
1993
Pagination:
401p.
Place of publication:
Canterbury
Detailed account of social services in the twelve member states of the European Community. Contains sections on: organisation, responsibility and finance for social services; preventative services; children and families; elderly people; people with disabilities; addictions; illnesses; AIDS/HIV; socially excluded people; young people; services for migrants; names and addresses of major public and private social services agencies.
Detailed account of social services in the twelve member states of the European Community. Contains sections on: organisation, responsibility and finance for social services; preventative services; children and families; elderly people; people with disabilities; addictions; illnesses; AIDS/HIV; socially excluded people; young people; services for migrants; names and addresses of major public and private social services agencies.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, immigration, learning disabilities, mental health, mental health problems, older people, physical disabilities, poverty, prevention, private health care, social exclusion, social services, voluntary organisations, young people, addiction, alcohol misuse, black and minority ethnic people, children, drug misuse, families, health care;