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Social engagement, setting and alcohol use among a sample of older Australians
- Authors:
- DARE Julie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(5), 2014, pp.524-532.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
With the rapid ageing of the global population, research that investigates alcohol use among older people from a social perspective is important. This article reports on research with a group of older women and men, to identify and explain factors that influence alcohol consumption. In-depth interviews were conducted in Perth, Western Australia with 20 men and 22 women aged 65–74 years who were living in either private residences or retirement villages. The study findings indicated that alcohol use was linked with social engagement in activities across both settings, and that moderate alcohol use appeared to serve an important function as a ‘social lubricant’. The major facilitating factors for alcohol use included the frequency of opportunities for social engagement and access to a ready-made social group in retirement villages. The major constraining factor across both settings was driving. Health was not viewed as a major facilitating or constraining factor for alcohol consumption. Conclusions from the research were that alcohol serves an important role in enhancing social engagement, and there appear to be important associations between residential setting and alcohol use. (Edited publisher abstract)
Inclusive housing in an ageing society: innovative approaches
- Editors:
- PEACE Sheila M., HOLLAND Caroline
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 280p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
The housing problems of older people in society are highly topical because of the growing number of retired people in the population. Some government policies have been forthcoming, but the housing issue is just beginning to be addressed. This book represents a first attempt to bring together architecture, social science and housing studies to look at the future of living environments for an ageing society. It includes chapters on: articulating the demand for Third Age housing; lifetime homes; the politics of accessible housing in the UK; the implications of smart home technologies; dementia and technology; integration versus segregation; older people's CoHousing communities; retirement communes in Britain; design and everyday life; and inclusive housing.
‘All the corridors are the same’: a qualitative study of the orientation experiences and design preferences of UK older adults living in a communal retirement development
- Authors:
- O’MALLEY Mary, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(9), 2018, pp.1791-1816.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Environments need to be designed such that they support successful orientation for older adults and those with dementia who often experience marked difficulties in their orientation abilities. To better understand how environments can compensate for decreasing orientation skills, voice should be given directly to those experiencing dementia to describe how they find their way and to understand their design preferences. This study explored the navigational experiences and design preferences of older adults with memory difficulties living in a retirement development. In-depth semi-structured interviews with 13 older adults experiencing memory difficulties were conducted. All participants were residents of one retirement development in the United Kingdom. Questions began broadly, for example, to describe their experiences of navigating in their living environment, before discussing any specific navigation difficulties in detail. Thematic analysis identified three main themes: highlighting environmental design that causes disorientation, strategies to overcome disorientation, and residents’ suggestions to improve the design. The design suggestions were particularly informative, heavily focusing on the importance of having memorable and meaningful spaces which were favoured more than signage as an orientation aid. The findings demonstrate the need to consider environmental design to support orientation for those with memory difficulties. Of particular importance is the use of meaningful and relevant landmarks as orientation aids which can additionally stimulate conversation and increase wellbeing. Given the range of suggestions in dementia-friendly design guidelines aimed to support orientation, it is crucial to speak directly to those living in different environments to learn how they find their way around and what design works in their environment. (Edited publisher abstract)