scholarly journals The concept of health in older age: views of older people and health professionals

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melita J Giummarra ◽  
Betty Haralambous ◽  
Kirsten Moore ◽  
Joan Nankervis
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Concept Of Health ◽  
Concepts Of Health ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Barriers And Motivators ◽  
Holistic Manner

This study aimed to explore how older people and health professionals conceptualise health in older age. Thirty-six older people and 41 health professionals participated in 10 focus groups (five with older people and five with health professionals) and discussed concepts of health, the modifiable aspects of health, and barriers and motivators to undertaking health-promoting behaviour change. Both older people and health professionals were found to conceptualise health in a holistic manner. While health professionals tended to place the source of poor health on failures of social connectedness and poor service delivery, older people stressed the importance of taking ownership of one?s own health and actively seeking out health promoting activities and services.

scholarly journals ‘I’ve got to be independent’: Older peoples’ views on recovery following road injury: A qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Brown ◽  
Ian D Cameron ◽  
Lisa Keay ◽  
Ha Nguyen ◽  
Lisa Dillon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background: Mild to moderate road traffic injury (RTI) in people of working age is associated with limited recovery. Less is known about RTI recovery in older age. This study explored perspectives, and factors related to recovery and health-related quality of life following mild to moderate RTI in older age.Methods: A qualitative study using content analysis was undertaken. Participants aged 65 or more years were purposively selected from a larger inception cohort study of health outcomes following mild to moderate RTI. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken at approximately 12 or 24 months after injury. Content analysis was used to code and analyse the data, with methodological rigour obtained by double-coding and discussing findings to reach consensus. Results were reported using the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). Results: Nineteen participants were invited to participate in the study of which 12 completed interviews. Data saturation was reached at the 12th interview. Recovery experiences were diverse. Five main themes were identified: recovery is regaining independence; injury & disability in older age; the burden of non-obvious disability; the importance of support, and positive personal approaches. Key facilitators of recovery were regaining independence; support from family and friends, and positive personal approaches. Key barriers were threats to independence; passive coping behaviours; non-obvious disabilities (chronic pain, psychological impacts), and for some, a reluctance to raise ongoing issues with General Practitioners. Threats to independence, especially not driving and self-care, appeared to have a more profound effect on recovery than physical functioning.Conclusion: Older people view injury as a threat to independent functioning. This is somewhat different to what younger people report. Regaining independence is key to older peoples’ recovery and health-related quality of life following RTI, and should be a key consideration for health professionals, services and supports working with this unique cohort. Greater efforts to help older people regain independence following RTI are needed and can be facilitated by health professionals and appropriate service provision.

scholarly journals “There’s More to Frail than That”: Older New Zealanders and Health Professionals Talk about Frailty

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Susan B. Gee ◽  
Gary Cheung ◽  
Ulrich Bergler ◽  
Hamish Jamieson
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Adaptive Choice ◽  
New Zealanders

There is general agreement that frailty is common and important in later life, but there is less agreement about what frailty is. Little is known about the extent to which practicing health professionals and older people hold a mutual understanding of frailty. Focus groups were held to engage older people and health professionals in discussion about what made them think that someone was frail. Eighteen older people took part across three focus groups, and se'venteen health professionals took part across another three focus groups. Both the health professionals and the older people talked about the experience of frailty as an interplay of physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Older people with frailty were seen as needing help and being vulnerable to adverse outcomes, but accepting help was positioned by older people as an adaptive choice. The experience of frailty was described as being mediated by the individual’s psychological mindset, highlighting the importance of approaches that recognise strengths and resilience. A broader and more balanced understanding of frailty may help create more rounded and appropriate approaches to assessment and management.

Māori Research(er) in Three Poems

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Jacquie Kidd
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Bell Hooks ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Third ◽  
Ruth Behar ◽  
Seeking Help

These three poems re-present the findings from a research project that took place in 2013 (Kidd et al. 2018, Kidd et al. 2014). The research explored what health literacy meant for Māori patients and whānau when they accessed palliative care. Through face-to-face interviews and focus groups we engaged with 81 people including patients, whānau, bereaved loved ones, support workers and health professionals. The poems are composite, written to bring some of our themes to life. The first poem is titled Aue. This is a Māori lament that aligns to English words such as ‘oh no’, or ‘arrgh’, or ‘awww’. Each stanza of the poem re-presents some of the stories we heard throughout the research. The second poem is called Tikanga. This is a Māori concept that encompasses customs, traditions and protocols. There are tikanga rituals and processes that guide all aspects of life, death, and relationships. This poem was inspired by an elderly man who explained that he would avoid seeking help from a hospice because ‘they leave tikanga at the door at those places’. His choice was to bear his pain bravely, with pride, within his cultural identity. The third poem is called ‘People Like Me’. This is an autoethnographical reflection of what I experienced as a researcher which draws on the work of scholars such as bell hooks (1984), Laurel Richardson (1997) and Ruth Behar (1996). These and many other authors encourage researchers to use frustration and anger to inform our writing; to use our tears to fuel our need to publish our research.

Oral health diseases among the older people: a general health perspective

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
General Health ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The relationship between oral health and general health is gaining interest in geriatric research; however, a lack of studies dealing with this issue from a general perspective makes it somewhat inaccessible to non-clinical public health professionals. Purpose: The purpose of this review is to describe the relationship between oral health and general health of the elderly on the basis of literature review, and to give non-clinical medical professionals and public health professionals an overview of this discipline. Methods: This study was based on an in-depth review of the literature pertaining to the relationship between oral health and general health among the older people. The tools commonly used to evaluate dental health and the academic researches of male elderly people were also reviewed. And future research directions were summarized. Results: Dental caries, periodontal disease, edentulism, and xerostomia are common oral diseases among the older people. Dental caries and periodontal diseases are the leading causes of missing teeth and edentulism. Xerostomia, similar to dry mouth, is another common oral health disease in the older people. No clear correlation exists between the subjective feeling of dryness and an objective decrease of saliva. Rather, both conditions can be explained by changes in saliva. The General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) are the main assessment tools used to examine oral health and quality of life in the older people. The GOHAI tends to be more sensitive to objective values pertaining to oral function. In addition, oral health studies in male elderly people are population-based cohort or cross-sectional studies, involving masticatory function, oral prevention, frailty problems, cardiovascular disease risk, and cognitive status. Conclusion: It is possible to reduce the incidence of certain oral diseases, even among individuals who take oral health care seriously. Oral health care should be based on the viewpoint of comprehensive treatment, including adequate nutrition, good life and psychology, and correct oral health care methods. In the future, researchers could combine the results of meta-analysis with the clinical experience of doctors to provide a more in-depth and broader discussion on oral health research topics concerning the older people.

Behavioral Health Professionals’ Perceptions on Outcomes of Patient-Controlled Granular Information Sharing Study: Focus Groups and Survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Ivanova ◽  
Tianyu Tang ◽  
Nassim Idouraine ◽  
Anite Murcko ◽  
Adela Grando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Patient Study ◽  
Actual Patient

BACKGROUND Granular information sharing studies rarely use actual patient electronic health record (EHR) information. In a previous study, behavioral health patients categorized their own EHR data into sensitive categories (e.g. mental health) and chose which care team members (e.g. pharmacists) should have access to those records. In this study, behavioral health professionals are provided access to the outcomes of a previous patient study to better understand the perspectives of health professionals on patient-controlled granular information sharing. OBJECTIVE Assess behavioral health professionals’: (1) perspectives on understanding and opinions about granular information sharing; (2) accuracy in assessing redacted medical information; (3) reactions to patient rationale for health data categorization, assignment of sensitivity, and sharing choices; and (4) recommendations on how to improve the process of granular health information sharing. METHODS Four two-hour focus groups and a pre- and post-survey were conducted at two integrated health facilities. During the focus groups, outcomes from a previous study on patients’ medical record sharing choices were shared. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. RESULTS Twenty-eight professionals were initially unaware of or provided incorrect definitions of granular information sharing (56.0%). After having access to outcomes from a previous patient study, professionals increased their mixed perspectives (21.4% to 37.1%) on granular information sharing. A majority (81.3%) identified that key medical data had been redacted from the study case. Many (66.1%) stated they did not understand patient rationale for categorization or medical sharing preferences. Finally, participants recommended that a variety of educational approaches be incorporated to inform patients about granular information and health record sharing processes. CONCLUSIONS This study provides detailed insights from behavioral health professionals on patient-controlled granular information sharing. Health professionals accurately identified information gaps resulting from patient-directed data redaction, improved in their overall concept comprehension, underscored the fine line between patient safety and patient rights, and expressed a commitment to help patients appreciate the risks and benefits associated with granular information sharing. Outcomes will inform the development, deployment and evaluation of an electronic consent tool for granular health data sharing.

Older people’s news dependency and social connectedness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1329878X2110064
Author(s):  
Caroline Fisher ◽  
Sora Park ◽  
Jee Young Lee ◽  
Kate Holland ◽  
Emma John
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
News Media ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Older Citizens

Social isolation has become a growing issue, particularly among older citizens. The ‘digital divide’ has been identified as one of the contributing factors leaving many older citizens behind. While increasing digital literacy among seniors has been identified as one of the remedies, less attention has been paid to the role of news media on the wellbeing and connectedness of older people. Through the lens of the uses and gratifications theory, this article reports on the findings of a survey of 562 news consumers aged 50 years and above who live in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The analysis highlights the important role of news in reducing feelings of social isolation, particularly for those who spend more time alone and older people with cognitive impairment. Older participants who had difficulty concentrating and learning new tasks were also more dependent on news. We suggest this is due to the habitual, predictable and concise nature of news. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of news in the wellbeing of older people and point to the need for policymakers and those in the aged care sector to ensure access to news for older citizens to improve the quality of life.

scholarly journals Improving mobility and participation of older people with vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders in primary care using a care pathway: feasibility study and process evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Seckler ◽  
Verena Regauer ◽  
Melanie Krüger ◽  
Anna Gabriel ◽  
Joachim Hermsdörfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Older People ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Implementation Strategy ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Main Trial ◽  
Telephone Helpline

Abstract Background Community-dwelling older people are frequently affected by vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders (VDB). We previously developed a care pathway (CPW) to improve their mobility and participation by offering standardized approaches for general practitioners (GPs) and physical therapists (PTs). We aimed to assess the feasibility of the intervention, its implementation strategy and the study procedures in preparation for the subsequent main trial. Methods This 12-week prospective cohort feasibility study was accompanied by a process evaluation designed according to the UK Medical Research Council’s Guidance for developing and evaluating complex interventions. Patients with VDB (≥65 years), GPs and PTs in primary care were included. The intervention consisted of a diagnostic screening checklist for GPs and a guide for PTs. The implementation strategy included specific educational trainings and a telephone helpline. Data for mixed-method process evaluation were collected via standardized questionnaires, field notes and qualitative interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, qualitative data using content analysis. Results A total of five GP practices (seven single GPs), 10 PT practices and 22 patients were included in the study. The recruitment of GPs and patients was challenging (response rates: GP practices: 28%, PT practices: 39%). Ninety-one percent of the patients and all health professionals completed the study. The health professionals responded well to the educational trainings; the utilization of the telephone helpline was low (one call each from GPs and PTs). Familiarisation with the routine of application of the intervention and positive attitudes were emphasized as facilitators of the implementation of the intervention, whereas a lack of time was mentioned as a barrier. Despite difficulties in the GPs’ adherence to the intervention protocol, the GPs, PTs and patients saw benefit in the intervention. The patients’ treatment adherence to physical therapy was good. There were minor issues in data collection, but no unintended consequences. Conclusion Although the process evaluation provided good support for the feasibility of study procedures, the intervention and its implementation strategy, we identified a need for improvement in recruitment of participants, the GP intervention part and the data collection procedures. The findings will inform the main trial to test the interventions effectiveness in a cluster RCT. Trial registration Projektdatenbank Versorgungsforschung Deutschland (German registry Health Services Research) VfD_MobilE-PHY_17_003910, date of registration: 30.11.2017; Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien (German Clinical Trials Register) DRKS00022918, date of registration: 03.09.2020 (retrospectively registered).

scholarly journals Factors associated with the decision to prescribe and administer antipsychotics for older people with delirium: a qualitative descriptive study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e047247
Author(s):  
Emily J Tomlinson ◽  
Helen Rawson ◽  
Elizabeth Manias ◽  
Nicole (Nikki) M Phillips ◽  
Peteris Darzins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Acute Care Hospital ◽  
Nursing Workload ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Antipsychotic Medications ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

ObjectivesTo explore factors associated with decision-making of nurses and doctors in prescribing and administering as required antipsychotic medications to older people with delirium.DesignQualitative descriptive.SettingTwo acute care hospital organisations in Melbourne, Australia.ParticipantsNurses and doctors were invited to participate. Semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews were conducted between May 2019 and March 2020. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants were 42 health professionals; n=25 nurses and n=17 doctors. Themes relating to decisions to use antipsychotic medication were: safety; a last resort; nursing workload; a dilemma to medicate; and anticipating worsening behaviours. Nurses and doctors described experiencing pressures when trying to manage hyperactive behaviours. Safety was a major concern leading to the decision to use antipsychotics. Antipsychotics were often used as chemical restraints to ‘sedate’ a patient with delirium because nurses ‘can’t do their job’. Results also indicated that nurses had influence over doctors’ decisions despite nurses being unaware of this influence. Health professionals’ descriptions are illustrated in a decision-making flowchart that identifies how nurses and doctors navigated decisions regarding prescription and administration of antipsychotic medications.ConclusionsThe decision to prescribe and administer antipsychotic medications for people with delirium is complex as nurses and doctors must navigate multiple factors before making the decision. Collaborative support and multidisciplinary teamwork are required by both nurses and doctors to optimally care for people with delirium. Decision-making support for nurses and doctors may also help to navigate the multiple factors that influence the decision to prescribe antipsychotics.

scholarly journals The taking place of older age

2021 ◽  
pp. 147447402110205
Author(s):  
Amy Barron
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Advance Research ◽  
Distinct Period

Representations of older age are often reductive in western societies, portrayed as a distinct period of life characterised by social disengagement and physiological decline. Through rich ethnographic accounts developed with older people from Greater Manchester UK, this paper is concerned with how the category of older age is made through representations, and the different ways people encounter and relate to it. In doing so, it disrupts reductive representations by considering how older age is lived. I respond to calls for the incorporation of more-than-representational and affective approaches into the geographic study of older age to advance research on ageing and highlight affect as a useful concept for thinking through difference. The paper is concerned with how older people are represented, with how representations differentially affect and are affected by older individuals, and with how representations of older age are performed and folded into lived accounts. More-than-representational theories offer an understanding of older age that is not pre-given or free-standing, but as something which can emerge, gather and disperse in relation with materialities as well as diffuse atmospheres, affects and emotional resonances.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document