Co-Composing an Aesthetic Self Through Play: Towards a Transformative Framework for Dementia Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Yu Li
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Aesthetic Experience ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Transformative Power ◽  
Play Intervention ◽  
Innovative Program ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
Caring Relationship ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
New Phase

Abstract Background and Objectives Aging and deterioration mark a new phase in many older adults’ life, highlighting the importance of creativity and imagination. This article introduces the implementation of an innovative program, Play Intervention for Dementia (PID), at a nursing home in Hong Kong, with emphasis on its contribution to the conceptual framework for understanding selfhood of older adults with dementia. Research Design and Methods As a community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) project, this study democratized knowledge production by integrating voices of practitioners with diverse backgrounds through video-based methods. Results Play, as an activity replete with free expressions and impulsive interactions, is an ideal realm for exploring and establishing selfhood with older adults with dementia. It has been found that “aesthetic self”, an alternative self emerging from immediate aesthetic experience and carrying transformative power within the caring relationship, is a necessary element of self-construction in life with dementia. Discussion and Implications Integrating theories and practice, this framework provides a new lens for understanding and responding to selfhood, disease, and life.

Participatory Action Research With Older Adults: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. e413-e427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Marie Corrado ◽  
Tanya Elizabeth Benjamin-Thomas ◽  
Colleen McGrath ◽  
Carri Hand ◽  
Debbie Laliberte Rudman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Critical Interpretive Synthesis ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Given population aging, the meaningful involvement of older adults in influencing policy and programs through participatory action research (PAR) is increasingly vital. PAR holds promise for equitable participation, co-learning, community mobilization, and personal and social transformation, however, little scholarly attention has been given to critically evaluating how PAR has been taken up with older adults. The objective of this review was to critically evaluate the use of PAR with older adults. Research Design and Methods A critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) of 40 PAR studies with older adults was conducted. Critical engagement with the articles identified dominant tendencies, limits of these tendencies, and proposed ways forward. Results Within the majority of articles reviewed, older adults were not prominent partners in PAR given their often limited involvement in designing the research questions, learning research skills and knowledge, and implementing findings for change. Furthermore, power differentials between researchers and older adults were evident, as older adults were often positioned as participants rather than partners. Finally, this article demonstrates various boundaries on the foci of studies related to inclusivity and sustainability. Discussion and Implications This study revealed that the promises PAR holds are often not fully realized in projects with older adults, given that they are rarely positioned as equitable partners, co-learners, or agents for change. The findings have the potential to stimulate further uptake of PAR research with an older adult population, highlighting areas for change in systems and research practices.

scholarly journals Older HIV+ and HIV− Adults Provide Similar Definitions of Successful Aging: A Mixed-Methods Examination

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pariya L Fazeli ◽  
Jessica L Montoya ◽  
Chastity N McDavid ◽  
David J Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
General Health ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Neurocognitive Impairment ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Demographic Correlates ◽  
Biological Health ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objective As HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals age, there is a need to understand successful aging (SA) from the patient perspective. This study compared SA definitions between HIV+ and HIV-uninfected (HIV−) older adults and then examined correlates of SA categories. Research Design and Methods Ninety-three HIV+ and 46 HIV− older (aged 50+) adults provided brief definitions of SA, which was examined using content analysis. We then compared the frequency of SA categories by serostatus and examined the correlates of SA categories within both groups. Results Seven SA categories emerged: General Health, Cognitive Health & Ability, Physical/Biological Health & Ability, Social Relationships, Attitudes, Psychological, & Emotional Well-Being, Proactive & Engaged Lifestyle, and Independence. While no significant differences emerged, HIV− older adults were more likely to report General Health and the subcategory of Longevity/Survival, while HIV+ older adults were more likely to report subcategories of Enjoying Life & Fulfillment and Maintaining Balance. Few demographic correlates of SA categories emerged. Mood and HIV characteristics were not associated with SA categories. In both groups, those without neurocognitive impairment were significantly more likely to endorse General Health than those with neurocognitive impairment. Discussion and Implications HIV+ and HIV− older individuals may generally perceive SA similarly, and their definitions parallel with existing models of SA. Yet, living with a chronic illness may cause HIV+ older adults to place greater value on quality of life and life satisfaction than physical health and chronological age. Observational and intervention studies may use similar approaches in evaluating and maximizing SA.

scholarly journals Books about postdramatic theatre

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-171
Author(s):  
Vera V. Kotelevskaya
Keyword(s):  
Aesthetic Experience ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Transformative Power ◽  
Binary Oppositions ◽  
Per Se ◽  
The Spectator ◽  
The Times ◽  
Radical Theatre ◽  
Bodily Contact ◽  
Self Reference

The review considers three books on post-dramatic theatre (in various studies it is also called anti-mimetic, radical, post-modern theatre, metatheatre, etc.). Different concepts of post-dramatic theatre are brought together by what may be considered as experiments per se, overcoming or problematizing genre and media boundaries, neutralizing binary oppositions, such as subject – object, playwright – director, platform – hall, actor – character, etc. I analyze the concept of H.-T. Lehmann (“Postdramatic theatre: 1999), who argues concerning the main feature of the “radical theatre” in weakening the connection with the text of the play, “re-theatricalization”, and rejection of the mimesis. For E. Fischer-Lichte (“Ästhetik des Performativen”, 2004 / “The Transformative Power of Performance: A New Aesthetics”, 2008), the main feature of the newest theatre is “performativity” – the production of aesthetic meaning within the event of a performance, and not in the perception of an artifact by an observing subject. The criteria for the so called “performative turn” in drama and theatre, which, according to Fischer-Lichte, are self-reference, materiality, bodily contact, the liminality of aesthetic experience, and the transformation of the spectator. The neoconservative point of view of G. Stadelmaier (“Director’s Theatre. On the Scenes of the Spirit of the Times”, 2016), which expresses nostalgia for the tradition, is considered as polemic in respect to the innovations of the post-drama

Aging in place among older adults with histories of traumatic experiences: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramona A Danielson ◽  
Susan Ray-Degges
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Trauma History ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Aging Adults ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Adverse childhood and adult experiences can have far-reaching impacts, and when coupled with typical aging-related changes, may impede achievement of a suitable person-environment fit for aging adults. The objective of our study was to determine if extant literature connects older adults with trauma history to successfully aging in place. Research Design and Methods We proposed a conceptual model regarding trauma history, adaptive capacity of aging adults, and trauma-informed supports for aging in place. We conducted a scoping review using six databases [key words older adult(s), aging in place, housing, trauma], with a full review of 32 articles. Results Insights included: 1) Aging in place does not have to mean living in the same house over time. 2) The uncertainty of the aging process can be traumatic and can be exacerbated by previous traumatic experiences. 3) Environmental sensitivities can result from previous traumatic experiences and cause further trauma. 4) Housing precarity is a traumatic experience. 5) Permanent supportive housing is an important resource for people in crisis. 6) Community supports are critical to aging in place. Discussion and Implications Our review revealed insights about aging in place and trauma, but did not connect the vulnerabilities specific to aging adults with personal trauma histories to aging in place. Research is needed that confirms the relationship between history of traumatic experiences and difficulties with aging in place as well as trauma-informed approaches that can mitigate housing-related stressors and foster community living environments that provide equitable access to aging in place.

‘How Do You Feel About the Language That You Use?'

2021 ◽  
pp. 151-171
Author(s):  
Claire Louise Needler ◽  
Jamie Fairbairn
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Indigenous Languages ◽  
University Research ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Transformative Power

Scots is one of three indigenous languages in Scotland, alongside English and Gaelic. In recent History, it was considered ‘slang', or ‘bad English'. Following legislative and policy changes, Scots is now recognized as a language and is recognized as a valuable part of the cultural heritage and lived experience of many who reside in Scotland. Further, in 2014, the Scots Language Award was introduced, and Scots is now taught in some schools. This chapter outlines a school-university research partnership that aimed to investigate the influence of teaching Scots on pupils' self-esteem and wider achievement. Using Participatory Action Research and creative arts to explore attitudes to Scots in school, the research highlighted the transformative power of home language (Scots) education.

The Progressive Era’s New Optimists

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-384
Author(s):  
Arielle Zibrak
Keyword(s):  
Progressive Era ◽  
Print Culture ◽  
Aesthetic Experience ◽  
Political Reform ◽  
Transformative Power ◽  
Social Good ◽  
Elizabethan Drama ◽  
Textual Production ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Class Divisions

Abstract New scholarship in the literature and print culture of the Progressive Era emphasizes the socially and politically transformative power of aesthetic experience. Through their attention to the physical as well as ideological spaces in which the dual projects of political reform and cultural formation via textual production and consumption were carried out, these scholars offer an account of Progressive-Era aesthetic products ranging from fiction to journalism to comics to productions of Elizabethan drama as democratic sites of social good. While previous criticism of the era’s literature aligned its ideological orientation with the regressive politics of nativism and rising class divisions, these scholars, through both recovery and rereading, take a more optimistic approach that emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the textual engagement undertaken by immigrants and the working class.

scholarly journals Exploring Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Considerations About Values and Preferences for Future End-of-Life Care: A Study from Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 1332-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin Eneslätt ◽  
Gert Helgesson ◽  
Carol Tishelman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Swedish Version ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Eol Care ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background and Objectives There is a substantial body of research on advance care planning (ACP), often originating from English-speaking countries and focused on health care settings. However, studies of content of ACP conversations in community settings remain scarce. We therefore explore community-dwelling, older adults’ reasoning about end-of-life (EoL) values and preferences in ACP conversations. Research Design and Methods In this participatory action research project, planned and conducted in collaboration with national community-based organizations, we interviewed 65 older adults without known EoL care needs, about their values and preferences for future EoL care. Conversations were stimulated by sorting and ranking statements in a Swedish version of GoWish cards, called the DöBra cards, and verbatim transcripts were analyzed inductively. Results While participants shared some common preferences about EoL care, there was great variation among individuals in how they reasoned. Although EoL preferences and prioritizations could be identical, different individuals explained these choices very differently. We exemplify this variation using data from four participants who discussed their respective EoL preferences by focusing on either physical, social, existential, or practical implications. Discussion and Implications A previously undocumented benefit of the GoWish/DöBra cards is how the flexibility of the card statements support substantial discussion of an individual’s EoL preferences and underlying values. Such in-depth descriptions of participants’ reasoning and considerations are important for understanding the very individual nature of prioritizing EoL preferences. We suggest future users of the DöBra/GoWish cards consider the underlying reasoning of individuals’ prioritizations to strengthen person-centeredness in EoL conversations and care provision.

scholarly journals The Effect of Bilingualism on Older Adults’ Inhibitory Control: A Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie A Armstrong ◽  
Natalie Ein ◽  
Brenda I Wong ◽  
Sara N Gallant ◽  
Lingqian Li
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Design And Methods

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe effect bilingualism has on older adults’ inhibitory control has been extensively investigated, yet there is continued controversy regarding whether older adult bilinguals show superior inhibitory control compared with monolinguals. The objective of the current meta-analysis was to examine the reliability and magnitude of the bilingualism effect on older adults’ inhibitory control as measured by the Simon and Stroop tasks. In addition, we examined whether individual characteristics moderate the bilingual advantage in inhibition, including age (young–old vs old–old), age of second language acquisition, immigrant status, language proficiency, and frequency of language use.Research Design and MethodsA total of 22 samples for the Simon task and 14 samples for the Stroop task were derived from 28 published and unpublished articles (32 independent samples, with 4 of these samples using more than 1 task) and were analyzed in 2 separate meta-analyses.ResultsAnalyses revealed a reliable effect of bilingualism on older adults’ performance on the Simon (g = 0.60) and Stroop (g = 0.27) tasks. Interestingly, individual characteristics did not moderate the association between bilingualism and older adults’ inhibitory control.Discussion and ImplicationsThe results suggest there is a bilingual advantage in inhibitory control for older bilinguals compared with older monolinguals, regardless of the individual characteristics previously thought to moderate this effect. Based on these findings, bilingualism may protect inhibitory control from normal cognitive decline with age.

scholarly journals Nonimmersive Brain Gaming for Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. e764-e781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pallavi Sood ◽  
Sandra L Kletzel ◽  
Shilpa Krishnan ◽  
Hannes Devos ◽  
Ahmed Negm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background Technological advances have allowed a variety of computerized cognitive training tools to be engineered in ways that are fun and entertaining yet challenging at a level that can maintain motivation and engagement. This revolution has created an opportunity for gerontological scientists to evaluate brain gaming approaches to improve cognitive and everyday function. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide a critical overview of the existing literature on nonimmersive, electronic brain gaming interventions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Research Design and Methods Systematic search was conducted using 7 electronic databases from inception through July 2017. A comprehensive 2-level eligibility process was used to identify studies for inclusion based on PRISMA guidelines. Results Seventeen studies met eligibility criteria. Majority of the studies were randomized controlled trials (n = 13) and incorporated an active control (n = 9). Intervention doses ranged from 4 to 24 weeks in duration with an average of 8.4 (±5.1 standard deviation [SD]) weeks. Session durations ranged from 30 to 100 min with an average of 54 (±25 SD) minutes. Nearly half of studies included a follow-up, ranging from 3 months to 5 years (n = 8). For most studies, brain gaming improved at least one cognitive outcome (n = 12); only one study reported improvement in activities of daily living. Discussion and Implications This scoping review conveys the breadth of an emerging research field, which will help guide future research to develop standards and recommendations for brain gaming interventions which are currently lacking.

Activity Patterns and Health Outcomes in Later Life: The Role of Nature of Engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 698-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chih Chen ◽  
Michelle Putnam ◽  
Yung Soo Lee ◽  
Nancy Morrow-Howell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives The health benefit of activity participation at older ages is documented in the current literature. Many studies, however, only explored the health benefits of engaging in a few activities and did not examine mechanisms connecting activity participation to health. We investigated the pathway between activity and health by testing the mediation role of the nature of engagement (physical, cognitive, and social) on physical, mental, and cognitive health of older adults. Research Design and Methods We analyzed data of 6,044 older adults from the 2010 and 2012 Health and Retirement Study linked with 2011 Consumption and Activity Mail Survey. We used latent class analysis to identify the patterns of participating in 33 activities as well as patterns of nature of engagement, and examined how these patterns were associated with cognition, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health in later life. Results Meaningful patterns of activity (high, medium, low, passive leisure, and working) and the nature of activity engagement (full, partial, and minimal) were identified. High and working groups, compared to the passive leisure group, showed better health and cognition outcomes. The nature of engagement mediated the relationship between activity patterns and health, especially for older adults who were either full or partially engaged. Discussion and Implications The nature of engagement may play a more important role than the activity itself in relation to health. Identifying the heterogeneity in activity engagement in later life is critical for tailoring interventions and designing programs that can improve the health of older adults.

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