Technologies to reach older persons with health-care services

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-103
Author(s):  
Author(s):  
Astrid Fjell ◽  
Kristin Ådnøy Eriksen ◽  
Monica Hermann ◽  
Anne-Marie Boström ◽  
Seiger Berit Cronfalk

Abstract Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate how old persons perceived their life to be, how they viewed the ageing process and their need of health care and societal support. Background: The purpose of WHO’s Healthy Ageing strategy and development of age-friendly environments is to support physiological and psychosocial changes in old persons by facilitating basic needs. Interventions to operationalize these needs in older people living at home are often developed from a professional perspective and to a small extent involves the perceptions, experience and expectations of the older persons. Method: This qualitative study has an explorative design using focus group discussions to collect data. In all, 34 persons between 69 and 93 years of age participated in seven group discussions. The interviews were analyzed using inductive manifest content analysis. Findings: The main results suggest that most old persons enjoyed life and wished it to continue for as long as possible. Important was to sustain networks and to feel useful. Unexpected changes were described as threats and the need to use health care services was associated with illness and being dependent. The result is presented in three categories with sub-categories: ‘Embracing life’, ‘Dealing with challenges’ and ‘Considering the future’.


Author(s):  
Setiawan E ◽  
Poedjibudojo J K ◽  
Tondok Ms

Objective: The unmet health-care needs among older persons population should be identified and anticipated due to hideous potential impacts. Ironically, no published study regarding this phenomenon was found in Indonesia. Derived from the Indonesian population and civil data, this study was conducted to identify the health-care needs of urban older people living on Java Island, the most populated island in Indonesia.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in 3 subdistricts in Surabaya, the capital city of East Java, namely, Rungkut, Kenjeran, and Tenggilis. There were 9 focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted during March-August 2015. Participants in this study were recruited purposively, i.e., person in charge of “Karang Werda,” and the discussion explored thematically various topics in the area of unmet health needs phenomena related to: (1) Availability, (2) accessibility, and (3) acceptability. A FGD guide was developed to ensure in-depth discussion.Results: There were 90 older persons serving as volunteers who participated in this study. The unmet health-care needs addressed by participants in this study were (1) Integrated and specialized health-care services for older persons and (2) skillful yet age-friendly health-care personnel were needed by participants. Our findings pointed out that the unmet health-care needs in Indonesian urban settings were classified as primarily availability, accessibility, and acceptability issues.Conclusion: The government needs to take actions to solve the challenges related to the fulfillment of health-care needs among older persons in Indonesia. Further study of the health care personnel’s beliefs and attitudes in providing care among older persons needs to be conducted to provide a more holistic picture of the phenomena before making any strategy for the future Indonesia’s health-care system.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S222-S222
Author(s):  
Miriam S Moss ◽  
Sidney Z Moss

Abstract After living in our suburban house in Pennsylvania for over five decades, as long term gerontologists we moved to Massachusetts. First, we rented a house for three years; then the homeowner decided to sell and we declined to buy. Now in our 90’s, we have been residents for four years of a town house in a retirement community in Massachusetts that emphasizes independence over dependency; it provides no meals or direct health care services. It is now our home and we have found that several themes persevere: (1) We adapt to the increasing presence of vulnerability in ourselves and in other older persons. (2) We try to maximize our sense of residential comfort and mastery (Golant, 2015) by asserting environmental proactivity ( Lawton , 1987). This reflects the continuity (Atchley, 1989) of our lives. (3) We recognize the ever-present complexities in our responses to personal and societal themes of ageism.


Author(s):  
Sue-Hyang Lee ◽  
Soo-Myoung Bae ◽  
Bo-Mi Shin ◽  
Sun-Jung Shin

This study was conducted using the Q methodology to categorize Korean older persons’ subjective perceptions of home visiting oral health care services. Various opinions regarding home visiting oral health care services were collected based on related literature, and by conducting in-depth interviews with 12 people. Thirty-two statements were finally selected, and Q classification was applied. Based on data analysis with the PC-QUANL program, six factors (seven types) were derived, which accounted for 49.6% of the total variance. By comprehensive analysis of the types of subjective perceptions of home visiting oral health care services, the following two characteristics were identified. Korean older persons were expected to promote their own oral health activities, or improved access to expert health care services, through the home visiting oral health care services. Additionally, they had a need for social, economic, emotional, and informational support. Therefore, home visiting dental personnel should be able to provide customized visiting oral health care services based on evaluation of the need and type of perception of older persons. Thus, it is essential for visiting dental personnel to be trained in the knowledge of social welfare, and to develop diverse competencies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-97
Author(s):  
Mihaela Ghenţa ◽  
Elen-Silvana Bobârnat

The paper presents the results of a qualitative research conducted among providers of social and socio-medical services for older persons. The research objectives were to collect opinions with regard to the societal transformations that constitute risk factors for the social inclusion of the elderly; to identify the dimensions of social inclusion of the elderly in Romania most impacted by the societal transformations, as well as measures and actions that could counter acting the negative effects of social exclusion of the elderly. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with experts from social and health care services providers. Technological transformations, the ageing phenomenon, the migration, the negative perceptions regarding the elderly population; the uneven development of urban areas compared to rural areas, are most likely to influence the social exclusion of older persons. Participation in cultural, sports, and voluntary activities, access to appropriate social and health care services and housing conditions may lead to a better social inclusion.


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