scholarly journals Exploring the Views and Dietary Practices of Older People at Risk of Malnutrition and Their Carers: A Qualitative Study

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Avgerinou ◽  
Cini Bhanu ◽  
Kate Walters ◽  
Helen Croker ◽  
Ann Liljas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Knowledge Barriers

Background: While malnutrition is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older people, it is commonly under-recognised. We know little on the views of community-dwelling older people and their carers regarding the management of malnutrition. The aim of the study was: (a) to explore views and dietary practices of older people at risk of malnutrition and their carers; (b) to identify gaps in knowledge, barriers and facilitators to healthy eating in later life; (c) to explore potential interventions for malnutrition in primary care. Methods: A qualitative study was performed using semi-structured interviews with participants recruited from four general practices and a carers’ focus group in London. Community-dwelling people aged ≥75, identified as malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (n = 24), and informal carers of older people (n = 9) were interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Older people at risk of malnutrition rarely recognise appetite or weight loss as a problem. Commonly held perceptions include that being thin is healthy and ‘snacking’ is unhealthy. Changes in household composition, physical or mental health conditions and cognitive impairment can lead to inadequate food intake. Most carers demonstrate an awareness of malnutrition, but also a lack of knowledge of what constitutes a nutritious diet. Although older people rarely seek any help, most would value advice from their GP/practice nurse, a dietitian or another trained professional. Conclusion: Older people at risk of malnutrition and their carers lack knowledge on nutritional requirements in later life but are receptive to intervention. Training for health professionals in delivering tailored dietary advice should be considered.

scholarly journals ‘I’ve never drunk very much water and I still don’t, and I see no reason to do so’: a qualitative study of the views of community-dwelling older people and carers on hydration in later life

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cini Bhanu ◽  
Christina Avgerinou ◽  
Kalpa Kharicha ◽  
Yehudit Bauernfreund ◽  
Helen Croker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Adequate Hydration ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Community Dwelling Older People ◽  
Informal Carers

Abstract Background dehydration is associated with significant adverse outcomes in older people despite being largely preventable and treatable. Little research has focused on the views of community-dwelling older people on hydration, healthy drinking and the perceived importance of drinking well in later life. Objectives to understand community-dwelling older people and informal carers’ views on hydration in later life and how older people can be supported to drink well. Methods qualitative study using interviews and a focus group exploring hydration and nutrition in later life (24 older people at risk of malnutrition and dehydration, 9 informal carers) and thematic analysis. Results this article presents the findings on hydration alone. Four themes are presented: perceptions of healthy drinking, barriers to and facilitators of drinking in later life and supporting older people to drink well. The perceived importance of adequate hydration in later life was polarised. Concerns about urinary incontinence and knowledge gaps were significant barriers. Consideration of individual taste preference and functional capacity acted as facilitators. Distinct habitual drinking patterns with medications and meals exist within individuals. Many relied on thirst at other times or when fluid demands are greater (such as hot weather), a known unreliable prompt in later life. Conclusions older people could be supported to drink well by building upon existing habitual drinking patterns. Primary care and public health should consider individual barriers, facilitators and tailored education. A multidisciplinary approach to promote hydration should be incorporated into care for older people with more complex needs.

scholarly journals Frailty, depression, and anxiety in later life

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1265-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aine M. Ní Mhaoláin ◽  
Chie Wei Fan ◽  
Roman Romero-Ortuno ◽  
Lisa Cogan ◽  
Clodagh Cunningham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Older People ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Clinically Significant

ABSTRACTBackground: Anxiety and depression are common in older people but are often missed; to improve detection we must focus on those elderly people at risk. Frailty is a geriatric syndrome inferring increased risk of poor outcomes. Our objective was to explore the relationship between frailty and clinically significant anxiety and depression in later life.Methods: This study had a cross-sectional design and involved the assessment of 567 community-dwelling people aged ≥60 years recruited from the Technology Research for Independent Living (TRIL) Clinic, Dublin. Frailty was measured using the Fried biological syndrome model; depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; and anxiety symptoms measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.Results: Higher depression and anxiety scores were identified in both pre-frail and frail groups compared to robust elders (three-way factorial ANOVA, p ≤0.0001). In a logistic regression model the odds ratio for frailty showed a significantly higher likelihood of clinically meaningful depressive and anxiety symptoms even controlling for age, gender and a history of depression or anxiety requiring pharmacotherapy (OR = 4.3; 95% CI 1.5, 11.9; p = 0.005; OR = 4.36; 95% CI 1.4, 13.8; p = 0.013 respectively).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that even at the earliest stage of pre-frailty, there is an association with increased symptoms of emotional distress; once frailty develops there is a higher likelihood of clinically significant depression and anxiety. Frailty may be relevant in identifying older people at risk of deteriorating mental health.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Motivations for Participating in a “Tune-Up” of Their Driving Skills: A Multi-Stakeholder Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482098241
Author(s):  
Ruheena Sangrar ◽  
Kyung Joon Mun ◽  
Lauren E. Griffith ◽  
Lori Letts ◽  
Brenda Vrkljan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Stakeholder Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Driver Training ◽  
Near Misses ◽  
Driving Experience

Driver training has the potential to keep older adults safe behind-the-wheel for longer, yet there is limited evidence describing factors that influence their willingness to participate in training. Focus groups with community-dwelling older drivers ( n = 23; 70–90 years) and semi-structured interviews with driving instructors ( n = 6) and occupational therapists ( n = 5) were conducted to identify these factors. Qualitative descriptive analyses highlighted how self-awareness of behind-the-wheel abilities in later life can influence an older adult’s motivation to participate in driver training, as well as their willingness to discuss their behaviors. Collision-involvement and near-misses prompted participants to reflect on their driving abilities and their openness to feedback. Participants’ preferences for learning contexts that use a strengths-based approach and validate the driving experience of older drivers, while providing feedback on behind-the-wheel performance, were raised. Older driver training initiatives that consider the needs of the aging population in their design can promote road safety and community mobility.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular disease risk prediction in older people: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
pp. BJGP.2020.1038
Author(s):  
Denise Ann Taylor ◽  
Katharine Wallis ◽  
Sione Feki ◽  
Sione Segili Moala ◽  
Manusiu He-Naua Esther Latu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Risk Prediction ◽  
Heart Attack ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cvd Risk

Background: Despite cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction equations becoming more widely available for people aged 75 years and over, views of older people on CVD risk assessment are unknown. Aim: To explore older people’s views on CVD risk prediction and its assessment. Design and Setting: Qualitative study of community dwelling older New Zealanders. Methods: We purposively recruited a diverse group of older people. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results: Thirty-nine participants (mean age 74 years) of Māori, Pacific, South Asian and European ethnicities participated in one of 26 interviews or three focus groups. Three key themes emerged, (1) Poor knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular disease and its risk assessment, (2) Acceptability and perceived benefit of knowing and receiving advice on managing personal cardiovascular risk; and (3) Distinguishing between CVD outcomes; stroke and heart attack are not the same. Most participants did not understand CVD terms but were familiar with ‘heart attack,’ ‘stroke’ and understood lifestyle risk factors for these events. Participants valued CVD outcomes differently, fearing stroke and disability which might adversely affect independence and quality of life, but being less concerned about a heart attack, perceived as causing less disability and swifter death. These findings and preferences were similar across ethnic groups. Conclusion: Older people want to know their CVD risk and how to manage it, but distinguish between CVD outcomes. To inform clinical decision making for older people, risk prediction tools should provide separate event types rather than just composite outcomes.

Psychological Frailty and Quality of Life of Community Dwelling Older People: a Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 1395-1412
Author(s):  
Lieve J. Hoeyberghs ◽  
◽  
Jos M. G. A. Schols ◽  
Dominique Verté ◽  
Nico De Witte
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older People

scholarly journals Impact of Malnutrition on Low Muscle Mass in Community-Dwelling Older People in Singapore: Findings from the SHIELD study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 80-80
Author(s):  
Siew Ling Tey ◽  
Samuel Teong Huang Chew ◽  
Yatin Berde ◽  
Geraldine Baggs ◽  
Choon How How ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Bone Mass ◽  
Older People ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Calf Circumference ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Community Dwelling Older People

Abstract Objectives Malnutrition contributes to loss of muscle mass. There is limited information on the prevalence of low muscle mass in community-dwelling older people who are (not) at risk of malnutrition. Factors associated with muscle mass are also not well characterized. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI; ASM/height2) in older people with normal nutritional status (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, MUST risk category = low) and those at risk of malnutrition (MUST risk category = medium or high), and to determine factors associated with ASMI. Methods Strengthening Health In ELDerly through nutrition (SHIELD) is a study involving 1211 (400 with normal nutritional status and 811 at risk of malnutrition) community-dwelling older people aged ≥65 years in Singapore. Low ASMI was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, 2014). Results One in five (20.6%) nourished participants had low ASMI vs. four in five (81.3%) participants at risk of malnutrition had low ASMI (P < 0.0001). Older people with low ASMI were more likely to be admitted to the hospital, had longer length of stay, 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency, and lower education level, compared to those with normal ASMI (all P ≤ 0.0472). In the multiple linear regression model, age (coefficient, b = −0.013 kg/m2; P < 0.001), gender (female: b = −0.963 kg/m2; P < 0.001), calf circumference (b = 0.042 kg/m2; P < 0.001), bone mass (b = 0.593 kg/m2; P < 0.001), BMI (b = 0.129 kg/m2; P < 0.001), and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) score (b = 0.001 kg/m2; P = 0.048) were associated with ASMI. Conclusions Community-dwelling older people at risk of malnutrition had four-fold greater risk of having low ASMI as compared to nourished counterparts. Increasing age was associated with lower ASMI, whereas calf circumference, bone mass, BMI, PASE score, and being male were positively associated with ASMI. These findings highlight the importance of screening for low muscle mass and maintaining muscle health as part of the overall malnutrition management in this population group. Funding Sources The Economic Development Board of Singapore, Abbott Nutrition, and Changi General Hospital funded this study.

scholarly journals Experiences of neighbourhood exclusion and inclusion among older people living in deprived inner-city areas in Belgium and England

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
TINE BUFFEL ◽  
CHRIS PHILLIPSON ◽  
THOMAS SCHARF
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Place And Space

ABSTRACTThis article explores conceptual and empirical aspects of the social exclusion/inclusion debate in later life, with a particular focus on issues of place and space in urban settings. Exploratory findings are reported from two empirical studies in Belgium and England, which sought to examine experiences of social exclusion and inclusion among people aged 60 and over living in deprived inner-city neighbourhoods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with an ethnically diverse sample of 102 older people in Belgium and 124 in England. Thematic analysis of interview data identifies four issues in relation to the neighbourhood dimension of social exclusion/inclusion in later life: experiences of community change; feelings of security and safety; the management of urban space; and strategies of control. The results suggest that neighbourhoods have a significant influence on shaping the experience of exclusion and inclusion in later life, with a number of similarities identified across the different study areas. The article concludes by discussing conceptual and policy issues raised by the research.

What Works Better for Community-Dwelling Older People at Risk to Fall?

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 713-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Th. Petridou ◽  
Eirini G. Manti ◽  
Athanasios G. Ntinapogias ◽  
Eva Negri ◽  
Katarzyna Szczerbińska
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Older People ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
What Works ◽  
Community Dwelling Older People

Working towards successful retirement: older workers and retirees speaking about ageing, change and later life

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila J. Gewolb
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Older People ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Linguistic Approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how older workers and people who have already retired speak about ageing and change and their experience of retirement. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative study is described in which focus groups with older workers and semi-structured interviews with retired people were carried out. The recorded data were analysed using a linguistic approach (Discourse Analysis), which investigates in detail how people express their views and opinions and how their discourse might relate to societal attitudes towards ageing and retirement. Findings – Many older people who were still at work were concerned that they would decline and become senile once they retired unless they could remain active in some way. This was confirmed by people who had already retired and who spoke about how keeping busy and active had resulted in successful retirement and ageing. Research limitations/implications – Participants from four focus groups and five interview respondents represent only a small sample of older people who are still working or who are retired. This means that the results of this study cannot be extended to include all older workers and retired people. Social implications – This study will help to raise awareness of the concerns of older workers who may be nearing retirement, and how keeping busy and active after leaving work is considered by retirees to be part of successful retirement and helping to combat decline. Originality/value – A study of this nature which examines how older workers express their views about retirement using Discourse Analysis is original and may be used as a method for future research into other aspects of being older at work.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document