Examining the role of ageing-in-place organisations in building older adults’ disaster resilience

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Claire Pendergrast ◽  
Basia Belza ◽  
Ann Bostrom ◽  
Nicole Errett
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Disaster Resilience ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Building Activities

Abstract Older adults are more susceptible to adverse health outcomes during and after a disaster compared with their younger counterparts. Ageing-in-place organisations such as senior centres and Villages provide social services and programming for older adults and may support older adults’ resilience to disasters. This study examines the role of ageing-in-place organisations in building disaster resilience for older adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 14 ageing-in-place organisation leaders in King County, Washington in the United States of America. The sample included representatives of five government-run senior centres, seven non-profit senior centres and two Villages. Interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. We used a combined inductive and deductive approach to code and thematically analyse the data. Ageing-in-place organisation leadership recognise disasters as a threat to older adults’ health and safety, and they see opportunities to provide disaster-related support for older adults, though the type and extent of participation in resilience-building activities reflected each organisation's unique local context. Organisations participate in a variety of disaster-related activities, though respondents emphasised the importance of collaborative and communication-focused efforts. Findings suggest that ageing-in-place organisations may be best equipped to support older adults’ disaster resilience by serving as a trusted source of disaster-related information and providing input on the appropriateness of disaster plans and messages for the unique needs of older adults ageing-in-place.

scholarly journals BUILDING DISASTER RESILIENCE FOR OLDER ADULTS AGING IN PLACE: THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S340-S341
Author(s):  
Claire Pendergrast ◽  
Basia Belza ◽  
Ann Bostrom ◽  
Nicole Errett
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Disaster Resilience ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Senior Centers ◽  
Community Based Organizations

Abstract Older adults are more susceptible to adverse health outcomes during and after a disaster compared with their younger counterparts. Developing community resilience, or strengthening communities to reduce the negative impacts of disasters, has the potential support older adults’ health and well-being. Community-based organizations (CBOs), such as senior centers and Villages, provide social services and programming that support aging in place and may support older adults’ resilience to disasters. This study examines CBO leadership perspectives on the role of CBOs in building disaster resilience for older adults aging in place, as well as perceived barriers and facilitators to incorporating disaster resilience activities into organizational programming. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of staff-members of CBOs serving older adults aging in place in King County, Washington. Participants included representatives from 14 organizations that varied in size, geographic setting, organizational structure, and ethnic, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds of organizational members. The sample included five government-run senior centers, seven non-profit senior centers, and two Villages. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used a combined inductive and deductive approach to code and thematically analyze the data. Results indicate that local context, leadership risk perception, collaborations, and existing services and programming influence CBOs’ willingness to engage in activities supporting disaster resilience for older adults aging in place. Findings suggest that CBOs supporting aging in place may support disaster resilience for older adults by serving as a trusted source of disaster preparedness information and tailoring disaster-related messages for an older adult audience.

Biopsychosocial Patterning of Multimorbidity and Its Consequences

2018 ◽  
pp. 220-236
Author(s):  
Elliot Friedman ◽  
Beth LeBreton ◽  
Lindsay Fuzzell ◽  
Elizabeth Wehrpsann
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chronic Medical Conditions ◽  
Quality Of Life Research ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Over Time

By many estimates the majority of adults over age 65 have two or more chronic medical conditions (multimorbidity) and are consequently at increased risk of adverse functional outcomes. Nonetheless, many older adults with multimorbidity are able to maintain high levels of function and retain good quality of life. Research presented here is designed to understand the influences that help ensure better functional outcomes in these older adults. This chapter presents findings that draw on data from the Midlife in the United States study. The independent and interactive contributions of diverse factors to multimorbidity and changes in multimorbidity over time are reviewed. The degree that multimorbidity increases risk of cognitive impairment and disability is examined. The role of inflammation as a mediator is considered. Multimorbidity is increasingly the norm for older adults, so better understanding of factors contributing to variability in multimorbidity-related outcomes can lead to improved quality of life.

Team Managers in Local Social Service Departments in Israel as Bottom-Up Social Policy-Makers

2021 ◽  
pp. 324-345
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Psychosocial Services ◽  
Service Departments ◽  
New Policies

Following on Felice Perlmutter's work on the managerial role of social workers in social services, this article contributes to the still limited knowledge on the role of social workers in middle-management positions in formulating new policies `on the ground`. The study expands knowledge about policies determined by team managers in local social service departments in Israel. It occurs in the nexus between street-level bureaucracy, professionalism and managerial positions. Semi-structured interviews with 28 team managers revealed that they formulated `new` policies with regard to the provision of psychosocial services and material assistance (who gets what, when and how). This occurs when they resist official policy, when it is vague or non-existent. Most of their policy decisions are not documented and draw upon consultations with colleagues and superiors though not with clients. The team managers perceive these policies as a means for achieving balance between clients' well-being and budgetary constraints. Yet their decisions lack transparency, are decided upon without public discourse and may lead to greater inequity between clients

scholarly journals Domestic and International Perspectives on Financing Adult Education and Training

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 389-390
Author(s):  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Oksana Dikhtyar ◽  
Phyllis Cummins ◽  
Nytasia Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
And Training

Abstract Adult education and training (AET) over the life-course is necessary to participate in economic, social, and political activities in the time of globalization and technological advancement. However, little research has been done to identify mechanisms to fund AET opportunities among middle-aged and older adults from a comparative international perspective. Our study aimed to identify strategies to finance AET opportunities for middle-aged and older adults through an international lens, to help identify barriers and facilitators in effort to best support adult learners regardless of education background or socioeconomic characteristics. We carried out a descriptive qualitative study to facilitate an in-depth understanding of funding mechanisms available to adult learners in the selected countries, from the perspective of adult education and policy experts. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 61 international adult education experts from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and education institutions. Our informants represented 10 countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Data included at least one in-depth phone or web-based qualitative interview per informant in addition to information gathered from written materials (e.g., peer-reviewed publications and organizational reports). We identified three financing options that arose as themes: government-sponsored funding; employer-sponsored funding; and self-funding. We found that government-sponsored funding is especially important for low-skilled, low-income older adults for whom employer-sponsored or self-funding is not available. Our results have implications for lifelong AET policy changes, such as adaptations of successful AET funding programs across global communities.

21st Century Citizen Pharma: The FDA & Patient-Focused Product Development

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 309-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Paradise
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Public ◽  
United States Food ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
States Food ◽  
And Control ◽  
Patient Advocacy Groups

Perpetual debate regarding the delicate balance between access and innovation and the protection of the public health and safety dominate discussions of the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Established chiefly as a command and control federal administrative agency, iterative changes in legislation have shaped the FDA's activity in drug, biologic, and medical device regulation over the course of the last one hundred plus years. The most recent fundamental reframing of the agency's authority and directive presented itself in the 21st Century Cures Act, reflecting an important role for patient perspectives in the regulatory process. This Article explores recent developments in patient-focused product development efforts at the FDA and offers modest insights on the increasing role of patients, and patient advocacy groups, in agency decision-making. The Article terms this era “21st century citizen pharma.”

User Insights for Design of an Antihypertensive Medication Management Application

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 1077-1081
Author(s):  
Kenneth A. Blocker ◽  
Kathleen C. Insel ◽  
Jeannie K. Lee ◽  
Qiong Nie ◽  
Abidemi Ajuwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
The United States ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Antihypertensive Medications ◽  
Common Chronic Disease ◽  
Management Application ◽  
Education Decision

Hypertension is the most common chronic disease affecting older adults (65+) in the United States. Unfortunately, many struggle to adhere to their antihypertensive medications as only about half diagnosed with the disease have it controlled. Therefore, there is a need for designing supportive medication management systems to aid this population with their antihypertensive medications, especially using increasingly adopted technologies such as smartphones. The preferences of older adults with hypertension must be considered when designing such systems for this population. Six older adults participated in structured interviews to inform the design of the Medication Education, Decision Support, Reminding and Monitoring System (MEDSReM). Results revealed management needs, design insights, and reminder preferences, as well as mostly positive opinions regarding technology use for medication management. These findings informed the development of MEDSReM with the goal of supporting older adults in successfully managing their antihypertensive medications.

scholarly journals THE TIPPING POINT STUDY: DIGITAL DETECTION AND DECISION SUPPORT FOR OLDER ADULTS AND FAMILIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S597-S597
Author(s):  
Kimberly D Shea ◽  
Kimberly D Shea
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Mexican American ◽  
Wearable Sensors ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Tipping Point ◽  
Safety Issues

Abstract In 10 years, the United States will experience a “dependency” ratio of one working age adult (20-64 years old) to one non-working person (> 65 or 85 years old will comprise 19 million of the non-working people (US Census Bureau, 2008). Busy working adults will have to be vigilant to determine when to make life-changing decisions about health and safety issues for people that depend on them. Older adults have gradual and cumulative physical and/or psychological aging changes or can experience significant events. Knowing when to make a life-changing decision, such as when to intervene with independent living due to safety risks, is difficult even when situations have constant vigilance. Eventually, older adults experience a seemingly abrupt, sudden and absolute point where a life changing decision must be made. This is the Tipping Point. Health data, derived from unobtrusive wearable sensors, are algorithmically synthesized to provide critical information on impending concerns via an electronic portal will help the busy working adult to predict and prevent the Tipping Point. This application of precision health care results in targeted and personalized education thus avoiding a potentially catastrophic Tipping Point. This symposium provides insight into five aspects of the Tipping Point: 1) significance of identification, 2) theoretical foundation for environmental and cultural sensitivity, 3) feasibility outcomes from a Mexican American population, 4) methodology for synthesizing quantitative metrics from multivariate streams of data, 5) creation of a culturally sensitive electronic portal to display predictive information and education about consequences

scholarly journals HOW DO MENTAL HEALTH TRANSITIONS SHAPE THE ROLE OF ADULT CHILDREN IN OLDER ADULTS’ SOCIAL NETWORKS?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S58-S58
Author(s):  
Laura Upenieks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Generalized Estimating Equations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Network System ◽  
Core Networks ◽  
The Core ◽  
Health Transitions

Abstract This study considers the role of adult children in the core networks of older adults undergoing mental health change. Taking a multidimensional perspective of the network system, I consider (a) presence of child(ren), (b) contact with children network members, and (c) embeddedness of children within the network using longitudinal data from the United States. Parameters were estimated with generalized estimating equations from the pooled panel data. There was no evidence that mental health transitions lead to systematic forms of child reshuffling or increased contact with child ties. Children that remained in networks, however, showed increased contact with other members of the network when the parent underwent depression onset, but became less embedded when their parents had chronically high levels of depression. These patterns may have far-reaching consequences for older people and their children, which could include increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation for parent and child alike.

scholarly journals Deaf identities in a multicultural setting: The Ugandan context

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony B. Mugeere ◽  
Peter Atekyereza ◽  
Edward K. Kirumira ◽  
Staffan Hojer
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
The United States ◽  
Deaf Community ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Lower Case ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Using Data

Often located far apart from each other, deaf and hearing impaired persons face a multiplicity of challenges that evolve around isolation, neglect and the deprivation of essential social services that affect their welfare and survival. Although it is evident that the number of persons born with or acquire hearing impairments in later stages of their lives is increasing in many developing countries, there is limited research on this population. The main objective of this article is to explore the identities and experiences of living as a person who is deaf in Uganda. Using data from semi-structured interviews with 42 deaf persons (aged 19–41) and three focus group discussions, the study findings show that beneath the more pragmatic identities documented in the United States and European discourses there is a matrix of ambiguous, often competing and manifold forms in Uganda that are not necessarily based on the deaf and deaf constructions. The results further show that the country’s cultural, religious and ethnic diversity is more of a restraint than an enabler to the aspirations of the deaf community. The study concludes that researchers and policy makers need to be cognisant of the unique issues underlying deaf epistemologies whilst implementing policy and programme initiatives that directly affect them. The upper case ‘D’ in the term deaf is a convention that has been used since the early 1970s to connote a ‘socially constructed visual culture’ or a linguistic, social and cultural minority group who use sign language as primary means of communication and identify with the deaf community, whereas the lower case ‘d’ in deaf refers to ‘the audio logical condition of hearing impairment’. However, in this article the lower case has been used consistently.

scholarly journals Challenges Faced and Support Received: Older Adults’ Perceptions of Hurricane Sandy

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison R. Heid ◽  
Seran Schug ◽  
Francine P. Cartwright ◽  
Rachel Pruchno
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
New Jersey ◽  
Older People ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Community Networks ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The People

AbstractObjectiveIndividuals exposed to natural disasters are at risk for negative physical and psychological outcomes. Older adults may be particularly vulnerable; however, social support can act as a resource to help individuals respond to severe stressors. This study explored the challenges older people faced before, during, and after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 and the people they turned to for support.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 older adults in New Jersey drawn from the ORANJ BOWL (Ongoing Research on Aging in New Jersey – Bettering Opportunities for Wellness in Life) research panel, who experienced high levels of primary home damage during Hurricane Sandy. Content analysis of interview transcripts classified older adults’ perceptions on how they “made it” through—the challenges they faced and the support they received.ResultsThe findings suggested that older adults experienced emotional, instrumental, social, and financial challenges before, during, and after the storm. However, by relying on family and friends, as well as neighbors and community networks, older people were able to respond to stressors.ConclusionsOur findings carry implications for ensuring that older adults are connected to social networks before, during, and after disasters. The role of neighbors is particularly important when disasters strike. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:39–47)

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