Improving Attitudes Toward Elderly People: Evaluation of an Intervention Program for Adolescents

Author(s):  
Stephen Dooley ◽  
B. Gail Frankel

ABSTRACTIn an experimental evaluation of a “friendly visitor” type of program in which adolescents visited senior citizens, it was found that general attitudes toward elderly people (measured by the Semantic Differential developed by Rosencranz and McNevin) improved following weekly contact with specific elderly persons. One of the weaknesses in research on this type of intervention has been the assumption that the quality of the contact was uniform, and the impact of quality was rarely assessed. In the present study, the perceived quality of the experience was found to have a significant impact on improving attitudes. Programs such as the one evaluated here can, therefore, have two outcomes: the provision of service to elderly individuals and the change of negative attitudes toward elderly people.

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 244-261
Author(s):  
Mariola Tracz ◽  
Małgorzata Bajgier-Kowalska ◽  
Radosław Uliszak

Podkarpackie Voivodeship is one of the regions of Poland in which the number of agritourism entities is very high. Therefore tourism plays a significant role in its development strategy. The aim of the paper is to identify the current state of agritourism and the changes that have occurred in the region in the years 2000–2016. Specific objectives are to determine the distribution of agritourism farms and their offer, together with a comprehensive analysis of the environmental and socio-economic factors, as well as the impact of the Slovak-Ukrainian border. The report was developed on the statistical materials from the Polish Central Statistical Office, Podkarpackie Agricultural Advisory Centre in Boguchwała and data collected from municipalities and district offices that is published on their websites, as well as through interviews with 100 owners of agritourism farms in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The research has shown, on the one hand, the decline in the number of farms in the region and, on the other hand, the increase in the diversity of the tourist offer of these entities. Distribution of agritourism farms is closely linked to the attractiveness of natural environment and quality of secondary tourism resources. Traditional agritourism has not yet fully used its countryside, as well as cross-border advantages of its location.


Author(s):  
Elena de Andrés-Jiménez ◽  
Rosa Mª Limiñana-Gras ◽  
Encarna Fernández-Ros

The aim of this study is to determine the existence of a characteristic personality profile of family carers of people with dementia. The correct knowledge and use of psychological variables which affect the carer, helps to promote appropriate actions to mitigate the impact of care and improve the carer’s quality of life and likewise the one of the person cared for. The study population consists of 69 family carers of people with dementia, members of various associations and care centers. The results allow us to identify a characteristic personality profile for these carers and it reveals a specific psychological working in this sample, although we cannot directly relate it with the tasks of caring for people with this disease, this profile gives us very relevant information to pay more attention to the needs of this group. Moreover, the analysis of personality styles depends on the sex of the family carer, showing, once again, that the woman is in a situation of most vulnerability.


2012 ◽  
Vol 487 ◽  
pp. 357-364
Author(s):  
Xin Jun Li

In the paper, we propose an allocation scheme that minimizes the response time and cost of the solution subject to reliability and availability constraints in terms of expected value. The algorithm proposed in this paper aims to discover services with high QoS performance, and reduce the execute time at the same time. First, we identify the impact of various structural aspects of the composition in terms of the performance and outcomes of the composition. Then, an algorithm is proposed which can reduce the computing time and makes sure better quality of the services selection at the same time by examining a very tiny fraction of the solution space.Finally, we proves the advantage of the new algorithm by comparing the time obtained by our proposed algorithm with the one achieved by other algorithm.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256872
Author(s):  
Elin Spege ◽  
Kristina Ek ◽  
Stefan Söderberg ◽  
Mats Eliasson

Background The Västerbotten intervention program (VIP), is a public health promotion program in northern Sweden with the aim of preventing cardiovascular disease. Positive effects have been reported although the evidence is not unequivocal. Since only historical controls have been used, effects from other sources than the program have largely been uncontrolled for and health related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been evaluated. Purpose By using the neighbouring county of Norrbotten (NB) as the reference population, we compare HRQoL in Västerbotten (VB) and in NB. Methods In 2014 the Northern Sweden survey, Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA), examined a random sample from the two counties. HRQoL was measured with the EQ-5D-3L. In total, 1112 subjects aged 40–74 years participated, 516 in VB and 594 in NB. Differences in mean QoL between VB and NB were analysed via Student’s t-test and the Pearson chi-square test. Results Average HRQoL measured by the EQ-5D-index was 0.798 in VB and 0.811 in NB, a difference of 0.013 (p = 0.2, CI -0.009 to 0.036). For subjects aged 45–54 years, the HRQoL was lower in VB than in NB, a difference of 0.048 (p = 0.041; CI 0.002 to 0.0094). Men had higher HRQoL than women, and university educated had higher HRQoL than those without university education. EQ-VAS showed similar results. Subjects from NB and from VB did not differ regarding age, gender and level of education. In NB, HRQoL decrease with age, a pattern not seen in VB. Conclusions We found similar levels of HRQoL in VB and in NB.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 713-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta de Miranda Henriques Freire ◽  
Nivaldo Carneiro Junior

Abstract Objective: To analyze Brazilian scientific production on housing for autonomous elderly persons. Method: A descriptive, analytical integrative review type study was carried out. The following guiding question was defined: what is the Brazilian scientific production relating to housing for autonomous elderly persons in indexed on-line periodicals from 2000 to 2015? Results: Thirty-three articles were identified in total, of which only 13 met the inclusion criterion. Using the Content Analysis technique, the following categories were formed: Modalities of housing for the elderly; Public housing policies for the elderly and Housing and quality of life. Conclusion: Most of the studies discussed types of housing for the elderly, falling into the category "Modalities of housing for the elderly", and identifying a tendency towards one-person dwellings. In relation to the category "Public housing policies for the elderly", the articles reflected on the rights and the guarantees of the elderly in relation to a suitable home. The "Housing and quality of life" category aimed to compare the quality of life of elderly people living alone or with a partner, as well as their perception of exclusive condominium developments for this population. There is a need for research on the issue in question, since there is an increase in the number of elderly people without housing, making it necessary for the state to meet this demand.


2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (21) ◽  
pp. 817-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Péter Apor ◽  
László Babai

Aging-related decline of muscle force, walking speed, locomotor coordination, aerobic capacity and endurance exert prognostic impact on life expectancy. Proper use of training may diminish the aging process and it may improve the quality of life of elderly persons. This paper provides a brief summary on the impact of training on aging-related decline of physical and cognitive functions. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(21), 817–821.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 478-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Rocha ◽  
J. Scott Yaruss ◽  
Joana R. Rato

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Previous research has provided information about how school-aged children perceive their own stuttering; however, less is known about how stuttering is perceived by their parents. The ways that parents view their children’s stuttering could influence how the children themselves react to it. This study proceeds to assess how parents’ perceptions of the impact of stuttering relate to the perceptions of children. <b><i>Method:</i></b> Participants were 50 children who stutter aged 7–12 years (mean = 9.10; SD = 1.7) and their parents, recruited from different cities in Portugal. The European Portuguese version of the Overall Assessment of the Speaker’s Experience of Stuttering was administered to the children, and an adapted version of the tool was administered to their parents. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Both parents and children showed generally similar overall impact ratings, typically falling in the mild and moderate ranges. Differences were observed in families with a history of stuttering: for those families, a comparison of parents’ and children’s scores revealed, in some domains, that parents perceived the impact of stuttering to be greater than the children did, especially related with children’s reactions to stuttering and their quality of life. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Knowledge about how parents perceive the impact of stuttering on their children is important because families can play a key role in helping children cope with stuttering. These findings highlight the benefits of using an individualized treatment approach for each child that focuses on their perceptions, as well as on those of the parents, in order to address negative attitudes toward children’s stuttering.


2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Patricia D Enes ◽  
Kay de Vries

This study examined the ethical issues experienced by nurses working in a small group of elderly persons’ care settings in the UK, using a survey questionnaire previously used in other countries for examining the cultural aspects of ethical issues. However ‘culture’ relates not only to ethnicity but also the organizational culture in which care is delivered. Nurses working in elderly persons’ care settings described a range of issues faced when caring for elderly terminally ill people, which illustrated the different needs of patients, relatives, professionals and society. These issues related to the unique needs of elderly people (such as dementia sufferers) and could have an impact on patients’ quality of death.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy Teo

ABSTRACTExpanding longevity among elderly people and fertility decline are contributing to the ageing of Singapore's population. By 2030, the proportion of persons aged 60 and above will be 26% of the total population. A national policy on elderly persons was formulated in 1989 which incorporated four issues: employment of elderly persons in the workforce; attitudes toward elderly people; community care; and residential care. This paper discusses each of these agenda with the view of assessing their strengths and weaknesses. The section on residential care is supported by empirical data. The paper concludes that elderly people in Singapore suffer from a high degree of enforced dependence which will need to be reviewed. In particular, a consultative approach in keeping with the more liberal attitude of the second generation leadership will help Singapore to achieve higher standards of care for an increasingly affluent elderly population.


2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 1675-1681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingeborg K Björkman ◽  
Johan Fastbom ◽  
Ingrid K Schmidt ◽  
Cecilia B Bernsten ◽  
Cecilia B Bernsten ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To detect the frequency of potential drug—drug interactions (DDIs) in an outpatient group of elderly people in 6 European countries, as well as to describe differences among countries. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: Drug use data were collected from 1601 elderly persons living in 6 European countries. The study population participated in a controlled intervention study over 18 months investigating the impact of pharmaceutical care. Potential DDIs were studied using a computerized detection program. RESULTS: The elderly population used on average 7.0 drugs per person; 46% had at least 1 drug combination possibly leading to a DDI. On average, there were 0.83 potential DDIs per person. Almost 10% of the potential DDIs were classified to be avoided according to the Swedish interaction classification system, but nearly one-third of them were to be avoided only for predisposed patients. The risk of subtherapeutic effect as a result of a potential DDI was as common as the risk of adverse reactions. Furthermore, we found differences in the frequency and type of potential DDIs among the countries. CONCLUSIONS: Potential DDIs are common in elderly people using many drugs and are part of a normal drug regimen. Some combinations are likely to have negative effects; more attention must be focused on detecting and monitoring patients using such combinations. As differences in potential DDIs among countries were found, the reasons for this variability need to be explored in further studies.


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