Factors influencing care and support for older adults with traumatic injury in Australia: a qualitative study

Mobility and technology can facilitate in-person and virtual social participation to help reduce social isolation, but issues exist regarding older adults’ access, feasibility, and motivation to use various forms of mobility and technology. This qualitative study explores how a diverse group of low-income, urban-living older adults use mobility and technology for social participation. We conducted six focus groups ( N = 48), two each in English, Spanish, and Korean at a Los Angeles senior center. Three major themes emerged from thematic analysis: using technology for mobility; links between mobility and social participation; and technology-mediated social participation. Cost, perceived safety, (dis)ability, and support from family and friends were related to mobility and technology use. This study demonstrates the range of mobility and technology uses among older adults and associated barriers. The findings can help establish a pre-COVID-19 baseline on how to make mobility and technology more accessible for older adults at risk of isolation.

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A qualitative study of the needs of older adults with intellectual disabilities

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1111/jar.12900 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Darragh McCausland ◽

Suzanne Guerin ◽

Janette Tyrrell ◽

Clare Donohoe ◽

Isabelle O'Donoghue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

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Perceptions of Treatment Burden Among Elders With Diabetes and Comorbid Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.882 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 276-276

Author(s):

Victoria Vaughan Dickson ◽

Halia Melnyk ◽

Rosie Ferris ◽

Joshua Chodosh ◽

Caroline Blaum

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Older Adults ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Financial Burden ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Patient Treatment ◽

Treatment Burden ◽

Treatment Plans

Abstract Background: An estimated 25% of older adults with diabetes (DM) may have co-occurring Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), complicated by multiple treatment plans and providers. Assessing treatment burden has been limited to patients’ perspectives; little is known about caregiver perceptions of treatment burden despite their important role in personal care and treatment adherence. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe caregiver perceptions of treatment burden for older adults with DM-ADRD. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in the formative phase of “Enhanced Quality in Primary care for Elders with DM-ADRD (EQUIPED-ADRD) a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in a large, diverse healthcare system. A diverse sample of caregivers (n=15) of patients enrolled in the RCT participated in interviews about their caregiver role and perceptions of treatment burden of DM-ADRD clinical management. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and themes about treatment burden were compared to domains on the Treatment Burden Questionnaire (TBQ). Results: Caregivers reported high levels of burden related to treatment plans for patients with DM-ADRD. Themes related to complexity and burden of medication management, monitoring (e.g., blood pressure, glucose monitoring), dietary and physical activity regimens, navigating healthcare providers and financial burden were reported. Caregivers also described high levels of emotional burden that was associated with patient’s cognitive decline and family functioning stress. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce treatment burden for patients and caregiver should include activating social/nursing services, respite care and care coordination that may support caregivers especially as patient treatment increases in complexity over time.

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Older Adults’ Experiences of a Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Intervention: A Nested Qualitative Study in the SITLESS Multi-Country Randomised Clinical Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094730 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4730

Author(s):

Nicole Blackburn ◽

Mathias Skjodt ◽

Mark Tully ◽

Ilona Mc Mullan ◽

Maria Giné-Garriga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Interaction ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Randomised Clinical Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Perceived Effects ◽

Qualitative Methodologies ◽

Exercise Referral

Background: The SITLESS programme comprises exercise referral schemes and self-management strategies and has been evaluated in a trial in Denmark, Spain, Germany and Northern Ireland. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the implementation and contextual aspects of the intervention in relation to the mechanisms of impact and to explore the perceived effects. Methods: Qualitative methodologies were nested in the SITLESS trial including 71 individual interviews and 12 focus groups targeting intervention and control group participants from postintervention to 18-month follow-up in all intervention sites based on a semi-structured topic guide. Results: Overarching themes were identified under the framework categories of context, implementation, mechanisms of impact and perceived effects. The findings highlight the perceived barriers and facilitators to older adults’ engagement in exercise referral schemes. Social interaction and enjoyment through the group-based programmes are key components to promote adherence and encourage the maintenance of targeted behaviours through peer support and connectedness. Exit strategies and signposting to relevant classes and facilities enabled the maintenance of positive lifestyle behaviours. Conclusions: When designing and implementing interventions, key components enhancing social interaction, enjoyment and continuity should be in place in order to successfully promote sustained behaviour change.

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