scholarly journals At-Homeness: Rethinking Personhood-in-Community Through the Lens of Social Identity

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 397-397
Author(s):  
Graham Rowles ◽  
Habib Chaudhury ◽  
Daniel R Y Gan

Abstract Since Chaudhury’s seminal work (2008), spatial ethnographies of the everyday lives of people living with dementia(PLWD) have proliferated. From an experiential perspective, geographies of home (Blunt & Varley, 2004) and geographies of dementia may overlap significantly. We conducted a meta-ethnographic synthesis of n=28 articles to identify points of convergence and divergence in these literatures using comparative thematic analysis with NVivo 12. Whereas geographies of home highlight at-homeness (e.g., ontological safety and daily activities), geographies of dementia underscore communal and civic participation (e.g., social relationships). These themes converge around “social identity” which may be an important construct that helps PLWD feel at home. The quality of life of PLWD in the community may be influenced by prior (and present) experiences of at-homeness. These become more pertinent as older adults shelter in place. We discuss the implications of these findings in relation to relational models of personhood-in-community (Swinton, 2020) and community gerontology.

Author(s):  
Marielle Cristina Gonçalves Ferreira ◽  
Luiz Fernando Rangel Tura ◽  
Rafael Celestino da Silva ◽  
Márcia de Assunção Ferreira

Abstract Objective: to identify the activities performed by older adults as part of the Rio Health Gym Program in their daily lives, and analyze the contributions of these practices to their health and quality of life. Method: a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted using interviews with 30 older adults who attended a health center in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Lexicographic analysis was performed using the Alceste software program. Results: five lexical classes were generated. Physical and leisure activities comprised classes 2 and 3. The statements that made up the lexical classes showed that older adults carried out their daily activities with autonomy and independence. According to their assessment, the activities promote the integration of participants, increase social participation and benefit health and quality of life. They attribute their proactivity to participation in the social group. Conclusion: the activities bring diversity to daily living, increase socialization and leisure opportunities, and consequently improve the health of older people by facilitating social relationships.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Grace Prost ◽  
Meghan A. Novisky

Purpose The purpose of this paper aims to examine differences in measures of and relationships between visitation and quality of life (QOL) among older and younger jailed adults. The authors also explored the contribution of visitation to QOL among adults in this setting. The authors anticipated fewer visits and lower QOL among older adults. Framed by psychosocial developmental theory, the authors also anticipated a larger effect in the relationship between visitation and QOL among older rather than younger adults and that visitation would contribute most readily to psychological QOL. Design/methodology/approach Cross-sectional data from a large US jail were used (n = 264). The authors described the sample regarding visitation and QOL measures among older (≥45) and younger adults (≤44) and examined differences in measures of and relationships between visitation and QOL using independent sample t-tests and bivariate analyses. The authors explored the contribution of visitation to psychological, social relationships, physical and environmental QOL among jailed adults using hierarchical multiple linear regression. Findings Older adults had fewer family visits and lower physical QOL than younger adults, disparities were moderate in effect (d range = 0.33–0.35). A significant difference also emerged between groups regarding the visitation and environmental QOL relationship (z = 1.66, p <0.05). Visitation contributed to variation in physical and social relationships QOL among jailed adults (Beta range = 0.19–0.24). Originality/value Limited research exists among jailed older adults and scholars have yet to examine the relationship between visitation and QOL among persons in these settings.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1186-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Magalhães Vitorino ◽  
Lisiane Manganelli Girardi Paskulin ◽  
Lucila Amaral Carneiro Vianna

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the older adults' perceptions of their quality of life (QoL) in two long-stay care facilities in Pouso Alegre and Santa Rita in Sapucaí, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil , and to identify the sociodemographic and health variables which interfere in this perception. METHOD: a cross-sectional epidemiological study of 77 older adults resident in institutions. The instruments used were: personal characterization; WHOQOL-bref and WHOQOL OLD. RESULT: the highest average obtained in the instruments was: the "Social Relationships" domain in the WHOQOL-bref (68%) and the "Sensory abilities" aspect in the WHOQOL-OLD (73.7%). The variables age, sex, physical activity and level of schooling have a significant correlation with the WHOQOL-bref and the variables sex and leisure have the same with the WHOQOL OLD. CONCLUSION: older adults who are younger, with higher levels of schooling and who undertake physical and leisure activity have, on average, better perceptions of their QoL. The older adults' QoL in this study had higher rates than that reported in the literature and was similar to that in the community. The results suggest the need to train those involved with older adults in institutions so that they may develop strategies which promote the adaptation, adjustment and maintenance of QoL.


Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 713-717
Author(s):  
Sebastián Andrés Astorga Verdugo ◽  
Fernanda Borges Silva ◽  
Soledad Patricia González Silva ◽  
Aldo Rodrigo Martínez Araya ◽  
Germán Rojas Cabezas

Objetivo: El propósito del estudio es comprobar la efectividad de un entrenamiento de fuerza con característica socializadora y lúdica para mejorar los dominios de la calidad de vida en adultos mayores con anteposición de cabeza y cuello. Metodología: El estudio presenta un diseño experimental, longitudinal, basado en la evaluación de los dominios capacidad física, bienestar psicológico, relaciones sociales y medio ambiente de la calidad de vida realizado a 132 participantes mediante el test WHOQOL-BREF divididos en tres grupos de 44 participantes: un grupo control y dos grupos experimentales. El grupo experimental 1 realizó un entrenamiento de fuerza convencional y el grupo experimental 2 realizó entrenamiento de fuerza con característica socializadora y lúdica. Los grupos experimentales realizaron el entrenamiento 2 sesiones por semana durante 4 meses. Los 3 grupos de investigación cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión: ángulo craneovertebral < 50 grados, adultos mayores > 60 años, sin patologías reumatológicas, infecciosas, osteomusculares y neurológicas. Resultados: Hubo cambios estadísticamente significativos en el grupo que realizó entrenamiento de fuerza con características socializadora y lúdica en los dominios capacidad física, bienestar psicológico y relaciones sociales (p < 0,05). El aumento promedio del puntaje del dominio capacidad física fue de 7,4, el dominio psicológico 5,4 y el dominio relaciones sociales 7 puntos. Conclusión: El entrenamiento de fuerza con característica socializadora y lúdica fue efectivo para mejorar la calidad de vida, en los dominios capacidad física, bienestar psicológico y relaciones sociales en adultos mayores con anteposición de cabeza y cuello de la Ciudad de Talca, Chile. Abstract. Objective: Verify the effectiveness of a strength training with socializing and playful characteristics to improve the domains of quality of life in older adults with forward head posture. Methodology: The longitudinal, experimental design study, based on the evaluation of the domains of physical capacity, psychological wellness, social relationships and the environment of the quality of life, performed on 132 participants using the WHOQOL-BREF test divided into three groups of 44 participants: a control group and two experimental groups. Experimental group 1 performed conventional strength training and experimental group 2 performed strength training with socializing and playful characteristics. The experimental groups performed the training 2 sessions per week for 4 months. The 3 research groups met the inclusion criteria: craniovertebral angle < 50 degrees, older adults > 60 years, without rheumatological, infectious, musculoskeletal and neurological pathologies. Results: There were statistically significant changes in the group with strength training with socializing and playful characteristics in the domains of physical ability, psychological well-being and social relationships (p < 0.05). The average score increase for the physical ability domain was 7.4, the psychological domain 5.4, and the social relationships domain 7 points. Conclusion: Strength training with socializing and playful characteristics was effective to improve the quality of life, in the domains of physical capacity, psychological wellness and social relationships in older adults with forward head posture of the Talca City, Chile.


Author(s):  
Pedro C. Santana-Mancilla ◽  
Luis E. Anido-Rifón

In the world, many older adults are living alone for most of the day. This work propose the use of the television set, a medium well known by seniors, to improve the way that seniors and their caregivers can track daily activities such as medication intakes reminders. Two evaluations were held, a heuristic usability assessment early on the design process and an evaluation of the technology adoption. Both evaluations generated initial evidence that the system supported elders in achieving a better quality of life.


Author(s):  
Raquel Élez-Villarroel Benítez ◽  
Francisco Mateos Claros ◽  
Luis Amador Muñoz ◽  
Macarena Esteban Ibáñez

Abstract.CONCEPTION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS. CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM CULTURES IN CEUTAThe quality of life in older adults is a current line of research due to the population tendency to ageing in the European countries as well as the West Bank countries (Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia). This quality of life may be related to the level of attention and cares we provide to elderly. Our study is focused on the population of the Autonomous City of Ceuta, following this premise. The interviewees answered to different aspects of the quality of life, such as discrimination against older adults, social relationships, leisure activities, sports, housing or health care. The sample was compounded by the most representative cultures in the City, Christians and Muslims. The last ones have proven a very enriched perspective to our study, giving more diverse opinions, such as the respect they feel for their older adults, the vision given by the Arab countries media about the older people, the suffering the elder have been through all along their lives, the perception of needing protection and support by the elders or the beliefs related to the lack of relationships with non-relatives and the lack of leisure activities, as the older adults have their family and they must dedicate to religion. Another contribution of this culture is the rejection to retirement homes, and the fear of ending their lives alone in a nursing home.Key words: quality of life, older adults, old age, cultures, Muslims.Resumen.La calidad de vida en los adultos mayores es una línea de investigación actual, dada la tendencia al envejecimiento de la población de los países europeos y de aquellos de la cuenca del Mediterráneo (Líbano, Siria, Turquía, Túnez). Dicha calidad de vida puede estar relacionada con la atención y el cuidado que proporcionamos a nuestros mayores. Nuestro estudio se ha centrado en la población de la Ciudad Autónoma de Ceuta siguiendo esta premisa. Los entrevistados han respondido a diferentes aspectos de la calidad de vida, como la discriminación hacia los mayores, la sexualidad, la economía, las relaciones sociales, el ocio, el deporte, la vivienda o la salud. La muestra se ha compuesto por las dos culturas más representativas de la Ciudad, cristianos y musulmanes. Estos últimos han mostrado una visión de los adultos mayores muy enriquecedora a nuestro trabajo, proporcionando opiniones de mayor diversidad, tales como el respeto que infunden los mayores en esta cultura, la visión que ofrecen los medios de comunicación en los canales árabes de los adultos mayores, el sufrimiento que han vivido estas personas a lo largo de su vida, la percepción de que sus mayores necesitan la protección y el sustento de la familia o la creencia de que el mayor no requiere de las relaciones sociales ni del disfrute de actividades de ocio por su dedicación a la vida religiosa. Otra aportación de esta cultura es el rechazo de pleno a las instituciones destinadas a los mayores y el miedo a quedarse sin familia en la vejez.Palabras clave: calidad de vida, adultos mayores, vejez, culturas, musulmanes


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batya Engel Yeger ◽  
Yael Zilbershlag

Abstract Background: Falling is a major problem in older adults that may significantly reduce health and quality of life (QOL). Body dysfunctions that include depression, cognitive decline and executive dysfunctions may elevate fall risk and impair daily activities and QOL. Yet, most studies evaluate these body dysfunctions using laboratory measures in clinical settings. The present study aimed to: (1) compare these body dysfunctions between high/low risk fallers (2) examine the relationship between these body dysfunctions among the high risk fallers (3) explore the specific contribution of fall risk as a mediator between depression, executive dysfunctions and daily life. Methods: Participants were 123 older adults who live in the community. Depression and cognitive status were measured by the GDS-15 and the MoCA. Fall risk was determined by a questionnaire supported by the Time Up and Go test (TUG). Executive functions (EF) were assessed by the BRIEF-A and the aEFPT medication management assessment. Daily activity performance was measured by the Barthel Index of ADL and the Instrumental ADL Scale. QOL was measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Questionnaire. Results: High fall risk was prevalent among 32% of the sample. High risk fallers had significantly lower cognitive level, higher depression, lower EF, lower daily activity performance and lower QOL. Among the high risk group, lower EF as measured in BRIEF-A scales correlated with lower performance of daily activities and lower QOL. SEM model revealed that fall risk mediated between depression, executive dysfunctions and daily life. Conclusions: Depression and executive dysfunctions are more prevalent in older adults with high fall risk and are significantly related to their daily activity performance and to their QOL. Community fall-prevention and rehabilitation programs should screen for fall risk and related body dysfunctions as expressed during daily activity performance and understand their impacts on people’s QOL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saima Eman

Since dementia is a progressive terminal clinical syndrome with no cure, the life of persons with dementia (PwD) can be adversely affected. Due to limited access to healthcare and lack of awareness in Pakistan, a majority of older adults do not get screened for dementia. The objective of the current study was to examine the problems and the Quality of Life (QoL) of underprivileged older adults with undiagnosed mild dementia in the Pakistani context. Using purposive sampling and case study design, 3 participants with apparent symptoms (verified by 8 researchers) of dementia from a low-income group in Lahore, Pakistan were observed and interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed sense of loss and alienation as one of the dominant themes. Implications are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Di Gioia Tina ◽  
Alessandro Bortolotti

Apathy refers to a set of behavioral, emotional and cognitive characteristics such as reduced interest and participation in the main activities of daily life, lack of initiative, a tendency to early withdrawal from the activities started, indifference and flattening of the affections. The work of Tierney et al.(2018) studied how much and if apathy contributes to the problems of managing daily activities and qualities and in the following work new tests have been added that could be useful to further improve the research and to improve the distinction between apathy and depression.


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