Ageing in Zimbabwe: Reflections 41 Years After Independence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chipo Hungwe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Safety Nets ◽  
National Statistics ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Social Safety Nets

Abstract While Zimbabwe shares similar characteristics with other sub-Saharan countries that are generally regarded as ‘young populations’ the percentage of older adults has increased from 4,7% in 1982 to 6% in 2017. Research on ageing is mainly on social protection, health and quality of life. Emerging research points towards healthy ageing, gender relations and access to resources. The economic environment has been unstable for the greater part of the 41 years of independence. Poverty is increasing and the lives of older adults are vulnerable owing to inadequate and poorly targeted and funded social safety nets and social care services. The framework for addressing ageing in the country is adequate but implementation is lacking. Zimbabwe lacks longitudinal datasets on ageing; researchers mostly rely on data produced by Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), United Nations agencies and other International non-governmental organisations.

scholarly journals Systematic review of 29 self-report instruments for assessing quality of life in older adults receiving aged care services

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e050892
Author(s):  
Joyce Siette ◽  
Gilbert Thomas Knaggs ◽  
Yvonne Zurynski ◽  
Julie Ratcliffe ◽  
Laura Dodds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Services

BackgroundQuality of life (QoL) outcomes are used to monitor quality of care for older adults accessing aged care services, yet it remains unclear which QoL instruments best meet older adults’, providers’ and policymakers’ needs. This review aimed to (1) identify QoL instruments used in aged care and describe them in terms of QoL domains measured and logistical details; (2) summarise in which aged care settings the instruments have been used and (3) discuss factors to consider in deciding on the suitability of QoL instruments for use in aged care services.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesMEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and CINAHL from inception to 2021.Eligibility criteriaInstruments were included if they were designed for adults (>18 years), available in English, been applied in a peer-reviewed research study examining QoL outcomes in adults >65 years accessing aged care (including home/social care, residential/long-term care) and had reported psychometrics.Data extraction and synthesisTwo researchers independently reviewed the measures and extracted the data. Data synthesis was performed via narrative review of eligible instruments.Results292 articles reporting on 29 QoL instruments were included. Eight domains of QoL were addressed: physical health, mental health, emotional state, social connection, environment, autonomy and overall QoL. The period between 1990 and 2000 produced the greatest number of newly developed instruments. The EuroQoL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and Short Form-series were used across multiple aged care contexts including home and residential care. More recent instruments (eg, ICEpop CAPability measure for Older people (ICECAP-O) and Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT)) tend to capture emotional sentiment towards personal circumstances and higher order care needs, in comparison with more established instruments (eg, EQ-5D) which are largely focused on health status.ConclusionsA comprehensive list of QoL instruments and their characteristics is provided to inform instrument choice for use in research or for care quality assurance in aged care settings, depending on needs and interests of users.

scholarly journals Older Adult Segmentation According to Residentially-Based Lifestyles and Analysis of Their Needs for Smart Home Functions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8492
Author(s):  
Jiyeon Yu ◽  
Angelica de Antonio ◽  
Elena Villalba-Mora
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
General Population ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Social Events ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Different Characteristics

Globally, the percentage of older people in the general population is growing. Smart homes have the potential to help older adults to live independently and healthy, improving their quality of life, and relieving the pressure on the healthcare and social care systems. For that, we need to understand how older adults live and their needs. Thus, this study aims to analyze the residentially-based lifestyles (RBL) of older adults and segment them to compare and analyze the real needs of smart home functions for each group. To identify a person’s RBL, a questionnaire was designed to include questions about activities at home, social events, quality of life, etc. This study surveyed 271 older Koreans. As a result of the survey on RBL, five groups with different characteristics were clustered. Finally, each groups’ features and the differences in their needs for smart home functions were compared and analyzed. The priority of needed functions for each group was found to be significantly different. In a total of 26 smart home functions, there were meaningful differences in the needs for 16 functions among the groups. This study presents the results in South Korea, according to older adults’ RBL and their smart home needs.

scholarly journals The impact of social care services on carers’ quality of life

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey Rand ◽  
Florin Vadean ◽  
Julien Forder
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Unpaid care is an important part of long-term care systems. It is increasingly recognised that carers have their own health and well-being needs. Carer-specific interventions, as well as support for the care-recipient, may enable carers to maintain their own health and well-being alongside caring. This study seeks to establish whether and how community-based care services affect carers’ quality of life. The Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit for Carers was used to capture carers’ social care-related quality of life through qualitative interviews and a survey of carers in England in order to provide insights into the impact of community-based care services on carers’ quality of life outcomes.

scholarly journals Ageing, urban marginality, and health in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Dominic A. Alaazi ◽  
Devidas Menon ◽  
Tania Stafinski ◽  
Gian Jhangri ◽  
Joshua Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Slum Dwellers ◽  
Sub Saharan

The world’s population is rapidly ageing. Global estimates for the next three decades indicate a two-fold increase in the population of older adults aged ≥60 years. Nearly 80% of this growth will occur in low and middle-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where population health is already under threat from poverty, degraded environments, and deficient healthcare systems. Although the world’s poorest region, sub-Saharan Africa, ironically, will witness the fastest growth in older populations, rising by 64% over the next 15 years. Indications are that the majority of this population will live in resource-poor settings, characterized by deficient housing and neighbourhood conditions. Yet, very little research has systematically examined the health and wellbeing of older adults in such settings. Drawing on the ecological theory of ageing, the present study explores the living conditions and quality of life of elderly slum dwellers in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country with a growing population of older adults. Data collection was undertaken in two phases in two environmentally contrasting neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana. In Phase 1, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of older adults in a slum community (n = 302) and a non-slum neighbourhood (n = 301), using the World Health Organization quality of life assessment tool (WHOQoL-BREF). The survey data were complemented in Phase 2 with qualitative interviews involving a sample of community dwelling older adults (N = 30), health service providers (N = 5), community leaders (N = 2), and policymakers (N = 5). Preliminary analysis of the survey data revealed statistically significant differences in the social and environment domains of quality of life, while the qualitative data identified multiple health barriers and facilitators in the two neighbourhoods. Insights from the research are expected to inform health and social interventions for older slum dwellers in Ghana.

The Quality of Life of Older Adults Living in an Urban Environment: Professional and Lay Perspectives

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Richard ◽  
S. Laforest ◽  
F. Dufresne ◽  
J.P. Sapinski
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to identify factors affecting older adults' quality of life in urban environments and to compare older adults' and professionals' perspectives on the issue. Eleven focus groups were conducted (eight involving older adults, three involving professionals), each discussing a wide range of issues related to determinants of health and quality of life. The most salient themes were health and independence, financial security, social integration, health care services, housing, accessibility of community services, and decision-making power. Older adults' and professionals' comments strongly converged, with specific issues also raised by each. Older adults provided the richest and most in-depth data on intrapersonal factors, such as personal growth, personal qualities, and spirituality. Professionals discussed community environment issues in greater depth. Health promotion interventions to maximize older adults' quality of life are needed. These results contribute to building a knowledge base to guide such efforts, by identifying a variety of possible intervention sectors for future programs.

scholarly journals Observational cohort study investigating cognitive outcomes, social networks and well-being in older adults: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e029495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Siette ◽  
Andrew Georgiou ◽  
Johanna Westbrook
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Observational Cohort

IntroductionSocial networks play a role in slowing the development of dementia. However, there is a need for further investigation of the effects of improving social networks on health-related quality of life and cognitive performance. Targeted community aged care services are a central strategy for supporting older adults to initiate and maintain their social engagement with other individuals at all stages of later life. This protocol describes a prospective observational cohort study aimed at (1) characterising interpersonal relationships in older adults receiving community care services, (2) assessing the relationship social networks and health-related quality of life and cognition and (3) identifying the association between community care use, social networks and cognition. The findings will contribute to our understanding of how specific social network structures and social support services can maintain cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.Methods and analysisThis is a prospective, observational cohort study of 201 older Australians residing in the community and receiving care services from one of three aged care organisations. Clients with a history of neurological injury will be excluded. Participants will undergo baseline measures of social networks, health-related quality of life and cognitive function, and a follow-up at 6 months. Service use and sociodemographic variables will also be collected. The primary outcome is cognitive function, and secondary outcomes include social networks and health-related quality of life. Multivariable linear regression will test the hypothesis that increased social networks are associated with an increase in cognitive function.Ethics and disseminationApproval of the study by Macquarie University Research Ethics Committee (reference number 5201831394062) has been obtained. This work will be disseminated by publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentations in abstract form at scientific meetings and results will be made available to home and community-based care older adults and care staff of the involved organisations.Trial registration numberACTRN12618001723279; Pre-results.

scholarly journals A mixed-methods study evaluating the impact of an excursion-based social group on quality of life of older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Siette ◽  
Mikaela Jorgensen ◽  
Amy Nguyen ◽  
Gilbert Knaggs ◽  
Stuart Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Social isolation is an increasing concern for older adults who live in the community. Despite some availability of social support programs to address social isolation, their effectiveness is not routinely measured. This study aimed to evaluate an innovative excursion-based program offering unique social experiences to older adults receiving aged care services. Methods This six-month before and after mixed-methods study evaluated the outcomes of an Australian excursion-based program which offered social and physical outings to bring older adults receiving aged care services into the wider community. The study combined two parts: Part 1 was a pre-post survey assessing the quality of life of older adults who received the excursion-based program for 6 months (n = 56; two time-points, analysed using signed rank test) and Part 2 involved qualitative in-depth, semi-structured interviews (n = 24 aged care staff, older adults and carers; analysed using thematic analysis). Results Older adults experienced a significant increase in quality of life scores (p < 0.001) between baseline and 6 months. Interviews confirmed these observations and suggested that benefits of participation included increased opportunities for social participation, psychological wellbeing, physical function, and carer respite. Interviews also revealed being in a group setting, having tailored, convenient and accessible activities, alongside supportive staff were key drivers in improving the wellbeing of participants. Conclusions Participating in an excursion-based community program may improve wellbeing in older adults. Aging policy should focus on prioritizing initiatives that promote social connectivity with the wider community and assist in improving outcomes for older adults.

scholarly journals Social Research Methods to Support Involvement of Community Dwelling Older Adults With Complex Needs in Assessment of Their Care Related Quality of Life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Phillipson ◽  
Ann-Marie Towers ◽  
James Caiels ◽  
Louisa Smith
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Care Policies ◽  
Related Quality

Abstract Background: Determining whether the needs and preferences of older adults are being met by new ‘ageing in place’ and ‘consumer directed’ care’ policies presents methodological challenges.Methods: This study explored how a cascading methodology, offering different supports as needed, promoted assessment of care related quality of life that was inclusive of home care services users with cognitive and physical disabilities. Multiple tools from the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT) were tested in a sample of older adults living at home in one geographic region in NSW (Australia). Results: Both physical assistance, emotional support and an ‘Easy Read’ format facilitated the inclusion of those with greater physical and cognitive impairments. Importantly, their inclusion identified their greater unmet needs in seven out of eight quality of life domains. Conclusion: The adoption of more inclusive social research methodologies is critical to understanding if shifts in aged and social care policies support quality of life for the most vulnerable.

scholarly journals What can local authorities do to improve the social care-related quality of life of older adults living at home? Evidence from the Adult Social Care Survey

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 104-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.M. van Leeuwen ◽  
J. Malley ◽  
J.E. Bosmans ◽  
A.P.D. Jansen ◽  
R.W. Ostelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Care Survey ◽  
At Home
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