Improvement for some: poverty and social exclusion among older people and pensioners

Author(s):  
Demi Patsios

This chapter focuses on several key areas of poverty and social exclusion experienced by older people and pensioners using B-SEM. Analyses by pensioner household type (n=2,296) show differences in older adults’: access to material, economic and social resources; participation in common social activities and civic and political participation; and quality of life. Younger pensioners (particularly couples) are least likely to report lower resources and exclusion from participation, and more likely to report higher quality of life. In contrast, older and single (particularly female) pensioners are most likely to report lower levels of economic and social resources and lower scores on participation and quality of life sub-domains. Although the general position of pensioners has improved over the past decade, the findings conclude that this has not been the case for all pensioners. The policy situation explaining some of these disparities and the implications for further policy action are discussed.

Author(s):  
Vaillant Ciszewicz AJ ◽  
◽  
Guerin O ◽  

Older people living in nursing homes often present with psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and apathy. Numerous studies focused on the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) in the older population. This innovative approach could lead to a significant reduction in psychological disorders in older adults and improve their quality of life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S341-S341
Author(s):  
Shu-Chuan Chen ◽  
Wendy Moyle ◽  
Cindy Jones

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to explore the effect of a social robot Paro intervention on depression and well-being in older adults with depression living in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Methods: This study was adopted a single group and quasi-experimental with repeated measures design. Each participant participated in two stages: observation and Paro intervention stages. Stage 1 was an 8-week observation stage in long-term care facilities where the purpose was to observe the normal mood, behaviour and activities of older adults with depression. In stage 2, each participant was given a Paro by the researcher to keep for 24 hours for 7 days in for 8 weeks. Outcome measurements were obtained 4 times: a week before the intervention (T1), immediately the end of 8-week observation (T2), mid-point of Paro intervention (T3), and immediately the end of 8-week Paro intervention (T4). Instruments included the Geriatric Depression Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale version 3, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-OLD. Results: There were 20 participants completed the study. The mean age of participants was 81.1years (SD = 8.2). After 8-week Paro intervention, statistically significant differences in changes were found on depression, loneliness, and quality of life from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Conclusion: This study was found that Paro intervention has beneficial effects on depression and mental well-being for older people with depression in long-term care facilities. Paro Intervention might be a suitable psychosocial intervention for older people with depression and should be considered as a useful tool in clinical practice.


Author(s):  
Tine Buffel ◽  
Samuèle Rémillard-Boilard ◽  
Kieran Walsh ◽  
Bernard McDonald ◽  
An-Sofie Smetcoren ◽  
...  

Developing ‘Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCC)’ has become a key part of policies aimed at improving the quality of life of older people in urban areas. Despite this development, there is evidence of rising inequalities among urban elders, and little known about the potential and limitations of the age-friendly model to reduce old-age exclusion. This article addresses this research gap by comparing how Brussels, Dublin, and Manchester, as three members of the Global Network of AFCC, have responded to social exclusion in later life. The article combines data from document analysis and stakeholder interviews to examine: first, the age-friendly approach and the goal of reducing social exclusion; and second, barriers to developing age-friendly policies as a means of addressing exclusion. The paper suggests that there are reciprocal benefits in linking age-friendly and social exclusion agendas for producing new ways of combatting unequal experiences of ageing in cities.


2022 ◽  
pp. 185-199
Author(s):  
Maria Koelen ◽  
Monica Eriksson

AbstractIn this chapter, the authors consider the meanings of the concepts of healthy ageing, ageing well, salutogenic ageing and reciprocity between the sense of coherence (SOC) and ageing processes. They discuss how the community can provide resources to strengthen older adults’ SOC, perceived well-being and quality of life. Quoting ‘It’s not how old we are; it’s how we are old’, the authors illuminate critical differences in understanding healthy ageing by professionals, researchers and older people themselves.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Mayara Kerly Coelho Ponte ◽  
Roberto Cleber Silva de Oliveira ◽  
Raimunda Hermelinda Maia Macena ◽  
Vasco Pinheiro Diógenes Bastos ◽  
Thiago Brasileiro de Vasconcelos

Introdução: O envelhecimento é definido como um processo multidimensional, e este processo de envelhecimento, salvo ocorrências abreviadoras, são inevitáveis e inerentes a todos. A atividade física é o fator que prediz de forma mais consistente um envelhecimento saudável e qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Verificar o possível benefício das atividades físicas desenvolvidas por uma equipe multidisciplinar em um grupo de idosos. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo, transversal e descritivo, no qual foram acessados múltiplos casos em campo. Realizado através de entrevistas com idosos participantes de um grupo de caminhada. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado análise de conteúdo. Resultados: A análise de depoimentos dos idosos foi dividida em quatro questionamentos: Mudanças após o inicio no grupo – “melhora dos aspectos físico, social e mental”, Quais foram as mudanças - “diminuição das dores, câimbras e aumento do bem estar”, Qual atividade que mais gosta - “o alongamento e a dança, com alegria em mexer o corpo todo” e Como se sente após a atividade - “maior disposição e diminuição da sensação de cansaço”. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se que a prática de atividade física proporciona uma melhor qualidade de vida e bem estar geral. Observou-se também que os idosos tornaram-se mais eficazes e produtivos. OLDER ADULT HEALTH: PREVENTIVE APPROACH IN A WALKING GROUP ABSTRACT Ageing is defined as a multidimensional process and, this ageing process, except abridged occurrences, is inevitable and inherent to all people. Physical activity is a very important factor to a healthy ageing and to quality of life. This study aimed at verifying the possible benefits of physical activities developed by a multidisciplinary team in the perception of a group of older people. It is a qualitative, transversal and descriptive study, in which many cases were accessed. It was carried out through interviews with older adults who participate in a walking group. Content analysis was used for data analysis. For the present study, 10 older adults (2 men and 8 women) were evaluated; they participate in a walking group in the city of Sobral/CE. According to their opinion, regular physical activity designated to older population contributes to the improvement of health conditions in many aspects as physical, social and mental, according to the following statements: “improvement of physical, social and mental aspects”, “decreased pain and cramps and increased well-being”, "Stretching and dancing, with joy in moving the whole body" and "more disposition and decrease of the sensation of fatigue". It is evident that the practice of physical activity affords a better quality of life and well-being. It is also observed that the older people became more efficient and productive according to their own perception.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S625-S625
Author(s):  
Eleanor Rivera ◽  
Karen Hirschman ◽  
Mary Naylor

Abstract Long term services and supports (LTSS) are vital for older adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. LTSS can be provided in settings such as nursing homes, assisted living, or via community-based services. The aim of this study is to describe the perceived needs for older adults new to LTSS, examine whether those needs are met in the first three months of LTSS, and determine the relationship with quality of life (QoL). This secondary analysis included data from 470 older adults new to LTSS (average age: 81, 71% female, 51% white, 35% black, 20% Hispanic.) The main outcome of QoL was measured using a single item (“How would you rate your overall quality of life at the present time?”). Perceived needs included supportive equipment devices, transportation, physical therapy, and social activities. Analyses at baseline and three months included t-tests, ANOVAs and simple regression modeling. LTSS recipient reported needs at baseline were: 29% supportive equipment, 31% transportation, 20% physical therapy, and 25% social activities. Those who reported needs at baseline had a lower QoL than those who reported no needs (for all). At three months reported needs decreased by an average of 6% (range: 3%-10%). QoL ratings were associated with changes in physical therapy and social activities needs at three months. The implications of these results related to LTSS recipients’ QoL in the first three months of services, with emphasis on physical therapy and social activities needs, is an opportunity to be more person-centered in delivery of care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Mônica da Consolação Machado ◽  
Ronan Loschi Rodrigues Ferreira ◽  
Lucila Ishitani

As people get older, their physical and cognitive functions decline. Meeting these needs is an important goal to be reached, to propose activities that may contribute to a better quality of life, including leisure and learning. As such, this paper aims to present a set of heuristics and recommendations for the design of mobile serious games for older adults. To elaborate these heuristics and recommendations, we conducted two studies with older people. In the first study, we invited people aged 60 or more to evaluate mobile games, intending to collect data that could help us to adapt the heuristics that were already published to the public of this research. In the period between the two studies, we developed a serious mobile game (Labuta​ Batuta​) that met the set of adapted heuristics. In the second study, we invited another group of older people, aged 45 or over, to qualitatively evaluate Labuta​ Batuta​, in order to develop a Grounded Theory about the desirable characteristics for the design of serious mobile games for older adults. Besides a Grounded Theory, the second study allowed the identification of nine requirements to be considered when designing the mechanics of mobile games for older adults.


2005 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 32-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Scharf ◽  
Chris Phillipson ◽  
Allison Smith

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