Using and index of wellbeing for older people in small areas of Australia to assist identifying services required

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riyana Miranti ◽  
Robert Tanton ◽  
Yogi Vidyattama ◽  
Sajeda Tuli
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Index Method ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Provision Of Services ◽  
Personal Histories

Abstract Background: For older people, place is crucial as it is where support networks, social relationships and family are. Older people develop a sense of belonging to their local community through participation and place is strongly linked to personal histories. For older people, ageing in their own home also allows for continuity of relationships and informal support networks in the area.While there are significant benefits of ageing in place, for older people with low wellbeing, the provision of services is going to be essential to allow them to age in place. Therefore, this article aims to identify areas where older people have low wellbeing using an index of wellbeing developed using a range of data; and to show how the domains and indicators can be used to identify why older people in an area have low wellbeing. This analysis can then be used to help to identify what types of services are required to improve wellbeing in an area of low wellbeing best. Methods: We use Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to create the Index of Wellbeing for Older Australians, for each domain and then adding the domains together using a transformation. One of the advantages of this method is that areas can be identified as having low wellbeing, but then using the domains, the reason for the low wellbeing can be identified.A case study is used to show how low wellbeing can be attributed to a particular domain in the area; and then show how the indicators that were used for this domain can be used to identify exactly what is driving the low wellbeing for older people in the area.Results: Our overall findings show that the participation domain matters as the proportion of older people who are volunteers has the highest contribution to the well being index followed closely by the employment rate of older people. In contrast, functional ability domain reveals the need for assistance indicator has the highest contribution to reduce the wellbeing. Conclusion: We conclude that the index method used encourages the de-construction of the overall index, and provides a way to inform service providers in an area on the most effective ways to enhance wellbeing for older people in an area.

scholarly journals User Requirements for Technology to Assist Aging in Place: Qualitative Study of Older People and Their Informal Support Networks (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Elers ◽  
Inga Hunter ◽  
Dick Whiddett ◽  
Caroline Lockhart ◽  
Hans Guesgen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Age In Place

BACKGROUND Informal support is essential for enabling many older people to age in place. However, there is limited research examining the information needs of older adults’ informal support networks and how these could be met through home monitoring and information and communication technologies. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate how technologies that connect older adults to their informal and formal support networks could assist aging in place and enhance older adults’ health and well-being. METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 older adults and a total of 31 members of their self-identified informal support networks. They were asked questions about their information needs and how technology could support the older adults to age in place. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. RESULTS The analysis identified three overarching themes: (1) the social enablers theme, which outlined how timing, informal support networks, and safety concerns assist the older adults’ uptake of technology, (2) the technology concerns theme, which outlined concerns about cost, usability, information security and privacy, and technology superseding face-to-face contact, and (3) the information desired theme, which outlined what information should be collected and transferred and who should make decisions about this. CONCLUSIONS Older adults and their informal support networks may be receptive to technology that monitors older adults within the home if it enables aging in place for longer. However, cost, privacy, security, and usability barriers would need to be considered and the system should be individualizable to older adults’ changing needs. The user requirements identified from this study and described in this paper have informed the development of a technology that is currently being prototyped.

Comparative Study of Outcomes for Older People with Long Term Conditions Attending Day Care Services Delivered by Paid Staff or by Volunteers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Lunt ◽  
Chris Shiels ◽  
Christopher Dowrick ◽  
Mari Lloyd-Williams
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
North West ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Care Services

Abstract Background Day care services can support older people living with multiple long term conditions (LTCs), to age in place, but little research on outcomes of Day Care attendance. Aims The aims of this comparative study were to determine outcomes for older people with LTCs attending day care services run entirely by paid staff or predominantly volunteers Methods Newly referred older people with LTCs to nine day care services in North West of England and North Wales were invited to participate in this longitudinal study with data being collected at baseline attendance and at 6 and 12 weeks. Demographic information was collected and the EQ-5D-3L and De Jong Loneliness 6 item questionnaire were completed at each time point.RESULTS 94 older people (64% female),age range 65 - 99 years (mean 82 years) were recruited. The mean number of LTCs was 4.3 (range 2-9) and 52% people lived alone. More than a third (36%) lived in one of the 20% most deprived local authorities in England and Wales. The outcomes in this exploratory study over 12 weeks appeared to be similar for paid, blended (paid staff and volunteers) and for volunteer led service, with those attending volunteer led services were significantly more likely to report fewer health problems in follow-up (OR=3.45, 95% CI 1.01-12.8, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that Day Care Services for older people with long term conditions provide benefits in terms of self-rated physical and emotional well-being. Older people attending paid staff services were more likely to have greater number of LTCs associated with a higher symptom burden. However, at baseline there was no difference in self-reported health by service type. This study suggests that Day Care Services provided by volunteers can provide comparable outcomes. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, it is increasingly urgent to support older people with long term conditions who have lost physical and cognitive function during lockdown and to maintain and improve their function. Our study suggests that volunteers may be able to complement the care provided by paid staff freeing up resources and enabling increasing numbers of people to be supported.

scholarly journals The structure and functional correlates of social support networks of people in advanced old age living in chosen urban and rural areas in Poland: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. B. Wojszel ◽  
B. Politynska
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older People ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Network Type

Abstract The purpose of the study was to identify the different types of social support networks (SSNs) among community-dwelling people aged 75+ years in selected areas of Poland, and to evaluate any associations between the network type and demographic and health variables of the population studied. The two most prevalent SSN types identified using the Practitioner Assessment of Network Type were “family dependent” (35.8%) and “locally integrated” (32.2%). “Local self-contained” (6.4%), “wider community focused” (2.8%) and “private restricted” (5.6%) SSNs were observed less frequently. In 17.2% of cases, it was not possible to identify the type of network unequivocally. Older people with a locally integrated SSN, in contrast to the family dependent type, were generally younger, living alone, and less likely to be homebound, rate their health as poor, suffer from depression or dementia, and had lower levels of functional disability. Locally integrated SSNs are recognized in the literature as being the most robust in terms of facilitating well-being and providing sufficient support to help maintain the older person in the community. This may reflect the higher levels of independence of older people able to sustain these support networks, which are then transformed into family-dependent types as their health deteriorates, but confirmation of this would require prospective studies. An improved understanding of the prevalence of different types of social networks among older people in Poland would help to guide a systematic approach to recognizing unmet needs in this population and provide crucial information in the planning of formal services.

Housing suitable for an ageing population

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Housing Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Family House ◽  
Health And Well Being

Purpose The older population is growing but there is too little housing being built and very little suits their needs. The purpose of this paper is to describe what is on offer now and looks at the viability of the chalet bungalow as a desirable, affordable option which could attract older people to downsize from a family house. Design/methodology/approach This is a viewpoint piece. Findings An age-friendly dwelling is one where all types of people can age in place. Traditionally the bungalow fulfilled this niche however as more pressure is put on land and its value the style has gone out of favour. Whereas at the top end of the market developers are offering large cottages with a reception room that can be used as a ground floor bedroom the less well off owner occupier is not catered for until they need care. The dwindling supply of suitable properties has led to older people feeling trapped in homes too big for their needs at a time when there is a chronic shortage of family houses. This leads to poor health and well-being and a later life move into expensive housing with care. Originality/value Mainstream developers have avoided building bungalows because single storey dwellings are “land hungry”. This paper reviews a chalet bungalow solution which can be built to a greater density and is of a size and style that is age friendly, future proof and affordable. This message if more widely disseminated could help solve the housing crisis.

Funding issues and options for pharmacists providing sessional services to rural hospitals in Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Amy CW Tan ◽  
Lynne M Emmerton ◽  
H Laetitia Hattingh ◽  
Adam La Caze
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Rural Hospitals ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Provision Of Services ◽  
Medication Reviews

Objective Many of Australia’s rural hospitals operate without an on-site pharmacist. In some, community pharmacists have sessional contracts to provide medication management services to inpatients. This paper discusses the funding arrangements of identified sessional employment models to raise awareness of options for other rural hospitals. Methods Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with rural pharmacists with experience in a sessional employment role (n = 8) or who were seeking sessional arrangements (n = 4). Participants were identified via publicity and referrals. Interviews were conducted via telephone or Skype for ~40–55 min each, recorded and analysed descriptively. Results A shortage of state funding and reliance on federal funding was reported. Pharmacists accredited to provide medication reviews claimed remuneration via these federal schemes; however, restrictive criteria limited their scope of services. Funds pooling to subsidise remuneration for the pharmacists was evident and arrangements with local community pharmacies provided business frameworks to support sessional services. Conclusion Participants were unaware of each other’s models of practice, highlighting the need to share information and these findings. Several similarities existed, namely, pooling funds and use of federal medication review remuneration. Findings highlighted the need for a stable remuneration pathway and business model to enable wider implementation of sessional pharmacist models. What is known about the topic? Many rural hospitals lack an optimal workforce to provide comprehensive health services, including pharmaceutical services. One solution to address medication management shortfalls is employment of a local community pharmacist or consultant pharmacist on a sessional basis in the hospital. There is no known research into remuneration options for pharmacists providing sessional hospital services. What does this paper add? Viability of services and financial sustainability are paramount in rural healthcare. This paper describes and compares the mechanisms initiated independently by hospitals or pharmacists to meet the medication needs of rural hospital patients. Awareness of the funding arrangements provides options for health service providers to extend services to other rural communities. What are the implications for practitioners? Rural practitioners who identify unmet service needs may be inspired to explore funding arrangements successfully implemented by our participants. Innovative use of existing funding schemes has potential to create employment options for rural practitioners and increase provision of services in rural areas.

scholarly journals “The Environment Was Like They Were in the Pub But With No Alcohol”

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. e1-e14
Author(s):  
Steve Robertson ◽  
Paula Carroll ◽  
Alexandra Donohoe ◽  
Noel Richardson ◽  
Aisling Keohane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Men’S Health ◽  
Men's Health ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions ◽  
Health And Well Being

Men’s health and life expectancy, particularly for those men from lower socioeconomic groups, remains an issue of concern in Ireland. This concern is reflected in the recent National Men’s Health Action Plan where important priority has been placed on finding appropriate ways to garner sustained involvement in health promotion interventions for men. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to be a useful ‘hook’ to assist with such engagement. ‘Men on the Move’ (MOM) is a 12 week, community-based, gender-sensitised, PA programme established as a pragmatic controlled trial and aimed at improving the health and well-being of inactive men. The programme was co-created with Local Sports Partnerships (LSP), delivered by experienced PA Coordinators (PACs), and often supported by local community champions. This paper reports on the process evaluation of the MOM programme using data collected from focus groups with the LSP’s and those involved in delivering MOM from all eight counties that took part. Findings highlight the importance of negotiated partnerships at and between national and local levels in terms of providing support, consistent guidance and appropriately branded materials to the LSP’s. The underpinning inclusive ethos of MOM, embodied by the PAC’s, led to the creation of a fun, inclusive and comfortable atmosphere that helped sustain men’s involvement. This was aided by the use of male familiar settings through which to deliver the programme. While PA focused, findings here suggest a much wider impact on mental well-being and social connection and that this was achieved in a very cost-effective way. Importantly, men’s health training (ENGAGE) was a key factor in programme design and implementation assisting in building capacity among service providers to work with men. Joined up service provision and drawing on existing, trusted, local community networks were vital to recruiting men into the programme. Finally, the potential for MOM to signpost and offer an aftercare plan to community support for the men beyond the 12-week programme was noted as important particularly where there is increased need of these among more marginalised groups of men. This process evaluation provides a good example of how health promotion interventions need to recognise and exploit the fact that health and well-being are integrally linked to the communities where people live out and experience their daily lives. Ensuring that MOM was embedded within existing community structures, and supported by community champions with the requisite skills and local knowledge, underpinned programme success and sustainability.

Ageing Out of Place: Health and Well‐Being Needs and Access to Home and Aged Care Services for Recently Arrived Older Refugees in Melbourne, Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Atwell ◽  
I Correa‐Velez ◽  
S Gifford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Older People ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Health And Well Being

Recently arrived older refugees in resettlement countries are a particularly vulnerable population who face many risks to their health and well‐being, and many challenges in accessing services. This paper reports on a project undertaken in Victoria, Australia to explore the needs of older people from 14 recently arrived refugee communities, and the barriers to their receiving health and aged care. Findings from consultations with community workers and service providers highlight the key issues of isolation, family conflict and mental illness affecting older refugees, and point to ways in which policy‐makers and service providers can better respond to these small but deserving communities.

scholarly journals Improving housing and neighborhoods for the vulnerable: older people, small households, urban design, and planning

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Forsyth ◽  
Jennifer Molinsky ◽  
Har Ye Kan
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Public Realm ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
The U.S

Abstract The number of older people who need help with daily tasks will increase during the next century. Currently preferences and policies aim to help older people to stay in their existing homes, to age in place, even as they become less able to care for themselves and, increasingly, live alone. However, the majority of homes in the U.S. and many other countries are not designed to support advanced old age or are not located to easily provide support and services. The paper explores the needs of older people experiencing frailty. It examines the existing range of innovations to make neighbourhoods and homes more supportive, physically, socially, and in terms of services. These include: enriching neighbourhoods, providing collective services, building all-age neighbourhoods, creating purpose-built supportive housing, developing smallscale intergenerational models, and engaging mobility, delivery, and communications innovations. Some will allow people to remain in their current dwelling but others focus on people remaining in a local community. Few are widely available at present. Urban designers can more fully engage with the multiple challenges of those who have physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments and living in solo households by becoming champions for a more comprehensive set of public realm improvements and linkages.

scholarly journals Successful Adaptation in the Context of Care Environments: Promise and Challenge From a Career in Geropsychology

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 615-615
Author(s):  
Suzanne Meeks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Dynamic Representation ◽  
Personal Histories ◽  
Affective Experiences ◽  
Training Resources

Abstract My first clinical exposure to older adults was in a psychiatric hospital, to people with life-long severe mental illnesses; I was drawn to their perseverance. The older people we see clinically interact with care environments that may or may not effectively use patients’ personal histories. I have studied the affective experiences of older people in care environments--the mental health system and long-term care--to improve mental health care and well-being. Solutions seem obvious, and difficult. Theory and abundant empirical research tell us that environments can support adaptation through nurturing strengths, offering compensatory tools, and acknowledging losses. My work on depression is a simple example of how this can work in psychotherapy. Yet implementing simple solutions means overcoming barriers of training, resources, and institutional inertia. The promise is understanding age as the dynamic representation of a life span; the challenge is making this understanding work for older people.

Customer-Related Social Stressors

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dudenhöffer ◽  
Christian Dormann
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Dissonance ◽  
Social Stressors ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Service Jobs ◽  
Single Data

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to replicate the dimensions of the customer-related social stressors (CSS) concept across service jobs, to investigate their consequences for service providers’ well-being, and to examine emotional dissonance as mediator. Data of 20 studies comprising of different service jobs (N = 4,199) were integrated into a single data set and meta-analyzed. Confirmatory factor analyses and explorative principal component analysis confirmed four CSS scales: disproportionate expectations, verbal aggression, ambiguous expectations, disliked customers. These CSS scales were associated with burnout and job satisfaction. Most of the effects were partially mediated by emotional dissonance. Further analyses revealed that differences among jobs exist with regard to the factor solution. However, associations between CSS and outcomes are mainly invariant across service jobs.

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