scholarly journals A Qualitative Exploration of Aged-Care Residents’ Everyday Music Listening Practices and How These May Support Psychosocial Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda E. Krause ◽  
Jane W. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Care Facilities

Strategies to support the psychosocial well-being of older adults living in aged-care are needed; and evidence points toward music listening as an effective, non-pharmacological tool with many benefits to quality of life and well-being. Yet, the everyday listening practices (and their associated specific psychosocial benefits) of older adults living in residential aged-care remain under-researched. The current study explored older adults’ experiences of music listening in their daily lives while living in residential aged-care and considered how music listening might support their well-being. Specifically, what might go into autonomous listening activities? 32 Australian residents (aged 73–98) living in two Australian care facilities participated in semi-structured interviews. The results of a qualitative thematic analysis revealed three themes pertaining to “previous music experiences and interest,” “current music listening,” and “barriers to listening.” While an interest in and access to music did not necessarily result in everyday listening practices, of those participants who did listen to music, perceived benefits included outcomes such as entertainment, enjoyment, relaxation, and mood regulation. Drawing on Ruud’s notion of music as a “cultural immunogen” supporting well-being and Self-Determination Theory, theoretical implications of the findings are addressed, relating to how to create and support music activities in aged-care facilities so that they are engaging, meaningful, and promote emotional regulation, community, and well-being.

scholarly journals DOMICILIARY SERVICES IMPROVE ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE FOR FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S492-S492
Author(s):  
Mathew A Lim ◽  
Gelsomina L Borromeo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Unique Challenge ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities

Abstract There is growing evidence demonstrating links between oral diseases and general health. The increased retention of teeth among functionally-dependent older adults presents a unique challenge in maintaining the oral health of these individuals from basic oral hygiene to accessing dental services. The results of our cross-sectional study demonstrate the important role domiciliary dental services play in reducing the barriers to accessing oral health care in this cohort. In our study, most individuals treated by domiciliary services lived in residential aged care facilities and were significantly older than those treated by hospital and community-based dental services dedicated to the specialized care of individuals with additional health care needs. A significantly higher number of those receiving domiciliary care were unable to self-consent for treatment compared to those managed in other settings. 27.4% of these patients had a diagnosis of dementia. More than half (56.9%) of patients treated by domiciliary services received some form of treatment with almost half (48.1%) of these requiring a dental extraction. Only two of these patients were not diagnosed with a chronic condition known to affect oral health (dementia, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, stroke, osteoporosis). 23.7% of domiciliary appointments were used for denture fabrication. The results depict the worrying level of unmet treatment need in residents of aged care facilities. However, they also demonstrate the potential for domiciliary dental services to play a role in developing partnerships between carers and oral health professionals to improve the oral health of functionally-dependent older adults.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lived Experiences of Older Adults in Aged Care Homes

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-317
Author(s):  
Shi Yin Chee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
World Health ◽  
Phenomenological Method ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused untold fear and suffering for older adults across the world. According to the World Health Organization, older adults in aged care homes are at a higher risk of the infection living in an enclosed environment with others. This article adopts a qualitative approach using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method to explore the lived experiences of older adults during COVID-19. Between December 2019 and June 2020, 10 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 60 years and above in two aged care homes. The lived tension that has penetrated all participants’ stories in five themes of the meanings described as ‘disconnected in a shrinking world’ filled with uncertainties. COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges and disproportionate threat onto older adults’ lives, relationships and well-being. The overarching message was that older adults believe that ‘this too shall pass’ and regain their freedom that was lost during the pandemic.

Unfinished Care in Residential Aged Care Facilities: An Integrative Review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristiana Ludlow ◽  
Kate Churruca ◽  
Virginia Mumford ◽  
Louise A Ellis ◽  
Luke Testa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staff Member ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Abstract Background and Objectives When workload demands are greater than available time and resources, staff members must prioritize care by degree of importance and urgency. Care tasks assigned a lower priority may be missed, rationed, or delayed; collectively referred to as “unfinished care.” Residential aged care facilities (RACFs) are susceptible to unfinished care due to consumers’ complex needs, workforce composition, and constraints placed on resource availability. The objectives of this integrative review were to investigate the current state of knowledge of unfinished care in RACFs and to identify knowledge gaps. Research Design and Methods We conducted a search of academic databases and included English-language, peer-reviewed, empirical journal articles that discussed unfinished care in RACFs. Data were synthesized using mind mapping techniques and frequency counts, resulting in two categorization frameworks. Results We identified 17 core studies and 27 informing studies (n = 44). Across core studies, 32 types of unfinished care were organized under five categories: personal care, mobility, person-centeredness, medical and health care, and general care processes. We classified 50 factors associated with unfinished care under seven categories: staff member characteristics, staff member well-being, resident characteristics, interactions, resources, the work environment, and delivery of care activities. Discussion and Implications This review signifies that unfinished care in RACFs is a diverse concept in terms of types of unfinished care, associated factors, and terminology. Our findings suggest that policymakers and providers could reduce unfinished care by focusing on modifiable factors such as staffing levels. Four key knowledge gaps were identified to direct future research.

scholarly journals The Role and Impact of Radio Listening Practices in Older Adults’ Everyday Lives

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda E. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Space Model ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Previous research has indicated older adults value listening to music as a leisure activity. Yet, recent research into listening practices broadly has often focused on younger adults and the use of newer, digital listening technologies. Nonetheless, the radio, which is familiar to older people who grew up with it at the forefront of family life, is important to consider with regard to listening practices and the potential associated well-being benefits. This research investigated older adults’ everyday radio listening practices, in order to begin to understand how the radio fits into their daily lives and how it might influence their sense of well-being. Twenty-five Australian residents (aged 66–87; 56% female, 44% male) participated in semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. The results of a qualitative thematic analysis revealed themes concerning listening preferences, listening routines, access, and motivations/outcomes. While personal preferences (concerning content, stations, and presenters) were diverse, individuals clearly communicated these as well as their established listening routines and habits. Listener motivations varied: some people focused on the enjoyment that listening to the radio creates while some noted benefits to their well-being, such as relaxation, modifying their mood, and feelings of comfort and community. Radio listening practices can be defined in terms of differing engagement styles, as characterized using continua ranging from passive to active, or focused, listening as well as generalized or specific listening. Based on participants’ experiences, a proposed engagement space model links how people engage with the radio to the possible outcomes mentioned. Importantly, benefits to well-being can result from varied engagement styles. The findings presented provide an in-depth understanding of how the radio fits into older adults’ everyday life, with implications for considering how the radio might be used as a widely accessed, low-cost tool for maintaining and enhancing quality of later life.

An investigation of residential facility staff usage of touchscreen technology

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 2095-2098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M. Loi ◽  
Alissa Westphal ◽  
Nicola T. Lautenschlager
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Acceptance Model

ABSTRACTOlder adults may become more familiar and interested in using touchscreen technology (TT). TT can be used to engage older adults living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and staff there can play an important role in supporting residents to use TT. However, before these are introduced, it is crucial to investigate their opinions in using TT with residents. A questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model was administered to assess staff usage and confidence in using TT, their perceptions in TT ease-of-use and usefulness in helping them care for their residents. Perhaps unsurprisingly, results found that respondents were familiar using TT. More importantly, staff reported that they were interested in engaging residents with TT and nominated different training methods to support them such as group in-services. This project provides information about staff experience and acceptance of the use of TT for residents in RACFs.

Engaging dental professionals in residential aged-care facilities: staff perspectives regarding access to oral care

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Hearn ◽  
Linda Slack-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Oral Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Geriatric Dentistry ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Dental Professionals

The limited access to oral care for older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) has been noted repeatedly in the literature. The aim of this study was to explore RACF staff perspectives on how to engage dental professionals in the provision of oral care for RACF residents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 staff from six purposively selected RACFs located in high socioeconomic areas to gain understanding of the multidimensional issues that influenced the engagement of dental professionals from a carer perspective. Analysis revealed that staff perceived tensions regarding affordability, availability, accessibility and flexibility of dental professionals as significant barriers to better oral care for their residents. Participants raised a series of options for how to better engage dental professionals and reduce these barriers. Their ideas included: the engagement of RACF staff in collaborative discussions with representatives of public and private dental services, dental associations, corporate partners and academics; the use of hygienists/oral health therapists to educate and motivate RACF staff; the promotion of oral health information for troubleshooting and advice on how to deal with residents’ dental pain while waiting for support; the encouragement of onsite training for dental professionals; and the importance of gerodontology (geriatric dentistry). Findings highlighted the need to explore alternative approaches to delivering oral care that transcend the model of private clinical practice to focus instead on the needs of RACFs and take into account quality of end-of-life oral care.

scholarly journals CareTrack Aged: the appropriateness of care delivered to Australians living in residential aged care facilities: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e030988
Author(s):  
Peter D Hibbert ◽  
Louise K Wiles ◽  
Ian D Cameron ◽  
Alison Kitson ◽  
Richard L Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Aged Population ◽  
Processes Of Care ◽  
Appropriate Care ◽  
Appropriateness Of Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

IntroductionThe aged population is increasing rapidly across the world and this is expected to continue. People living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) represent amongst the sickest and frailest cohort of the aged population, with a high prevalence of chronic conditions and complex comorbidities. Given the vulnerability of RACF residents and the demands on the system, there is a need to determine the extent that care is delivered in line with best practice (‘appropriate care’) in RACFs. There is also a recognition that systems should provide care that optimises quality of life (QoL), which includes support for physical and psychological well-being, independence, social relationships, personal beliefs and a caring external environment. The aims ofCareTrack Agedare to develop sets of indicators for appropriate care and processes of care for commonly managed conditions, and then assess the appropriateness of care delivered and QoL of residents in RACFs in Australia.Methods and analysisWe will extract recommendations from clinical practice guidelines and, using expert review, convert these into sets of indicators for 15 common conditions and processes of care for people living in RACFs. We will recruit RACFs in three Australian states, and residents within these RACFs, using a stratified multistage sampling method. Experienced nurses, trained in theCareTrack Agedmethods (‘surveyors’), will review care records of recruited residents within a 1-month period in 2019 and 2020, and assess the care documented against the indicators of appropriate care. Surveyors will concurrently assess residents’ QoL using validated questionnaires.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been reviewed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Macquarie University (5201800386). The research findings will be published in international and national journals and disseminated through conferences and presentations to interested stakeholder groups, including consumers, national agencies, healthcare professionals, policymakers and researchers.

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