E-Health for Older Adults

2013 ◽  
pp. 229-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane O’Hanlon ◽  
Alan Bourke ◽  
Valerie Power
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Older People ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Political Support ◽  
International Level ◽  
Provision Of Care ◽  
Further Development

e-Health has become a major focus for research in healthcare, with significant funding and political support at an international level. Older people stand to benefit more than others, as e-Health aims to facilitate provision of care at a distance and promote independent living for as long as possible. However, barriers remain including an immature evidence-base; questions about risk and safety; and variable rates of uptake in this population. This chapter explores these issues and reviews the literature on e-Health for older adults. Successful clinical trials are identified and the e-CAALYX project is described in detail as a case study. E-Health has presents many exciting opportunities but needs further development and guidance.

Interpersonal psychotherapy

2020 ◽  
pp. 261-264
Author(s):  
Philip Wilkinson ◽  
Ken Laidlaw
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Interpersonal Psychotherapy ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Role Transitions ◽  
Treatment Of Depression

This chapter on interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) describes the theory and practice of this structured psychological treatment. It discusses the implementation of IPT with older people. Next it reviews the applications of IPT with a main focus on the treatment of depression in older adults and distinguishes between the treatment of depression with and without cognitive impairment. It summarizes the structure of IPT and the use of specific techniques, and it then addresses the main therapeutic foci encountered in treatment (grief, interpersonal role disputes, role transitions, and interpersonal deficits). Finally, it briefly reviews the evidence base for IPT with older people.

scholarly journals Exploring the role of volunteers in social care for older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailsa Cameron ◽  
Eleanor K. Johnson ◽  
Paul B. Willis ◽  
Liz Lloyd ◽  
Randall Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South West

Purpose This paper aims to report the findings of a study that explores the contribution volunteers make to social care for older adults, identifying lessons for the social care sector and policymakers. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory multiple case study design was used to capture the perspectives and experiences of managers of services, volunteer co-ordinators, volunteers, paid care staff and older people. Seven diverse social care organisations took part in the study drawn from three locations in the South West of England. Findings This study identified three distinct models of volunteer contribution to social care services for older people. Although the contributions made by volunteers to services are valued, the study drew attention to some of the challenges related to their involvement. Research limitations/implications The organisations taking part in this small-scale study were all based in the South West of England, and the findings are therefore not generalisable but contribute to the growing evidence base related to this important field. Practical implications This study demonstrates the importance of the volunteer co-ordinator role and suggests that it is properly funded and resourced. It also confirms the importance of volunteers receiving appropriate training and support. Originality/value Given the increasing involvement of volunteers in the provision of social care, this paper provides lessons to ensure the role of volunteers in social care enhances rather than diminishes the quality of care provided.

The Information, Advice and Guidance Needs of Older Workers

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lavinia Mitton ◽  
Cathy Hull
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Working Lives ◽  
Guidance Needs

This article reviews the research on Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) services for older workers in England. It sets out the arguments for targeting IAG services at older people in the context of extended working lives. It reviews the evidence on how to provide services which meet the specific needs of older workers, whilst recognising the diversity of the 50+ age group, and provides a case study of an age-sensitive IAG project. It concludes that demand for IAG from older workers needs to be stimulated and that the role of IAG in helping older adults to work and learn deserves greater recognition.

scholarly journals Technology Use and Frailty for Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Geriatric Syndrome ◽  
Frail Older Adults

Background: Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome defined as a state of increased vulnerability to acute stressors related to a decline in reserve. There is abundant literature on frailty interventions, however, the literature on technology as an intervention for frailty is scarce. Objectives: The purpose of this scoping review is to identify and summarize existing evidence on technology use as an intervention for frail older adults and to identify research gaps in the evidence base in order to inform future research. Methodology: This review utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and a rigorous scoping review method to search the literature. A comprehensive search of computerized databases was conducted in July 2018 in the following databases published from 2013 to 2018: CINAHL, PubMed, and Academic Search Complete. Results: The database searches yielded a total of 183 articles. Forty-four duplicates were removed. There were 114 results excluded based on title and abstract ineligibility. Thirty-two relevant articles were retrieved for fulltext examination. Eighteen of the articles were excluded based on the inclusion or exclusion criteria. References of 14 included articles were hand-searched for relevant works to ensure completeness of the search. Four pertinent additional articles were identified. The final analysis included 18 articles. Discussion: Current research on technology use for frail older adults focuses on assessment and diagnosis. Methodological weaknesses limit generalizability and the validity of its findings. Few studies utilize frailty as an outcome measure, limiting available research directly related to frailty. Conclusion: More research is needed on the potential for technological tools as interventions for frailty in older adults living at home, specifically, to prevent pre-frailty and frailty. Keywords: frailty, frail elderly, aged, independent living, technology

scholarly journals The Globalization of Geriatric Oncology: From Data to Practice

2020 ◽  
pp. e107-e115
Author(s):  
Ravindran Kanesvaran ◽  
Supriya Mohile ◽  
Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis ◽  
Harpreet Singh
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Geriatric Oncology ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Draft Guidance ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Specialized Care ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Global Initiatives

Older adults with cancer are a unique group of patients who require specialized care and treatment. The field of geriatric oncology (GO) was born more than 3 decades ago to address the needs of this growing group of patients. Some challenges in the GO field include establishing a GO clinical service, educating and training personnel, and conducting research in GO. These issues are addressed to varying extents with global initiatives in GO, which are largely dependent on the socioeconomic status of the countries involved. To overcome disparities seen globally, scientific journals that reach an international cancer audience should publish content related to improving care of older adults with cancer around the world, develop an organizational structure that encourages global dissemination of GO knowledge, and advance reporting policies that encourage higher-quality reporting of data relevant to older adults with cancer worldwide. A number of international scientific journals have risen to the occasion to address these disparities. A key battle in enabling access of this vulnerable group of patients to clinical trials is now being fought and won on the global front with numerous regulatory initiatives. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE) recently issued draft guidance on the inclusion of older adults in cancer clinical trials. This and other global initiatives led by the FDA have the potential to further improve the evidence base for older adults with cancer.

scholarly journals Map the apps: a rapid review of digital approaches to support the engagement of older adults in strength and balance exercises

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa McGarrigle ◽  
Elisabeth Boulton ◽  
Chris Todd
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Balance Exercises ◽  
Google Search

Abstract Background Exercise interventions, particularly those targeting strength and balance, are effective in preventing falls in older people. Activity levels are generally below recommended levels and reduce with age. There is concern that exercise levels may be further reduced in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital approaches may offer a means for older people to engage in strength and balance exercises independently in their own homes. The objective of this review was to identify and evaluate existing apps and websites to support independent engagement in strength and balance exercises by older people. Methods We conducted a rapid review of apps and websites, following PRISMA guidelines. We searched for available apps in the Android and iOS app stores, and performed a database search (MEDLINE and EMBASE) for apps in development. We searched for websites using the Google search engine. Apps and websites were evaluated in terms of existing evidence for effectiveness, use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs), and quality. Results We evaluated 13 apps and 24 websites on the basis of our selection criteria. Considering the evidence-base, quality and BCT scores, four apps and six websites are recommended for use by older people who wish to engage in exercise independently in their own homes. No apps or websites have been to RCT evaluation at the time of review. Conclusions Apps and websites have the potential to provide a convenient, cost-effective, and accessible means for many older adults to engage in strength and balance training and reduce falls risk.

scholarly journals Map the Apps: a rapid review of digital approaches to support the engagement of older adults in strength and balance exercises

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa McGarrigle ◽  
Elisabeth Boulton ◽  
Chris Todd
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Balance Exercises ◽  
Google Search

Abstract Background: Exercise interventions, particularly those targeting strength and balance, are effective in preventing falls in older people. Activity levels are generally below recommended levels and reduce with age. There is concern that exercise levels may be further reduced in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital approaches may offer a means for older people to engage in strength and balance exercises independently in their own homes. The objective of this review was to identify and evaluate existing apps and websites to support independent engagement in strength and balance exercises by older people.Methods: We conducted a rapid review of apps and websites, following PRISMA guidelines. We searched for available apps in the Android and iOS app stores, and performed a database search (MEDLINE and EMBASE) for apps in development. We searched for websites using the Google search engine. Apps and websites were evaluated in terms of existing evidence for effectiveness, use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs), and quality. Results: We evaluated 13 apps and 24 websites on the basis of our selection criteria. Considering the evidence-base, quality and BCT scores, four apps and six websites are recommended for use by older people who wish to engage in exercise independently in their own homes. No apps or websites have been to RCT evaluation at the time of review.Conclusions: Apps and websites have the potential to provide a convenient, cost-effective, and accessible means for many older adults to engage in strength and balance training and reduce falls risk.

Ageism

2020 ◽  
pp. 239-274
Author(s):  
Nancy S. Jecker
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Older People ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Sex Discrimination ◽  
Age Discrimination ◽  
Subject Selection ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Fair Innings

Chapter 9 explores how ageism and midlife bias find expression in allocating life-saving medical care, selecting subjects for clinical trials, and mandating retirement. Subtle expressions of ageism and midlife bias include epistemic justice, internalized ageism, and elderspeak. Around the globe, ageism is not always directed to older people. We review and rebut the chief arguments for old age-based discrimination, including fair innings, cost-benefit analysis, and complete lives egalitarianism. We raise concerns about using age as a proxy, which can foster ageist attitudes. We show that a common form ageism takes is facially neutral policies that systematically disadvantage older adults. The chapter examines “the puzzle of age discrimination,” which is the tendency to oppose race and sex discrimination more strongly than age discrimination and argues that this tendency is unjustified. We rebut age discrimination by appealing to justice between generations, fair subject selection, and respect for dignity.

Smart care technologies: Meeting whose needs?

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 190-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Six smith ◽  
Judith Six smith
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Home Monitoring ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Intelligent Home ◽  
The Way

Recent funding programmes supporting research and development in telecare have argued for a shift in perspective from a technology-driven approach to one that is needs-led. While this is in the interests of both users and technologists, achieving this goal is not straightforward. This paper outlines some of the conceptual, methodological and practical problems that potentially constrain a needs-led approach and illustrates the emergent issues with a case study of the development of an intelligent home monitoring system to support the independent living of older people. The research indicates clear differences between users and technologists in the way problems, needs and requirements are understood and defined. This in turn has consequences for the way assistive technologies are developed and implemented.

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