Aging and Homelessness in a Canadian Context

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin A. Reynolds ◽  
Corinne A. Isaak ◽  
Tracy DeBoer ◽  
Maria Medved ◽  
Jino Distasio ◽  
...  

There is a growing body of research examining the experiences of homeless older adults in Canada. Fourteen participants (11 males & 3 females) ages 46 to 57, recruited from the At Home / Chez Soi project in Winnipeg, completed individual semistructured interviews exploring their experiences of homelessness. Most participants reported lifelong intermittent homelessness. We identified 5 main themes that captured the experience of homelessness for older adults: pathways to homelessness; controlled lives; centrality of social relationships; shame and desire for self-reliance; and the challenge of disentanglement from the cycle of homelessness. This study provides insight into the experiences of homeless older adults in Canada. Findings suggest a need for policies and programs to meet the unique needs of homeless older adults.

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e18-e18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meelad Sayma ◽  
Dina Saleh ◽  
Doa’a Kerwat ◽  
Shiraz Jamshaid ◽  
Aaniya Ahmed ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo explore the barriers and facilitators to patients achieving death at home.MethodsIn-depth, semistructured interviews with end-of-life care experts were conducted to develop an insight into the barriers and facilitators to achieving death at home. Thirty-three interviews were conducted compromising of a mixture of face-to-face and tele interviews. Experts included healthcare professionals working in the community, hospital and policy/academic settings. Thematic analysis was undertaken on interview transcripts.ResultsThree overarching themes, further divided into a total of 12 subthemes were identified. The three themes were ‘managing people’, ‘education' and ‘planning’. The ‘managing people’ theme included subthemes of patient preferences and family influences; the ‘education’ theme encompassed knowledge and training, perceptions of death and communication and the ‘planning’ theme contained seven subthemes including ‘coordination’, ‘resources’ and ‘cost’.ConclusionsMultiple barriers and facilitators to achieving death at home were identified in this study. Of particular significance was the identification of the fear and stigma associated with death among doctors, patients and their families serving as a barrier to home death, not previously identified in the literature. Additionally, the importance of social networks and resource provision were highlighted as key in influencing patient death at home.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Hatcher ◽  
Esther Chang ◽  
Virginia Schmied ◽  
Sandra Garrido

Objectives. Continuing to live at home is arguably one of the most important challenges older persons face as they age. The aim of this study was to clarify how older adults conceptualise home through age-related lifestyle changes. Methods. Principles from grounded theory were used to examine the perspectives of 21 older adults obtained from three focus group discussions and 10 in-depth semistructured interviews. Results. Four major categories were developed: “anchoring self,” “enabling freedom,” “being comfortable,” and “staying in touch.” Discussion. For the participants in this study remaining at home enabled a sense of independence and freedom, self-worth and identity, comfort, and an ongoing active role in the community. However, some aspects of home could be renegotiated despite changes to living location, with new social connections able to be forged and personal comforts being transferrable. This holds important implications for supporting older persons to both sustain living at home and to adjust to changing circumstances, suggesting the importance of drawing on the experiences of older persons themselves in developing strategies to promote successful aging.


GeroPsych ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Véronique Cornu ◽  
Jean-Paul Steinmetz ◽  
Carine Federspiel

Abstract. A growing body of research demonstrates an association between gait disorders, falls, and attentional capacities in older adults. The present work empirically analyzes differences in gait parameters in frail institutionalized older adults as a function of selective attention. Gait analysis under single- and dual-task conditions as well as selective attention measures were collected from a total of 33 nursing-home residents. We found that differences in selective attention performances were related to the investigated gait parameters. Poorer selective attention performances were associated with higher stride-to-stride variabilities and a slowing of gait speed under dual-task conditions. The present findings suggest a contribution of selective attention to a safe gait. Implications for gait rehabilitation programs are discussed.


Author(s):  
Cathy G. Bettman ◽  
Alexander Digiacomo

Abstract Currently, Australia’s school counsellors are increasingly being called upon to respond to adolescent mental health needs. Through semistructured interviews with seven school counsellors working with adolescents, this qualitative study aimed to capture the lived experiences of this group of practitioners. By adopting a phenomenological approach and using thematic analysis, this study provides insight into their profession: the current ambiguity surrounding their role; the opportunities and obstacles they face; as well as the often-present tension between stakeholders including parents, other school staff and external agencies. The findings of this study indicate that school counsellors are challenged by the need to be advocates not only for their students but also for themselves and their roles within the school context.


2021 ◽  
Vol 274 ◽  
pp. 113779
Author(s):  
Lindsey M. Philpot ◽  
Priya Ramar ◽  
Daniel L. Roellinger ◽  
Barbara A. Barry ◽  
Pravesh Sharma ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Gil P. Soriano ◽  
Kathyrine A. Calong Calong ◽  
Rudolf Cymorr Kirby P. Martinez ◽  
Rozzano C. Locsin

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 652-655
Author(s):  
Carlos Laranjeira

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled states to limit free movement, in order to protect at-risk and more vulnerable groups, particularly older adults. Due to old age or debilitating chronic diseases, this group is also more vulnerable to loneliness (perceived discrepancy between actual and desired social relationships) and social isolation (feeling that one does not belong to society). This forced isolation has negative consequences for the health of older people, particularly their mental health. This is an especially challenging time for gerontological nursing, but it is also an opportunity for professionals to combat age stereotypes reinforced with COVID-19, to urge the measurement of loneliness and social isolation, and to rethink how to further adjust interventions in times of crisis, such as considering technology-mediated interventions in these uncertain times.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 561-561
Author(s):  
Allen Glicksman ◽  
Lauren Ring ◽  
Norah Keating

Abstract Access and use patterns of both formal and informal services for older migrants are often examined in a dyadic framework where one group of older persons (or their caregivers) is studied in relation to their use of a program or service. A comparative approach, that might also examine the reasons that some persons may (or may not) use a service, may yield important findings that place the dyadic studies within a larger social and policy context. By using a comparative approach, we can also consider influences of the culture of origin for older adults and their caregivers, as well as the policies and programs offered in the destination country. The four papers on this panel explore these issues. The first paper will frame the discussion, and the remaining three will focus on informal care, formal care, and the point of contact between aging services professionals and older immigrants. The first paper (Torres) takes a broad look at social exclusion mechanisms that bar access to services due to racism in the host societies. The second presentation (Diederich, et. al.) examines how place of origin can influence caregiving behavior. The third paper, (Thiamwong) examines a single program that is used to serve multiple ethnic minority/immigrant groups. Finally, (Ring et. al.,) will examine trust or its absence in the attitudes of older migrants toward use of formal aging services in two migrant populations. The four papers also demonstrate how different research methods (qualitative, quantitative, scoping review) can be used to illuminate these issues. International Aging and Migration Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 683-683
Author(s):  
Asa Inagaki ◽  
Ayumi Igarashi ◽  
Maiko Noguchi-Watanabe ◽  
Mariko Sakka ◽  
Chie Fukui ◽  
...  

Abstract Our study aimed to explore the prevalence and factors of physical restraints among frail to dependent older adults living at home. We conducted an online survey to ask about the physical/mental conditions, demographics, service utilization, and physical restraints of community-dwelling older adults. Either home care nurse or care managers who were responsible for the older adult answered the survey that were conducted at baseline and one month later. We obtained data from 1,278 individuals. Physical restraint was reported for 53 (4.1%) participants. Multiple logistic regression revealed the factors associated with physical restraints at home: having been restrained at baseline, having pneumonia or heart failure, receiving home bathing, or using rental assistive devices were associated with physical restraints at one month. The findings could be used to promote discussion about which services prevent physical restraints and what we should do to support clients and their family to stay at home safely.


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