Avoidant Coping of the Decision-Making Process on the Location of Care in Old Age: A Possible Conspiracy of Silence?

The conspiracy of silence is extremely important due to both its high incidence and its consequences. This process usually occurs in situations of palliative care, or death; however, this concept is also mentioned in the literature linked to other contexts. Therefore, our objective was to study whether the conspiracy of silence may be extrapolated to the context of decision-making on the location of care in old age. To this end, we first analyzed the in-depth semi structured qualitative interviews conducted with older people, caregivers, and professionals, about decision-making on the location of care in old age. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was performed between the basic elements of the conspiracy of silence and this decision-making. Our findings revealed an avoidance process developed by all three groups. Furthermore, this decision-making presents similarities with the conspiracy of silence in the process of avoidance coping and denial that is developed. However, there are significant differences, as information is not withheld from the older person, who has an active attitude in the process of avoidance. Decision-making on the location of care in old age does not exactly match the conspiracy of silence process, but it does seem to correspond to a pact of silence.

Learning Humanities and Ethics of Aging Through the Lens of an Avatar Creation

The main goal of teaching the humanities and ethics of aging is to understand the perspectives of older individuals as they address the challenges and opportunities presented across the aging spectrum. To encourage understanding of this humanistic and ethical process, students were given an assignment to select a profile of an older person with pre-selected characteristics that they then develop into their avatar, a virtual companion, to accompany them through the course. This assignment included three iterations of the avatar narrative related to what is studied in class around major life transition points related to work, housing, and end of life. These assignments included the creation of Mind Maps which illustrate their avatar’s ongoing concerns related to their environment including their social determinants of health. The avatar’s formative development throughout the course brought forward discussions around identity, safety, autonomy, and person-centeredness in terms of gerontological practice and policy.

A Proposed Framework for Implementing a Rights-Based Approach to Gerontological Education and Training

This paper uses the nine general principles that underpin human rights (Non-discrimination, Respect, Dignity, Autonomy, Equality, Self-fulfillment and Personal development, Full and effective participation, Intergenerational solidarity, and Recognition of intrinsic value and worth as a human being) to frame a right’s based approach. This framework looks beyond the older person and the issues they are facing to the structure and culture of the society itself and the ways in which it is contributing to challenges. Using this lens, we will discuss how to develop definitions and standards of right’s- based education that are culturally and contextually appropriate, define right’s based competencies and recognize, that despite the universal rights of older persons, the implementation may need to be adjusted for unique sociocultural environments. . Lastly we will outline a strategy to identify and train multidisciplinary teaching and research teams using this proposed framework.

Aging in the Right Place? Photovoice With Older Adults Residing in Shelters During COVID-19

Aging in the right place (AIRP) involves supporting older adults to live as long as possible in their homes and communities, recognizing that where an older person lives impacts their ability to age optimally and must match their unique lifestyles and vulnerabilities. Photovoice, a participatory action research strategy, allows people to document their experiences through photography, promoting critical dialogue about issues such as AIRP and rights-based housing. This presentation highlights the concept of AIRP from the perspectives of a diverse group of older adults living in promising practices shelters in Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary, Canada using photovoice. Findings indicate that the process promoted a sense of empowerment among participants. Insights about older adults’ perceptions of AIRP residing in shelters to best meet their intersectional identities, housing, and support needs will be shared. Findings inform policy initiatives that promote AIRP and the right to adequate housing for older adults experiencing homelessness.

Until death do us part Adult children’s perspective of their parents’ transition from living at home to moving into a nursing home and the time after death

Background Adult children are often key carers of frail older parents providing care for a long period of time in different care contexts. However, research concerning adult children’s caregiving experiences, from providing home-based care to facing the death of a parent in a nursing home is sparse. Thus, the aim was to explore the transition from living at home to moving into and living in a nursing home and the time after death from the perspective of next of kin to an older person. Methods A qualitative design using individual interviews with 15 adult children of older persons. The text was analysed using inductive content analysis. Results One main category was identified, until death do us part. With three generic categories, living at home, living at a nursing home and time after death, and eight sub-categories. The results describe the transition when an older person lives at home and moves into and lives in a nursing home and the time after death from the perspective of next of kin. Conclusion This study highlights many examples of tasks that adult children provide over a long period of time and in different care contexts since they felt that professional care was unable to provide safe and secure care for their older parents. It also highlights the importance for staff to recognize the support that next of kin provide. Furthermore, the study reveal that staff do not offer the relief that they are obligated to provide, to enable next of kin coping with this strenuous transition in life. First after the parent died, there was time for relief since the worrying and the doing of practical things for the parent had stopped. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials NCT02708498; date of registration: 26 February 2016.