Pets and people: information experience of multispecies families

PurposeThis paper introduces more-than-human perspective in information behaviour and information experience studies. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to understandings of the concept of multispecies families by exploring their significant dimensions related to information phenomena involving multiple contexts, situations, spaces, actors, species, and activities.Design/methodology/approachBased on previous research in human information behaviour and human-animal studies, our ideas around information experience of multispecies families are developed conceptually. The paper builds both on previous empirical findings about human information behaviour and the new domain of information experience.FindingsThe paper proposes a holistic approach both to information phenomena in everyday living with companion animals including embodied, affective, cognitive, social, digital, and objectual information that shapes pet care and management practices, and to the context of study, including work, domestic, and leisure aspects of multispecies family.Originality/valueThis study broadens our understanding of information phenomena in multispecies families, and so contributes to the field of information experience. It also provides insights for animal welfare scientists to help them understand the information behaviour of humans who are responsible for keeping and caring for animals.

We're Still Very Much in Limbo: Providers' Perspectives on Implementing a Person-Centered Project

Background The Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory assists nursing home (NH) providers in assessing residents’ preferences and can be used to make Preferences for Activity and Leisure (PAL) Cards, which are personalized 5x7 laminated cards that reflect a resident’s recreation and leisure preferences. We sought to understand the barriers and facilitators to implementing PAL Cards in NH communities during COVID-19. Methods NH providers from five states (n=29) were recruited to create PAL Cards in their communities. Monthly coaching calls with project champions assessed the implementation process. Calls were recorded, transcribed verbatim, checked for accuracy, and coded via thematic analysis. Results Four themes emerged: Adapting to COVID, Preoccupied with COVID, Future Thinking, and PAL Cards Filling the Gaps. Conclusion Some providers were successful adapting to COVID, while others struggled to implement a new program during the pandemic. Those that were successful expressed how PAL Cards helped promote person-centered care.

Testing a Preference Tool in Different Care Settings in Germany: Descriptive Results

Background The tool “Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory” (PELI) for Nursing Homes (NH) was developed in the USA. In our project PELI-D, the PELI was translated from English into German and piloted in three care settings: Nursing Home (NH), Home Care (HC) and Adult Day Care (AD). Objective The objective is to provide insights in preferences of importance of older adults in need of care in Germany. Methods Data collection was carried out in 2019 on multiple measurement points: n=48 baseline (T0) and n=41 two-week follow-up (T1). Results The results indicate that the importance of certain preferences distinguishes between the care settings: In NH preferences for body care and aspects of professional care are important. Additionally, in HC the aspects of social contact and eating/drinking are perceived as important. Comparing T0 and T1, importance of the item’s daily routines, social contact and aspects of privacy seem to be reliable.

Variety of Identifying and Assessing Preferences of Everyday Living of Older Adults

Identifying preference of older adults supports person-centred care. The most sophisticated instrument is the preference for everyday living inventory (PELI). The PELI has been translated into German language and tested in different care settings. For people who experience difficulties communicating their preference the PELI has been combined with photographs. The voice of older immigrants could lead to an enhancement of the PELI as well other preference tools. Thus, our symposium title: Variety of identifying and assessing preferences of everyday living of older adults. Our symposium includes four presentations: Dr. Bergmann will present data from a preference study in three different care settings (long-term care, nursing homes, adult day care) in Germany. The results indicate that the importance of certain preferences distinguishes between the care settings. Dr. Vanessa Burshnic will present data from her content validity study of photographs used to supplement the Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory-Nursing Home (PELI-NH) from the perspective of older adults. Content analysis revealed thematic codes describing participants’ photograph preferences including image quality, context, subject diversity, and relevance to long-term care. Mike Rommerskirch-Manietta will present results from a review to identify Instruments which can be used to assess preferences for everyday living of older adults. Interestingly instruments either represent multiple or only one domain. The study from Viktoria Peters-Nehrenheim does focus on preferences of older immigrants. She will present results how older immigrants (first generation) define preferences and how they can be assessed. Prof. Van Haitsma will be our discussant.

Cognitive Interviewing to Evaluate the Content Validity of a Photo-Supported Preference Assessment

Photo-supported verbal assessments have shown to improve comprehension and expression of choices by older adults living with cognitive-communication challenges. The purpose of this study was to assess content validity (CV) of photographs used to supplement the Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory-Nursing Home (PELI-NH) from the perspective of older adults, using cognitive interviewing methods. Participants (N=21) were average age 75 (SD=5.67), mostly male (62%) and white (90%), living in residential communities (86%), with no known cognitive or communication deficits. Interview data was used to iteratively assess and revise photographs. A total of 46 photographs demonstrated CV; 26 demonstrated CV after revisions; 3 did not demonstrate CV after revisions. Content analysis revealed thematic codes describing participants’ photograph preferences including image quality, context, subject diversity, and relevance to long-term care. Discussion will include implications for clinicians and researchers on how to evaluate and improve CV of photo-supported verbal assessments.

Instruments to Assess Preferences for Everyday Living of Older Adults With Various Care Needs: An Evidence Map

Background Instruments to identify and assess preferences for everyday living are important tools for health professionals. For research purposes, they appear equally essential, for example, to develop new care approaches based on the preferences of the older adults. So far, it seemed unknown which instruments already exist to identify and assess preferences for everyday living. Method: We conducted an evidence map to identify instruments, to understand how preferences are assessed and which instruments are focusing everyday living. Results We plotted our results in the form of a bubble plot. We identified instruments that map multiple domains (e. g. function and leisure activities) or only one topic (e. g. food, personal hygiene or brightness). Preferences are assessed using direct questions, frequencies, sorting, stimuli, or even scores. Our results show the variety of how preferences are defined and the range of instruments to assess preferences for everyday living of older adults.

Assessing the generalisability of a multicentre qualitative dementia research: the experience and challenges faced by the MinD project in Europe

Background: Generalisation of findings is an important aspect of research and essential for evidence-based practice. While generalisation is common in quantitative research, there is a lack of generalisability in qualitative research. This paper presents the experience and challenges faced by the Designing for People with Dementia (MinD) project in meeting the requirements to strengthen the generalisation of findings on the lived experience of people living with dementia and their engagement to co-create designs to empower their everyday living. Methods: Polit and Beck (2010)’s strategies to generalise qualitative findings were applied: (1) replication in sampling; (2) replication of studies; (3) meta-synthesis of findings; (4) reflexivity and conceptualization; (5) immersion with the data; and (6) thick description. Results: While it is possible to increase the generabilisabilty of qualitative evidence through the replication of the sampling to attain a large, heterogeneous sample in different and multiple contexts and environments; implementation of sound and robust research; conducting in-depth analysis and interpretation collaboratively for emergent themes; and meeting the thick description requirement, there are challenges that the project team faced in implementing some of the Polit and Beck’s strategies because of the condition, namely dementia, that our participants are having. Other challenges faced were: the language and cultural diversity in the team; diverse work and organisational procedures; and the inter-disciplinary differences relating to the methods of enquiry, approaches and techniques to conduct research. These challenges will need to be identified and addressed at the start of the project with a strong leadership to ensure a seamless journey to complete the project successfully. Trust between the researchers and participants, and time to build this trust are critical to recruitment and participation in the study; these factors are of utmost important in research involving participants with condition such as dementia.

Time: A Very Short Introduction

Time: A Very Short Introduction explores questions about the nature of time that have been at the heart of philosophical thinking since its beginnings: questions like whether time has a beginning or end, whether and in what sense time passes, how time is different from space, whether time has a direction, and whether it is possible to travel in time. These questions passed into the hands of scientists with the work of Isaac Newton when the structure of space and time became connected to motion and included the subject matter of physics. This VSI charts the way that the history of physics, from Isaac Newton through Albert Einstein’s two revolutions, wrought changes to the conception of time. There are parts of physics that are in a state of confusion, but this strand of development is a story of philosophical illumination and conceptual beauty. The discussion here provides an opportunity to see what distinguishes the methods of physics from those of philosophy. It brings together physics, cognitive science, and phenomenology in the service of reconciling what modern theories tell us about the nature of time with the everyday living experience of time.

COVID-19 and Aviation

The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably affected many aspects of life from conveniences of everyday living to global economic repercussions. Due to the widespread mandated lockdowns early in the pandemic, the economy inevitably suffered greatly as evidenced by the stock market’s unpredictability (6) and the 1.8 trillion USD in bailouts to private sectors from the US government. (18) The pandemic imposes a significant strain on several aspects of life as we know it, but the substantial effects on the travel industry, with particular focus on the aviation industry, will be the focus of this paper. This paper discusses various challenges such as the overall effect on the airlines due to the considerable decrease in the revenue of airlines, effect on global cargo transportation, the airworthiness of the aircraft, the profound impact the pilots face concerning the maintenance of their medical certificate and flying currencies, the effects on the pilot’s mental health, public health challenges and various considerations for airlines moving forward. Despite these repercussions on the aviation industry due to the mandated shutdowns, the aviation industry had its challenges even before the COVID-19 pandemic. This literature review was conducted via search engines such as Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed with search keywords including “coronavirus, pandemic, aviation industry, lockdown, and airlines”.

Assessing the generalisability of a multicentre qualitative dementia research: the experience and challenges faced by the MinD project in Europe

Background: Generalisation of findings is an important aspect of research and essential for evidence-based practice. While generalisation is common in quantitative research, there is a lack of generalisability in qualitative research. This paper presents the experience and challenges faced by the Designing for People with Dementia (MinD) project in meeting the requirements to strengthen the generalisation of findings on the lived experience of people living with dementia and their engagement to co-create designs to empower their everyday living. Methods: Polit and Beck (2010)’s strategies to generalise qualitative findings were applied: (1) replication in sampling; (2) replication of studies; (3) meta-synthesis of findings; (4) reflexivity and conceptualization; (5) immersion with the data; and (6) thick description. Results: While it is possible to increase the generabilisabilty of qualitative evidence through the replication of the sampling to attain a large, heterogeneous sample in different and multiple contexts and environments; implementation of sound and robust research; conducting in-depth analysis and interpretation collaboratively for emergent themes; and meeting the thick description requirement, there are challenges that the project team faced in implementing some of the Polit and Beck’s strategies because of the condition, namely dementia, that our participants are having. Other challenges faced were: the language and cultural diversity in the team; diverse work and organisational procedures; and the inter-disciplinary differences relating to the methods of enquiry, approaches and techniques to conduct research. These challenges will need to be identified and addressed at the start of the project with a strong leadership to ensure a seamless journey to complete the project successfully. Trust between the researchers and participants, and time to build this trust are critical to recruitment and participation in the study; these factors are of utmost important in research involving participants with condition such as dementia.