Journal articles on the topic 'Older people Australia Psychology'
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Lin, Xiaoping, Christina Bryant, Jennifer Boldero, and Briony Dow. "Psychological well-being of older Chinese immigrants living in Australia: a comparison with older Caucasians." International Psychogeriatrics 28, no. 10 (July 8, 2016): 1671–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610216001010.
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ABSTRACTBackground:Few current studies explore psychological well-being among older Chinese immigrants in Australia. The study addressed this gap and provided preliminary data on psychological well-being among this group. Four indicators, namely depression, anxiety, loneliness, and quality of life, were used to present a comprehensive picture of psychological well-being.Methods:Participants were two groups of community-dwelling older people, specifically 59 Chinese immigrants and 60 Australian-born people (median age=77 and 73, respectively). Data were collected through standardized interviews. The Geriatric Depression Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and the WHO Quality of Life questionnaire were used to measure depression, anxiety, loneliness, and quality of life, respectively.Results:Chinese participants’ median quality of life score was higher than the scale mid-point, indicating relatively high levels of quality of life. However, 10% exhibited symptoms of depression, 6% had symptoms of anxiety, and 49% felt lonely. Compared to Australian participants, Chinese participants reported poorer quality of life and higher levels of loneliness. Importantly, the difference in quality of life remained when the impact of socio-demographic factors was controlled for.Conclusions:This study was the first to use multiple indicators to explore psychological well-being among older Chinese immigrants in Australia. Its results suggest that their psychological well-being might be worse than that of Australian-born people when using loneliness and quality of life as indicators. In particular, loneliness is a common psychological problem among this group, and there is a need for public awareness of this problem.
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Liu, Shuang, Sharon Dane, Cindy Gallois, Catherine Haslam, and Tran Le Nghi Tran. "The Dynamics of Acculturation Among Older Immigrants in Australia." Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 51, no. 6 (June 1, 2020): 424–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022022120927461.
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This study explores different acculturation pathways that older immigrants follow, and the social/cultural identities they claim (or do not claim), as they live and age in Australia. Data were collected from 29 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with older immigrants (65+ years) from nine cultural backgrounds. We used participants’ self-defined cultural identity to explore how these cultural identities were enacted in different contexts. Mapping self-defined cultural identity with narratives about what participants do in relation to ethnic and host cultures, we found three dynamic acculturation pathways: (a) identifying with the ethnic culture while embracing aspects of Australian culture, (b) identifying with Australian culture while participating in the ethnic culture, and (c) identifying with both cultures while maintaining the way of life of the ethnic culture. These pathways show that acculturation strategies are not necessarily consistent with self-defined identity, within the same individual or over time. Rather, the participants’ narratives suggest that their life in the settlement country involves ongoing negotiation across people, culture, and relationships. The findings highlight the importance for acculturation research to be situated in the context in which immigrants find themselves, to capture the nuances of these dynamic acculturation experiences.
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PETERSEN, MAREE, and JENI WARBURTON. "Residential complexes in Queensland, Australia: a space of segregation and ageism?" Ageing and Society 32, no. 1 (February 7, 2011): 60–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x10001534.
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ABSTRACTIn western countries, large residential complexes comprising retirement villages and care facilities have become synonymous with specialised housing for older people, but gerontology has tended to view retirement villages and care facilities as separate and different spaces. By researching these spaces separately, gerontology's examination of the development of residential complexes and older people's housing has been hindered. This paper explores the geographies of residential complexes in south-east Queensland, Australia, by employing data from a larger study that utilised Lefebvre's spatial framework, social space. Its specific focus is Lefebvre's concept of representations of space, part of the triad of social space. The paper outlines how the professional knowledge of designers, planners and policy makers shape and frame the place of older people in contemporary society. The findings indicate that professional knowledge is characterised by contradictions, and that business interests sustain stereotypes of older people as either ageless or dependent. Furthermore, spaces designed for older people reinforce historical legacies of separation from the community. This form of built environment can thus be seen as both a cause and effect of ageism. Generally, the lack of attention by gerontology to these spaces has hampered discussion of alternatives for older people's housing in Australia and, importantly, the development of responsive urban and social planning.
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LIN, XIAOPING, CHRISTINA BRYANT, JENNIFER BOLDERO, and BRIONY DOW. "Older people's relationships with their adult children in multicultural Australia: a comparison of Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants." Ageing and Society 37, no. 10 (August 30, 2016): 2103–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x16000829.
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ABSTRACTAgainst the background of population ageing and increasing cultural diversity in many Western countries, the study examined differences and similarities between Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants in their relationships with adult children. The specific research questions were: (a) are there differences between these groups in the nature of parent–child relationships; and (b) if there were differences, did these differences reflect the Confucian concept of filial piety among older Chinese immigrants. The solidarity–conflict model and the concept of ambivalence were used to quantify parent–child relationships. Data from 122 community-dwelling people aged 65 and over (60 Australian-born and 62 Chinese-born people) were collected using standardised interviews. There were significant differences between the two groups for all relationship dimensions except associative solidarity. Compared to Australian participants, Chinese participants were more likely to live with their children. However, when they did not live with their children, they lived further away. They were also more likely to receive, but less likely to provide, instrumental help. Finally, they reported higher levels of normative solidarity, conflict and ambivalence, and lower levels of affectual and consensual solidarity. The differences in solidarity dimensions persisted when socio-demographic variables were controlled for. The study revealed complex differences in the nature of older parent–child relationships between Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants. Some of these differences, such as more prevalent multigenerational living among older Chinese immigrants, likely reflect the strong influence of filial piety among this group. However, differences in other dimensions, such as lower levels of consensual solidarity, might be associated with the Chinese participants’ experience as immigrants. This study also highlights the usefulness of the solidarity–conflict model as a theoretical framework to understand the nature of parent–child relationships among older Chinese immigrants.
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Mackenzie, Lynette, and Amanda Clifford. "Perceptions of older people in Ireland and Australia about the use of technology to address falls prevention." Ageing and Society 40, no. 2 (August 28, 2018): 369–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x18000983.
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AbstractFalls are common events with serious consequences for older people. With an ageing population and increasing health-care costs, information and communication technologies (ICT) will have a potential role in future health-care delivery. However, research on technology acceptance in health care for older people is limited and its application to falls prevention is unknown. The aims of this study were to explore and describe the perceptions of community-dwelling Australian and Irish older people about their current use of technology, and the potential use of technology for falls prevention. Qualitative data were collected from three focus groups conducted in and around Limerick in Ireland, and three in the Sydney area, Australia. A total of 35 older people participated. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the data: (a) perceptions of vulnerability to falls, (b) preferences for exercise interventions, (c) participation in and ownership of technology, and (d) perceptions about applications of technology for falls prevention. As the use of technology is an instrumental activity of daily living, health professionals need to assess the capacity of older people to adopt these technologies, and provide falls prevention interventions to accommodate the technology skills of older people. Some participants were reluctant to embrace technology and barriers to the effective use of technology to assist in preventing falls may conflict with future health service trends.
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Warburton, Jeni, Robyne Le Brocque, and Linda Rosenman. "Older People—The Reserve Army of Volunteers?: An Analysis of Volunteerism among Older Australians." International Journal of Aging and Human Development 46, no. 3 (January 1, 1998): 229–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.2190/6n5v-td6j-l8d7-by7d.
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In Australia, as in other Western countries, policy-makers are turning their attention to older people, particularly the early retired, as a rich potential source of volunteers. This study examines volunteer behavior in a sample of older Australians in either their immediate pre or post retirement phase. It involves a secondary analysis of data collected for a study on retirement, and seeks to examine the main social and demographic differences between those who volunteer and those who do not. The key concepts associated with volunteering are the availability of 1) time and 2) social and personal resources. Logistic regression analyses revealed that volunteers are significantly more likely to come from the higher occupational classes, are less likely to be self-employed, and are more likely to view their health positively. Implications of these results for social policy are discussed.
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WARBURTON, JENI, and DEIRDRE MCLAUGHLIN. "‘Lots of little kindnesses’: valuing the role of older Australians as informal volunteers in the community." Ageing and Society 25, no. 5 (August 23, 2005): 715–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x05003648.
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This paper describes the ways in which older people contribute to their communities and families as informal volunteers. It challenges current ways of thinking that assign an economic value to the productive activities undertaken by older people. Using qualitative data from a study of older people resident in Queensland, Australia, the paper explores the ways that older people contribute to their families and to the community and the outcomes associated with these activities. Two specific themes emerged from the data: first, the ways in which older people contribute to strong inter-generational relations, and second, how they provide essential mutual support that permits many older people to remain living in the community. These contributions, while often small in themselves, are in aggregate critical both to family functioning and to the maintenance of sustainable and healthy communities. Many are reciprocal interactions that add value to the lives of individuals and offer positive social roles in later life, and they may be particularly important for those from minority cultural backgrounds or at risk of social isolation. The findings suggest that older people are integral to community and civil society and, therefore, that social policy should respond to the ageing of Australia's population and recognise the positive contributions of older people, rather than emphasising the costs of demographic change.
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Sinclair, Craig, Marcus Sellars, Kimberly Buck, Karen M. Detering, Ben P. White, and Linda Nolte. "Association Between Region of Birth and Advance Care Planning Documentation Among Older Australian Migrant Communities: A Multicenter Audit Study." Journals of Gerontology: Series B 76, no. 1 (August 17, 2020): 109–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa127.
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Abstract Objectives This study explored associations between birth region, sociodemographic predictors, and advance care planning (ACP) uptake. Methods A prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional audit study of 100 sites across 8 Australian jurisdictions. ACP documentation was audited in the health records of people aged 65 years or older accessing general practice (GP), hospital, and long-term care facility (LTCF) settings. Advance care directives (ACDs) completed by the person (“person completed ACDs”) and ACP documents completed by a health professional or other person (“health professional or someone else ACP”) were counted. Hierarchical multilevel logistic regression assessed associations with birth region. Results From 4,187 audited records, 30.0% (1,152/3,839) were born outside Australia. “Person completed ACDs” were less common among those born outside Australia (21.9% vs 28.9%, X2 (1, N = 3,840) = 20.3, p < .001), while “health professional or someone else ACP” was more common among those born outside Australia (46.4% vs 34.8%, X2 (1, N = 3,840) = 45.5, p < .001). Strongest associations were found for those born in Southern Europe: “person completed ACD” (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.36–0.88), and “health professional or someone else ACP” (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.01–1.98). English-language proficiency and increased age significantly predicted both ACP outcomes. Discussion Region of birth is associated with the rate and type of ACP uptake for some older Australians. Approaches to ACP should facilitate access to interpreters and be sensitive to diverse preferences for individual and family involvement in ACP.
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ZEITLER, ELISABETH, and LAURIE BUYS. "Mobility and out-of-home activities of older people living in suburban environments: ‘Because I'm a driver, I don't have a problem'." Ageing and Society 35, no. 4 (February 4, 2014): 785–808. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x13001086.
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ABSTRACTGovernments are challenged by the need to ensure that ageing populations stay active and engaged as they age. Therefore, it is critical to investigate the role of mobility in older people's engagement in out-of-home activities, and to identify the experiences they have within their communities. This research investigates the use of transportation by older people and its implications for their out-of-home activities within suburban environments. The qualitative, mixed-method approach employs data collection methods which include a daily travel diary (including a questionnaire), Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking and semi-structured interviews with older people living in suburban environments in Brisbane, Australia. Results show that older people are mobile throughout the city, and their car provides them with that opportunity to access desired destinations. This ability to drive allows older people to live independently and to assist others who do not drive, particularly where transport alternatives are not as accessible. The ability to transport goods and other people is a significant advantage of the private car over other transport options. People with no access to private transportation who live in low-density environments are disadvantaged when it comes to participation within the community. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between transportation and participation within the community environment, to assist policy makers and city and transportation planners to develop strategies for age-friendly environments within the community.
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Zhang, Ying, Veronica Chow, Agnes I. Vitry, Philip Ryan, Elizabeth E. Roughead, Gillian E. Caughey, Emmae N. Ramsay, Andrew L. Gilbert, Adrian Esterman, and Mary A. Luszcz. "Antidepressant use and depressive symptomatology among older people from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing." International Psychogeriatrics 22, no. 3 (January 28, 2010): 437–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610209991554.
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ABSTRACTBackground:Depression is one of the leading contributors to the burden of non-fatal diseases in Australia. Although there is an overall increasing trend in antidepressant use, the relationship between use of antidepressants and depressive symptomatology is not clear, particularly in the older population.Methods:Data for this study were obtained from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA), a cohort of 2087 people aged over 65 years at baseline. Four waves of home interviews were conducted between 1992 and 2004 to collect information on sociodemographic and health status. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale. Use of antidepressants was based on self-report, with the interviewer able to check packaging details if available. Longitudinal analysis was performed using logistic generalized estimating equations to detect if there was any trend in the use of antidepressants, adjusting for potential confounding factors.Results:The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.2% in 1992 and 15.8% in 2004 (p> 0.05). The prevalence of antidepressant users increased from 6.5% to 10.9% (p< 0.01) over this period. Among people with depressive symptoms, less than 20% were taking antidepressants at any wave. Among people without depressive symptoms, the prevalence of antidepressant use was 5.2% in 1992 and 12.0% in 2004 (p< 0.01). Being female (OR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.25–2.24), having poor self-perceived health status (OR = 1.17, 95%CI: 1.04–1.32), having physical impairment (OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.14–1.91) and having depressive symptoms (OR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.24–2.13) significantly increased the use of antidepressants, while living in community (OR = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.37–0.71) reduced the risk of antidepressant use.Conclusions:Use of antidepressants increased, while depressive symptoms remained stable, in the ALSA over a 12-year period. Use of antidepressants was low for people with depressive symptoms.
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Francis-Coad, Jacqueline, Tessa Watts, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Gerwyn Panes, Howard Griffiths, Michelle Anderson, Tracy Williams, Beth Griffiths, Debbie Nobre, and Anne-Marie Hill. "Evaluation of older people's knowledge, awareness, motivation and perceptions about falls and falls prevention in residential aged care homes: a tale of two cities." Ageing and Society 39, no. 11 (June 27, 2018): 2541–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x18000697.
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AbstractFalls prevention strategies can only be effective in reducing falls amongst older people if they are adopted and enacted in their daily lives. There is limited evidence identifying what older people in residential aged care (RAC) homes understand about falls and falls prevention, or what may limit or enable their adoption of strategies. This study was conducted in two countries and explored older people's knowledge and awareness of falls and their preferences, opportunities and motivation to undertake falls prevention strategies. A cross-sectional survey was administered to participants (N = 70) aged 65 years and over, living in six RAC homes in Perth, Australia and six RAC homes in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Participants had limited knowledge about intrinsic falls risk factors and strategies to address these and frequently expressed self-blame regarding falling. Almost all (N = 67, 95.7%) participants felt highly motivated to maintain their current functional mobility and independence in everyday tasks. Key preferences for receiving falls prevention messages favoured a positive approach promoting wellness and independence (N = 41, 58.6%) via pictorial posters or brochures (N = 37, 52.9%) and small group discussions preferably with demonstrations (N = 18, 25.7%). Findings from this study may assist organisations and staff to more effectively engage with older people living in RAC about falls prevention and design targeted resources to address the motivations and preferences of this population.
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Ranzijn, Rob. "Active Ageing —Another Way to Oppress Marginalized and Disadvantaged Elders?" Journal of Health Psychology 15, no. 5 (July 2010): 716–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105310368181.
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This article questions whether the concept of active ageing unintentionally devalues the life experiences of disadvantaged groups of older people. It is argued that talking up the expectation that older people will continue to be physically active may further marginalize significant groups of elders, including those from diverse non-dominant cultural groups. The article draws on a study of Australian Aboriginal Elders to illustrate this point, with suggestions about culturally appropriate ageing policies. The article concludes that alternative conceptions of ageing, such as ‘ageing well’ or ‘authentic ageing’, may better capture the cultural diversity of ageing and promote social inclusion.
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Carney, Terry. "Judging the Competence of Older People: An Alternative?" Ageing and Society 15, no. 4 (December 1995): 515–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x00002889.
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AbstractOnly a minority of adults of all age groups experience difficulty with their finances and affairs, due to the combined effect of their diminished competence and their social circumstances in placing them at risk, from themselves, or from family, friends or others (well-meaning or otherwise). If unable to manage independently or with informal assistance, formal intervention (guardianship) may be required. Neither the traditional formality of courts, nor the tests and clinical processes of medicine are well equipped to judge this in the abstract. Informal (family) models have their place but they (and other options) pose ethical difficulties. A more practical approach is that taken by Australia's multi-disciplinary panels.
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Lavrencic, Louise M., Holly A. Mack, Gail Daylight, Sharon Wall, Margaret Anderson, Sue Hoskins, Emily Hindman, Gerald A. Broe, and Kylie Radford. "Staying in touch with the community: understanding self-reported health and research priorities in older Aboriginal Australians." International Psychogeriatrics 32, no. 11 (November 21, 2019): 1303–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610219001753.
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ABSTRACTObjectives:Aboriginal Australians experience higher rates of non-communicable chronic disease, injury, dementia, and mortality than non-Aboriginal Australians. Self-reported health is a holistic measure and may fit well with Aboriginal views of health and well-being. This study aimed to identify predictors of self-reported health in older Aboriginal Australians and determine acceptable research methodologies for future aging research.Design:Longitudinal, population-based study.Setting:Five communities across New South Wales, Australia (two urban and three regional sites).Participants:Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (n = 227; 60–88 years, M = 66.06, SD = 5.85; 145 female).Measurements:Participants completed baseline (demographic, medical, cognitive, mental health, and social factors) and follow-up assessments (self-reported health quantified with 5-point scale; sharing thoughts on areas important for future research). Predictors of self-reported health were examined using logistic regression analyses.Results:Self-reported health was associated with sex, activities of daily living, social activity participation, resilience, alcohol use, kidney problems, arthritis, falls, and recent hospitalization. Arthritis, kidney problems, and resilience remained significant in multiple logistic regression models.Conclusions:Perceived resilience and the absence of certain chronic age-related conditions predict older Aboriginal peoples’ self-reported health. Understanding these factors could inform interventions to improve well-being. Findings on acceptable research methodologies suggest that many older Aboriginal people would embrace a range of methodologies within long-standing research partnerships, which is an important consideration for Indigenous population research internationally.
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MCDERMOTT, SHANNON. "Professional judgements of risk and capacity in situations of self-neglect among older people." Ageing and Society 30, no. 6 (March 17, 2010): 1055–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x10000139.
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ABSTRACTOver the past 50 years, self-neglect among older people has been conceptualised in both social policy and the academy as a social problem which is defined in relation to medical illness and requires professional intervention. Few authors, however, have analysed the concept of self-neglect in relation to critical sociological theory. This is problematic because professional judgements, which provide the impetus for intervention, are inherently influenced by the social and cultural context. The purpose of this article is to use critical theory as a framework for interpreting the findings from a qualitative study which explored judgements in relation to older people in situations of self-neglect made by professionals. Two types of data were collected. There were 125 hours of observations at meetings and home assessments conducted by professionals associated with the Community Options Programme in Sydney, Australia, and 18 professionals who worked with self-neglecting older people in the community gave in-depth qualitative interviews. The findings show that professional judgements of self-neglect focus on risk and capacity, and that these perceptions influence when and how interventions occur. The assumptions upon which professional judgements are based are then further analysed in relation to critical theory.
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Burke, David, Ayse Burke, and Jacqueline Huber. "Psychogeriatric SOS (services-on-screen) – a unique e-health model of psychogeriatric rural and remote outreach." International Psychogeriatrics 27, no. 11 (July 29, 2015): 1751–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610215001131.
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Mental health service delivery to rural and remote communities can be significantly impeded by the tyranny of distance. In Australia, rural and remote mental health services are characterized by limited resources stretched across geographically large and socio-economically disadvantaged regions (Inderet al., 2012; Thomaset al., 2012). Internationally, rural and remote area mental health workforce shortages are common, especially in relation to specialist mental health services for older people (McCarthyet al., 2012; Bascuet al., 2012).
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SETTERLUND, DEBORAH, CHERYL TILSE, JILL WILSON, ANNE-LOUISE MCCAWLEY, and LINDA ROSENMAN. "Understanding financial elder abuse in families: the potential of routine activities theory." Ageing and Society 27, no. 4 (June 18, 2007): 599–614. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x07006009.
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ABSTRACTThe aim of this paper is to stimulate theoretical thought about financial elder abuse within families, by exploring the potential of ‘routine activities theory’ for raising our understanding of, and response to, its occurrences. Research into financial elder abuse, defined as the illegal or improper use of a person's finances or property by another person, has tended to emphasise the abusive event and the associated risk factors. ‘Routine activities theory’, in contrast, directs attention more to developing prevention strategies that focus on everyday activities and hence seek to reduce the opportunities for illegal activity. The authors' research programme on the broad topic of money management and older people in Australia has conceptualised financial elder abuse as one possible outcome of the family management of older people's assets. This paper reports an application of routine activities theory to in-depth data of the asset-management practices and experiences of 81 family members who were assisting 86 older people. The paper concludes that the theory contributes to our understanding of how and why financial abuse occurs in families. It makes clear the distorting influence of a sense of entitlement and the preventive importance of both capable guardians, to oversee family-asset management and be alert to mismanagement, and the need for improved financial awareness, skills and probity in the community in connection with this common task of assisting older people to manage their financial assets.
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BIRD, STEPHEN, HARRIET RADERMACHER, SUSAN FELDMAN, JANE SIMS, WILLIAM KUROWSKI, COLETTE BROWNING, and SHANE THOMAS. "Factors influencing the physical activity levels of older people from culturally-diverse communities: an Australian experience." Ageing and Society 29, no. 8 (June 11, 2009): 1275–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x09008617.
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ABSTRACTInactivity has been identified as a major contributor to the burden of disease among older Australians, particularly those in culturally-diverse communities. This study assessed the facilitators and barriers to physical activity in older people from culturally-diverse communities, and investigated the predictors of physical activity participation by recruiting 333 older people from seven different communities in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. A survey questionnaire that recorded physical activity and the barriers to and facilitators of activity was interviewer-administered in the participants' preferred language. The data were analysed using bivariate and multivariate inferential statistical methods. Personal barriers to physical activity, such as poor health, lacking the energy to exercise, being too tired and low motivation, were highly prevalent in all groups. Specific factors, such as ‘being self-conscious about my looks’, were more prevalent among the Vietnamese, as were concerns about the weather among Macedonians and Croatians. Across all groups, perceptions of health and safety strongly influenced physical activity behaviour, more so than the external environment. Some of the barriers can be addressed with a common approach, but others in some communities will require particular strategies.
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MACKENZIE, LYNETTE, CASSIE CURRYER, and JULIE E. BYLES. "Narratives of home and place: findings from the Housing and Independent Living Study." Ageing and Society 35, no. 8 (June 19, 2014): 1684–712. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x14000476.
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ABSTRACTAs populations age, increased focus is given to the importance of enabling older people to age in place. The study reported in this paper explored the extent to which older people considered their homes and neighbourhoods to be ‘supportive’, and sought to increase understanding of the needs and experiences of older people and their expectations of future housing needs. This paper reports qualitative data from the Housing and Independent Living (HAIL) study carried out in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 202 community-dwelling people aged 75–79 years. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using computer-assisted qualitative analysis and a narrative approach to identify broad themes. Thematic analysis was used to examine and understand how occupants subjectively viewed their homes, and how they planned to adapt/modify either their activities or homes to accommodate changing needs. Six key themes emerged, namely housing choice, attachment to place, financial issues, changes to the home over time, transport, and anticipating the future. In this study, people who most strongly identified with and felt connected to their neighbours/communities had more positive perceptions of their homes and communities, and may be better able to remain in their home despite increasing disability or frailty. Housing policies and home and urban design should ensure home and neighbourhood environments are safe, accessible, promote positive associations, and are adaptable to facilitate independence and accommodate change as people age.
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Stevens, Martin. "Commentary on “Assisting individuals ageing with learning disability: support worker perspectives”." Tizard Learning Disability Review 20, no. 4 (October 5, 2015): 223–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/tldr-07-2015-0029.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the themes identified by Wark et al.’s paper and to highlight commonalities and differences between the Australian and the UK social and health care regimes. It also points to evidence about other implications for policy and practice of the increasing numbers of people growing older who have learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The commentary analyses some policy and practice documents and identifies a range of other research and commentary on this topic. Findings – Wark et al. have identified areas of importance for supporting older people with learning disabilities, particularly access to suitable and acceptable services and the importance of sufficient support worker time. They also identify gaps in the research on people’s needs and service responses. The commentary also highlights other factors for consideration in work with this group of people, particularly the implementation of personalisation policies in social care and integration between health and social care services. Research limitations/implications – There is a need for further research into developing policy and practice for health and social care for older people with learning disabilities. Some of the evidence supports the case for specialist involvement, particularly by nursing professionals. Originality/value – The paper and this commentary highlight the challenges associated with the increasing number of older people with learning disabilities in contemporary debates about the role of the state and professional specialists.
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Tan, Heather, Melissa Bloomer, Robin Digby, and Margaret O'Connor. "End-of-Life Care in an Australian Rehabilitation Facility for Older People: Staff Focus Groups." Death Studies 38, no. 3 (August 27, 2013): 186–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2012.738773.
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Alba, Beatrice, Anthony Lyons, Andrea Waling, Victor Minichiello, Mark Hughes, Catherine Barrett, Karen Fredriksen Goldsen, Michelle Blanchard, and Corey Irlam. "Demographic and Psychosocial Predictors of Housing Security in Older Lesbian and Gay Australians." International Journal of Aging and Human Development 89, no. 1 (April 18, 2019): 57–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0091415019843449.
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This study examined housing security among 679 lesbian women and gay men aged 60 years and older living in Australia. We examined a range of potential demographic and psychosocial predictors of whether participants felt that their housing situation was secure. Overall, most participants (89%) felt that their housing situation was secure. We found that the sense of housing security was greater among those who were younger, had people they felt they could depend on, had better self-rated health, and had fewer experiences of sexual orientation discrimination over the past year. In addition, housing security was greater among those who owned their own home and had no mortgage, compared with those who had a mortgage, were renting, or had some other living arrangement. No other demographic variables were significant predictors of housing security. These results can be useful in targeting groups that may be particularly vulnerable to a lack of housing security.
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Neville, Christine C., and Gerard J. A. Byrne. "The impact of residential respite care on the behavior of older people." International Psychogeriatrics 18, no. 1 (October 28, 2005): 163–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610205002553.
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Background: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of residential respite care on disruptive behavior displayed by older people, particularly those with dementia.Methods: A quasi-experimental, repeated-measures, single-group design was used. The participants were a consecutive series of 100 older people with a mean age of 81.8 years (range 66–96 years) who had been booked for a respite admission to one of several residential aged care facilities in a provincial Australian city. A diagnosis of dementia was reported for 29% of the sample. Disruptive behaviors were rated before and after the period of respite by home caregivers (N = 100) and during the period of respite by nurses (N = 25) using the Dementia Behavior Disturbance Scale (DBDS).Results: Age, male gender and the presence of dementia were all significantly related to the frequency of reported disruptive behaviors. Residential respite care was associated with a significant reduction in the frequency of reported disruptive behaviors in older people (Wald χ2 = 28.28, p < 0.0001). However, this improvement in behavior did not persist into the post-respite period. The deteriorating behavioral trajectory that was evident prior to respite care continued following the period of respite care.Conclusions: Residential respite care was associated with a temporary diminution in the frequency of reported disruptive behaviors in older people. This finding should be reassuring both for family carers considering placing a relative in residential respite care and for health workers considering whether to recommend such a course of action.
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Candy, Judith, and Dawn Butterworth. "Through young Children's Eyes: The Experience of Migration to Australia." Australasian Journal of Early Childhood 23, no. 3 (September 1998): 20–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/183693919802300306.
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Research on migrant children has concentrated mostly on their acquisition of English as a second language (ESL), educational assessment, and parental influences on learning in older children. There has been little research, particularly from an early childhood perspective, into the child's own perceptions of the experience of being a migrant child. This paper reports on a research investigation into young children's migration experiences before, during, and after the journey to Australia. Discussions with migrant children in Years 2 and 3 of primary school established important differences and similarities in experiences between both Humanitarian and Non-Humanitarian migrant categories and English and non-English-speaking background children. Recommendations for teachers are made to meet the established needs of young migrant children and to promote tolerance and understanding of different peoples and cultures.
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Llewellyn-Jones, Robert H., Karen A. Baikie, Sally Castell, Carol L. Andrews, Anne Baikie, C. Dimity Pond, Simon M. Willcock, John Snowdon, and Chris C. Tennant. "How to Help Depressed Older People Living in Residential Care: A Multifaceted Shared-Care Intervention for Late-Life Depression." International Psychogeriatrics 13, no. 4 (December 2001): 477–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s104161020100789x.
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Objective: To describe a population-based, multifaceted shared-care intervention for late-life depression in residential care as a new model of geriatric practice, to outline its development and implementation, and to describe the lessons learned during the implementation process. Setting: A large continuing-care retirement community in Sydney, Australia, providing three levels of care (independent living units, assisted-living complexes, and nursing homes). Participants:) The intervention was implemented for the entire non-nursing home population (residents in independent and assisted living: N = 1,466) of the facility and their health care providers. Of the 1,036 residents who were eligible and agreed to be interviewed, 281 (27.1%) were classified as depressed according to the Geriatric Depression Scale. Intervention Description: The intervention included: (a) multidisciplinary collaboration between primary care physicians, facility health care providers, and the local psychogeriatric service; (b) trainning for primary care physicians and other facility health care providers about detecting and managing depression; and (c) depression-related health education/promotion programs for residents. Conclusions: The intervention was widely accepted by residents and their health care providers, and was sustained and enhanced by the facility after the completion of the study. It is possible to implement and sustain a multifaceted shared-care intervention for late-life depression in a residential care facility where local psychogeriatric services are scarce, staff-to-resident ratios are low, and the needs of depressed to residents are substantial.
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HAYS, TERRENCE, and VICTOR MINICHIELLO. "The contribution of music to quality of life in older people: an Australian qualitative study." Ageing and Society 25, no. 2 (February 24, 2005): 261–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x04002946.
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This study examines the personal meaning and importance of music in the lives of older people, paying particular attention to the ways in which music contributes to self-identity and the quality of life. The data derive from qualitative interviews with a sample of older Australians aged 65 years and over who live in rural and urban settings. The findings reveal that music provides people with ways of understanding and developing their self-identity, of connecting with other people, of maintaining wellbeing and of experiencing and expressing spirituality, and that it provides strong associations with and memories of a person's life. Specifically, the results show how music is used as a source of entertainment as well as a forum to share and interact with others. Music was described as a personal experience to which people assigned meaning and emotions. The informants also described how music allowed them to engage in imaginative play and to escape from some of the hardships experienced in later life. The results reveal that music promotes quality of life by contributing to positive self-esteem, by helping people feel competent and independent, and by lessening feelings of isolation and loneliness. The paper argues that music can be used to maintain and promote a better quality of life for older people.
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Jorm, Anthony F., Bryan Rodgers, and Helen Christensen. "Use of medications to enhance memory in a large community sample of 60–64 year olds." International Psychogeriatrics 16, no. 2 (June 2004): 209–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610204000298.
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Background: There are no existing epidemiological data on use of medications to enhance memory.Method: A community survey was carried out in Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, of an electoral roll sample of 2551 adults aged 60–64 years. Data collected included self-reports of using medications to enhance memory, tests of memory and other cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, physical health and use of other medications.Results: 2.8% of the sample reported using medications to enhance memory, the main ones being gingko biloba, vitamin E, bacopa (brahmi), and folic acid/B vitamins. Users were more likely to be female, to have subjective memory problems and to use other psychotropic medications. However, they did not differ in memory performance, anxiety, depression or physical health.Discussion: Some older people are using complementary medications to improve their memory or prevent memory loss, despite the lack of strong evidence for their effectiveness. These people show no objective evidence of memory impairment
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O'Connor, D. W., and R. A. Parslow. "Different responses to K-10 and CIDI suggest that complex structured psychiatric interviews underestimate rates of mental disorder in old people." Psychological Medicine 39, no. 9 (December 2, 2008): 1527–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033291708004728.
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BackgroundEpidemiological surveys based on complex diagnostic interviews, such as the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), report very low rates of anxiety and depressive disorders in older age groups. Mental health checklists show much less change over the lifespan. This paper explores the possibility that complex interviews present a special challenge to older respondents and thereby exaggerate the decline in mental disorder with age.MethodAnalysis of data from an Australian national mental health survey with 10 641 community-resident adult respondents. Measures of interest included ICD-10 anxiety and depression diagnoses, scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), agreement between K-10 and CIDI anxiety and depressive questions, and changes in agreement with age.ResultsLevels of inconsistency between simple and complex questions about anxiety and depression rose with age.ConclusionsOlder people may have difficulty attending to and processing lengthy, complex questionnaires. When in doubt, their preferred response may be to deny having experienced symptoms, thus deflating rates of diagnosed mental disorder. We recommend that simple mental health scales be included in epidemiological studies involving older age groups.
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van der Waarden, Natalie. "Regulating for Australia's Youngest Workers." Children Australia 38, no. 2 (May 29, 2013): 76–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/cha.2013.7.
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Child labour is a phrase associated with exploitation, poverty, insufficient education and various forms of physical abuse. These connotations do not match Australian perceptions about the employment of children and are not correlated with mainstream dialogue on teenagers in part time and casual employment. Child employment is an accepted part of Australian society, with older children making up a significant portion of the workforce. Minimum standards are increasingly regarded a critical safeguard for young Australians at work, evidenced by recent state level statutory amendment and enactment of dedicated legislation. This article makes two submissions; first, it suggests the regulation of young people's working conditions is inappropriately neglected at national level in Australia, and secondly, it proposes national standards should be set and equated with those in other developed economies, meeting international standards. The 1994 European Community Directive on the Protection of Young Workers is referred to as a suitable benchmark.
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TILSE, CHERYL, JILL WILSON, LINDA ROSENMAN, DAVID MORRISON, and ANNE-LOUISE MCCAWLEY. "Managing older people's money: assisted and substitute decision making in residential aged-care." Ageing and Society 31, no. 1 (September 17, 2010): 93–109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x10000747.
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ABSTRACTCurrent approaches to the assessment of cognitive capacity in many jurisdictions seek to balance older people's empowerment with their protection. These approaches incorporate a presumption of capacity, a decision-specific rather than global assessment of that capacity, and an obligation to provide the support needed for adults to make or communicate their own decisions. The implication is that older people are assisted to make decisions where possible, rather than using substitute decision makers. For older people, decision making about financial matters is a contentious domain because of competing interests in their assets and concerns about risk, misuse and abuse. In residential-care settings, older people risk being characterised as dependent and vulnerable, especially in relation to decisions about financial assets. This paper reports an Australian study of the factors that facilitate and constrain residents' involvement in financial decision making in residential settings. Case studies of four aged-care facilities explored how staff interpreted the legislative and policy requirements for assisted and substitute decision making, and the factors that facilitated and constrained residents' inclusion in decisions about their finances. The observed practices reveal considerable variation in the ways that current legislation is understood and implemented, that there are limited resources for this area of practice, and that policies and practices prioritise managing risk and protecting assets rather than promoting assisted decision making.
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Farugia, Taya L., Carla Cuni-Lopez, and Anthony R. White. "Potential Impacts of Extreme Heat and Bushfires on Dementia." Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 79, no. 3 (February 2, 2021): 969–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/jad-201388.
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Australia often experiences natural disasters and extreme weather conditions such as: flooding, sandstorms, heatwaves, and bushfires (also known as wildfires or forest fires). The proportion of the Australian population aged 65 years and over is increasing, alongside the severity and frequency of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters. Extreme heat can affect the entire population but particularly at the extremes of life, and patients with morbidities. Frequently identified as a vulnerable demographic in natural disasters, there is limited research on older adults and their capacity to deal with extreme heat and bushfires. There is a considerable amount of literature that suggests a significant association between mental disorders such as dementia, and increased vulnerability to extreme heat. The prevalence rate for dementia is estimated at 30%by age 85 years, but there has been limited research on the effects extreme heat and bushfires have on individuals living with dementia. This review explores the differential diagnosis of dementia, the Australian climate, and the potential impact Australia’s extreme heat and bushfires have on individuals from vulnerable communities including low socioeconomic status Indigenous and Non-Indigenous populations living with dementia, in both metropolitan and rural communities. Furthermore, we investigate possible prevention strategies and provide suggestions for future research on the topic of Australian bushfires and heatwaves and their impact on people living with dementia. This paper includes recommendations to ensure rural communities have access to appropriate support services, medical treatment, awareness, and information surrounding dementia.
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Schermer, Julie Aitken, and Marisa L. Kfrerer. "Humor style differences across four English-speaking countries." HUMOR 33, no. 3 (August 27, 2020): 423–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/humor-2019-0027.
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AbstractUsing three archival data sets, mean differences in the four humor styles of affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating were assessed for adults (n = 6404) across four English-speaking countries: Canada (n = 339), the USA (n = 165), the United Kingdom (n = 4012), and Australia (n = 1888). As age and sex varied greatly across the samples and had significant relationships with the humor styles (men scored higher on each scale, younger people scored higher on affiliative, aggressive, and self-defeating humor, and older people scored higher on self-enhancing humor), age and sex were regressed out of the humor style scores and the standardized residuals were examined. Significant differences were found for the four humor styles. Specifically, the Americans were the highest in affiliative and self-enhancing humor, and the British were the highest in both aggressive and self-defeating humor. As humor styles are an insight into human social interactions, the results provide a glimpse into the differences found between these countries.
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BENBOW, SUSAN MARY, and DAVID TENCH. "A survey of psychiatrists in northwest England concerning their use of maintenance electroconvulsive therapy." International Psychogeriatrics 19, no. 5 (March 9, 2007): 985–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s104161020700498x.
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Dr. Lim's practice audit of maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (M-ECT) in the elderly (Lim, 2006) describes a group of older people treated with M-ECT in Australia but does not describe the views of Australian psychiatrists regarding the use of this form of treatment. We explored the views of psychiatrists in northwest England regarding the use of M-ECT in the 1990s: our study group was a subset of the cohort reported in Benbow et al. (1998), namely those respondents to a first-stage questionnaire who stated that they had used M-ECT (25%) or were prepared to consider its use (67%). A second-stage questionnaire inquired specifically about practice in relation to M-ECT, defined as the regular administration of ECT in order to minimize the likelihood of further episodes of illness, and was sent to 85 individuals of whom 77 responded, giving a response rate of 87.5%. Of these respondents, 49% stated that they had not prescribed maintenance treatment within the past 10 years; 42% estimated that they had prescribed one or two courses; 8% three to four courses and 1% five to six courses. None had prescribed more than six courses, so the experience of any one individual was relatively limited.
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Kinsella, Glynda J. "What Are the Characteristics of Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults?" Brain Impairment 12, no. 1 (May 1, 2011): 71–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1375/brim.12.1.71.
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AbstractThe Australian community is ageing; over the next 40 years, our population over the age of 65 years will double to around 23%, and this considerable increase in older adults means an increasing number of people will be at risk of sustaining trauma through falls or road traffic accidents. In contrast to the increasingly well-documented outcome literature on younger adults, very few studies have focused on older adults. Instead of assuming that outcomes posttraumatic brain injury (post-TBI) will follow similar patterns as in younger samples, there are several reasons to investigate older age recovery separately, and these issues will be discussed by reviewing some of the primary characteristics of older adults who experience traumatic brain injury.
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Lenart, Marta, Maria Mackowiak, Adrianna Senczyszyn, Dorota Szczesniak, Clarissa Giebel, Rabih Chattat, Mark Gabbay, et al. "Social health of people with dementia during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic." International Psychogeriatrics 33, S1 (October 2021): 24–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610221001551.
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Background:Limited access to medical and social services during the coronavirus outbreak has contributed to the exclusion of vulnerable populations, such as people with dementia and older adults. These limitations and the resulting social isolation have highlighted the importance of social relationships and their relationship to the mental health of these people. In the context of dementia, ‘social health’ (SH) can be defined as the role of social abilities for achieving a dynamic balance between opportunities and limitations. The concept encompasses the capacity and independency of an individual to participate in social activities alongside the influences of the surrounding social network.Methods:Using a qualitative and quantitative approach, we will present social health and its determinants of people with dementia related to social care service closures and self-isolation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We present an analysis of the survey data from the cross-country population- based study and the semi-structured telephone interviews with people with and without dementia from Poland, UK, Australia and Italy aged 65 and over.Results:Measuring the Social Health Index in relation to experiencing self-isolation and changes in the use of services before and during the pandemic among the people with dementia, allow us to identify the level of SH and its determinants. Also, the qualitative results revealed the indirect consequences of the pandemic-related restrictions in the access to social care service and social isolation. Reduction of social support was significantly related to deficits in social health and well-being.Conclusions:Our results highlight the emerging impact of health the current global epidemiological situation upon social health, with a particular focus on those affected by social disadvantage and isolation.
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Swindell, Richard. "U3A (the University of the Third Age) in Australia: a Model For Successful Ageing." Ageing and Society 13, no. 2 (June 1993): 245–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x00000878.
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ABSTRACTEducation may have an important role to play in helping to enhance older people's quality of life. The University of the Third Age (U3A) has operated successfully in many countries for nearly two decades, yet few studies have described the characteristics of those who are attracted to the movement, or the benefits to the individual and, possibly, to wider society of the U3A approach to education. This study discusses major findings from 770 responses to a postal survey involving members from twelve independent U3A campuses in three Australian States, and compares these findings with data reported for older learners in other countries. Some implications for Australian U3As undertaking research activities which have the potential to benefit the wider ageing community are raised.
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TILSE, CHERYL, DEBORAH SETTERLUND, JILL WILSON, and LINDA ROSENMAN. "Minding the money: a growing responsibility for informal carers." Ageing and Society 25, no. 2 (February 24, 2005): 215–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x04002983.
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Managing the assets of older people is a common and potentially complex task of informal care with legal, financial, cultural, political and family dimensions. Older people are increasingly recognised as having significant assets, but the family, the state, service providers and the market have competing interests in their use. Increased policy interest in self-provision and user-charges for services underline the importance of asset management in protecting the current and future health, care and accommodation choices of older people. Although ‘minding the money’ has generally been included as an informal care-giving task, there is limited recognition of either its growing importance and complexity or of care-givers' involvement. The focus of both policy and practice have been primarily on substitute decision-making and abuse. This paper reports an Australian national survey and semi-structured interviews that have explored the prevalence of non-professional involvement in asset management. The findings reveal the nature and extent of involvement, the tasks that informal carers take on, the management processes that they use, and that ‘minding the money’ is a common informal care task and mostly undertaken in the private sphere using some risky practices. Assisting informal care-givers with asset management and protecting older people from financial risks and abuse require various strategic policy and practice responses that extend beyond substitute decision-making legislation. Policies and programmes are required: to increase the awareness of the tasks, tensions and practices surrounding asset management; to improve the financial literacy of older people, their informal care-givers and service providers; to ensure access to information, advice and support services; and to develop better accountability practices.
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Kalisch Ellett, Lisa M., Nicole L. Pratt, Mhairi Kerr, and Elizabeth E. Roughead. "Antipsychotic polypharmacy in older Australians." International Psychogeriatrics 30, no. 4 (November 10, 2017): 539–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610217001934.
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ABSTRACTBackground:Antipsychotics are commonly used, and the rate of use is highest, among those aged 65 years or over, where the risk of adverse events is also high. Up to 20% of younger adults use more than one antipsychotic concurrently; however there are few studies on the prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy in older people. We aimed to analyze antipsychotic use in elderly Australians, focusing on the prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy and the use of medicines to manage adverse events associated with antipsychotics.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) administrative claims data for the period 1 March 2014 to 30 June 2014. Veterans dispensed at least one antipsychotic medicine during the study period was included. We determined the number of participants dispensed antipsychotic polypharmacy and the number of participants dispensed medicines to manage antipsychotic side effects.Results:There were 7,412 participants with a median age of 86 years. Fifty-one percent (n=3,784) were women and 48% (n=3,569) lived in residential aged-care. Fifty one participants (0.7%) were dispensed anticholinergic medicines indicated for the management of antipsychotic-associated extrapyramidal movement disorders and eight (0.1%) were dispensed medicines for the management of hyperprolactinemia. Five percent of participants (n=365) received dual antipsychotics. Dual antipsychotic users were more likely to be under the care of a psychiatrist or to have had a mental health hospitalization than those using a single antipsychotic.Conclusions:Antipsychotic polypharmacy occurred in one in 20 elderly persons, indicating that there is room for improvement in antipsychotic use in elderly patients.
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FELDMAN, SUSAN, HARRIET RADERMACHER, COLETTE BROWNING, STEVE BIRD, and SHANE THOMAS. "Challenges of recruitment and retention of older people from culturally diverse communities in research." Ageing and Society 28, no. 4 (May 2008): 473–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x07006976.
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ABSTRACTThe substantial and increasing number of older Australian people from culturally diverse backgrounds justifies the investigation and inclusion of their experiences in ageing research. Few empirical studies have addressed culturally diverse issues in the older population, however, in part because of the particular challenges in recruiting and retaining people from different cultural backgrounds. This article reflects on a research team's experience of recruiting participants from seven cultural groups into a study that sought to explore the links between physical activity and the built environment. Three key issues for recruiting and retaining participants from culturally diverse backgrounds were identified: having access to key local informants; the central role of paid and trained bilingual interviewers; and supporting the research partners in recruitment activities. Furthermore, it appeared that a ‘one size fits all’ approach was not appropriate and that a flexible recruitment strategy may be required to ensure successful recruitment from all cultural groups. The differences observed in this study relating to recruitment and retention rates may be more dependent on the skills and characteristics of those responsible for the recruitment and interviewing, rather than the specific cultural group itself. Older people from some cultural backgrounds may be less likely to respond to traditional recruitment methods and researchers need to be more assiduous and strategic to improve participation rates in research.
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Tait, Robert J., Davina J. French, Richard A. Burns, Julie E. Byles, and Kaarin J. Anstey. "Alcohol, hospital admissions, and falls in older adults: a longitudinal evaluation." International Psychogeriatrics 25, no. 6 (February 22, 2013): 901–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610213000173.
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ABSTRACTBackground:There are limited data on the impacts of alcohol use in older adults. We aimed to evaluate self-reported hospital admissions and falls against current Australian alcohol consumption guidelines.Methods:We conducted a longitudinal analysis of data from five Australian cohort studies. The study comprised 16,785 people aged 65 years or older at baseline. Alcohol consumption was categorized using Australian guidelines in standard (10 g) drinks per day as “abstinent,” “low-risk” (>0 ≤2), “long-term risk” (>2 ≤4), or “short-term risk” (>4). Separate generalized estimating equations for men and women, controlling for key demographic, and health variables (depression, diabetes, circulatory and musculoskeletal conditions) were used to examine the relationship of alcohol consumption with hospitalization and falls against a reference category of low-risk consumption.Results:Most participants were in the low (10,369, 62%) or abstinent (5,488, 33%) categories. Among women, all alcohol groups had greater odds of admission than low-risk users; among men, only the abstinent group had increased odds. For both genders, depression, diabetes, circulatory and musculoskeletal conditions all increased the odds of admission. For both genders, the unadjusted model showed that abstainers had increased odds of falling, with depression, diabetes, and for women, musculoskeletal conditions also associated with falls in the adjusted model.Conclusion:These outcomes suggest that older women in particular could benefit from targeted alcohol consumption messages or interventions. In relation to falls, other health conditions appear better targets for intervention than alcohol use.
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ZACHER, HANNES. "Older job seekers' job search intensity: the interplay of proactive personality, age and occupational future time perspective." Ageing and Society 33, no. 7 (May 30, 2012): 1139–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x12000451.
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ABSTRACTLong-term unemployment of older people can have severe consequences for individuals, communities and ultimately economies, and is therefore a serious concern in countries with an ageing population. However, the interplay of chronological age and other individual difference characteristics in predicting older job seekers' job search is so far not well understood. This study investigated relationships among age, proactive personality, occupational future time perspective (FTP) and job search intensity of 182 job seekers between 43 and 77 years in Australia. Results were mostly consistent with expectations based on a combination of socio-emotional selectivity theory and the notion of compensatory psychological resources. Proactive personality was positively related to job search intensity and age was negatively related to job search intensity. Age moderated the relationship between proactive personality and job search intensity, such that the relationship was stronger at higher compared to lower ages. One dimension of occupational FTP (perceived remaining time left in the occupational context) mediated this moderating effect, but not the overall relationship between age and job search intensity. Implications for future research, including the interplay of occupational FTP and proactive personality, and some tentative practical implications are discussed.
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Blair, Annaliese, Katrina Anderson, and Catherine Bateman. "The “Golden Angels”: effects of trained volunteers on specialling and readmission rates for people with dementia and delirium in rural hospitals." International Psychogeriatrics 30, no. 11 (August 13, 2018): 1707–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610218000911.
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ABSTRACTObjectives:Evaluate the clinical outcomes for patients with dementia, delirium, or at risk for delirium supported by the person-centered volunteer program in rural acute hospitals.Design:A non-randomized, controlled trial.Participants:Older adults admitted to seven acute hospitals in rural Australia. Intervention (n = 270) patients were >65 years with a diagnosis of dementia or delirium or had risk factors for delirium and received volunteer services. Control (n = 188) patients were admitted to the same hospital 12 months prior to the volunteer program and would have met eligibility criteria for the volunteer program, had it existed.Intervention:Trained volunteers provided 1:1 person-centered care with a focus on nutrition and hydration support, hearing and visual aids, activities, and orientation.Measures:Medical record audits provided data on volunteer visits, diagnoses, length of stay (LOS), behavioral incidents, readmission, specialling, mortality, admission to residential care, falls, pressure ulcers, and medication use.Results:Across all sites, there was a significant reduction in rates of 1:1 specialling and 28 day readmission for patients receiving the volunteer intervention. LOS was significantly shorter for the control group. There were no differences in other patient outcomes for the intervention and control groups.Conclusion:The volunteer intervention is a safe, effective, and replicable way to support older acute patients with dementia, delirium, or risk factors for delirium in rural hospitals. Further papers will report on cost effectiveness, family carer, volunteer, and staff experiences of the program.
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Mendes, Philip. "Remembering the ‘forgotten’ Australians: The Care Leavers of Australia Network and the Senate Inquiry into Institutional and Out-of-home Care." Children Australia 30, no. 1 (2005): 4–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s103507720001052x.
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This study examines the findings of the recent Community Affairs Reference Committee report into institutional and out-of-home care. Attention is drawn to the key role played by the Care Leavers of Australia Network (CLAN) in pushing the concerns of older care leavers onto the public agenda, successfully lobbying for the Senate Inquiry, and providing services and supports to care leavers.The report highlighted the historical failure of state authorities to protect the well-being of children and young people placed in alternative care. Many of those children have subsequently experienced significant emotional and psychological problems, the results of which include psychiatric illness, depression, suicide, substance abuse, illiteracy, impaired relationship skills and marriage breakdown, and incarceration.The report also has contemporary implications. In order to achieve better outcomes for care leavers in the future, we need to ensure that child welfare services are adequately funded, employ properly trained and qualified professional staff, promote a gradual and functional transition from dependence to independence, and ensure accountability to external bodies including consumer groups.
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Kotynia-English, Ria, Helen McGowan, and Osvaldo P. Almeida. "A randomized trial of early psychiatric intervention in residential care: impact on health outcomes." International Psychogeriatrics 17, no. 3 (September 2005): 475–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610205001572.
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Background: The prevalence of psychological and behavioral disturbances among older adults living in residential care facilities is high, and it has been shown previously that people with such symptoms have poorer health outcomes. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of an early psychiatric intervention on the 12-month health outcomes of older adults admitted to residential care facilities in Perth, Western Australia. We hypothesized that subjects in the intervention group would have better mental and physical health outcomes than controls.Methods: The study was designed as a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial. All subjects aged 65 years or over admitted to one of the 22/26 participating residential care facilities of the Inner City area of Perth were approached to join the study and were allocated randomly to the intervention or usual care group. Demographic and clinical information (including medications and use of physical restraint) was gathered systematically from all participants at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months. At each assessment, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for older adults (HoNOS 65+), the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were administered. Subjects in the intervention group who screened positive at the baseline assessment for psychiatric morbidity were reviewed within a 2-week period by the Inner City Mental Health Service of Older Adults (ICMHSOA). If clinically appropriate, mental health services were introduced without the involvement of the research team.Results: One hundred and six subjects and their next of kin consented to participate in the study (53 in each group). Mental health screening and early referral to a psychogeriatric service did not significantly change the average number of medical contacts, self-rated health, use of psychotropic or PRN medication, use of physical restraint, 12-month mortality, or mental health outcomes, as measured by the GDS-15, HoNOS 65+ and NPI (p>0.05 for all relevant outcomes).Conclusion: Systematic mental health screening of older adults admitted to residential care facilities and early clinical intervention does not change 12-month health outcomes. More effective interventions to improve the health outcomes of older adults with psychological and behavioral disturbances admitted to residential care facilities are needed.
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Goh, Ivanna, Lee-Fay Low, and Henry Brodaty. "Levels and rates of depression among Chinese people living in Chinese ethno-specific and mainstream residential care in Sydney." International Psychogeriatrics 22, no. 2 (August 10, 2009): 237–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s104161020999069x.
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ABSTRACTBackground: This study aimed to examine the levels and rates of depression in Chinese residents living in ethno-specific nursing homes (NHs), and Chinese residents living in mainstream NHs in Sydney. Australia has a growing aging migrant population and rates of depression in NHs are high, but the prevalence of depression in culturally and linguistically diverse residents has received little attention in the research literature.Methods: Older persons from a Chinese background residing in either Chinese-specific or mainstream NHs located in Sydney were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Assessments included the Mini-mental State Examination, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), and interviews with family carers and staff.Results: Fifty-eight Chinese residents were recruited from three Chinese-specific NHs (n = 31) and 13 mainstream NHs (n = 27). There were no significant differences in resident depression levels or rates between the facility types. Mean CSDD scores were 9.4 (SD = 6.0) and 11.2 (SD = 6.1) in Chinese-specific and mainstream NHs, respectively. Chinese-specific NH residents had lower prescription levels of antipsychotics and more of them received effective antidepressant therapy in comparison to those in mainstream NHs.Conclusions: These findings suggest that in comparison to mainstream care Chinese ethno-specific care does not impact on levels or rates of depression but is associated with less antipsychotic use and higher numbers of residents treated effectively with antidepressant therapy. Longitudinal research with larger samples and a range of outcome measures including quality-of-life and social engagement is required to explore further the effects of ethno-specific care.
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Thompson, Anna, Cathy Issakidis, and Caroline Hunt. "Delay to Seek Treatment for Anxiety and Mood Disorders in an Australian Clinical Sample." Behaviour Change 25, no. 2 (June 1, 2008): 71–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1375/bech.25.2.71.
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AbstractEffective treatments for common anxiety and mood disorders exist, yet epidemiological studies reveal that the unmet need for treatment in the community remains high. This study investigates the significance of the initial delay to first seek professional help in this unmet need for treatment in an Australian sample. Help-seeking history was retrospectively reported by 273 new referrals to a specialist anxiety treatment clinic who had a primary diagnosis of an anxiety (78%) or mood disorder (22%). Clinical, demographic and attitudinal variables were tested as potential predictors of length of the delay. Average help-seeking delay was 8.2 years (range 0–72 years). Younger age at symptom onset and slower problem recognition were associated with delayed help-seeking, and older people were more likely to report longer delays. We conclude that delays to first seek treatment are long and contribute significantly to the unmet need for treatment for anxiety and mood disorders, and that lack of problem recognition is a significant barrier to help-seeking.
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Flicker, Leon, and Dina Logiudice. "What can we learn about dementia from research in Indigenous populations?" International Psychogeriatrics 27, no. 12 (October 29, 2015): 1957–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610215001684.
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Indigenous peoples represent up to 5% of the world's population (almost 400 million people), representing thousands of individual cultures and language groups. The health status of older Indigenous peoples has been little researched, partly related to lower life expectancy and the consideration that Indigenous peoples do not live long enough to experience the common “geriatric syndromes” such as dementia, frailty, and falls. Statistics from Australia and Canada now report that Indigenous populations are undergoing rapid aging, with many examples of survivorship to old age (Arkleset al., 2010; Jacklinet al., 2012). The systematic review by Warrenet al. (2015) is a timely one, in that it reminds clinicians interested in old age that this “fourth” World population deserves further attention. Researchers that have worked with these groups to produce population estimates are relatively few. In their systematic review, Warrenet al.(2015) demonstrate wide variation in prevalence rates of dementia. They conclude that a major cause of this heterogeneity in prevalence is due to basic methodological differences. In particular, those studies that have utilized already acquired routine data may be biased. The type and direction of this bias can be complex. For example, Cotteret al.(2012) using routinely collected data, concluded that the prevalence of dementia in Aboriginal Australians in the Northern Territory was not higher than non-Aboriginal prevalence. Using similar methodologies some years later the conclusion was that the Aboriginal population had markedly higher rates (Liet al., 2014). In the intervening period, a dementia awareness campaign coupled with the development of a culturally appropriate screening tool probably resulted in greater detection in routine care.
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Wand, Anne P. F., and James George. "Observations of a traveling fellow: consultation–liaison psychiatry versus joint units for delirium management." International Psychogeriatrics 25, no. 7 (February 21, 2013): 1204–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610213000124.
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There are various approaches to providing specialist care for patients with delirium in general hospitals. Those described in the literature include joint geriatric/psychiatric units and consultation–liaison (CL) psychiatry services. The Ferdinande Johanna Kanjilal Travelling Fellowship, from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK, provided an opportunity to more fully understand each model. This letter outlines observations of the Australian Fellow (AW) of different service structures in the care of hospitalized older people with delirium in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
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Bigby, Christine, Susan Balandin, Chris Fyffe, Jeffrey McCubbery, and Meg Gordon. "Retirement or just a change of pace: an Australian national survey of disability day services used by older people with disabilities." Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability 29, no. 3 (September 2004): 239–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13668250412331285145.
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BROWNING, COLETTE J., JOANNE C. ENTICOTT, SHANE A. THOMAS, and HAL KENDIG. "Trajectories of ageing well among older Australians: a 16-year longitudinal study." Ageing and Society 38, no. 8 (March 28, 2017): 1581–602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x17000162.
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ABSTRACTIn this study we used individual differences concepts and analyses to examine whether older people achieve different ageing-well states universally or whether there are identifiable key groups that achieve them to different extents. The data used in the modelling were from a prospective 16-year longitudinal study of 1,000 older Australians. We examined predictors of trajectories for ageing well using self-rated health, psychological wellbeing and independence in daily living as joint indicators of ageing well in people aged over 65 years at baseline. We used group-trajectory modelling and multivariate regression to identify characteristics predicting ‘ageing well’. The results showed three distinct and sizeable ageing trajectory groups: (a) ‘stable-good ageing well’ (classified as ageing well in all longitudinal study waves; which was achieved by 30.2% of women and 28.0% of men); (b) ‘initially ageing well then deteriorating’ (50.5% women and 47.6% men); and (c) ‘stable-poor’ (not ageing well in any wave; 19.3% women and 24.4% men). Significant gender differences were found in membership in different ageing-well states. In the stable-poor groups there were 103/533 females which was significantly lower than 114/467 men (z-statistic = −2.6, p = 0.005); women had a ‘zero’ probability of progressing to a better ageing-well classification in later years, whilst males had a one-in-five probability of actually improving. Robust final state outcome predictors at baseline were lower age and fewer medical conditions for both genders; restful sleep and Australian-born for women; and good nutrition, decreased strain, non-smoker and good social support for men. These results support that ageing-well trajectories are influenced by modifiable factors. Findings will assist better targeting of health-promoting activities for older people.