Prerequisites for a healthy and independent life among older people: a Delphi study

Healthcare and social care professionals' experiences of respite care: a critical incident study

INTRODUCTION

Aging in place is favoured among older persons and supported by research in Sweden, although it poses challenges for overburdened informal caregivers. While respite care can offer support, its accessibility is hindered by organizational challenges and informal caregivers' delays in using it. The experiences of informal caregivers are well-studied, but the professionals' experiences of respite care quality and critical incident management are underexplored.

AIM

To explore professionals' experiences of critical incidents in respite care, consequences for the persons being cared for, and strategies to manage critical incidents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A qualitative, critical incident technique was used, and three group interviews with a total of 16 professionals were conducted.

RESULTS

Barriers to quality respite care included communication gaps during care transitions, environmental shortcomings in respite care facilities, lack of support for informal caregivers, and inadequacies in respite care decisions. Strategies to manage critical incidents included individualized care, continuity and communication in care transitions, a conducive environment, support for informal caregivers, and care professionals' positive approach.

CONCLUSIONS

The study emphasizes the need for focused efforts on communication, continuity, and a supportive environment. Addressing identified challenges and applying suggested strategies will be key to maximizing the potential of respite care as a vital support for care recipients and their informal caregivers.

Exploring factors that influence HRQoL for people living with Parkinson's in one region of Ireland: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The diversity of symptoms associated with Parkinson's and their impact on functioning have led to an increased interest in exploring factors that impact Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Although the experience of Parkinson's is unique, some symptoms have a greater impact than others, e.g. depression. Moreover, as the risk of Parkinson's increases with age, the financial and public health impact of this condition is likely to increase, particularly within the context of a globally ageing population. In Ireland, research is ongoing in the pursuit of causes and effective treatments for Parkinson's; however, its impact on everyday living, functioning, and HRQoL is largely under-examined. This study aims to describe factors that influence HRQoL for people with Parkinson's (PwP) in one region of Ireland.

METHODS

A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted among people living with Parkinson's (n = 208) in one area of Ireland. This survey included socio-demographic questions, Nonmotor Symptoms Questionnaire for Parkinson's disease (NMSQuest), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the Parkinson's disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, IBM version 25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, II, USA).

RESULTS

Participants reflected a predominantly older population who were married, and lived in their own homes (91%). Participants diagnosed the longest reported poorer HRQoL regarding mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, social support, cognition, communication domains and overall HRQoL. Lower HRQoL correlated with higher depression scores p < 0.001 and participants in the lower HRQoL cohort experienced 2.25 times more non-motor symptoms (NMSs) than participants with higher HRQoL. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis predicted Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS15) score, NMS burden, and years since diagnosis to negatively impact HRQoL. Principal component analysis (PCA) also indicated that for the population in this study, components measuring 1) independence/dependence 2) stigma 3) emotional well-being, and 4) pain were central to explaining core aspects of participants' HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlighted the negative impact of longer disease duration, NMS burden, depression, mobility impairments, and perceived dependence on HRQoL for PwP. The positive influence of perceived independence, social engagement along with close supportive relationships were also identified as key components determining HRQoL. Findings emphasised the importance of long-term healthcare commitment to sustaining social and community supports and therapeutic, rehabilitative initiatives to augment HRQoL for PwP.

Influence of perceived importance of the internet on life satisfaction and health of the older people: An analysis based on intermediary and moderating effects

With the global growth of the aging population, healthy aging and active aging has become an important goal for the future social development of all countries. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential relationships between the older people's perceived importance of the Internet, family atmosphere, behavioral independence, life satisfaction, and health. The data come from the China Family Panel Studies' fourth wave (2015-2016) and fifth wave (2017-2018) investigations. According to an analysis of data of 5,948 people over 60 years old performed using LISREL 8.8 software, the selected cases answered the same questions about the perceived importance of the Internet, life satisfaction, and health status in two waves of surveys. The results show that life satisfaction and self-rated health have cross influences, while at the same time both are persistent in the time baseline, and family atmosphere and behavioral independence play an important intermediary role. Therefore, strengthening parent-child interaction, promoting parent-child relationships, and improving behavioral independence can effectively improve the life satisfaction and health status of the older people.

Development of a Binational Framework for Active and Healthy Ageing (AHA) Bridging Austria and Slovenia in a Thermal Spa Region

In view of ongoing demographic developments resulting in a longer life expectancy of the European population, the creation of “age-friendly” environments represents an initiative picked up by the European Union and its Member States to enable active and healthy ageing. The present study aims at the co-creation of a cross-border framework model to deploy a healthy ageing region linking Austria and Slovenia, building on previous work dealing with the development of an integrated regional ecosystem for active and healthy ageing. A qualitative, community-based action research method based on focus group discussions allowed the development of an exemplary framework model for active and healthy ageing building on cross-border collaboration in the region of Promura. Within the project group, twelve cross-border regional key assets were identified. In the course of further open discussions, an exemplary model for the deployment of a cross-border healthy ageing region was developed, comprising underlying fundamental environmental aspects, regional structures in the field of health and care as well as crosscutting features spreading across all levels. This article presents a promising, strategic co-creation approach on how to span a model on active and healthy ageing across two cross-border regions with similar characteristics and assets.