Single Time-Point Study of the Home Environment and Functionality of Older Adults in Spain

The Relationship Between Physical Housing Characteristics, Housing Accessibility and Different Aspects of Health Among Community-Dwelling Older People: A Systematic Review

Objectives: To synthesize the evidence on the relationships between physical housing characteristics or housing accessibility and different aspects of health among community-dwelling people 60 years and older. Methods: A systematic review of recent evidence with a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: We included 15 studies and found three themes covering physical housing characteristics or housing accessibility that are associated with aspects of health among community-dwelling older adults: (1) interventions by home modifications targeting housing features both at entrances and indoors; (2) non-interventions targeting indoor features; (3) non-interventions targeting entrance features, that is, the presence of an elevator or stairs at the entrance. The overall quality of evidence across studies was assessed as very low. Discussion: The findings highlight the need for studies with a stronger research design and higher methodological quality that address the physical housing environment in relation to health among older adults to strengthen the body of evidence.

Self-care interventions of community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

The current notion of "care in old age" should be reconceptualized in the ageing societies of the 21st century. Currently, "being old" means that one is actively involved in their care and has the desire to retain control and independence.

Objective

Understand and analyze the efficacy of interventions in the physical and psychological self-care practices of healthy community-dwelling older people.

Methodology

Systematic review and meta-analysis. The guidelines of the PRISMA guide were followed. The methodological quality of the studies was checked using Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care criteria, and the search was performed between 2016 and 2021.

Results

Of the 1,866 evaluated, 8 studies met the criteria. The systematic review reveals that self-care interventions focus on physical health-related variables but not on psychological variables. The meta-analysis shows that interventions significantly improve physical health-related variables (care visits, hospital admission, medication, and gait speed).

Conclusion

Self-care training programs should include psychological variables to increase health and well-being in healthy older people.

How is the environment integrated into post-stroke rehabilitation? A qualitative study among community-dwelling persons with stroke who receive home rehabilitation in Sweden

Studies have shown a need to consider environmental factors to best support the rehabilitation and recovery process after a stroke. In addition, despite intentions to increase individuals' participation in care and rehabilitation, patients and family members report weak participation. The aim of this study was to explore how the environment was integrated into rehabilitation at home from the perspective of patients after a stroke. We conducted as a qualitative study with 17 patients rehabilitated at home. Data on the participants' experiences of the rehabilitation process and their perceptions of how the environment was considered in the process were collected via interviews and analysed using qualitative content analysis. The main category that was constructed from the data was "Partial integration of person- environment dynamics in the rehabilitation", which was informed by three subcategories: (a) I recover in my home: Challenges and opportunities in the environment, (b) Following a generic approach to therapy: Limited integration of the environment, and (c) Informed more than involved. Our study showed that the environment was integrated in a limited manner. The participants were more informed about than involved in their planning of the rehabilitation. The results are important for informing the ongoing development of rehabilitation at home and person-centred care strategies.

Defining Your "Life Territory": The Meaning of Place and Home for Community Dwellers and Nursing Home Residents-A Qualitative Study in Four European Countries

The meaning of place and home for community dwellers and nursing home residents remains unclear. We explored the relationship between older people and their “life territory”, to propose a working definition of this concept, which could be used to orient policy decisions. Individual, semi-structured interviews were performed with older people, nursing home staff, and representatives of local institutions/elected officials in four European countries (France, Belgium, Germany, Italy). Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. In total, 54 interviews were performed. Five main themes emerged: (i) working definition of “your life territory” (a multidimensional concept covering individual and collective aspects); (ii) importance of the built environment (e.g., public transport, sidewalks, benches, access ramps); (iii) interactions between nursing homes and the outside community (specifically the need to maintain interactions with the local community); (iv) a sense of integration (dependent on social contacts, seniority in the area, perceived self-utility); and (v) the use of new technologies (to promote integration, social contacts and access to culture). This study found that the “life territory” of older people is a multidimensional concept, centred around five main domains, which together contribute to integrating older people into the fibre of their community.