Experiences Of Elders Research Articles

KNOWLEDGE OF LGBT CULTURAL SENSITIVITY AMONG AGING SERVICE PROVIDER NETWORKS

The population of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults aged 50 or above is rapidly aging, posing distinct challenges to aging service providers who work to meet their complex health and social needs. In 2011, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), home of the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging (NRC), developed and implemented a suite of trainings designed to sensitize aging service providers to the needs and experiences of LGBT elders. This descriptive study examines baseline (pre-test) survey data from individuals trained between 2013 and 2018 (N=10,500). Training participants represent all states throughout the U.S. and vary widely in race/ethnicity, age, and job title. Preliminary results indicate that knowledge measured prior to trainings shows substantial variation across geographic regions, suggesting the need for more geographically targeted approaches to training delivery. Implications for practice, research, and policy with LGBT adults in later life will be discussed.

Sensor-Based Passive Remote Monitoring and Discordant Values: Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Low-Income Immigrant Elders in the United States.

BackgroundRemote monitoring technologies are positioned to mitigate the problem of a dwindling care workforce and disparities in access to care for the growing older immigrant population in the United States. To achieve these ends, designers and providers need to understand how these supports can be best provided in the context of various sociocultural environments that shape older adults’ expectations and care relationships, yet few studies have examined how the same remote monitoring technologies may produce different effects and uses depending on what population is using them in a particular context.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the experiences and insights of low-income, immigrant senior residents, family contacts, and staff of housing that offered a sensor-based passive monitoring system designed to track changes in movement around the home and trigger alerts for caregivers. The senior housing organization had been offering the QuietCare sensor system to its residents for 6 years at the time of the study. We are interested in adoption and discontinuation decisions and use over time, rather than projected acceptance. Our research question is how do cultural differences influence use and experiences with this remote monitoring technology? The study does not draw generalizable conclusions about how cultural groups interact with a given technology, but rather, it examines how values are made visible in elder care technology interactions.MethodsA total of 41 participants (residents, family, and staff) from 6 large senior housing independent living apartment buildings were interviewed. Interviews were conducted in English and Korean with these participants who collectively had immigrated to the United States from 10 countries.ResultsThe reactions of immigrant older adults to the passive monitoring system reveal that this tool offered to them was often mismatched with their values, needs, and expectations. Asian elders accepted the intervention social workers offered largely to appease them, but unlike their US-born counterparts, they adopted reluctantly without hope that it would ameliorate their situation. Asian immigrants discontinued use at the highest rate of all residents, and intergenerational family cultural conflict contributed to this termination. Social workers reported that none of the large population of Russian-speaking residents agreed to use QuietCare. Bilingual and bicultural social workers played significant roles as cultural navigators in the promotion of QuietCare to residents.ConclusionsThis research into the interactions of culturally diverse people with the same monitoring technology reveals the significant role that social values and context play in shaping how people and families interact with and experience elder care interventions. If technology-based care services are to reach their full potential, it will be important to identify the ways in which cultural values produce different uses and responses to technologies intended to help older adults live independently.

Oral Tradition as Source of Construction of History of Pre Literate Societies

Oral traditions are considered as a reliable source of historical writing. It represents collective experience and wisdom. But oral tradition is largely anonymous. It imperceptibly absorbs what comes from many sources—individuals, inside groups, and outside groups. In any society, oral tradition has the function of supporting the political structure, economic systems, religious aspects and the social and cultural moves of the group. The knowledge and experience of elders and lessons learned by several generations through experience are crystallized into it. In this paper, an attempt is made to analyse the importance of oral tradition, its elements and various aspects in association with utilization of oral tradition as important source material for the reconstruction of history. Paper also emphasize the need of carefulness and patience on the part of historian while using the facts and should go in to deep the roots of the oral tradition in order to ensure that the facts collected and gathered are authentic and genuine.

Alleged Financial Abuse of Those under an Enduring Power of Attorney: An Exploratory Study

This article examines the issue of alleged elder financial abuse arising from the misuse of an enduring power of attorney (EPA) and the experiences of those vulnerable elders in attempting to access justice to gain information about their situation and/or to remedy the abuse. To achieve this, case file notes from 100 individuals aged sixty-five years and over who sought assistance from an Australian not-for-profit advocacy organisation were analysed. In particular, this article focuses on the nature of the allegations of financial abuse to illustrate the complexities that exist for those in these circumstances. Second, it will consider both the barriers and enablers of access to justice evident in the case files of the individual alleged victims. Lastly, based on the evidence presented, it will consider how these circumstances can be better managed or improved upon, particularly from the perspective of service providers and aged-care professionals.

Engaging Experts: Expanding Participation and Enhancing Research in Chinese Eldercare Institutions

ABSTRACTDue to the myriad factors straining China’s traditional family-based eldercare system, today unprecedented numbers of older adults are turning to institutions for caregiving needs. As researchers and policy makers organize conferences, analyze trends, and allocate resources, the subjective experiences of elders themselves are often forgotten or ignored. While providers recognize that institutionalized elders are at an increased risk for mental health issues, most cite personnel and resource shortages as insurmountable barriers to provision. Using examples from ethnographic research in Chinese eldercare institutions, this article examines the link between participation and mental health for contemporary Chinese elders and makes a case for expanding the role of elders in research in order to improve both the experience and understanding of institutional eldercare.

Elders' Experiences During Return Visits to the Emergency Department: A Phenomenographic Study in Taiwan.

Elders often experience multiple chronic diseases associated with frequent early return visits to emergency departments (EDs). There is limited knowledge of the experiences and concerns of elders during ED return visits. The purpose of the research was to explore the experiences of elders during ED return visits, with a view toward identifying factors that contribute to return visits. The qualitative approach of phenomenography was used. Data were collected at one ED in a 3,000-bed medical center in Taiwan. Inclusion criteria were aged 65 or above and return visits to the ED within 72 hours of discharge from an index ED visit. The seven steps of qualitative data analysis for a phenomenographic study were employed to develop understanding of participants' experiences. Thirty return-visit elders were interviewed in 2014. Four categories of description were established from the participants' accounts. These were "being tricked by ED staff," "doctor shopping," "a sign of impending death," and "feeling fatalistic." The outcome space of elders with early return visits to ED was characterized as "seeking the answer." Index ED visits are linked to return visits for Taiwanese elders through physiological, psychological, and social factors.

The Costs of “Living the Dream” for Hmong Immigrants: The Impact of Subtractive Schooling on Family and Community

In this article, I engage critical discourse analysis of in-depth, semistructured interviews with 4 Hmong community leaders to illumine their perspectives on the role of subtractive schooling in the struggles of Hmong students, parents, and the ethnic community as a whole. I reveal their understanding of the exclusionary practices of school that privilege dominant White culture and contribute to children's Hmong language loss, ignorance about the Hmong refugee experience and sacrifices of parents and elders, and disengagement from family cultural obligations. This study significantly contributes to the current research on subtractive schooling.

The need for leadership training in long-term care settings.

Purpose Globally, in 1980, approximately 5.8 per cent of the world population was 65 years old and older. By 2050, this number will more than triple to 16 per cent. From a leadership perspective, there is at least one challenge (among many others challenges) to consider. This paper (viewpoint) aims to provide support for the growing need for academically prepared managers. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a viewpoint which presents several characteristics of the long-term care (LTC) field that support the need for academically trained leaders. Findings LTC leaders in all countries must be sufficiently versed in numerous management areas to provide leadership when called on by those assigned to their care. Given local area variations in population needs present across all countries, it may be unwise to advocate for national, countrywide standardization of requirements. Yet, older adults accessing LTC services should expect a minimum level of knowledge from all of their providers - not just those who provide direct, hands-on care. However, similar to those who provide direct care, leaders should receive competency-based education with specific attention to effective communication skills, team-based approaches to care delivery, information technologies and population health. Originality/value Although much of the extant literature focuses on the delivery of care to older persons, there is a dearth of literature addressing the role of LTC leaders in light of global aging. Establishing a minimum level of academic training and increasing transparency focused on the positive experiences of elders residing in LTC facilities should help dispel the notion that placement in an LTC facility reflects filial failure.

Experience of elders on elder abuse

Experience of elders on elder abuse

Toward an Integration of Narrative Identity, Generativity, and Storytelling in African American Elders

This review aims to investigate the link between narrative identity, generativity, and storytelling in African American elders. Storytelling has been a method of intergenerational communication and connection for a number of years in the African American community. Storytelling has also strengthened generative ties and intergenerational relationships. Erikson’s eight stages of psychological development are used to examine narrative identity and generativity. Research exploring the life experiences of African American elders is also presented. This article examines the current research on narrative identity and generativity and the African American experience, and makes suggestions for future endeavors in the field. It is recommended that future research consider the three—narrative identity, generativity, and storytelling—to better understand the experience of older African Americans.

“I guess we survived”: Insights into traumatic experiences of Lakota elders.

“I guess we survived”: Insights into traumatic experiences of Lakota elders.

Self-rated Health of Frail Elders

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of frail elders regarding self-rated health. Methods: A qualitative descriptive method was used. Data were collected using individual in-depth interviews and filed notes from seven frail elders in South Korea. A phenomenological approach was used to analyze the data. Results: The study clarified one core theme, four compositional elements, and ten transformation of meaning units of frail elders regarding self-rated health. The core theme ‘Self-acceptance through the downward comparison’ encompassed the compositional elements of (a) Unpredictable body, (b) Acceptance of the situation, (c) Creating my own health baseline and (d) Building supportive relationships. Conclusion: The results of this study provide valuable nursing knowledge for understanding the experiences of frail elders regarding self-rated health that will contribute to developing nursing intervention on their behalf.

Ageing and learning: What do they mean to elders themselves?

ABSTRACTThis paper is about a quantitative study which has examined and elucidated the conceptualizations of ageing and learning by a group of elders in Hong Kong. In more specific terms, the study has investigated how this group of older people understood the meaning of successful ageing and elder learning in the context of their later lives. Based on the ‘Learning and Ageing Survey 2013’ with a sample of 519 older adults in Hong Kong, the study aimed, first, to describe and conceptualize the meaning of ageing and learning as elders experienced it in later life; second, to investigate why and how elders engaged or did not engage, in organized learning, by comparing the differences between the ‘learning’ and ‘non-learning’ groups in terms of their personal characteristics, conceptualizations of learning, and the barriers to participation; third, to identify important learning issues for older learners, including their interests, needs, motivations, and learning preferences; and finally, to investigate the relationship between learning and successful ageing, and between learning and the overall well-being and satisfaction of elders in their later lives. The research findings and outcomes of the study provide insights into the experience and views of elders concerning ageing and learning, which contribute to the global understanding and knowledge base for elder learning and successful ageing; and which serve to inform the development of policy and practice geared to the planning and provision of programmes for learning in older age.

(240) Poor, scared, and hurting: the experiences of Black elders managing chronic pain

Pain is a challenging stressor that can affect every facet of a person’s life and significantly diminish their quality of life. Those at greatest risk for diminished quality of life secondary to pain are older adults. Older adults have an increased likelihood to have chronic end-stage diseases that cause moderate to severe pain. Unfortunately, the management of pain amongst the older adult population has been consistently poor. Of particular concern within the older adult and chronically ill populations are Black Americans.

Conservation and Ethnobotanical Knowledge of a Hmong Community in Long Lan, Luang Prabang, Lao People's Democratic Republic

In 2012 and 2013 participatory ethnobotany explorations were undertaken with herbalists from the Hmong ethnic group of Long Lan village, in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. These investigations into the knowledge and experience of indigenous elders of Long Lan and surrounding villages sought to identify the relationship between the spiritual-cultural practices and livelihood uses of plants and their conservation. Information about 74 plant species of 49 families was recorded, including 25 herbs (17 perennial, 8 annual), 20 trees, 17 shrubs, 10 climbers, and 2 ferns. Analysis of quantitative ethnobotany scores indicated positive trends between uses and conservation practices for plants. The study suggests that the traditional Hmong cultural uses for plants may be a mechanism for the conservation of biodiversity in the rapidly deteriorating forests of Luang Prabang in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Tshawb nrhiav nroj tsuag tau muaj kev koom tes nrog cov kws tshuaj ntsuab Hmoob nyob rau zos Long Lan, Xeev Luang prabang, Los Tsuas Teb chaws tau pib tshawb los rau ntawm lub xyoo 2012 thiab 2013. Nrhiav txog lub laj lim thiab tswv yim ntawm cov laus neeg nyob zos Long Lan thiab cov zos nyob ib puag ncig twb yog ib qhov sij hawm muaj txiaj ntsig tau paub txog txoj kev cai coj siv nroj tsuag thiab pov hwm nyob nrog lub neej. Tau paub txog ntawm 74 hom tau muaj 49 yam (nroj tsuag) twb tau muab sau zoo, qhov nov muaj 25 yam tshuaj ntsuab (17 yam yog cov muaj hnub nyooj ntev thiab 8 yam yog cov muaj hnub nyooj luv), 20 yam yog cov ua ntoo, 17 yam yog cov nroj, 10 yam yog cov hmab, thiab 2 yam yog suab. Muab xam tau pom txog nroj tsuag muaj txiaj ntsig zoo heev rau ntawm txoj kev siv yoom thiab pov hwm nyob nrog lub neej. Qhov tshawb rhiav no tau ceeb toom txog tias txoj kev siv yoom nroj tsuag raws li txoj cai Hmoob coj yog ib txoj cai zoo rau ntawm kev pov hwm hav zoov hav tsuag rau qhov hav zoov niaj hnub no raug luaj ntov nyob rau xeev Luang prabang, los Tsuas Teb.

Living Independently as an Ethnic Minority Elder: A Relational Perspective on the Issues of Aging and Ethnic Minorities

This study examines the residential experiences of Korean ethnic elders in affordable housing in the greater Chicago area, focusing on how patterns of social relationships that evolved around a geographical location and its urban infrastructure enabled the elders to achieve their desire for residential independence. Based on the theoretical concept of activity settings and social capital, the study suggests an integrated theoretical model where social capital is understood as an embedded asset of an activity setting. Methodologically, this study uses a combined method of qualitative interviews with 138 Korean elders in affordable housing in the greater Chicago area and a geographic analysis of their social relationships in order to present associations among social relationships, urban infrastructures, and the shared value of independence within their residential communities. The study findings indicate that the elders mobilized ethnic businesses, urban infrastructures, and the collective efficacy of groups to achieve the shared goal of maintaining residential independence. In each community, a cultural broker acted as an important bridge between the community of ethnic minorities and the larger social networks coexisting within the community boundary. The relational perspective as a potent ground for understanding and further solving the issues of aging and ethnicity is highlighted.

The Residential Choices of Ethnic Elders in Affordable Housing: Changing Intergenerational Relationships and the Pursuit of Residential Independence

This study examines the housing choices and residential experiences of ethnic minority elders in affordable senior housing in a large metropolitan area by using a life course perspective in the context of community life. Using in-depth interview data with 138 individuals, the study reveals that the elders’ decisions to move were fueled by their evolving intergenerational relationships, suburban isolation, governmental provisions of housing and health care, and ethnic concentrations in urban centers. Place meanings arose from the relationship between life course factors, urban configuration, and health care provision as they unfolded in a community boundary of the activity setting.

Etic and Emic Perspectives on Aging Across Four Countries: Italy, Thailand, Botswana, and the United States

Elders’ experiences while aging in place were obtained as part of an effort to develop a typology of emic (culture-specific) and etic (universal) models of aging. Data came from interviews with older adults in Italy, Thailand, Botswana, and the United States. Analysis of variance was used to examine similarities and differences in the samples. Comparing country data from the four collection sites, similarities were indicated for participants’ marital status, and having children and grandchildren. Differences were evident for the number of children and grandchildren, level of reported health and happiness, overall satisfaction with life, type of pension received, whether benefits are sufficient, the availability of extra revenue, and the number of daily and weekly activities indicated. Findings highlight the diverse cross-national aging experience of elders in this study. As worldwide demographic change leads to older populations and there are shifts in societal norms (in family involvement in caregiving, health care, and policy development), there is a dire need to understand how these changes impact elders at emic (culture/country-specific) and etic (universal) levels.

The Artifact as Interviewer: Experimenting with Oral History at the Ovenstone Miners’ Cottages Site, Northumberland

The authors introduce a new artifact-centered oral-history methodology and describe its use in interpreting finds from the 19th-century midden associated with a row of cottages at Ovenstone, Northumberland. The history of settlement and excavation at Ovenstone are described, and the evolution and development of the artifact-centered approach is explored. Four case studies are presented in order to illustrate some of the ways in which oral testimonies have informed the interpretation of artifacts from the Ovenstone midden. Each of these examples draws directly on the memories and experiences of community elders who were interviewed for the Ovenstone Project between 2009 and 2012.

Developing Understanding of Same-Sex Partner Bereavement for Older Lesbian and Gay People: Implications for Social Work Practice

There is little research and literature exploring same-sex partner bereavement in later life or end-of-life experiences of lesbian and gay elders in the United Kingdom. This article considers this often overlooked area of social work practice and explores a range of factors emerging from a small explorative study that considers the experience of loss and bereavement for lesbian and gay elders. Discussion of issues emerging include consideration of the wider psycho-social nature of bereavement and end-of-life experiences for lesbian and gay elders, and the implications this has for social work education and practice.