Religion and Spirituality as Defined by Older Adults

ABSTRACT

This exploratory qualitative study examined the intrinsic definitions of spirituality and religion across three different religious or ethnic groups of older adults – Jewish, African American Protestants and Caucasian Protestants. The study explores how older adults from these various backgrounds self-identify with the terms religion and spirituality. Because both African-Americans and Jewish older adults are underrepresented in the research on spirituality and religion, their inclusion lends insights to this topic and helps to anchor the findings in a cross-cultural context. Focus groups were employed to understand how these groups characterize their relationship to spirituality and religion. Social work professionals can utilize these findings to work more effectively with the diverse and complex issues of older adults.     

Evaluating the Roles of Professional Geriatric Care Managers in Maintaining the Quality of Life for Older Americans

This study examined the roles of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCMs). In-depth telephone surveys were completed with 19 PGCMs. Qualitative data were coded independently by two researchers. PGCMs reported that most clients and/or families seek services in response to a health crisis or because a family member was providing care at a distance. Most emphasized the importance of treating clients as autonomous decision-makers. Services described as most useful were supporting families and caregivers, being an advocate for clients, conducting initial assessments and ongoing follow up, and educating families about community resources and the financing of long term care. Regarding maintaining the quality of life for their older clients, a number of care managers described assisting clients to live independently at home, arranging for transfer to an appropriate level of care, and helping clients die peacefully with dignity. Major challenges PGCMs encountered were family conflicts and obtaining needed services. Recommendations to improve PGCM practice include increasing awareness of services, and establishing minimum professional standards through certification.     

Depression in Older Adults: A Meta-Synthesis

Depression in older adults is often overlooked and dismissed as a part of aging. A body of knowledge—both quantitative and qualitative—has developed on the topic of depression in older adults. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews have been used to synthesize the quantitative findings of studies, and our research seeks to synthesize the qualitative studies that have been conducted on elders' experience with depression. Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria, and 4 major themes were extracted: experiences, causes, recovery, and barriers to treatment. These themes are detailed and their implications for practice are explored.     

The Elder Latino Population in Holyoke,MA

Abstract

Holyoke's elderly Latino population's needs, as well as their patterns of service utilization, were explored through detailed interviews of 13 individual elders and a focus group of an additional 10 participants. The research uncovered a gap in the web of resources available, with some services, such as medical care, functioning well. However, there continue to be unmet needs, particularly in the areas of transportation, social and recreational activities, and sense of safety. Negative perceptions of aging and complaints of anxiety, depression, and boredom are also an area of concern.

The barriers to use of services were also explored. Recommendations for the enhanced provision and utilization of services, many suggested by the elders themselves, are offered. Implications for social work research and policy on, and practice with, Latino elders are discussed.     

Supporting families living with parental substance misuse: the M‐PACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) programme

The Moving Parents and Children Together (M‐PACT) programme is one of the growing number of interventions tailored to meet the multiple and complex needs of children and families affected by parental substance misuse. This paper pulls together the qualitative findings from 13 evaluated M‐PACT programmes in England. Sixty‐four families attended an M‐PACT programme, including 82 children and 75 adults. Qualitative data were collected from 37 children, 36 adults and over 30 group facilitators. Six themes are discussed: engaging with M‐PACT, shared experiences, understanding addiction, changes in communication, healthier and united families, and ending M‐PACT. The majority of families benefitted in a range of ways from the programme: meeting others who were experiencing similar problems, greater understanding about addiction and its impact on children and families improving communication within the family. In many families there was more openness and honesty, stronger relationships and more time as families, and a reduction in arguments and conflict. The key findings are discussed in terms of the potential for interventions of this kind to reduce family‐related harm from parental substance misuse.     

Autonomy,Choice and Control for Older Users of Home Care Services: Current Developments in Swedish Eldercare

In Sweden, a policy shift towards more individualized eldercare, with an emphasis on consumer choice, has taken place. The aim of this study was to analyze the processes and practices of individualized eldercare, focusing on preconditions for older peoples’ choice and control. Data consist of qualitative interviews with users of home care services (n – 12) and staff (n – 12) and participant observations (n – 7) of meetings between staff and older people. The choice and control available to older users emerged as decisions about ‘what’ care and services, ‘who’ should provide the care and services, and ‘how’ the care and services should be performed. Three approaches to enable older people choice and control over their home care services were revealed: test and revise, services elaborated in close collaboration between users, care managers and home care staff; choices in the moment, users could choose services at each occasion; and quality improvement through competition, competing providers develop attractive services. The findings could guide policy makers in combining the strengths of these approaches to enable older people in need of support to become co-producers in designing, managing, as well as consuming, care and services. Future quantitative research is needed to achieve generalizable knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of different ways to organize eldercare services.     

“You Never Get Used to Loneliness” – Older Adults’ Experiences of Loneliness When Applying for Going on a Senior Summer Camp

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was explore why the informants were feeling lonely and considered themselves to be in need of attending a senior summer camp, and how the informants were experiencing loneliness before they went to the senior summer camp. Interviews was made with nineteen older adult people (15 women and 4 men). A phenomenological inspired approach was used for the analysis of the interviews. Eight themes resulted: Hard to make new friends, Other circumstances making it hard to be social, Feel very lonely even if they lead rich social lives, Loss of loved ones, Do not want to do things alone, Friends make a difference, Do not feel lonely but need a change and Loneliness occurs at certain times. Through this analysis, we have gain insights to better understand loneliness as a multifaceted phenomenon that is associated with both personal circumstances and social situations. Many of the informants experienced being very lonely, even if they lead rich social lives. The experience of loneliness was connected to not having anyone they can turn to in confidence or to share experiences with and the need to belong to something or the need of a change in everyday life.     

An Exploratory Study of Social Work with Older Persons in Cuba

Abstract

Assuring a satisfactory quality of life for Cuba's large and fast growing older population is a national challenge. Social work plays an important part in addressing this challenge through its role in Cuba's National Program for the Care of Older Persons. This article explores the role of social work in Cuba's programs for the elderly and its implications for social work practice in the US. The information was obtained from 25 qualitative interviews with policy makers, social work practitioners, and community members in Havana, Cuba in 2003. The community oriented and interdisciplinary nature of Cuban social work with older persons distinguishes it from social work in the US and has implications for social work in this country. Despite the differences between Cuba and the US, the Cuban social work model provides important insights for social work in this country.     

Advancing Stages of Group Development Theory: The Case of Institutionalized Older Persons

ABSTRACT

Using content analysis to analyze process recordings, the developmental patterns of two groups of older institutionalized persons are presented. The similarities to and differences from the stages of group development described by Bennis and Shepard; Garland, Jones, and Kolodny; and Schiller are discussed. Findings suggest that vulnerability to institutional power and the resultant dependence on the social worker were critical variables influencing how the groups developed over time. Differential principles for applying stages of group development theory to practice are offered.     

Recognizing But Not Acknowledging: On Using Research Information in Social Work with Elderly People Suffering from Dementia

The gap between theory and practice in social work continuesto be great, and research results seem to live a life of theirown, far from the field they were intended to improve. Thisarticle considers research information as a useful contributionto the practice of social work with elderly demented peopleand to qualitative methods used in the area of social scientificresearch. Arising out of a project aimed at studying the usefulnessof research information through an interactive exercise withinfocus groups, the author discusses how the results of researchcan be used to improve practice. When the researchers’theoretical- oriented perspectives meet with the practitioners’action-oriented perspectives, two different models enrich eachother in the process of developing integrated knowledge.     

Risk and resilience factors for substance use among street adolescents: Assessment and development of an integrative model

In this study, risk and protective factors for substance use were explored to develop an intervention program and test its efficacy among male street‐based adolescents. Twenty expert interviews and key informant interviews were conducted. In addition, 30 street adolescents (15 substance‐users and 15 non‐users) participated in four focus group discussions for needs assessment, wherein risk and protective factors were discussed. Based on the identified needs, an intervention package was developed and validated by experts. The package was implemented in a natural environment of 50 street adolescents. After the intervention, about 60% of the respondents quit or cut down on their substance use substantially, and approximately 40% of the respondents agreed to reunite with their respective families, while 20% did not change their substance use habits. The results showed that if several protective factors were present, there was a lower risk of substance use. Many factors contribute to substance use and protective factors need to be strengthened in order to make interventions effective.     

IASWG Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups: Development,Application, and Evolution

This article focuses on the International Association for Social Work with Groups' Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups. It begins with an overview of the Standards and their significance. It reports on three integrated studies conducted by the authors. First is a review of the literature that examines how human service organizations approach the construction of standards. Second is a 2009 study of how the Standards are known, used, and assessed by respondents to an online survey. The findings of this survey inspired the third study, conducted in 2010 utilizing a focus group approach to explore how the Standards could be more applicable in a global context. The article concludes with implications and recommendations for future evolution and dissemination of the Standards.     

Subjective well‐being: what do adolescents say?

The aim of this paper is to analyse how 10‐ to 15‐year‐old adolescents define their own perceptions of well‐being and the factors influencing it at their age. Ten focus groups were organized, two from each age group. One group for each age included the students with the lowest scores in subjective well‐being (SWB) and the other included those with the highest, according to their responses to previously administered psychometric scales. The views of the participating adolescents were explored by means of a content analysis. In general, the children mentioned both positive and negative elements of participating in defining what constitutes well‐being. According to these children, well‐being is related to both affects and attitudes, relations with family and friends being key factors in it. Differences in the information provided reveal some variations according to age and SWB score. Children scoring lower in SWB tend to refer more to relationships with friends and basic needs covered, whereas those scoring higher tend to refer more to family relationships and not having problems. The results of this research can contribute to both social policy design and appraisal as they provide an in‐depth understanding of how SWB works at these ages.     

Social Work and Transitions of Care: Observations from an Intervention for Older Adults

Making the transition from hospital to home can be challenging for many older adults. This article presents practice perspectives on these transitions, based on a social work intervention for older adults discharged from an acute care setting to home. An analysis of interviews with clinical social workers who managed 356 cases (n?=?3) and a review of their clinical notes (n?=?581) were used to identify salient themes relevant to care transitions. Concepts developed and discussed identify the role of surprises after discharge, an expanded view of the client system, and relationship building as instrumental in carrying out effective care transitions.     

The Transformed Political World of Older Boomers

Abstract

This article describes Vital Involvement Practice, a strength-based approach to clinical practice with elders, including those who are extremely frail. Using this approach, practitioners have been able to help elders increase later-life vitality and associated positive quality of life through: (1) systematic identification of individual strengths and assets (found both in the person and in the surrounding environment), and (2) consideration of these strengths alongside the individual and environmental deficits that are the subject of most geriatric practice. The approach utilizes original data-gathering tools (Occupational Profile; Life Strengths Interview Guide) and a stepwise, work-sheet-structured consideration of these data in order to formulate action strategies for achieving client goals (Domain Scan; Domain Goals; Life Plan/Strategy). All elements of VIP emerged in pilot work with gerontological practitioners and their elder clients in such settings as: primary health care; government social service; subsidized senior housing; private clinical practice; community recreation. Limitations, implications, and promise are noted, with respect to practice and research.     

Decoding the Miss Daisy Syndrome: An Examination of Subjective Responses to Mobility Change

The subjective responses associated with personal life space and mobility status were explored. Thirty individuals participated in focus groups based on self-rated disability status, current places visited, and availability. Qualitative analyses revealed that most participants equated personal mobility with driving a vehicle. Attitudes concerning mobility status and preparedness for change varied based on disability level and personal experience. Fear of dependence from future mobility loss was prominent in all groups. Few participants acknowledged significant planning for future retirement from driving or other mobility challenges. An understanding of common attitudes, perceptions and meanings can inform professionals who intervene and support older adults experiencing mobility changes.     

A Tale of Two Cultures: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives in the Care of Older Adults with Combined Visual and Medical Disabilities

A comparison of the vision rehabilitation and medical rehabilitation systems suggests that, despite the distinct professional cultures that have evolved around them over the past 50 years, their commonalities are more notable than their differences. The older adult, who frequently develops simultaneous visual and medical disabilities, demands a greater degree of cooperation between these systems, than that required for the younger client who was the primary focus of the rehabilitation paradigm in the years following World War II. This article includes guidelines for practitioners that should help them achieve a more comprehensive approach to their elderly visually impaired clients.     

Twenty-Five Years of the Life Review:

No abstract available for this article.