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Older Australians (older + australian)
Terms modified by Older Australians Selected AbstractsDietary guidance for older AustraliansNUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2009A. Stewart TRUSWELL Abstract Aim:, This paper reviews the literature on dietary guidance for older Australians. Methods:, The components of the 1999 National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guidelines for Older Australians are reviewed in conjunction with the current literature. Results:, Advice on a healthy diet for older people from different professionals can sometimes seem to be looking in opposite directions in terms of amount and types of food to recommend. Appropriate nutritional guidance should be determined by the stage of ageing, not by chronological age. For those in the third age,older but still active,advice should be somewhat modified from the dietary guidelines for younger adults. For example, maintaining muscles and bones become more important than keeping a low body mass index. Conclusions:, The 1999 National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guidelines for Older Australians provide a sensible framework for considering recent evidence. In old people who are frail and losing weight, the ,fourth age', our main concern should be to prevent (further) malnutrition. The popular dietary rules of low calories, sugar, fat and salt no longer apply. [source] Drought, drying and climate change: Emerging health issues for ageing Australians in rural areasAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2010Graeme Horton Older Australians living in rural areas have long faced significant challenges in maintaining health. Their circumstances are shaped by the occupations, lifestyles, environments and remoteness which characterise the diversity of rural communities. Many rural regions face threats to future sustainability and greater proportions of the aged reside in these areas. The emerging changes in Australia's climate over the past decade may be considered indicative of future trends, and herald amplification of these familiar challenges for rural communities. Such climate changes are likely to exacerbate existing health risks and compromise community infrastructure in some instances. This paper discusses climate change-related health risks facing older people in rural areas, with an emphasis on the impact of heat, drought and drying on rural and remote regions. Adaptive health sector responses are identified to promote mitigation of this substantial emerging need as individuals and their communities experience the projected impact of climate change. [source] Self-provision in retirement: Quantitative evidence on older Australians' expectations and experiencesAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2009Rachel Ong Objectives:,To explore factors that correlate with expectations and experiences of self-provision in retirement. Methods:,A regression modelling approach is adopted using a national survey that contains data on the retirement expectations and experiences of older Australians. Results:,Older Australians approaching retirement are more likely to expect to be self-funded in retirement if they possess high qualification levels, stable employment and have healthy levels of wealth holdings. Divorced or separated older women are more likely to expect to be welfare-reliant than other groups. The presence of children, disabilities and residence outside major cities do not affect prospective retirees' expectations of being primarily self-funded in retirement, but they do impact negatively on actual self-provision in retirement. Forced retirement will significantly decrease the probability of self-provision in retirement. Conclusions:,Policy reforms that focus on increasing employment opportunities for women after child-bearing and promoting retirement choice will reduce welfare reliance among older Australians. [source] Dietary and health supplement use among older Australians: results from a national surveyAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 4 2003Sonya Brownie Objectives: To measure the extent of dietary and health supplement use among older Australians and to contrast older supplement users from older non-supplement users. Method: Survey participants (n= 1,263) provided information related to demographic, health and lifestyle features. The target population were Australians aged 65 years and over, randomly chosen from the Australian Electoral Commission. Data was obtained using a 12-page self-administered, mail questionnaire. Results: Forty-three percent (n=548) of the sample reported using at least one dietary and health supplement, 52% of females and 35% of males. Supplement use was significantly related to several demographic and lifestyle features including: gender, educational level, smoking status and number of visits to complementary health therapists. Conclusions: Clearly, supplements were chosen more for their perceived ability to attenuate or modify ailments, rather than their role in correcting nutritional deficiencies. Older Australians appear intent on taking health matters in their own hands. Approximately one third of them rarely inform their doctor about the supplements they use, which raises concerns about the safety and appropriateness of this action. [source] From retirement village to residential aged care: what older people and their families sayHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 1 2007Julianne Cheek PhD BEd DipT Abstract The majority of older Australians, some of whom live in retirement villages, wish to remain living in their own home, receiving care in the community when their health and/or other circumstances change. Current statistics show that 3.7% of people aged 65 years and over live in a retirement village in Australia. However, residential aged care will still be required for some highly dependent members of the older population. This qualitative Australian study examined the transition into residential care from one form of community housing, the retirement village. In-depth interviews with 33 older people and 48 family members were conducted to illuminate the key issues and factors which influence the move of older people from retirement villages to residential aged care. Analysis of the data revealed the move to be influenced by: health-related crises; the creation of doubt as to ability to cope in the retirement village; the need for more or different care or support services; the desire for independence; assumptions about being able to move into the residential aged care facility co-located with the retirement village; availability of a place; navigating the system; and desirable aspects of a residential aged care facility. The findings of the study provide a description of the transition process from the perspectives of those directly affected, and contribute to the development of best practice in the provision of support to residents living in retirement villages and the community in general. [source] Strategies to reduce medication errors with reference to older adultsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 1 2006Brent Hodgkinson BSc (Hons) MSc GradCertPH GradCertEcon(Health) Abstract Background, In Australia, around 59% of the general population uses prescription medication with this number increasing to about 86% in those aged 65 and over and 83% of the population over 85 using two or more medications simultaneously. A recent report suggests that between 2% and 3% of all hospital admissions in Australia may be medication related with older Australians at higher risk because of higher levels of medicine intake and increased likelihood of being admitted to hospital. The most common medication errors encountered in hospitals in Australia are prescription/medication ordering errors, dispensing, administration and medication recording errors. Contributing factors to these errors have largely not been reported in the hospital environment. In the community, inappropriate drugs, prescribing errors, administration errors, and inappropriate dose errors are most common. Objectives, To present the best available evidence for strategies to prevent or reduce the incidence of medication errors associated with the prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines in the older persons in the acute, subacute and residential care settings, with specific attention to persons aged 65 years and over. Search strategy, Bibliographic databases PubMed, Embase, Current contents, The Cochrane Library and others were searched from 1986 to present along with existing health technology websites. The reference lists of included studies and reviews were searched for any additional literature. Selection criteria, Systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials and other research methods such as non-randomised controlled trials, longitudinal studies, cohort or case,control studies, or descriptive studies that evaluate strategies to identify and manage medication incidents. Those people who are involved in the prescribing, dispensing or administering of medication to the older persons (aged 65 years and older) in the acute, subacute or residential care settings were included. Where these studies were limited, evidence available on the general patient population was used. Data collection and analysis, Study design and quality were tabulated and relative risks, odds ratios, mean differences and associated 95% confidence intervals were calculated from individual comparative studies containing count data where possible. All other data were presented in a narrative summary. Results, Strategies that have some evidence for reducing medication incidents are: ,,computerised physician ordering entry systems combined with clinical decision support systems; ,,individual medication supply systems when compared with other dispensing systems such as ward stock approaches; ,,use of clinical pharmacists in the inpatient setting; ,,checking of medication orders by two nurses before dispensing medication; ,,a Medication Administration Review and Safety committee; and ,,providing bedside glucose monitors and educating nurses on importance of timely insulin administration. In general, the evidence for the effectiveness of intervention strategies to reduce the incidence of medication errors is weak and high-quality controlled trials are needed in all areas of medication prescription and delivery. [source] The essentials of Advance Care Planning for end-of-life care for older peopleJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3-4 2010Sarah Yeun-Sim Jeong Aims and objectives., The aim of the study was to investigate the phenomenon of Advance Care Planning and the use of Advance Care Directives in residential aged care facilities in Australia. The objectives were to: ,,investigate the implementation process of Advance Care Planning and the use of Advance Care Directives; ,,investigate the outcomes of Advance Care Planning and experiences of people involved in Advance Care Planning and Advance Care Directives, including residents, families and nursing staff. Background., Benefits of Advance Care Planning for older residents are considerable given their degenerative health-breakdown and minimal chance of recovery. To date, the use of Advance Care Planning and Advance Care Directives is limited and models of service delivery and processes are needed to enhance best practice with Advance Care Planning and positive outcomes for older Australians. Design., Case study. Methods., The study conducted using multiple sources of evidence to enrich understanding of the phenomenon of Advance Care Planning. The researcher engaged in data collection over six months involving participant observation, field notes, semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The findings contribute to the limited knowledge of options currently available to older adults and their families in their decision-making about end-of-life care options. Permission to conduct the study., Prior to commencement of the data collection, ethics clearances from the University of Newcastle and the regional Area Health Service were achieved. Permission to access the residential aged care facilities to undertake the study was obtained from the relevant residential aged care facility ethics committees or designated authorities. The researcher undertook several strategies to ensure all the ethical principles were considered and adhered to while conducting the project. Results., The research identified the components and factors involved in the Advance Care Planning process and in attaining desired outcomes. The conceptual framework developed elaborates how Advance Care Planning should be implemented and what may constitute successful implementation of Advance Care Planning in residential aged care facilities. The four main elements (input, throughput, output, feedback), and 20 sub-elements were requisites for nurses to initiate and implement the Advance Care Planning. Conclusion., The essential components for end-of-life care are identified in the implementation processes of Advance Care Planning in residential aged care facilities. The study contributes to greater awareness of the processes needed for ,dying well' and highlights the need to explore experiences of ,successful dying' and the way nurses contribute to these events. Relevance to clinical practice., The case study identified four determinative requisites for successful implementation of Advance Care Planning in aged care facilities: the expert nurse, discussion, education and involvement of a multidisciplinary team. Nurses should take these factors into account and use person-centred approach in formalised processes to encourage participation in plans for end-of-life care. [source] Dietary guidance for older AustraliansNUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2009A. Stewart TRUSWELL Abstract Aim:, This paper reviews the literature on dietary guidance for older Australians. Methods:, The components of the 1999 National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guidelines for Older Australians are reviewed in conjunction with the current literature. Results:, Advice on a healthy diet for older people from different professionals can sometimes seem to be looking in opposite directions in terms of amount and types of food to recommend. Appropriate nutritional guidance should be determined by the stage of ageing, not by chronological age. For those in the third age,older but still active,advice should be somewhat modified from the dietary guidelines for younger adults. For example, maintaining muscles and bones become more important than keeping a low body mass index. Conclusions:, The 1999 National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guidelines for Older Australians provide a sensible framework for considering recent evidence. In old people who are frail and losing weight, the ,fourth age', our main concern should be to prevent (further) malnutrition. The popular dietary rules of low calories, sugar, fat and salt no longer apply. [source] Mini Nutritional Assessment in geriatric rehabilitation: Inter-rater reliability and relationship to body composition and nutritional biochemistryNUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 3 2007Sonja A. NEUMANN Abstract Aim:, To determine the inter-rater reliability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and relationship with body composition and nutritional biochemistry among older Australians undergoing rehabilitation. Methods:, Thirty-eight adults aged ,65 years were prospectively and consecutively recruited from an Australian rehabilitation ward. Two dietitians independently administered the 18-item MNA to determine inter-rater reliability. MNA classifications (well nourished, at risk of malnutrition, malnourished) were compared with body composition (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and serum albumin. These analyses were also performed for the short-form version of the MNA (six items). Results:, In this cross-sectional study, inter-rater reliability of the 18-item MNA score, estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.833, while inter-rater reliability estimated by the weighted kappa index was 0.53. The two raters reached agreement on MNA classification for 26 of 38 cases (68%). Women classified as malnourished/at risk of malnutrition using the 18-item MNA had lower total body fat (11 kg vs 29 kg, P < 0.01) and per cent body fat (25% vs 40%, P < 0.01), compared with women classified as well nourished. Similar findings were not apparent for men, although men classified as malnourished/at risk of malnutrition had lower serum albumin (32 g/L vs 36 g/L, P = 0.04) compared with men classified as well nourished. Similar findings were evident for the short-form version of the MNA. Conclusion:, The MNA was found to be useful for identifying older women with lower body fat in the Australian rehabilitation setting. The 18-item MNA score has substantial inter-rater reliability, and fair inter-rater reliability when used according to the classifications. Inclusion of subjective and self-reported items in surveys can be problematic for optimal reliability as can the use of such items in a subject population that is experiencing rapid progress in recovery. [source] Physical activity recommendations for older AustraliansAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 2 2010Jane Sims Aim:, The aim of this research was to produce evidence-based recommendations on physical activity designed to improve and maintain the health of older Australians. Methods:, The authors reviewed existing guidelines and consensus statements, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and research articles. Draft recommendations were circulated to stakeholder agencies and to an expert advisory group. Final recommendations were then forwarded to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing for Ministerial approval. Results:, The physical activity recommendations for older Australians complement the current National Physical Activity Guidelines for adults and the American College of Sports Medicine and American Heart Association recommendations for older adults. The recommendations provide advice developed specifically for older Australians. Conclusion:, Although the recommendations may be manifested in different ways, according to specific populations or settings, they apply to older people across all levels of health and have application to community dwelling people and those in residential care accommodation. [source] ,Oral' vs ,Dental Health': Relevance to the general health of older AustraliansAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2010Clinical A/Professor Mark Schifter No abstract is available for this article. [source] Understanding oral health beliefs and practices among Cantonese-speaking older AustraliansAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2010Rodrigo Mariņo Aim:, The present study was conducted to explore how older immigrants from Hong Kong or Southern China manage their oral health in Melbourne. Methods:, We used six focus groups involving 50 Cantonese-speaking immigrants who were 55 years and over and living in Melbourne. Results:, Four major themes relevant to oral health care emerged from the discussion: (i) traditional Chinese health beliefs; (ii) traditional medicine and oral health; (iii) attitudes towards dentists; and (iv) access to oral health-care services. Language, communication and cost of dentistry were identified as major barriers to oral health care. Conclusion:, Older Chinese immigrants in Melbourne have concerns about oral health care that are similar to other ethnic groups, they want more oral health-related support from government, and many of they return to China or Hong Kong for dental treatment. [source] Physical activity of older Australians measured by pedometryAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 3 2009Ben Ewald Aim:, To established population norms for pedometer determined step counts in older Australians. Methods:, A representative sample of 684 participants over the age of 55 years wore a pedometer for a week in Newcastle, Australia. Results:, Response rate was 32%. Median daily step count was 8605 in those aged 55,59 years declining to 3778 in those over 80 years old. The proportion who reached 8000 steps per day was 62% in those 55,59 years and 12% in those over 80 years. Daily step counts were highest on Thursdays and Fridays and least on Sundays. Weekend days had on average 620 less steps than weekdays. After adjusting for age, there was a negative association of step count with body mass index >30, and with a history of arthritis but no significant association with other demographic variables. Conclusion:, Pedometry is feasible in an elderly sample, and research involving pedometers must take days of the week into account. [source] Future research on dementia relating to culturally and linguistically diverse communitiesAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 3 2009Lee-Fay Low About one in five older Australians were born overseas. However, there has been very little information published in Australia or internationally about dementia in persons from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This limits our ability to plan for and provide evidence-based medical care, social care and aged care services to persons from CALD backgrounds. This paper describes challenges to conducting CALD dementia research; these include sampling, having valid instruments and costs. Nine key research recommendations in the areas of epidemiology, community knowledge, carers, service delivery, screening and assessment, medical management, residential aged care and minority CALD reached by consensus by an expert group are presented. The paper closes with some strategies to encourage CALD research. The material presented here will provide guidance for future research endeavours. [source] Self-provision in retirement: Quantitative evidence on older Australians' expectations and experiencesAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2009Rachel Ong Objectives:,To explore factors that correlate with expectations and experiences of self-provision in retirement. Methods:,A regression modelling approach is adopted using a national survey that contains data on the retirement expectations and experiences of older Australians. Results:,Older Australians approaching retirement are more likely to expect to be self-funded in retirement if they possess high qualification levels, stable employment and have healthy levels of wealth holdings. Divorced or separated older women are more likely to expect to be welfare-reliant than other groups. The presence of children, disabilities and residence outside major cities do not affect prospective retirees' expectations of being primarily self-funded in retirement, but they do impact negatively on actual self-provision in retirement. Forced retirement will significantly decrease the probability of self-provision in retirement. Conclusions:,Policy reforms that focus on increasing employment opportunities for women after child-bearing and promoting retirement choice will reduce welfare reliance among older Australians. [source] Sexual behaviour and diagnosis of people over the age of 50 attending a sexual health clinicAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2009Chris Bourne Objectives:,To investigate the sexual health and behaviour of older Australians attending a sexual health clinic. Methods:,A retrospective patient record of people aged 50 years and over attending the clinic. Results:,2438 people aged 50 years and over attending. The main reasons for attending were assessment of genital symptoms (40%), testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (23%), and HIV testing/care (13%); more than 50% of the clients had a previous sexual health problem and more than 50% had not been tested for HIV. Men reported more lifetime sexual partners than women and were significantly more likely to report using condoms (P < 0.05), although condom use was variable. Genital herpes (10% women, 6% men) and non-gonococcal urethritis (9% men) were the most commonly diagnosed STIs. Conclusions:,High levels of unsafe sex and many important sexual health problems were identified which provide direction for public health interventions for older sexually active Australians. [source] Asthma mortality and management in older Australians: Time for a new approach?AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 4 2008Vanessa M McDonald No abstract is available for this article. [source] The acute,aged care interface: Exploring the dynamics of ,bed blocking'AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 3 2008Catherine M Travers Objective: To understand the dynamics underlying ,bed-blocking' in Australian public hospitals that is frequently blamed on older patients. Methods: Analysis of primary and secondary data of utilisation patterns of hospital and aged care services by older Australians. Results: A model of the dynamics at the acute,aged care interface was developed, in which the pathway into permanent high-care Residential Aged Care (RAC) is conceptualised as competing queues for available places by applicants from the hospital, the community and from within RAC facilities. The hospital effectively becomes a safety net to accommodate people with high-care needs who cannot be admitted into RAC in a timely manner. Conclusion: The model provides a useful tool to explore some of the issues that give rise to access-block within the public hospital system. Access-block cannot be understood by viewing the hospital system in isolation from other sectors that support the health and well-being of older Australians. [source] Dietary and health supplement use among older Australians: results from a national surveyAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 4 2003Sonya Brownie Objectives: To measure the extent of dietary and health supplement use among older Australians and to contrast older supplement users from older non-supplement users. Method: Survey participants (n= 1,263) provided information related to demographic, health and lifestyle features. The target population were Australians aged 65 years and over, randomly chosen from the Australian Electoral Commission. Data was obtained using a 12-page self-administered, mail questionnaire. Results: Forty-three percent (n=548) of the sample reported using at least one dietary and health supplement, 52% of females and 35% of males. Supplement use was significantly related to several demographic and lifestyle features including: gender, educational level, smoking status and number of visits to complementary health therapists. Conclusions: Clearly, supplements were chosen more for their perceived ability to attenuate or modify ailments, rather than their role in correcting nutritional deficiencies. Older Australians appear intent on taking health matters in their own hands. Approximately one third of them rarely inform their doctor about the supplements they use, which raises concerns about the safety and appropriateness of this action. [source] Treatment choices in life threatening illness: Attitudes and preferences of elderly Australian Veterans and War WidowsAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 4 2002Felicity Barr Objectives: The study investigated whether older Australians would choose invasive or active treatment or palliative treatment were they to have a life threatening illness. Reasons for choice of treatment were also investigated. Methods: 109 older veterans and war widows were offered four case studies of patients with a life threatening illness. For each patient there were four treatment options with likely outcomes described. Participants were asked to put themselves in the position of the patient and to select one or more treatment option and to give reasons for their choice. Results: There was considerable diversity in choice of treatment and reasons for choice. Overall, participants were more likely to choose palliative than invasive treatments. Men, especially older men, were more likely than women to choose invasive treatments. Discussion: The study indicated that participants want to exercise choice in their treatment but that they want this to be an informed choice. [source] Feeling safe in one's neighbourhood: Variation by location among older AustraliansAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2008Susan Quine No abstract is available for this article. [source] Comparison of time use, role participation and life satisfaction of older people after stroke with a sample without strokeAUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Kryss McKenna Background/aims:,This study investigated the time use, role participation and life satisfaction of older Australians (aged 65 years and older) who were 1,3 years post-stroke and living in the community. The results of this study were compared with a published study on the time use, role participation and life satisfaction of older Australians who had not experienced stroke. Methods:,Twenty-three participants with stroke (mean age 74.2 years, 69.6% men) were interviewed using measures of time use, role participation and life satisfaction. Results:,Participants with stroke spent most of their time in sleep (7.2 h/day), solitary leisure (7.0 h/day), social leisure (3.0 h/day), and basic activities of daily living (2.9 h/day). Compared to the sample without stroke, participants with stroke spent significantly less time in sleep, instrumental activities of daily living, and volunteer work, and significantly more time at home, with others, and engaged in solitary leisure. Similar to the sample without stroke, the most common roles for participants with stroke were family member, friend, and home maintainer. Participants with stroke engaged in fewer roles than participants without stroke. Unlike the sample without stroke, role loss was not correlated with life satisfaction for participants with stroke; however, having more roles was correlated with greater life satisfaction. Conclusion:,Experiencing a stroke can affect the configuration of older people's time use and reduce their role participation. Facilitation of older people's role participation after stroke may enhance their life satisfaction. [source] Subjective leisure experiences of older AustraliansAUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006Ben Sellar Background:,Previous studies into leisure have employed methodologies that may understate the significance of experiential components. This exploratory study investigated the leisure experiences of retired Australians over 65 years of age. Methods:,Five semistructured interviews were used to explore the leisure experience of older people from metropolitan Adelaide. Data were coded and analysed thematically. Results:,Relaxation and engrossment emerged as commonly expressed experiences, yet were found to emerge as a result of engagement in occupations predefined as leisure. Experiences of freedom from both necessary duties and a sense of obligation were discussed as potential determinants of leisure consciousness. Practice implications:,This study highlights a need for therapists to actively access clients' subjective leisure experiences to enable engagement in personally meaningful leisure occupations. [source] | ||||||||||