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Hutchinson C, Cleland J, McBain C, Walker R, Milte R, Swaffer K, Ratcliffe J. What quality of life domains are most important to older adults in residential care? J Aging Soc Policy 2024; 36:21-42. [PMID: 36252046 DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2022.2134691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Quality of life is a critically important outcome measure in aged care. However, few studies have provided a detailed examination of what quality of life means to older adults living in residential care. In the current study, N = 43 older adults (67 to 99 years) living in six residential aged care facilities in four Australian states took part in semi-structured interviews. Participants had normal cognition through to mild /moderate cognitive impairment as measured by the PAS-Cog, were able to provide informed consent, and could participate in an interview conducted in English. Interviews were transcribed, and data was analyzed in NVivo using thematic analysis. Both physical and psycho-social aspects were identified as important for older adults' quality of life with six key quality of life domains identified: independence, mobility, pain management, social connections, emotional well-being, and activities. More research is needed to test these domains with a more diverse sample of older adults living in residential aged care, in particular older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Such qualitative work is essential for the development of suitable quality of life measures for this population and provides valuable information to inform improvements to care practices and service provision. Some ways in which the identified quality of life domains could be used to enhance care provision are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Hutchinson
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Jenny Cleland
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Candice McBain
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ruth Walker
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Rachel Milte
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Kate Swaffer
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Julie Ratcliffe
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- School of Society and Justice, University of South Australia, Magill, SA 5072, Australia
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Woolford M, Joyce C, Polacsek M. Strategies to optimize aged care volunteer recruitment and retention: A systematic review. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2022; 65:45-62. [PMID: 33971797 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2021.1923605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Population aging and resource constraints in aged care indicate an ever increasing need for volunteers in this growing sector. Volunteers in aged care have different expectations and experiences, as they typically form longer and closer relationships with residents, and perform important social support functions that may otherwise not be delivered. Tailored strategies to recruit and retain these volunteers are needed. The aims of this review were to identify the motivations and expectations of aged care volunteers, and to examine strategies that foster their recruitment, retention and role satisfaction. A systematic review of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted. Selection criteria included qualitative and quantitative studies published in English, with no date restrictions. Volunteering roles were restricted to residential aged care services. The 18 studies eligible for review presented consistently strong themes across volunteer motivation, recruitment/retention, and satisfaction/involvement. Implications for policy and practice relate to the importance of setting clear role expectations, matching volunteers' skills with roles, ongoing training and support, and the need for operational frameworks that support volunteers with administrative processes, communication and complaint resolution. Improved volunteer management that enables the consistent provision of social support in this setting stands to improve residents' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Woolford
- Quality, Outcomes and Research, Benetas, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine Joyce
- Quality, Outcomes and Research, Benetas, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Meg Polacsek
- Quality, Outcomes and Research, Benetas, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Doyle C, Bhar S, Bryant C, Dow B, Dunt D, Mnatzaganian G, O'Connor D, Ratcliffe J, You E, Bagnall AM, Major G, Harper R, Fearn M. BEFRIENding for Depression, Anxiety and Social support in older adults living in Australian residential aged care facilities (BEFRIENDAS): randomised controlled trial protocol. BMC Geriatr 2021; 21:305. [PMID: 33980168 PMCID: PMC8115389 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02233-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This protocol describes an ongoing study of the impact of befriending on depression, anxiety and loneliness in older people living in residential aged care facilities in Australia. While systematic reviews of befriending have indicated positive benefits of befriending for people in a range of ages and settings, there have been no randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of befriending for older people living in residential aged care with depression and no studies of the cost effectiveness of befriending in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Australia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We are conducting a single blind pragmatic RCT comparing two groups of older people living in RACFs, one receiving an intervention consisting of weekly befriending for 4 months from a trained volunteer and the other receiving treatment as usual. Participants undergo eligibility screening for depression (GDS-15 ≥ 4) and cognitive impairment (GPCog ≥ 4) and assessments at three measurement time points: baseline prior to randomisation, 2 months post-baseline and 4 months post-baseline. The primary outcome measure is depression, and secondary outcome measures are anxiety, loneliness, social isolation and quality of life. The economic evaluation will take the form of a cost-utility analysis based on the outcome of quality of life. The primary and secondary outcomes will be analysed using negative binomial and logistic regressions utilizing the Generalised Estimating Equations approach. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, this is the first RCT evaluating the effectiveness of befriending on older people with depression living in residential aged care. It is expected that the befriending intervention will reduce the severity of depression symptoms experienced by older people living in residential aged care. If the intervention proves effective it may be incorporated into volunteer training programs and adopted as a way of supporting older people's mental health. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR) Number: ACTRN12619000676112 , registered 06/05/2019 - retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Doyle
- Aged Care Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Poplar Road, Parkville, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University, John Street, Hawthorn, 3122, Australia. .,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Burwood Highway, Burwood, 3125, Australia.
| | - Sunil Bhar
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University, John Street, Hawthorn, 3122, Australia
| | - Christina Bryant
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Briony Dow
- Aged Care Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Poplar Road, Parkville, 3052, Australia.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Burwood Highway, Burwood, 3125, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - David Dunt
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | | | - Daniel O'Connor
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia
| | - Julie Ratcliffe
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, 5042, Australia
| | - Emily You
- Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, The University of Melbourne, Poplar Road, Parkville, 3052, Australia
| | | | - Georgia Major
- Aged Care Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Poplar Road, Parkville, 3052, Australia
| | - Robin Harper
- Aged Care Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Poplar Road, Parkville, 3052, Australia
| | - Marcia Fearn
- Aged Care Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Poplar Road, Parkville, 3052, Australia
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