ageing society

• What is the definition of "elderly" according to the study material?


  Past middle age and showing characteristics of later life
• What age does the WHO define as the beginning of elderly status?


  60 years of age and older
• What does Gormon (2000) suggest about the ageing process?


  It is a biological reality influenced by societal constructions of old age
• What is the implication of the increasing life expectancy mentioned in the study material?


  We are now living longer, leading to more older individuals in society
• What were the statistics for older people in the UK from 2004 to 2031?


  • 2004: 11 million older people
  • 2006: 11.4 million older people
  • 2011: 12.2 million older people
  • 2026: over 13.9 million older people
  • 2031: over 15.3 million older people
• Why are older people significant users of health services?


  They are the most frequent users of health services
• What should healthcare professionals consider when dealing with older patients?


  Issues specific to older people, such as concurrent pathology and complex problems
• What are some consequences of falls in older individuals mentioned in the study material?

  Loss of self-image, social embarrassment, and loss of confidence
• What stigma is associated with old age according to the study material?


  The stigma of 'old age'
• What is the term used for the age range that is not clearly defined between middle and young old age?


  Blurred distinction between middle and young old age
• What does the study material imply about the agreement on the age at which a person becomes old?


  There is no common agreement on the age at which a person becomes old
• What year did the UK National Statistics report 11 million older people?


  2004
• In what year is the older population projected to exceed 15.3 million in the UK?


  2031
• What is the concept of dignity in care?


  Respect for personhood and the individual
• Why is communication important in dignified care?


  It ensures proper forms of address and respect for individuals
• What are some key aspects of dignified care?

  Privacy, toileting, nutrition and feeding, cleanliness, and the environment
• How do staff attitudes impact dignified care?


  Positive staff attitudes contribute to the delivery of dignified care
• What is meant by dignified care?


  Care that respects and values the individual
• Why is the importance of dignified care increasingly emphasized?


  It is embedded in policy and health care practices
• Which codes of practice emphasize dignified care?


  Health and Social Care codes of practice (College of OT, 2001; CSP 2002)
• What positive effects can treating people with dignified care have?


  It can improve treatment and social outcomes
• What evidence exists regarding undignified treatment and care?


  Research shows evidence of undignified or inappropriate treatment (Baggott et al, 2004; Tad and Bayer, 2001)
• What led to research exploring healthcare professionals' perspectives on dignity?


  Evidence of undignified or inappropriate treatment and care
• What are the barriers and facilitators to dignified care at different levels?


  • Organizational level:
  • Time
  • Staffing levels
  • Staff training and experience
  • Organizational support/values
  • Resources
  • Specific dignity measures
  • Ward level:
  • Ward environment
  • Colleagues/team
  • Staff attitudes
  • Workload
  • Support
  • Communication
  • Individual level:
  • Addressing patient needs
  • Involving family/carers
  • Reflection
  • Dealing with an emergency
  • Religion
  • Neglect
• What is depersonalisation in the context of treatment?


  Treating a person as if they were either not present or not a person
• From which concept does depersonalisation stem?

  Goffman’s concept of ‘non-personalized treatment’
• How are people viewed in the context of depersonalisation according to Goffman?


  As a ‘possession someone left behind’
• What negative attitudes contribute to depersonalisation among workers?


  Negative cynical attitudes towards their clients
• What percentage of GPs reported emotional exhaustion according to Solar et al (2008)?


  43%
• What percentage of GPs reported depersonalisation according to Solar et al (2008)?


  35%
• What percentage of GPs reported reduced personal accomplishment according to Solar et al (2008)?


  32%
• What do Maslach & Jackson (1981) refer to as the three dimensions of ‘burnout’?


  Emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment
• Why might a healthcare worker treat a patient in a depersonalized manner?


  To distance oneself from the patient
• What is one emotional reason for treating patients in a depersonalized manner?


  To protect themselves emotionally
• What can contribute to depersonalisation in healthcare workers?


  Heavy responsibilities and workload pressure
• How is depersonalisation related to burnout?


  It has been described as one part of ‘burnout’
• empathetic care

  • Sympathy
  •  An expression of the caregiver’s own sorrow at another’s plight (Morse et al, 2006)
  • The listener is emotionally involved and shares sorrow or pain
  • Patient more likely to be dependent on the healthcare provider
  • Empathy
  • Keeping emotional distance, whilst attempting to understand what the patient is saying
  • Differences in communication
  • A sympathy statement example is ‘I am sorry you are in such terrible pain’
  • An empathy statement example could be ‘from what you have told me it seems you are in terrible pain’
• What happens to the epidermis as a characteristic change of aging?


  The epidermis thins
• What is a consequence of collagen loss in the skin?


  It weakens connections between cells
• What are the risks associated with thinner skin?


  Greater risk of injury, tears, and infections