Older homeless people: increasing numbers and changing needs

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen Crane ◽  
Louise Joly
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Retirement Age ◽  
Housing Situation ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Usa

SummaryEvidence from England, Australia, Canada, Japan and the USA indicates that the single homeless population is ageing, and that increasing numbers of older people are homeless. This paper reviews evidence of changes in the age structure of the single homeless population, and the factors that are likely to have had an influence on the growth of the older homeless population. In many Western cities, the housing situation of older people is changing and there is a growing reliance on the private rented sector. Unemployment is also having an impact on older people who are under the official retirement age. An increasing number of older people are experiencing problems linked to alcohol, drugs, gambling and criminality, and these are all behaviours that can contribute to homelessness. Despite high levels of morbidity and disability among older homeless people, they are a relatively neglected group and receive little attention from policy makers and mainstream aged care services.

Ageing Out of Place: Health and Well‐Being Needs and Access to Home and Aged Care Services for Recently Arrived Older Refugees in Melbourne, Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Atwell ◽  
I Correa‐Velez ◽  
S Gifford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Older People ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Health And Well Being

Recently arrived older refugees in resettlement countries are a particularly vulnerable population who face many risks to their health and well‐being, and many challenges in accessing services. This paper reports on a project undertaken in Victoria, Australia to explore the needs of older people from 14 recently arrived refugee communities, and the barriers to their receiving health and aged care. Findings from consultations with community workers and service providers highlight the key issues of isolation, family conflict and mental illness affecting older refugees, and point to ways in which policy‐makers and service providers can better respond to these small but deserving communities.

scholarly journals Sustainable community services for older people

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Taylor ◽  
Jed Donoghue
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
State Government ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Authority Area ◽  
Key Issues

This paper explores the sustainability of non-government organisations (NGOs) providing services to older people in the local government authority area of North Sydney. It identifies several key issues that can be used to assess the level of programme sustainability in the community sector. We suggest that government support is essential for the ongoing financial sustainability of community aged care services and that community-based organisations need to address a number of issues that will impact on their long-term sustainability. A good working relationship with local and state government is crucial for organisations to access community grants, donations and subsidised premises. The recruitment, training and retention of volunteers were some of the most important issues identified. Further, these NGOs will need to develop strategic plans that factor in sustainability indicators to address rental, recycling, transport, renewable energy and water costs to ensure that they have the capacity to pay for these utilities in the future.

‘User pays’ and other approaches to the funding of long-term care for older people in Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL FINE ◽  
JENNY CHALMERS
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Private Insurance ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Alternative Funding ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Cost

It has been argued that without some system in which future generations of users are able to pay for their care the cost of services for an increasingly large group of older people will be borne by a declining base of economically active younger people. Is the answer a user pays approach to the financing of aged care, as promoted by recent changes to aged care financing? This paper reviews this concept and its recent history in Australia. On the basis of a brief review of alternative funding systems, it also considers the potential of public and private insurance schemes to increase funding by potential service users and underwrite the long-term viability of funding for aged care services.

Supporting the Long-Term Residential Care Needs of Older Homeless People With Severe Alcohol-Related Brain Injury in Australia: The Wicking Project

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Rota-Bartelink ◽  
Bryan Lipmann
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Older People ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Supported Accommodation

For years, community service providers have been frustrated with the lack in availability of long-term, specialized supported accommodation for older people, particularly older homeless people, with severe acquired brain injury (ABI) and challenging behaviors. Although the incidence of ABI (particularly alcohol-related brain injury) is far wider than being confined to the homeless population, it is frequently misdiagnosed and very often misunderstood. Wintringham is an independent welfare company in Melbourne, Australia, that provides secure, affordable, long-term accommodation and high quality services to older homeless people. The high incidence of alcohol abuse among the resident population has led us to adapt our model of care to accommodate a complexity of need. However, there are some individuals with severely affected behaviors that continue to challenge Wintringham’s capacity to provide adequate support. The deficiency in highly specialized, long-term supported accommodation for older people with severe alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI) is the driving force behind this project. We aim to further develop and improve the current Wintringham model of residential care to better support people with these complex care needs. We will report on the synthesis of this project, which aims to test a specialized model that can be reproduced or adapted by other service providers to improve the life circumstances of these frequently forgotten people.

Mental Health Service Delivery to Older People in New South Wales: Perceptions of Aged Care, Adult Mental Health and Mental Health Services for Older People

2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 735-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Draper ◽  
Tanya Jochelson ◽  
David Kitching ◽  
John Snowdon ◽  
Henry Brodaty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Mental Health Service Delivery ◽  
Adult Mental Health ◽  
Care Services

Objective: To compare the perceptions of aged care services, adult mental health services and mental health services for older people regarding aspects of mental health service delivery for older people in New South Wales, Australia. Method: The NSW Branch of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age in association with the NSW Centre for Mental Health, sent a postal survey to all aged care services, adult mental health services and mental health services for older people in NSW. The survey canvassed issues ranging across service profiles, regional variations, availability of resources, processes of care, views on working relationships between services, difficulties and gaps experienced, and ways to improve co-ordination and service delivery. Clinical issues such as the management and practice of psychiatric disorders of old age, educational/training requirements and skill and experience in working with older people were explored. Results: An overall response rate of 86% was achieved, including 95% from aged care services (n = 58), 74% from adult mental health services (n = 62) and 90% from mental health services for older people (n = 20). Only 59% of aged care services and adult mental health services considered that their local mental health services for older people provided an adequate service; resource and budget limitations were portrayed as the main constraint. Mental health services for older people varied widely in structure, settings and activities undertaken. Access to mental health beds for older people was also variable, and alongside staffing levels was considered problematic. Lack of staff training and/or inexperience in psychogeriatrics posed a challenge for aged care services and adult mental health services. Conclusion: Relationships between aged care services, adult mental health services and mental health services for older people are affected by lack of access to psychogeriatric staff, resource limitations of mental health services for older people, and inadequate liaison and support between the service types. Joint case conferences, education, increased funding of mental health services for older people, and cross referrals were considered ways to address these issues.

What are older people and their families looking for in an aged care services provider?

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-253
Author(s):  
Lynne Parkinson ◽  
Annie Banbury ◽  
Wendy Hillman ◽  
Julie Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Services

Older People With Alcohol-Related Brain Injury and Associated Complex Behaviors: A Psychosocial Model of Residential Care (The Wicking Project)

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Rota-Bartelink ◽  
Bryan Lipmann
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Older People ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Synthesis Design ◽  
Psychosocial Model ◽  
One Step

The increasing need for specialist residential aged care services to support older people with complex behaviors resulting from dementia and alcohol-related brain injury was the impetus for the development of an exploratory action research trial. Affected individuals are commonly characterized by a unique set of needs and life circumstances that are not adequately or appropriately supported by currently available mainstream services. We discuss the synthesis, design, and key features of the research trial’s specialized model, which commenced in 2008 in Wintringham, Australia. The trial was recently completed in November 2009. Through the development of a specialized residential care model, we aim to move one step closer to providing appropriate support to one of the most needing yet highly marginalized group of people.

scholarly journals Self-efficacy of direct care workers providing care to older people in residential aged care settings: A systematic scoping review protocol

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumina Shrestha ◽  
Rayan Jafnan M Alharbi ◽  
Christine While ◽  
Julie Ellis ◽  
Muhammad Aziz Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Direct Care Workers ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background Self-efficacy is developed through a person’s interaction with his/her physical and social environment. Self-efficacy in caring is an essential attribute of care workers to develop a positive attitude towards their clients, improve work performance, and enhance job satisfaction. Care workers’ self-efficacy may vary according to the context in which the care is being provided. Aged care is a multidimensional and challenging setting, and characteristics of aged care services are different from those of acute care services. The objective of this review is to give an overview of the self-efficacy of residential aged care workers in caring for older people and factors influencing their self-efficacy. Methods The protocol for this review is based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer's Manual for Scoping Review. A systematic search of the literature on electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AgeLine, SCOPUS, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global will be carried out using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies. This review will include all primary studies irrespective of the study design. Two reviewers will independently conduct title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction. A third reviewer will resolve discrepancies, while the final decision for conflicting studies will be made by consensus within the review team. Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools will be used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Quantitative findings will be presented in narrative form accompanied by tabulated results and a random effects meta-analysis will be conducted to compute the pooled estimates of the impacts of various influencing factors on caring self-efficacy of the direct care workers. Qualitative research findings will be synthesised using the meta-aggregation approach. Discussion This review aims to bring together the evidence on the caring self-efficacy of aged care workers and associated factors. This will be an important source of knowledge to policymakers and aged care providers to understand the self-efficacy of aged care workers in order to support and enhance their self-efficacy and thereby improve their caring behaviours towards their clients. Scoping Review Registration Joanna Briggs Institute Systematic Review Register with the title ‘A scoping review of factors influencing caring efficacy of direct care workers providing care to older people’ ( https://joannabriggs.org/ebp/systematic_review_register )

scholarly journals Developing a new quality of life instrument with older people for economic evaluation in aged care: study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e028647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Ratcliffe ◽  
Ian Cameron ◽  
Emily Lancsar ◽  
Ruth Walker ◽  
Rachel Milte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Older People ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Life Instrument ◽  
Descriptive System

IntroductionThe ageing of the population represents a significant challenge for aged care in Australia and in many other countries internationally. In an environment of increasing resource constraints, new methods, techniques and evaluative frameworks are needed to support resource allocation decisions that maximise the quality of life and well-being of older people. Economic evaluation offers a rigorous, systematical and transparent framework for measuring quality and efficiency, but there is currently no composite mechanism for incorporating older people’s values into the measurement and valuation of quality of life for quality assessment and economic evaluation. In addition, to date relatively few economic evaluations have been conducted in aged care despite the large potential benefits associated with their application in this sector. This study will generate a new preference based older person-specific quality of life instrument designed for application in economic evaluation and co-created from its inception with older people.Methods and analysisA candidate descriptive system for the new instrument will be developed by synthesising the findings from a series of in-depth qualitative interviews with 40 older people currently in receipt of aged care services about the salient factors which make up their quality of life. The candidate descriptive system will be tested for construct validity, practicality and reliability with a new independent sample of older people (n=100). Quality of life state valuation tasks using best worst scaling (a form of discrete choice experiment) will then be undertaken with a representative sample of older people currently receiving aged care services across five Australian states (n=500). A multinomial (conditional) logistical framework will be used to analyse responses and generate a scoring algorithm for the new preference-based instrument.Ethics and disseminationThe new quality of life instrument will have wide potential applicability in assessing the cost effectiveness of new service innovations and for quality assessment across the spectrum of ageing and aged care. Results will be disseminated in ageing, quality of life research and health economics journals and through professional conferences and policy forums. This study has been reviewed by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of South Australia and has ethics approval (Application ID: 201644).

scholarly journals Developing a clinical screening tool for identifying COVID‐19 infection in older people dwelling in residential aged care services

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kavitha Gnanasambantham ◽  
Georgia Aitken ◽  
Brett Morris ◽  
Jessica Simionato ◽  
Eu‐Hua Chua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Clinical Screening ◽  
Care Services
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