Empowering Frail Elderly People

This book provides a unique analysis of provider-, environment-, client-, and societal-based obstacles to the empowerment of frail elderly persons in a philosophical framework of social values, as well as an applied framework wherein a variety of international case studies by a distinguished board of contributors provide concrete examples of the feasibility of achieving real empowerment. Empowerment means different things to different people in the context of housing, health, and social service delivery. This book analyzes the various definitions of the concept and practice of the empowerment of frail older persons and then discusses the definitions in a philosophical framework of social values regarding aging and the older person. Each chapter demonstrates the feasibility of achieving increased empowerment of older persons, even those with severe physical or mental disability. True empowerment of older persons in every country requires time, energy, money, and commitment to the goal. This book will be of interest to academic as well as professional audiences in areas of Gerontology, Psychology, Sociology, and Family Studies. Caregivers and policymakers will also find this analysis useful.

"Nurses play a vital role in improving the safety and quality of patient car -- not only in the hospital or ambulatory treatment facility, but also of community-based care and the care performed by family members. Nurses need know what proven techniques and interventions they can use to enhance patient outcomes. To address this need, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), with additional funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has prepared this comprehensive, 1,400-page, handbook for nurses on patient safety and quality -- Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. (AHRQ Publication No. 08-0043)." - online AHRQ blurb, http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nurseshdbk/

This book will support an issue as important as self-management of chronic diseases, es- cially AD, in finding its way into the daily life of patients and their caregivers as well as into treatment worldwide. It is written for healthcare professionals, aging researchers/scientists, patients with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, managers of eldercare facilities, public health authorities, umbrella organisations of Alzheimer associations, Alzheimer associations, health care administrators, health economists and government officials. It is my pleasant duty to thank Merz Pharma (Schweiz) AG in Allschwil-Switzerland to purchase 40 copies of the book. To finish this book, a long and sometimes arduous path had to be traveled. Now that it is over, I feel profoundly thankful towards all authors for participating in this project, p- ticularly Eva Krebs-Roubicek, MD for her contribution, the three models on the cover of this book; and especially to Julie and Jean-Luc for their great understanding and loving - sistance. Sabine Bährer-Kohler, Editor of the book VII Foreword Alzheimer’s disease is one of those diseases which is steadily increasing worldwide. Treating Alzheimer’s disease is able to modify its course but does not yet cure it. Alzheimer’s disease is an enormous challenge not only for the afflicted person but also for the relatives.

Globalization and information technology have caused many health problems: mental health issues like depression, and lifestyle-related disease like diabetes and obesity. To cope with these health issues, health promotion and education are desperately needed. Convincing policy decision makers to invest in health promotion and education programs, it is needed to show its effectiveness. Health promotion and education professionals are expected to construct evidence of health promotion and education. Most of such evidence has been produced in the US and European countries. Because socio-economic conditions differ between the Asia and Western countries, we cannot depend on such evidence to implement adequate health promotion and education in our region. We must produce and accumulate our own evidence based on Asian perspectives.

Now in its fourth edition trusted textbook Older People: Issues and Innovations in Care provides a unique collection of conversations and commentaries by leading international and local experts on a range of contemporary issues around the care of older people. Featuring six new chapters, current research and policy changes, the esteemed author team continue to highlight the importance of interdisciplinary healthcare in providing a comprehensive, person-centred approach to care. This edition encourages readers to explore care issues, innovations and change, and to utilise evidence-based practice to improve the care of older people and their families. - Editors' comments precede each chapter, providing a snapshot of the issues addressed. - Dementia care has an increased focus. New chapters include: - Caring for older people: issues for consumers - Younger people in residential aged care facilities - Health and care of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - Alzheimer's dementia: neuropsychology, early diagnosis and intervention - Self-esteem, dignity and finding meaning in dementia - My journey of heartbreak: my parents and Alzheimer's disease. - Vignettes highlight innovative approaches to care that result in improved health outcomes for older people. - Key points are woven through the text to reiterate vital information relevant to nurses and aged care workers. - Reflective questions encourage critical thinking as an instrument for improving practice. - In-text references are made to video interviews available on the Evolve site. This text reflects new thinking in care; include the ideas and experiences of policy analysts, nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and the consumer experience mainly from Australia but with international contributions and be based on contemporary research. It will also point readers to 'the evidence' where it exists, and include vignettes of practice and 'video' clips where appropriate.

Packaging supportive services with housing—a pressing issue for older adults The population of older adults is expected to explode in the coming years. Linking Housing and Services for Older Adults: Obstacles, Options, and Opportunities examines a crucial, complex, and often overlooked issue for policymakers and the public at large: older adults’ increasing needs for housing and supportive long-term care services. As baby boomers strive to help their parents make difficult decisions about their options, pressure mounts for policymakers to develop appropriate housing and services. This book brings together respected experts to discuss the answers to difficult questions about meeting the housing and support service needs of aging adults. Linking Housing and Services for Older Adults: Obstacles, Options, and Opportunities explores in-depth the tough issues pertaining to which populations are presently being served, what their needs are, and who is being left out. You’ll learn exactly what types of services are available, who is providing them, and how are they packaged. From residential care to assisted living to institutional care, this book addresses all facets of the complicated problems of providing availability to fulfill need. This important source presents insightful analysis of the total range of issues and the challenges to progress as well as offering specific recommendations to effectively offer housing and vital long-term care supportive services to older adults. Linking Housing and Services for Older Adults: Obstacles, Options, and Opportunities discusses in detail: the argument for increased development of supportive housing for older adults—and the barriers preventing it the issues related to providing a variety of housing and service options to the Medicaid population two case studies that illustrate how policies aimed at linking housing and services play out at the state and local level—and the need for strong leadership and the ability to develop key partnerships as vital aspects for success the interrelationship of factors regarding nursing home admission, the availability of subsidized housing, and Medicaid eligibility the need for care management to be holistic—including environmental care assessment, repair, and renovation management in addition to current long-term care settings creating affordable assisted living facilities for older persons receiving Medicaid services the successful components of the national Coming Home Program four case studies emphasizing different finance and regulatory approaches—providing lessons learned for developers, state agencies, and advocates of affordable assisted living This vital educational resource is also an essential reference for local, state, and national policymakers, housing officials, and long-term care providers.

The global phenomenon of the aging of societies during a period of outstanding scientific, economic, and technological advancements is a blessing for humanity. These fundamental changes, however, create new needs and problems in all areas of life, often difficult to address. In some countries, the trend is towards compression of the period of age-related morbidity - fewer years of living with disabilities - but the absolute numbers of elderly people living with disabilities are increasing worldwide. This book highlights a series of global threats, problems and challenges in the areas of care and caregiving, through the prism of three multicultural nations: the United States, Israel and Australia. The contributors to this book, experts in their fields, focus on the art of caregiving at the national level, including the interface between family and state responsibilities, policies and practices in the provision of services, and the demands for education and training, as well as the problems and difficulties faced by family caregivers. This is the second of two edited volumes on aging and caregiving. The first, ""Lessons on Aging from Three Nations - Volume I: The Art of Aging Well"", examines positive aspects of and successful adaptations to aging. This book will be of interest to students of gerontology and geriatrics; those working in nongovernmental organizations - private, for-profit and non-profit agencies, including voluntary charitable and religious groups, those working in national regional and local governments, and all general readers intrigued with the aging of societies and longevity.