Housing type and depressive symptoms among older adults: a test of sense of belonging as a mediating and moderating variable
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Turner, Jayne , Gomez, Rapson , McLachlan, Angus , Gibbs, Petah
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Aging & Mental Health Vol. 17, no. 8 (November 2013), p. 1023-1029
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: Higher levels of depression have been documented among older adults who reside in an assisted living facility, compared with those who remain in their own homes. The aims of the current study were to test whether the relationship between housing type and depressive symptoms was mediated by a sense of belonging and whether housing type and sense of belonging interact to influence the depressive symptoms among older adults (moderation model).Method: A sample of 257 older adults who lived in their own homes and 166 older adults who lived in an assisted living facility completed the psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.Results: Results showed that a sense of belonging partially mediated the relationship between housing type and depressive symptoms, such that living in a nursing home was associated with lower levels of belonging, and lower levels of belonging were, in turn, associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Residing in an assisted living facility was associated with depressive symptoms at low and average levels of belonging.Conclusion: Results highlight the need for more research on the role of sense of belonging as an influencing factor on depressive symptoms among institutionalised older adults for both theoretical and treatment goals.
- Description: C1
Feasibility and acceptability of a volunteer-mediated diversional therapy program for older patients with cognitive impairment
- Authors: Shee, Anna Wong , Phillips, Bev , Hill, Keith , Dodd, Karen
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Geriatric Nursing Vol. 35, no. 4 (2014), p. 300-305
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Understanding the perceptions of stakeholders is critical for determining acceptability and feasibility of volunteer-mediated programs. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability for staff, volunteers, patients and their carers, of a volunteer diversional therapy program for patients with cognitive impairment undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Post-program structured interviews were conducted with the volunteers (n = 10), patients (n = 30) and their carers (n = 3); and nursing staff (n = 6) participated in a focus group. Thematic analysis identified five themes (values, attitudes, knowledge, purpose, support) in two dimensions (personal, team culture). Overall, patients, carers, staff and volunteers were satisfied with the volunteer program and perceived benefits for quality of care. Recommendations for improvements to the program related to staff engagement with the program and the volunteers' education and training. The volunteer diversional therapy pilot program for patients with cognitive impairment on a sub-acute ward was acceptable and feasible for patients, carers, staff and volunteers. (C) 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Non-invasive smartphone use monitoring to assess cognitive impairment
- Authors: Thang, Nguyen , Oatley, Giles , Stranieri, Andrew , Walker, Darren
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 13th International Conference on Computer and Automation Engineering, ICCAE 2021 p. 64-67
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Background: There are many tests for the early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to prevent or delay the development of dementia, particularly amongst the elderly. However, many tests are complex and are required to be performed repeatedly. Cognitive assessment apps for a smartphone have emerged, but like other tests, they require the user to perform complex tasks like drawing time on a clock. Few studies have explored non-invasive ways of tracking and assessing MCI without having the user perform specific tests. Objective: This research ultimately aims to develop an app that runs in the background and collects smartphone usage data that correlates well with MCI test results. The focus of this preliminary study was to develop an app that collects usage data and common MCI questionnaires to see if usage data between people varied, and to establish associations between phone usage and cognitive tests results. Method: An android application was developed to gather data over three weeks by three volunteers (authors). Usage data collected included: SMS and call log, accelerometer, location, app usage, self-report. Cognitive tests implemented were Stroop, Go/No Go tests and absent-mindedness questionnaires. Due to the small sample size and Covid-19 restrictions (October 2020), location data was not reliable. SMS text was not collected for privacy reasons. Results: App categories can differentiate people, but the app usage cannot be used to distinguish people. © 2021 IEEE.
Effects of 12-week supervised early resistance training (SEcReT) versus aerobic-based rehabilitation on cognitive recovery following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy : a pilot randomised controlled trial
- Authors: Pengelly, Jacqueline , Royse, Colin , Williams, Gavin , Bryant, Adam , Clarke-Errey, Sandy , Royse, Alistair , El-Ansary, Doa
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 31, no. 3 (2022), p. 395-406
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Aims: To investigate the effects of a 12-week early moderate-intensity resistance training program compared to aerobic-based rehabilitation on postoperative cognitive recovery following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. Methods: This was a multicentre, prospective, pragmatic, non-blinded, pilot randomised controlled trial (1:1 randomisation) of two parallel groups that compared a 12-week early moderate-intensity resistance training group to a control group, receiving aerobic-based rehabilitation. English-speaking adults (≥18 years) undergoing elective cardiac surgery via median sternotomy were randomised using sealed envelopes, with allocation revealed before surgery. The primary outcome was cognitive function, assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), at baseline, 14 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. Results: The ADAS-cog score at 14 weeks was significantly better for the resistance training group (n=14, 7.2±1.4; 95% CI 4.3, 10.2, vs n=17, 9.2±1.3; 95% CI 6.6, 11.9, p=0.010). At 14 weeks postoperatively, 53% of the aerobic-based rehabilitation group (n=9/17) experienced cognitive decline by two points or more from baseline ADAS-cog score, compared to 0% of the resistance training group (n=0/14; p=0.001). Conclusion: Early resistance training appears to be safe and may improve cognitive recovery compared to standard, aerobic-based rehabilitation following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy, however as this was a pilot study, the sample size was small and further research is needed to determine a causal relationship. © 2021 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ)
Victims’ Participatory Rights
- Authors: Camilleri, Marg , Harkness, Alistair
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Australian Courts : controversies, challenges and change Chapter 12 p. 269-296
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Victims of crime are key to holding perpetrators to account. Despite being instigators of reports, victim/survivors of sexual assault have long felt alienated from the court process and criminal justice system more broadly. This chapter draws on contemporary literature to consider the contested terrain of “participatory rights” for victim/survivors. Highlighted are a range of reforms implemented since 1994 which elevate the voices and acknowledge the experiences of victim/survivors. Despite the reforms, victim/survivors continue to feel alienated and, in particular, the voices of victim/survivors with cognitive impairment and complex communication needs are sometimes ignored at the point of first report. Considered here are the barriers to effective reform implementation and proposed reforms for continuous advocacy and legal representation. This chapter supports calls for legal representation to continue through to the conclusion of trial proceedings.
[Dis]Abling discourses
- Authors: Camilleri, Marg , Taylor, Caroline
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the SAANZ Conference 2006: Connections and Disconnections, Hamilton, New Zealand : 22nd November, 2006
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Women who have a cognitive impairment (CI) (including mental illness, dementia, intellectual disability and acquired brain injury) are particularly vulnerable to sexual assault, yet very few assaults are reported to police. Once reported very few cases find their way through the justice system. The discourse of stereotyping and its impact on access to justice for victim/survivors is central to this research project which examines the uptake and exit stages of reports of sexual assault by persons with a cognitive impairment to police in Victoria, Australia. Data collection involves focus group interviews, analysis of police records of reports of sexual assault by persons with a cognitive impairment across a finite period of time (2002-2004) and one in-depth case study of a victim of rape with a cognitive impairment who successfully accessed the legal system to a completed trial. This paper discusses the results of preliminary analysis of data collected from focus group discussions held across Victoria including rural, regional and metropolitan locations with police, sexual assault counsellors and advocates for sexual assault victims with a CI. Data have been analysed using a modified Grounded Theory framework and ‘interpretative repertoire’ analysis. These methods of analysis have been used to identify commonly held perceptions of sexual assault victims who have cognitive impairments. Early findings indicate that police and advocates alike, draw on commonly held stereotypes about victims with cognitive impairments. These include whether their word can be believed and assumptions that ‘they cannot stand up to the rigors of the justice system’. Potentially these views have a significant effect on the depth and quality of service the victims receive from their advocate as well as the continued pathway of the report through the justice system.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001907