Bronwyn Tanner

Restoring and Sustaining Home: The Impact of Home Modifications on the Meaning of Home for Older People

ABSTRACT The importance of a supportive home environment to successful aging has been well-established in the literature, with home modifications increasingly acknowledged as ways of removing barriers to function and increasing independence for older people. Home modification literature and practice primarily focus on the home environment as a physical space in which to perform tasks and on the impact of modification on competencies and function. Home, however, is much more than a physical environment. Within a transactive framework, people and places are seen as engaged in a dynamic, reciprocal relationship through which home becomes a place of significant personal meaning. Through a qualitative framework, this study examines the experience of older people living in the community who are recipients of a home modification service. It explores the impact modifying the physical environment has on their experience of home as a place of meaning and provides insight into how home modifications can strengthen the home as a place of personal and social meaning as well as improve safety and comfort for the older person at home.

Threshold Concepts in Practice Education: Perceptions of Practice Educators

Introduction: Practice education is essential in the development of the clinical competencies required for entry into the workforce. Practitioners take on the role of educator of students on placement, often at a distance from the university. While the importance of practitioners to the university curriculum is acknowledged, how best to engage both practitioners and academics in a dialogue that is meaningful and valued by both groups is an ongoing challenge. Applying a threshold concept framework has been suggested as a way to enhance dialogue between key stakeholders to facilitate student learning. Method: This exploratory qualitative study aimed to identify areas of transformative knowledge (threshold concepts) from the perspective of practitioners who engage with students undertaking practice education. Data were collected from two focus groups of practitioners involved in practice education. A threshold concept framework was used for analysis. Findings: The use of a threshold concept framework facilitated the identification of three key knowledge areas, which resulted in transformed understanding once they were grasped by students engaged in practice education. Conclusion: The identification of threshold concepts for practice education has the potential to inform university curriculum content and practice educator training. Further research is indicated to develop these concepts further.

The functional impact of a traumatic hand injury on people who live in rural and remote locations

Purpose. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the functional impact of a traumatic hand injury on a rural and remote Australian population. Method. A retrospective, exploratory design was used. Patients who had experienced a traumatic hand injury were samples and were treated at the occupational therapy department at a major regional Australian hospital between January 2003 and February 2007 (n = 198). A mail-out survey was utilized, with 65 respondents included in the study. Questions focused on the impact on specific areas of occupational performance and on compliance to home exercises. The upper extremity functional index was also incorporated in the survey. Results. The results revealed that almost 90% of survey respondents had residual difficulties as a result of the traumatic hand injury. The overall impact these difficulties have on ‘day-to-day’ life was moderate to extreme for over half of the respondents. In the areas of occupational performance, the most affected were work and leisure with less impact reported in self-care and rest. Comments were at times contrary with closed question data, with many respondents expressing relative satisfaction with their outcome despite highlighting the functional difficulties. Conclusion. A significant impact on occupational performance has been highlighted, which reflects common issues within this rural and remote population. Confirmation of the extent of these identified issues within the larger rural and remote Australian population will contribute to the formulation of policy and consequent improvements in health for this traditionally underserved population.

Meanings of home for older people

The home environment is increasingly being recognised as an essential element in successful ageing as the majority of older people choose to remain at home while ageing. The home environment takes on increasing significance as ageing occurs. While the home is recognised as a physical environment, it is also experienced as having personal, social, and temporal dimensions that are often unique to the individual. This article explores the meaning of these dimensions of home for older people.