Julie Dare

Transitions in Midlife Women's Lives: Contemporary Experiences

In this article I report on a research project conducted in Perth, Western Australia, which investigated how contemporary women experience physiological and psychosocial midlife transitions. Qualitative in-depth interviews explored the challenges confronting women during this period. In doing so, continuities and divergences that exist between existing literature on midlife transitions and womens own perspectives are highlighted. Based on key findings, I suggest that while most women manage the “classic” transitions of menopause and the “empty nest” relatively well, the impact of divorce and the aging and death of parents present more serious long-term challenges to women.

Rethinking social support in women’s midlife years: Women’s experiences of social support in online environments

The midlife years (45–55) often coincide with fundamental changes in women’s lives, as women experience transitions such as menopause, changes to family structure due to departure of children or divorce, and parents’ ageing and death. These circumstances tend to increase women’s reliance upon their social support networks. Evidence suggests that social support is critical in helping women manage transitions during the midlife period and develop a sense of self-efficacy; this article highlights that this support is being increasingly exchanged through mediated communication channels. The article presents a comparative investigation of mediated communication channels, primarily email and online chat, through which women give and receive social support, and addresses the factors underpinning women’s media choices. The findings indicate that in determining their media selection, women are judging their ‘audience’ and social context of their communication in order to select the most appropriate channel through which to exchange support.

Shades of grey: the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to research investigating alcohol and ageing

This paper calls for an increase in multi-disciplinary research on the issue of alcohol and ageing, to ensure public health interventions reflect the complex and diverse needs of older drinkers. Older people (65+ years) represent a unique segment of the population; compared to adolescents and younger people, they are more likely to have a range of co-morbid conditions and be taking prescribed medication, and are more physiologically vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. This suggests that from a public health perspective, alcohol use by older people is problematic. However, as with younger people, alcohol use is closely associated with socialisation and social engagement. While social engagement is important at all stages of life, it is particularly critical as people age, when many of the formal social roles which provide a catalyst for social integration shift or are lost. Currently, however, there is little evidence of an integrated public health response to the complex issue of alcohol and ageing. That is, what is needed is a concurrent acknowledgement of the health problems that may be associated with contraindicated alcohol use, versus the potential health benefits that can accrue from social drinking. This will require a holistic rather than reductionist approach that integrates biomedical and social science insights to develop a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the implications of alcohol use amongst diverse populations of older people. Significance for public health With the rapid ageing of the global population and concerns about recent increases in the consumption of alcohol amongst older people, the issue of alcohol and ageing is becoming an important public health issue. However, there remains little research that adopts a holistic multi-disciplinary perspective. Such research is important and may offer the best way forward in terms of unravelling the complexity of competing risks and benefits associated with low to moderate drinking amongst older people.

Occupational Therapy and Occupational Participation in Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Review of the Evidence

Abstract Aims: To review recent occupational therapy literature to establish the current level of evidence on how occupation may influence participation and may prevent or reduce social isolation in community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and over. Methods: Pertinent electronic databases were comprehensively searched using a guiding search strategy and inclusion criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment was conducted on included studies. Results: 14 studies were included in the review. The occupational domains within the studies that contributed to social participation or social isolation included instrumental activities of daily living, education, leisure, work and social participation. Conclusions: Evidence is emerging within recent literature to support a positive relationship between occupations, social participation and the prevention of social isolation in community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and over. Evidence supports the highly relevant and valuable role of occupational therapy in facilitating healthy aging through supporting social participation and addressing social isolation for the increasingly aging global population.

Prescribing or dispensing medication represents the best opportunity for GPs and pharmacists to engage older people in alcohol-related clinical conversations

This research aimed to identify older Australian drinkers’ knowledge about Australian Alcohol Guidelines and their beliefs about the risks and benefits of alcohol; their recall of alcohol‐related issues being raised with them by their community pharmacist and General Practitioner (GP); and their receptiveness to alcohol‐related information being provided by either health professional.

Identifying the enablers and barriers to community participation amongst older adults

Introduction The proportion of older adults throughout the world has increased significantly over the last decade and continues to rise. Such substantial growth highlights the importance of facilitating older people’s wellbeing. This research aimed to identify enablers and barriers to participation in community-based activities experienced by active older adults. Method This qualitative study employed the evidence-based paradigm of occupation and Model of Human Occupation to underpin protocol and discussion. Ten participants (females = 9, males = 1) who were aged 64–83 years and actively engaged in their community took part in semi-structured interviews. Participants reported mixed health levels including chronic/terminal illnesses and normal degenerative changes. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Analysis identified four themes of enablers and barriers to community participation. These were: relationships; interests; personal knowledge and awareness towards health and wellbeing; and resources and the environment. Conclusion Intrinsic factors such as developing or maintaining strong relationships and developing interests were identified as enabling community participation. Barriers identified within this study included unappealing group cultures or structures, such as having limited opportunity to develop friendships or explicitly targeting ‘seniors aged 60+ years’ and accessibility limitations. Recommendations were established to inform the development of programmes to increase community participation among this group.

Community pharmacists require additional support to develop capacity in delivering alcohol-related health information to older adults.

This qualitative study explored the barriers and enablers influencing Western Australian (WA) community pharmacists’ knowledge, confidence, willingness and practice in engaging older clients (>60 years) in alcohol‐related health discussions.