Paul Kingston

Lifestyles of belief: narrative and culture in a retirement community

This paper examines the culture and narratives occurring in a purpose-built retirement community. It is argued that in order to understand the effects that such a community can have on wellbeing, it is necessary to analyse the interaction of a variety of interweaving narratives used to sustain a secure micro-cultural base. These narratives include formal representations, daily life as experienced by tenants and imaginative associations within community culture. Retirement communities for older people have been represented as containing the positive features of both residential care and neighbourhood life. They have also been criticised as promoting exclusivity and negative attitudes to outsiders. Tenants reported experiences of a high level of interdependence and peer support. They saw the community as a positive alternative to nursing homes, continued residence in their local neighbourhoods and reliance on family support. It was found that this retirement community was perceived to have a positive effect on wellbeing which was attributed to peer culture and was sustained by imaginative narratives of miracle and progress. However, certain groups were excluded from this dominant reading.

Falls in Later Life: Status Passage and Preferred Identities as a New Orientation

This article argues that medical hegemony has constructed a dominant discourse around falls in later life. This medical dominance has subjected the fall to randomized control trials (RCTs) in an attempt to evaluate post-fall interventions especially in older populations. However, there has been a paucity of literature from any discipline other than medicine. This article attempts to rectify this imbalance by utilizing status passage and preferred identities as sociological theories that can offer insights into falls. First, it is suggested that status passage offers a useful theoretical starting point to develop critical insights into ‘what it means to fall in later life’. Second, analogies are drawn from the work of Charmaz in attempting to understand the role of preferred identities after a fall. Finally, it is suggested that the fall is a powerful metaphor that perpetuates the homogeneous view of decremental decline in older age which serves to reinforce ageism within health and welfare agencies.

Older people and falls: a randomized controlled trial of a health visitor (HV) intervention

Research shows that approximately one in three people over the age of 65 years falls in any one year, with approximately one in three falling again in the following year. Prevalence of falls also increases with age, and women are more likely to fall than men. However, in advanced old age the ratio of men and women fallers reaches equal proportions.

Adult Protection: an overview of research and policy

This paper considers the emergence of adult protection as a significant issue for health and welfare professionals. A range of definitions and dilemmas are considered alongside a comprehensive review of how abuse is manifested. A brief review of the latest research is followed by principles of good practice.

Issues in the sphere of elder abuse and neglect: the role of education

In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on violence and abuse within society. It therefore seems appropriate to consider the role of education in promoting a greater understanding of the linked phenomena of elder abuse and neglect, and of the quality of life of older people. The rationale behind the educational process covering the area of elder abuse and neglect has not, until now, been discussed in any structured or open way. Education concerning these social problems has tended to develop in an ad hoc manner, with numerous organizations, professionals and academics developing their own ideas about what might be considered to be an appropriate curriculum. This paper aims to address some of the fundamental questions which need to be explored, including: who is to be educated; what knowledge is to be taught; and how is it to be taught?

Older adults and violence: an analysis of Domestic Homicide Reviews in England involving adults over 60 years of age

ABSTRACT Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) are conducted when an individual aged 16 or over appears to have died from violence, abuse or neglect by a person to whom they are related or with whom they are in an intimate relationship or who is a member of the same household. DHRs aim to identify lessons to be learned, to improve service responses to domestic abuse and to contribute to prevention of domestic abuse/homicide. We submitted Freedom of Information requests to English Local Authorities to identify DHRs where victim, perpetrator or both were aged over 60. Collected Reports and/or Executive Summaries were thematically analysed. Analysis identified four key themes in the context of the key relationship and caring: major mental illness of the perpetrator; drug and/or alcohol abuse; financial issues; and a history of domestic abuse in key or family relationships. We analysed 14 adult family homicides, 16 intimate partner homicides and five homicide–suicides. Age per se did not emerge as a significant factor in our analysis. Terminology needs to be standardised, and training/education regarding risk assessment needs to be improved in relation to age, myths around ageing/dementia and stresses of caring. Management of mental illness is a key factor. A central repository of DHR Reports accessible for research and subject to regular review would contribute to maximising learning and improving practice.

Spontaneous concerns about risk and abuse reported by people with dementia and their carers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look at concerns about risk/abuse expressed spontaneously by people with dementia (PwD) and their carers in narratives describing their journeys with dementia. Design/methodology/approach A total of 35 narratives were elicited from PwD, carers of PwD and couples where one partner was living with dementia as part of a study on the impact of producing narratives on PwD and their carers. Participants were found to allude to risk/abuse, or specifically mention thoughts on risk and abuse in their narratives. A secondary analysis of the theme of risk/abuse is reported here. Findings Concerns about risk/exploitation were often expressed in the narratives, and covered a range of areas including driving, safety in the home, safety outdoors, falls, finances, risk to PwD from others, risk to others from PwD, potential or actual police incidents and neglect. Research limitations/implications The narratives were elicited as part of another project and participants were not asked directly about risk; themes reported here were brought up spontaneously by participants. Practical implications In relation to dementia a wide range of risk/abuse issues is of concern to PwD and their carers, including driving and financial vulnerabilities. PwD and carers are prepared to talk about risk/abuse when given an opportunity. It is important to investigate and understand experiences and concerns about risk/abuse if they are to be addressed in health and social care practice. Originality/value The narratives offer unique insights into the concerns of PwD and family carers.