Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard

The Significance of Social Engagement in Relocated Older Adults

Social networks and social support are recognized as important determinants of health. Relocation is a common transition in older adults’ lives that can disrupt existing social networks and challenge seniors to reconstitute these networks. Social engagement is a required component of the process of reconstituting social relationships and of feeling connected. The purpose of this focused ethnographic study was to develop an understanding of the experience of social engagement in relocated residents of a senior-designated apartment building. Data generation included interviews with 19 older adults. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Seniors developed four types of relationships for provision of feelings of security, casual interactions, opportunity to be supportive, and friendship. The findings of this research provide a better understanding of the relationships seniors developed in a new community as a result of the process of social engagement.

Family Caregivers and Transition to Long-Term Care:

This study’s purpose was to explore family caregivers’ experiences while they waited placement of family members with dementia in long-term care and how they coped during this period of waiting and transition. In this exploratory descriptive qualitative study, interviews were conducted with 29 caregivers at entry to the placement wait-list and at 3 to 4-month intervals thereafter. Final interviews, with 15 caregivers, were conducted shortly after admission to long-term care. When “the waiting begins,” the themes of crisis as initiator, synchronicity, control, and reciprocity emerged. “After placement” included the themes of deeply bonded relationships, attempting continuity, and sorting out the change. The findings provide new insight into family caregiver experiences during and after placement of a family member with dementia in long-term care. Clinicians must recognize that wherever services are provided, at home before placement or in institutions after placement, family caregivers must be incorporated as full partners in care.

Career Preferences of Nursing Students

Cette étude adresse les attitudes des étudiants et étudiantes débutants et avancés d’un programme en science infirmière envers les soins des patients tout au long de leur durée de vie. En plus, les étudiants et étudiantes ont donné les raisons pour lesquelles le soin des enfants et des personnes âgées leur semble plaisant ou déplaisant. Les étudiantes et les étudiants débutants (n = 114) et avancés (n = 56) étaient relativement positifs par rapport aux soins des clients tout au long du continuum d’âge. Toutefois, il y avait un effet linéaire significatif pour les étudiantes et les étudiants débutants, indiquant plus de négativité quant au travail auprès de clients âgés, en particulier après avoir connu un stage clinique initial. Nous trouvons un effet quadratique significatif pour les étudiantes et les étudiants avancés, indiquant ainsi plus de négativité envers le travail avec les enfants et les personnes âgées. Les raisons données pour apprécier les soins envers les aînés étaient différentes pour les deux groupes d’étudiants : les débutants placent plus d’accent sur les caractéristiques stéréotypes et la piètre santé des aînés que les avancés. Bref, les résultats semblent indiquer que les attitudes qui motivent les intérêts de carrière en science infirmière changent à mesure que la formation des étudiants progresse. This study investigates novice and experienced student nurses’ attitudes about caring for patients across the lifespan. Students were also asked why they would enjoy or not enjoy caring for children and older adults. Both novice (n= 114) and advanced (n = 56) nursing students were relatively positive about caring for patients across the lifespan. However, novices were significantly more negative about working with older patients, particularly after experiencing a first clinical placement. In contrast, a significant quadratic effect was found for advanced students, indicating more negativity about working with both children and older adults. When giving reasons for why they would enjoy caring for older patients, novices were more likely than were advanced students to focus on stereotypical characteristics and on negative health outcomes of older adults as a group. Overall, results suggest that the attitudes driving career interests in nursing students change as training advances.

Canadian Nursing Students and the Care of Older Patients How Is Geriatric Nursing Perceived

The aim of this research was to contribute to an understanding about the professionalization of gerontological nursing. The specific objective was to explore attitudes about older people among undergraduate nursing students. Three focus groups were carried out with 3rd-year nursing students in a generalist program in a small Canadian city and discussions focused on experiences and attitudes surrounding the care of older patients. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to analyze the verbatim transcripts. Results indicated that students had positive reactions to caring for older patients, at least when dementia is not present, but they received a strong message from their mentors that this type of nursing is neither prestigious nor valued. Discussions surrounding the care of older adults highlighted students’ perceptions of conflicts between the art and science of nursing, and their concerns regarding the divisions of tasks between nursing students, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses.

La perception des aînés francophones en situation minoritaire face aux défis et aux enjeux liés au maintien à domicile en milieu urbain néo-brunswickois

RésuméObjectifExplorer les besoins et le degré de satisfaction des aînés francophones en situation sociolinguistique minoritaire au sein d’une communauté urbaine concernant la problématique du maintien à domicile.MéthodeUne étude de cas de type ethnographique fut réalisée dans une communauté urbaine du Nouveau-Brunswick entre octobre 2010 et juin 2011. Nous avons effectué des entrevues individuelles avec les responsables d’organismes communautaires (n=9) et des groupes de discussion avec des personnes âgées francophones demeurant en contexte sociolinguistique minoritaire (n=19).RésultatsLes aînés francophones rencontrés nous ont exprimé leur volonté de vieillir chez eux. En revanche, le manque de services et de soutien manifesté par les aînés francophones représente un obstacle au maintien à domicile. En dépit de ces lacunes, les responsables d’organismes communautaires ne prévoient pas modifier leurs services en vue de favoriser l’amélioration de la qualité de vie des aînés.ConclusionLe maintien à domicile pour les aînés francophones en milieu minoritaire requiert des actions concertées issues de la famille, de la communauté et de l’État. Selon la Charte d’Ottawa, le logement constitue une condition préalable à la santé. De plus, le logement et les réseaux sociaux sont des déterminants de la santé. Par conséquent, l’élaboration et la mise en œuvre d’une politique publique à destination des personnes âgées et, de surcroît, en situation minoritaire nous apparaissent un enjeu fondamental dans un contexte de vieillissement démographique.AbstractObjectiveExplore the needs and the degree of satisfaction of Francophone seniors living in a minority socio-linguistic urban community in regards to aging-in-place.MethodAn ethnographic case study was conducted in an urban community in the province of New Brunswick between October 2010 and June 2011. Individual interviews were completed with leaders of different community organizations (n=9) and focus groups were held with socio-linguistic minority French-speaking older adults (n=19).ResultsFrancophone seniors explained their willingness to age-in-place; however, the lack of services and support in the community makes aging-in-place difficult. Despite this identified absence of services, leaders of various community organizations have no plans to review current services in order to facilitate better quality of life for seniors.ConclusionAging-in-place for French-speaking seniors living in socio-linguistic minority communities requires concerted efforts from family members, the community and the government. The Ottawa Charter of Health clearly states housing as a prerequisite of health. Housing and social support are important determinants of health. Therefore, the development and implementation of a public policy with regard to seniors, and particularly those in a socio-linguistic minority, seems fundamental in the context of population aging.

Hoping for the Best or Planning for the Future: Decision Making and Future Care Needs

Research has shown that relatively few older adults make plans for future care needs. In this study, we explore the thinking processes involved in planning or failing to plan for the future. Interviews were carried out with 39 older adults (M age = 81 years) who were experiencing disability and illness but who lived in their own home. Guiding questions for the interview focused on present living circumstances, but for the present qualitative analysis, all references to the future, and to future residence changes, were extracted. This approach allowed us to observe how older adults spontaneously address issues of future planning when not constrained to do so. Results supported the use of a positivity bias, as well as a risk-aversive decision-making style. These older adults seemed to be prioritizing present emotional well-being by avoiding thoughts of future risks and thereby eschewing proactive coping.

Food Related Challenges and Issues Faced by New Brunswick Seniors Livingin their Own Home

The number of seniors is projected to increase over the next decade and continue to rise in the following decades. The issues and challenges faced by New Brunswick seniors living in their own home were studied recently. Too many seniors are not able to afford healthy food or enough food to maintain their health as they age. Healthy eating is one of the main factors in ensuring healthy aging and should therefore be an important consideration when determining a senior’s capacity to remain in his or her own home. Little is known about how seniors, and particularly frail seniors, manage the challenges of maintaining healthy eating habits in their home. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted among seniors aged 65 and over living in New Brunswick.

Strategies for Aging in Place The Experience of Language-Minority Seniors With Loss of Independence

For healthy and independent older adults, aging in place can be seen as identical to any other adult living at home. Little is known about how frail seniors, particularly those who speak a minority language, manage the challenges of aging in place. The present qualitative descriptive study explores the strategies that Canadian French-speaking seniors have put in place to counter their loss of independence and promote their ability to stay in their home. Semistructured individual interviews were conducted with 39 older adults and transcribed, followed by content analysis to identify common themes related to study objectives. Six themes emerged in response to strategies described for aging in place. Findings reveal the limited extent to which language issues were perceived as a barrier by participants. In conclusion, the results of this study provide us with fruitful insights to guide community nursing practice, future research, and public policy.

L'influence du contexte sociolinguistique minoritaire sur le maintien à domicile des aînés en milieu rural dévitalisé: le cas d’Acadieville au Nouveau-Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of the provinces most affected by the aging of the population. Moreover, aging at home in Francophone minority communities is a major challenge in rural areas. The goal of this paper is to identify the main advantages and disadvantages of aging at home and to expose organizational strategies deployed by seniors and their families in order to promote aging in place. The case study is the method of analysis that we have recommended. Our methodology is based on content analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews with seniors and their children. The results show that family and community support, resourcefulness and resiliency, the practice of leisure activities as well as the living environment are among the principal means used by older adults to promote aging at home.

Vieillir en santé en situation minoritaire linguistique au Canada : enjeux, défis et mobilisation collective

In Canada, the health of both French and English speakers living in linguistic minority situations is a subject of interest to several researchers and community organizations. This article draws upon a symposium on the theme of healthy ageing in a linguistic minority situation, presented at the 4th International Colloquium for Local and Regional Health Programmes. Three aspects are presented: the identification of factors associated with perceived health, home care and malnutrition screening. The results describe: (a) The determinants of perceived health, such as health care services, the vitality of the minority community and education; (b) The lack of changes to home care services, despite the ageing of the population; and (c) The high prevalence of malnutrition among the elderly in New Brunswick, Canada. Finally, we make suggestions regarding the design and implementation of a national policy on ageing in Canada, in order to ensure high-quality services along the entire health continuum.Au Canada, la santé des francophones et des anglophones vivant en milieu linguistique minoritaire est un sujet d’intérêt pour plusieurs chercheurs et organismes communautaires. Cet article s’inspire d’un symposium sur le thème concernant le vieillissement en santé en situation minoritaire linguistique présentée lors du 4e Colloque international des programmes locaux et régionaux de santé. Trois volets sont présentés, soit l’identification des facteurs associés à la santé perçue, le maintien à domicile et le dépistage de la malnutrition. Les résultats décrivent 1) les déterminants de la santé perçue tels que les services de santé, la vitalité de la communauté minoritaire et l’éducation ; 2) le peu de changements aux services de maintien à domicile en dépit du vieillissement de la population ; et 3) la haute prévalence de la malnutrition chez les aînés au Nouveau-Brunswick. Enfin, nous suggérons l’élaboration et l’implantation d’une politique publique du vieillissement au Canada afin d’assurer des services de qualité tout au long du continuum santé.