SFU Search
This thesis explores effects of access to primary care on the self-care of older Canadians, across 5 residential categories. Previous research indicates persons living in rural environments experience profound barriers to primary care, compared to their urban counterparts. Further, self-care is influenced by health knowledge, often acquired through the formal health care system. It was hypothesized that the association between residential status and self-care will be partially explained by access to primary care. Data from the CCHS - Cycle 1.1 (2001) were used. The research sample consisted of 24,281 Canadians, aged 65 and older. Logistic regression results evidenced several predictors of self-care. However, none of the independent variables fully explained the association between access to primary care and selfcare. Since previous research employs dichotomous rurallurban comparisons, these findings provide an important and unique contribution to the literature. The results suggest need for research identifying factors mediating group differences in self-care.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of welfare state retrenchment on the retirement income system in Canada during the years 1980-2000. In order to provide perspective on the Canadian experience, this study also examined the effects of retrenchment on the pension systems in the Netherlands and Sweden. The theoretical foundation for this study was supported by Esping-Andersen's (1990) welfare-state regime typology (liberal, conservative and social-democratic). To address retrenchment, this study incorporated Rice and Prince's (2000) model of retrenchment strategies. It was hypothesized that: 1) there is a link between regime type and retrenchment strategy pursued; and, 2) the liberal regime (Canada) will be more likely to experience retrenchment than either the conservative (the Netherlands) or social-democratic (Sweden) regimes. Contrary to these predictions, it was found that while all three countries did experience retrenchment, the Netherlands experienced the most retrenchment.
A multitude of gender differences exist in relation to primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Thus, a gender-based approach to interventions for cardiovascular risk has been identified as the ideal. However, there is a research gap as to what strategies such interventions should include. This investigation explored gender differences in the effectiveness of a cardiovascular risk reduction intervention, the Cardiovascular Health Best Practices Project. The intervention was successful for females but not for males. Gender differences in self-care patterns for physical activity, weight loss, and stress, as well as health care utilization, did not contribute to these findings. Future research should identify which strategies were effective for females as well as explore strategies for risk reduction among males, and future intervention analyses should assess outcome by gender.
The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of informal social interaction among people with dementia residing in special care units and to provide insight into the role of the social and physical environments in facilitating or hindering these spontaneous interactions. An ethnographic approach was used including in-depth interviews with staff members and resident observations. Findings revealed that residents within special care units engage in several types of informal social interactions including: 1) active verbal communications, 2) brief verbal communications, 3) touching, 4) gesture, 5) glancing, 6) attention seeking, and 7) other non-verbal communication. This study also found that social environmental factors such as staff work roles and resident group size as well as physical environmental features such as the presence of multiple sightlines, transitions spaces, low noise levels, and the nursing station location play a crucial role in influencing informal social interaction within a dementia care setting.
The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the characteristics of the quality of life of younger residents in residential care facilities, and to gain an understanding of the important factors that contribute to their quality of life. Multiple methods were employed to collect data, including younger resident in-depth interviews, focus groups with staff members, and interviews with a member from the management team at two residential care facilities in British Columbia, Canada. The data analysis revealed four main themes, each containing a number of specific codes: (1) A New Chapter in life; (2) Experiencing Quality of Life; (3) Staying Engaged and (4) Social Life. These themes outline the characteristics of the younger residents’ quality of life and the important factors that contribute to it. The results are beneficial for understanding younger resident quality of life needs and providing person centred care that is appropriate for this population.
The study used a national pooled dataset from the 1999 and 2004 Canadian General Social Surveys (GSS) to compare spousal abuse between mid-age adults (45-59 years) and older adults (>60 years). Two types of abuse: emotional/financial and physical/sexual are investigated. Three regression models on personal, relationship and environmental explanatory factors are examined to determine salient predictors of spousal abuse for each age group. Both similarities and differences were uncovered across the age groups. In general, the differences reflect the complexities of an aging population indicating the importance of social network, such as participation in social activities and community size. In addition, disability status and spousal drinking habits for both age groups were found to be associated with abuse. This study is first of its kind to examine spousal abuse among younger and older populations on the national level. The findings have implications for intervention programs for abused victims.
Faced with comparable demands, some caregivers of persons with Alzheimer disease (AD) become overwhelmed early in the course of the illness while others cope for many years under remarkable stress. Psychological resilience may enable clinicians to identify caregivers at risk for stress-induced psychopathology. The current study examined the three facets of psychological resilience (i.e., commitment to living, challenge, perceived control) relative to the well-being of a sample of cohabitating, community-residing spousal caregivers of persons with AD using hierarchical regression. The sample was recruited from a tertiary diagnostic clinic over a period of 21 months (N = 130). Challenge and perceived control were inversely associated with depressive symptoms. Perceived control was also significantly related to caregiver burden. None of the psychological resilience constructs uniquely contributed to the prediction of life satisfaction. These findings provide partial support for the hypothesized association between psychological well-being and caregiver well-being indices.
Despite the passage of BC’s Representation Agreement Act in 2000, there have been no studies conducted to date to determine who is using these agreements and why. Three groups of individuals were interviewed: capable representation agreement holders (n=48), representatives of capable agreement holders (n=38), and representatives of agreement holders no longer capable (n=7). Study participants differed from the general population of seniors in BC in terms of income and education but were similar to those using advance care planning tools in the United States. The data revealed interesting gender differences suggesting that men and women may enter into agreements for different reasons and have dissimilar expectations of how their wishes are to be carried out. Overall, this sample of representation agreement holders felt the agreements are a good idea and a means of ensuring their wishes are followed should they become incapable of making their own health care decisions.
Gerontological research examining the lives of older lesbian and gay adults is limited. The unique health needs of this sub-population remains unclear. This research addresses this gap by exploring the following research questions: 1) What are the specific health needs of older lesbian and gay adults? 2) How are the specific needs of older lesbian and gay adults unmet? and 3) How can healthcare agencies better address the needs of older lesbian and gay adults? This study is guided by a feminist/queer perspective synthesized with an ecological framework. In depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 individuals aged 50+ who reside in Metro Vancouver. Participants self-identified as either lesbian or gay and reported at least one chronic health condition. The findings of this research can be used to increase equitable health service delivery, inform policy development and resource allocation, as well as provide a foundation for critical health research.
This qualitative study explored the role of two care facility environments on personhood at the end of life for residents living with advanced dementia. This study was grounded in the literature on end of life care and dementia, discourses on personhood and the concept of creating a therapeutic environment for those with dementia. Data were generated through ethnographic observations of twelve residents with advanced dementia, interviews with thirteen of their formal carers and a secondary data/archival analysis of relevant organizational policies. Data analysis revealed that the immediate resident-carer encounter (doing-to and being-with) significantly affected personhood at the end of life. In addition, carers’ understanding of personhood, end of life and person-centred care contributed to the challenge in the practical application of these concepts to caring for persons with advanced dementia. Further, elements within the work environment context itself also affected personhood at the end of life.
Receive updates for this collection