Suicide in an ageing UK population: problems and prevention

Purpose Suicide can be an emotive, and at times, controversial subject. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the social, health, personal, and cultural issues that can arise in later life and the potential reasons for suicide. It will analyse already recognised risk factors of suicide in older adults and focus on improving knowledge about the social meaning and causation of suicide for older people. It will also consider suicide prevention policies, their practice implications, and whether they are successful in protecting this potentially vulnerable cohort. Design/methodology/approach A synopsis of available literature in the form of a general review paper of suicide of older adults. Findings There is evidence that the ageing process often leads to a set of co-morbidities and a complex and diverse set of individual challenges. This in turn equates to an increased risk of suicide. There is no easy answer to why there is evidence of a growing number of older adults deciding that suicide is there only option, and even fewer suggestions on how to manage this risk. Social implications The entry of the “baby boom” generation into retirement will lead to the potential of an increase in both suicide risk factors and older adults completing suicide. This is on the background of a demographic surge which is likely to place additional pressures on already under-resourced, and undervalued, statutory and non-statutory services. Originality/value A literature search found very little information regarding older adults and suicide risk, assessment, treatment or prevention. </jats:sec

Literature review: understanding nursing competence in dementia care

Aims and objectives. The aim of this study was to review dementia nursing competencies. The objectives were to explain the relevancy of dementia competencies across care settings and levels of practice. Background. Dementia is strongly associated with increasing age and as the world population ages there is an imperative to ensure the healthcare workforce is fully equipped to meet the needs of people with dementia and their carers. Design. A literature review study addressed the research aim and objectives. Method. Literature sources were (i) academic databases, (ii) the internet and (iii) snowballing. Search terms were \u27dementia\u27, \u27care standards\u27, \u27training and education\u27 and \u27competency\u27. Results. The sample consisted of 59 reviewed publications. A synthesis of the findings generated 10 dementia competencies: (i) Understanding Dementia; (ii) Recognising Dementia; (iii) Effective Communication; (iv) Assisting with Daily Living Activities; (v) Promoting a Positive Environment; (vi) Ethical and Person-Centred Care; (vii) Therapeutic Work (Interventions); (viii) Responding the needs of Family Carers; (ix) Preventative Work and Health Promotion and (x) Special Needs Groups. There were also five levels of practice: (i) Novice; (ii) Beginner; (iii) Competent; (iv) Proficient and (v) Expert and no care setting specific competencies were generated. Conclusion. Government initiatives demonstrate commitments to dementia, such as Australia\u27s adoption of dementia as a National Health Priority and the UK National Dementia Strategy. Registration boards for the nursing workforce in Japan and the UK included dementia competencies in generalist frameworks to emphasise the importance of dementia as a healthcare issue. This study demonstrated that there is no dementia competency framework relevant across care settings or levels of practice. Relevance to clinical practice. An empirical study will develop a multi-disciplinary dementia competency framework relevant across care settings and levels of practice to ensure the healthcare workforce can effectively deliver services to people with dementia and their carers

Thinking disability orientation : practicing affirmation

Introduction: Occupational therapy’s theoretical base is informed by beliefs in empowerment, partnership, choice and hope — all key components in client-centred practice (Sumsion and Law 2006). In order to be client-centred, it is important to appreciate an individual’s perception of their own disability, known as their disability orientation. Disability orientation, as described by Darling and Heckert (2010), includes three aspects: disability identity; adherence to a particular model of disability, and involvement in disability rights activism. Each type of disability orientation will affect the disabled person’s beliefs and feelings about themselves, their impaired bodies and their disabled lives. This, in turn, is likely to influence their expectations of and satisfaction with occupational therapy services. Therefore, occupational therapists aiming to work within a client-centred approach should be cognisant of this concept and consider its possible impact on their therapeutic approach. This seminar will: – Explore the concept of disability orientation and discuss examples of different orientations; – Examine the affirmative disability orientation as it relates to occupational therapy; – Enable participants to analyse and understand their clients’ disability orientation; – Discuss strategies to provide intervention informed by a client’s disability orientation. Case studies will be used to promote discussion and explore practical ways to ascertain an individual’s disability orientation. The affirmative disability orientation will be discussed in particular. Impact on service users: Understanding disability orientation could lead to enhanced client-centred and culturally sensitive practice. Implications for occupational therapy: Contribution to the improvement of practice through the development of culturally sensitive therapeutic strategies