Social Media’s Influence on Parents’ Decision-Making Process of Child Vaccinations

Background: This study examined parent perceptions towards child vaccinations, and sources used leading to inoculation decisions. Methods: A survey was electronically dispersed to parents to examine their perceptions of vaccinations, what source they used to form their decisions, and whether or not they have their children vaccinated. Results: Significant differences on perceptions about vaccinations, those who followed the recommended vaccination schedule, and what sources of information they used were found. There was a significant relationship between parents who ranked using social media as their primary source and reports that they did not, or will not, vaccinate their children. Conclusions: Where parents obtain health-related information was shown to be a significant factor on vaccine perceptions and whether children were inoculated or not.&nbsp

Performance and Output Measurement: A Joint Meeting of Euro Public Sector and Health Working Groups -- 14-16 January, 1980

Most governmental and public service bodies have developed methods for measuring and controlling the inputs to major programs, in terms of finance, manpower, and other resources. There has, however, been relatively little success in measuring the output of such programs -- except in rather special cases -- and such measurement as takes place is usually on secondary rather than primary measures of output; it is easy to measure the number of patients handled in a clinic, but much more difficult to determine how far their health is improved. The issue of performance and output measurement is thus of major concern to operational research workers and applied systems analysts, much of whose work is directed towards public service programs, and because it cuts across many fields of application. It therefore seemed particularly appropriate that two working groups of the European Association of Operational Research Societies should meet at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in January 1980 to discuss this topic. As the discussion may be of wider interest than to those actually present it all seems appropriate to make these notes more widely available in the form of an IIASA Collaborative Paper. The meeting was the prime responsibility of Peter Turner and Duncan Boldy, chairmen respectively of the Public Sector and Health Working Groups of EURO. At IIASA the coordination was undertaken by Philip Aspden of the Health Care Systems Modeling Task. These three are the joint editors of this report. It was felt that the proceedings were worth recording but that, as they were really part of an ongoing debate, they should be made available as quickly as possible. To avoid further delay some of the papers are therefore presented in note form, and the discussion has been condensed to bring out the main topics of interest. It is too seldom that those engaged in the analytical study of policy issues get together specifically to discuss their problems, rather than to parade their solutions. We hope that this collaborative paper may help to stimulate further such meetings

A Systematic Review of Physical Activity Programs for Older People Receiving Home Care Services

The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some require assistance from home care services. Physical activity can improve and maintain function, strength and balance, which is important for those receiving home care. This study reviewed the evidence on physical activity/exercise interventions trialled with older people receiving a home care service. A systematic review of studies published from January 1982 to September 2012, from five databases, was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: aged 65+ years; community dwelling; no dementia diagnosis; receiving home care services; and a physical activity/exercise program. Eight articles were included and results show there were few consistencies between intervention types, groups, outcome measures and follow-up. Study quality was mixed. Future studies should include pragmatic randomized controlled trials involving home care practitioners and their clients to gain “real world” knowledge of what interventions are effective and can be delivered within this setting

Physical activity levels of older adults receiving a home care service

Sammenligning av aktivitetsnivå for personer som har hatt hverdagsrehabilitering og vanlige tjenester.The 3 study objectives were to compare the activity levels of older people who had received a restorative home care service with those of people who had received "usual" home care, explore the predictors of physical activity in these 2 groups, and determine whether either group met the minimum recommended activity levels for their age group. A questionnaire was posted to 1,490 clients who had been referred for a home care service between 2006 and 2009. Older people who had received a restorative care service were more active than those who had received usual care (p = .049), but service group did not predict activity levels when other variables were adjusted for in a multiple regression. Younger individuals who were in better physical condition, with good mobility and no diagnosis of depression, were more likely to be active. Investigation of alternatives to the current exercise component of the restorative program is needed

Physical activity preferences of older home care clients

Background - Physical activity contributes to an older person's health and well-being by maintaining strength, balance and mobility, all of which are important for older people who wish to remain living in their home for as long as possible. It is therefore essential that community nurses and those working with home care clients promote being physically active. To do this effectively requires an understanding of the type of physical activity older home care clients prefer to engage in. Aim - The aims of this study were to identify the physical activity preferences of older people who received a home care service and to determine whether being physically active is important to this population. Methods - Twenty older home care clients were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using a descriptive qualitative methodology. Results - Walking, housework and gardening were identified as the activities of choice. The majority of interviewees suggested that it was important to be physically active. Conclusion - Structured exercise programmes are not the activity of choice for older home care clients. Therefore, when community nurses and allied health workers promote physical activity to their clients, they should suggest activities such as walking, housework and gardening and also endorse the benefits of physical activity for well-being and staying independent. Implication for practice - Health and community nurses and organisations should routinely encourage home care clients to increase their activity levels, especially utilising those activities they most enjoy

Long-term Benefits of a Lifestyle Exercise Program for Older People Receiving a Restorative Home Care Service: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Restorative home care services are short term, individualized programs aimed at maximizing an older person’s ability to live independently and maintain their function. The services are made up of a number of components, including an exercise program to increase and maintain function of the older person. The aim of this study was to examine over the longer term, the effectiveness and maintenance of a (modified) lifestyle functional exercise program (LiFE) compared to the current, structured exercise program used in a restorative home care service. A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was employed with two study arms: LiFE (intervention) and a structured exercise program (control). Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention (eight weeks) and six months. No difference between the groups for exercise adherence was found. The LiFE group showed significantly better progress for 25% of the outcomes compared to the structured exercise group over the six months. Community and health care organizations delivering restorative home care services should consider this lifestyle exercise program for their clients. It is particularly appropriate for those older people who are not interested in structured types of exercise, those who will not keep using weights to offer resistance, or those who suggest they have limited time

Characteristics of age-friendly bus information

Bus information is an important element to consider when developing and implementing age-friendly bus systems. Little is known regarding the bus information needs and preferences of older people. This study aims to illuminate characteristics of age-friendly bus information. Participant observations with stimulated recall interviews (n=40) were used to identify older peoples' (age 60 and over) perspectives on bus information. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. A printed information location checklist also was conducted. Categorical analysis identified that older people used a variety of information sources including printed information, telephone, Internet, bus drivers, word of mouth, and experience. Positive and negative characteristics of each source were identified. Older people also required a range of levels of information complexity. Popular locations for sourcing printed information included post offices, news agents, tourist information centers, and libraries. Transport providers and policy makers should consider the needs and preferences of older people when providing bus information. Effective information provision requires a range of media, covering a broad spectrum of information complexity and through a variety of locations

Effectiveness of a lifestyle exercise program for older people receiving a restorative home care service: study protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Background: Restorative home care services help older people maximise their independence using a multidimensionalapproach. They usually include an exercise program designed to improve the older person’s strength,balance and function. The types of programs currently offered require allocation of time during the day tocomplete specific exercises. This is not how the majority of home care clients prefer to be active and may be oneof the reasons that few older people do the exercises regularly and continue the exercises post discharge.This paper describes the study protocol to test whether a Lifestyle Functional Exercise (LiFE) program: 1) isundertaken more often; 2) is more likely to be continued over the longer term; and, 3) will result in greaterfunctional gains compared to a standard exercise program for older people receiving a restorative home careservice.Methods/Design: Design: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) design was employed with two studyarms: LiFE program (intervention) and the current exercise program (control).Setting: Silver Chain, a health and community care organisation in Perth, Western Australia.Participants: One hundred and fifty restorative home care clients, aged 65 years and older.Measurements: The primary outcome is a composite measure incorporating balance, strength and mobility. Otheroutcome measures include: physical functioning, falls efficacy, and levels of disability and functioning.Discussion: If LiFE is more effective than the current exercise program, the evidence will be presented to theservice management accompanied by the recommendation that it be adopted as the generic exercise program tobe used within the restorative home care service.Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinica