Construction of environmental knowledge: experiences from India

This paper explored key issues in how knowledge of the environment is constructed in the Third World. Drawing on which, it showed that there are both explicit and implicit ways in which this knowledge is contested. Particularly, it discussed how implicit forms of contestation are problematic in Third World economies because they are exclusionary and also where such issues become ‘headlines’ only after environmental damage and accompanying social injustices have resulted. It concludes by raising crucial questions for environmental research in the Third World where there is limited role of governments and communities in protecting their environment

Moving residence in later life: actively shaping place and wellbeing

Policy discourse favours the idea of ‘ageing in place’ but many older people move home and into different kinds of residential settings. This paper extends understanding of how relocation can promote as well as diminish older people’s wellbeing. Using relational understandings of place and capabilities (people’s freedoms and opportunities to be and to do what they value) we explored wellbeing across the relocation trajectories of 21 people aged 65-91 years living in diverse residential settings in Scotland. We found that a diverse array of capabilities mattered for wellbeing and that relocation was often motivated by concerns to secure ‘at-risk’ capabilities for valued activities and relationships. Moving residence impacted several other capabilities, in addition to these, both, positively and negatively. We suggest that a capability approach offers a valuable lens for understanding and supporting wellbeing through relocation, with potential to overcome some key limitations of dominant behavioural models of late-life relocation

Barriers and facilitators to adherence to walking group exercise in older people living with dementia in the community: a systematic review

Background & Aims: Evidence suggests that targeted exercise is important for people living with dementia. The aim of this review was to collect and synthesize evidence on the known barriers and facilitators to adherence to walking group exercise of older people living with dementia in the community. Methods: We have searched appropriate electronic databases between January 1990 until September 2019, in any language. Additionally, we searched trial registries (clinicaltrial.gov and WHO ICTRP) for ongoing studies. We included all study designs. Studies were excluded when participants were either healthy older people or people suffering from dementia but living in residential care. Narrative synthesis was used. Findings: 10 papers met the inclusion criteria. The narrative analysis focused on barriers, facilitators, and adherence. All studies reported on barriers and facilitators. Barriers included: bio-medical reasons (including mental wellbeing and physical ability); relationship dynamics; and socio-economic reasons and environmental issues. Facilitators included: bio-medical benefits & benefits related to physical ability; staff, group relationship dynamics and social aspect of walking group; environmental issues and individual tailoring; and participants perceptions about the walks & the program. Most studies did not provide data about adherence or attendance; where reported, adherence ranged from 47-89%. Conclusions: This systematic review of literature has highlighted known barriers and facilitators to adherence to walking groups type of exercise for people living with dementia in community. Carers’ willingness to engage, their circumstances, perspectives and previous experiences of exercise seem to play a key role in facilitating adherence but there is little research that explores these. Also, the design, location and organisation of walking groups facilitate adherence. This reflects the need for such activities to be part of a wider ‘program of care’, tailored to the needs of the individual, flexible and convenient. Knowledgeable and well-trained instructors or healthcare professionals are recommended as group exercise leaders

Acceptability of Remote Monitoring in Assisted Living/Smart Homes in the United Kingdom and Associated Use of Sounds and Vibrations—A Systematic Review

The ageing of populations is increasing pressure on health and social care systems. Potentially, assistive technologies are a way to support the independence of older adults in their daily activities. Among existing assistive technologies, ambient sensing technologies have received less attention than wearable systems. Moreover, there has been little research into cheaper technologies capable of using multiple modalities. A systematic review of the acceptability of assisted living or smart homes in the United Kingdom and the simultaneous use of sounds and vibrations in remote monitoring of assisted living or smart homes will inform and encourage the use of digital monitoring technologies. The acceptability of sensing technologies depends on whether there is any social stigma about their use, for example, the extent to which they invade privacy. The United Kingdom studies reviewed suggest a lack of measurements of the perceived efficacy or effectiveness of the monitoring devices. The primary use of vibration or acoustic technologies has been for detecting falls rather than monitoring health. The review findings suggest the need for further exploration of the acceptability and applicability of remote monitoring technologies, as well as a need for more research into the simultaneous use of sounds and vibrations in health monitoring

Barriers and facilitators to adherence to group exercise in institutionalized older people living with dementia: a systematic review

Objectives Research suggests targeted exercise is important for people living with dementia, especially those living in residential care. The aim of this review was to collect and synthesize evidence on the known barriers and facilitators to adherence to group exercise of institutionalized older people living with dementia. Methods We searched all available electronic databases. Additionally, we searched trial registries (clinicaltrial.gov, and WHO ICTRP) for ongoing studies. We searched for and included papers from January 1990 until September 2017 in any language. We included randomized, non-randomized trials. Studies were not eligible if participants were either healthy older people or people suffering from dementia but not living in an institution. Studies were also excluded if they were not focused on barriers and facilitators to adherence to group exercise. Results Using narrative analysis, we identified the following themes for barriers: bio-medical reasons and mental wellbeing and physical ability, relationships dynamics, and socioeconomic reasons. The facilitators were grouped under the following thematic frames: bio-medical benefits and benefits related to physical ability, feelings and emotions and confidence improvements, therapist and group relationships dynamics and activity related reasons. Conclusions We conclude that institutionalized older people living with dementia, even those who are physically frail, incontinent and/or have mild dementia can demonstrate certain level of exercise adherence, and therefore can respond positively to exercise programs. Tailored, individually-adjusted and supported physical activity, led by a knowledgeable, engaging and well communicating therapist/facilitator improves the adherence to group exercise interventions of institutionalized older people living with dementia

Thinking about Later Life: Insights from the Capability Approach

A major criticism of mainstream gerontological frameworks is the inability of such frameworks to appreciate and incorporate issues of diversity and difference in engaging with experiences of aging. Given the prevailing socially structured nature of inequalities, such differences matter greatly in shaping experiences, as well as social constructions, of aging. I argue that Amartya Sen’s capability approach (2009) potentially offers gerontological scholars a broad conceptual framework that places at its core consideration of human beings (their values) and centrality of human diversity. As well as identifying these key features of the capability approach, I discuss and demonstrate their relevance to thinking about old age and aging. I maintain that in the context of complex and emerging identities in later life that shape and are shaped by shifting people-place and people-people relationships, Sen’s capability approach offers significant possibilities for gerontological research

Exploring Older Peoples’ Experiences Of Place And Wellbeing: A Qualitative Study

Current conceptions of place and wellbeing in literature offer limited ways to think about the interrelationships of place and wellbeing as older people age and experience change over time. What is not clear is how wellbeing affects experiences and meanings of place and how, in turn, place mediates experiences of wellbeing. Through an investigation of older peoples’ experiences of living in a range of everyday settings (domestic, sheltered, very sheltered and residential care settings) the overall aim of this research is to explore what matters for the wellbeing of older people and how this might shape and be shaped by interrelationships of place and wellbeing. The study is qualitative and involves in–depth interviews incorporating a biographical perspective with 26 older people between the ages of 65-96 years living in different kinds of settings from across more and less affluent parts of Dundee, Scotland. The interviews are informed in part by a conceptual framework that draws upon strands from both place literature (drawing upon Massey 1995; Kearns and Gesler 1998) and Amartya Sen’s capability approach (2009). The conceptual framework is a starting point for exploring and interpreting the processes shaping older peoples’ experiences. The thematic data analysis builds on the Framework approach. A capability perspective and relational thinking in emphasising the dynamic and socially situated nature of place and wellbeing relationships show that older peoples’ experiences, the capabilities they have and the capabilities that matter are in a state of flux. My research findings suggest that a number of capabilities can matter to older people. Such valued capabilities are shaped by dynamic interactions between: a) age, health, and (or) place related changes; b) diverse socio-economic contexts; and, c) characteristic features of places and meanings attached to the place (at different scales of for example, the residence, neighbourhood, city). The findings also indicate that where older people have health related impairments, how interrelationships of place and wellbeing are framed and understood can have implications for who they are able to be and what they are able to do. This research has implications for both policy and practice. The findings suggest that a priori assumption about different kinds of settings as being enabling or disabling cannot be made. Rather, as the study demonstrates, paying attention to the complex and manifold processes that shape capabilities would permit nuanced insights into how, under what circumstances, and for whom particular place settings might generate enabling and (or) disabling encounters. Paying attention to the processes that shape capabilities also would allow researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to contribute positively to making informed judgements to support older peoples’ wellbeing both spatially and temporally