The association between pro-inflammatory marker, interleukin (IL)-1b and psychosocial status among persons with insomnia and depressive disorders

Parallel session II: IIa. Interdisciplinary approaches to improve mental health - no. O5cpublished_or_final_versio

Challenges to conducting research with older people living in nursing homes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although older people are increasingly cared for in nursing homes towards the end of life, there is a dearth of research exploring the views of residents. There are however, a number of challenges and methodological issues involved in doing this. The aim of this paper is to discuss some of these, along with residents' views on taking part in a study of the perceptions of dignity of older people in care homes and make recommendations for future research in these settings.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Qualitative interviews were used to obtain the views on maintaining dignity of 18 people aged 75 years and over, living in two private nursing homes in South East London. Detailed field notes on experiences of recruiting and interviewing participants were kept.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Challenges included taking informed consent (completing reply slips and having a 'reasonable' understanding of their participation); finding opportunities to conduct interviews; involvement of care home staff and residents' families and trying to maintain privacy during the interviews. Most residents were positive about their participation in the study, however, five had concerns either before or during their interviews. Although 15 residents seemed to feel free to air their views, three seemed reluctant to express their opinions on their care in the home.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although we experienced many challenges to conducting this study, they were not insurmountable, and once overcome, allowed this often unheard vulnerable group to express their views, with potential long-term benefits for future delivery of care.</p

Older people with cancer: perceptions and feelings about information, decision-making and treatment--a pilot study.

Several studies have identified inadequacies in the care and treatment received by older patients with cancer, as opposed to their younger counterparts. These include over or under diagnosis, ineffective symptom management and lower survival rates in older people with cancer. Despite these inadequacies, there is lack of evidence of older peoples' perspectives regarding their cancer diagnosis and treatment. This on going 2-site hospital based study focuses on older people's perceptions of information and decision-making in relation to treatment for cancer by using a semi-structured interview schedule. Results of the pilot study with 6 patients are presented and discussed in the light of research and clinical implications