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- Gustafsson, Per E, et al.
(författare)
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Intersectional inequalities in loneliness among older adults before and during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic : A total population survey in the Swedish eldercare setting
- 2022
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Ingår i: Social Science and Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0277-9536 .- 1873-5347.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Loneliness among older adults is a public health problem that has received particular attention since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies to date have however found a rather modest psychosocial impact of the pandemic on older adults, and scarce research has analyzed this impact using a comprehensive equity lens. The present study used an intersectional approach to examine social inequalities in loneliness before and during the early phase of the pandemic among older adults receiving eldercare in Sweden. The study population (analytical N = 205,529) came from two waves (2019 and 2020) of a total population survey to all older adult (>65 years of age) home care recipients and nursing home residents in Sweden. Loneliness was self-reported by a single-item measure, and survey data were linked to population register data on age, gender, residential setting, income, and country of birth. Additive binomial regression models were used to estimate prevalence differences and discriminatory accuracy according to an analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (AIHDA) approach. Results showed inequalities in loneliness arising particularly in the intersection of country of birth, income, and residential setting. The inequalities widened slightly but ubiquitously following the emergence of the pandemic in 2020, with particularly nursing home residents emerging as a risk group. The discriminatory accuracy of inequalities was consistently low to moderate throughout the analyses but increased marginally during the pandemic in 2020. The study illustrates how social inequalities engenders heterogeneity in the psychosocial risk of older adults before and during the pandemic. These findings should stimulate more nuanced and equity-oriented depictions, research and policies about loneliness among older adults in the peri-pandemic era.
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| 2. |
- Jönsson, Marie, 1966-
(författare)
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Everyday activities in older adults readmitted to hospital
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The coordination of health care and social care at discharge are particularly important for older adults with complex health and social needs, as approximately 30 % of these persons are readmitted to hospital on an unplanned basis within three months of discharge. In order to provide adequate care for this group of older adults, we need a deeper understanding of their experiences regarding their functional ability at hospital and at home.The overall aim of this thesis was to describe older readmitted adults in terms of their abilities at hospital, everyday activities at home and of healthcare professionals’ conception of the care of older adults. Four studies were conducted using descriptive design. Data were gathered using four different methods of data collection. In this thesis, older readmitted adults are, defined as persons aged 75 years or older who have been readmitted to hospital on an unplanned basis three or more times within 12 months. In Study I, older adults readmitted to hospital (n=60), were assessed regarding personal activities of daily living, cognitive function, risk of falls, pressure sores and malnutrition. They were compared with samples from the general population. In order to describe everyday activities at home, semi-structured interviews were carried out with older readmitted adults (n=16) in Study II, and with close relatives (n=20) in Study III. In Study IV, focus group interviews were performed with healthcare professionals (n=29) about care at discharge and which measures that may be appropriate in order to prevent readmission.The major findings were that the participants had a higher risk of pressure sores, falls and dependency on ADL at hospital compared to age-matched samples. 40% of the participants had a cognitive limitation. At home, older adults strived to perform everyday activities but the ability was limited. Close relatives described that social relations were fundamental to perform everyday activities and social activities at home. Healthcare professionals stated that older readmitted adults were vulnerable. Multidisciplinary teamwork and geriatric expertise were fundamental but were perceived as lacking. Medical resources and rehabilitation resources should be developed and include rapid follow-up appointments at home in order to prevent readmission.Overall, health care and social care must identify this group and offer preventive assessments and interventions.
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