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- Bjuhr, Marie
(author)
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Being active in working life at older ages
- 2023
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The overall aim of the thesis was to examine factors associated with (Study 1), predictors (Study II), and experiences (Study III) involved with being active in working life after the expected retirement age and the experiences of exiting working life before the expected retirement age (Study IV). In Studies I and II, a quantitative approach was used, with data derived from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC). In Studies III and IV, a qualitative approach was used, with data collected through semi-structured interviews. The results from Studies I and II revealed that being active in working life at age 66 was associated with being male, having a university education, working in a highly skilled occupation, having light physical activity at work, or having no more than one diagnosed disease. Being male (Studies I and II), having a university education (only in Study I) or working in a highly skilled occupation (only in Study II) were associated with being active in working life at age 72. The results from Studies III and IV revealed that from an individual perspective, health was a prominent aspect in either remaining in or exiting from working life. Staying active in working life increased feelings of vitality; the innermost dimension of health. Favorable working conditions could be beneficial to cognitive and physical health as well as to social well-being and a sense of meaningfulness. In contrast, strenuous working conditions contributed to the deterioration of health and pushed people at older ages toward an early exit from working life. The present results confirm the complexity regarding the predictors for being active in working life at older ages. The results add knowledge regarding how health in overall life and staying active in or exiting from working life at older ages can be experienced from a subjective perspective. With a successive increase in statutory retirement ages, the focus on the possibilities for healthy aging through being active in working life at older ages needs to be increased.
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- Bjuhr, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Health and work-related factors as predictors of still being active in working life at age 66 and 72 in a Swedish population: A longitudinal study
- 2023
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In: Work. - : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 76:4, s. 1481-1492
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Health and work environment are known factors in being active in working life beyond legal retirement.OBJECTIVE: To investigate sociodemographic, health and work environment factors as possible predictors of being active in working life at ages 66 and 72. Secondly, investigate eventual changes over time, shortly after a major reform in the Swedish pension system, and predictors of still being active in working life at age 66.METHODS: We used a longitudinal design with two separate cohorts of people at age 60. One baseline assessment was made in 2001–2003 with two 6 years follow-ups, and one in 200–2009 with one 6 years follow-up. Data were accessed through a Swedish national population-based study and analysed using logistic regression. To examine possible differences between the two cohorts, interaction terms with each independent variable were analysed.RESULTS: Being a man and working in a profession that requires at least three years of university education predicted that the person would still be active in working life at age 66 and 72. Additionally, having a light level of physical activity at work and being diagnosed with fewer than two diseases, also predicted still being active in working life at age 66. Only physical activity at work showed significant changes over time.CONCLUSION: Shortly after a major reform of the public pension system, there was an increase in participation in working life after age 66 and 72. However, gender, profession, and health factors are still important considerations regarding older people’s participation in working life.
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- Bjuhr, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Incentives behind and Experiences of Being Active in Working Life after Age 65 in Sweden
- 2022
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 19:23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Since individual and societal expectations regarding the possibility of an extended working life after the expected retirement age are increasing, research on sustainable working life combined with healthy ageing is needed. This study explores the incentives behind and experiences of an extended working life after the expected retirement age of 65 among Swedish people. The inductive qualitative content analyses are based on 18 individual semi-structured interviews among persons 67–90 years old with varying characteristics and varying experiences of extended working lives. The analyses revealed that working contributed to (1) sustained internal resources, i.e., cognitive function, physical ability and increased vigor; (2) sustained external resources, i.e., social enrichment, better daily routines and economic benefits; (3) added meaningfulness to life, i.e., being needed, capability and satisfaction with working tasks. Meanwhile, having flexible working conditions enabled a satisfying balance between work and leisure. Altogether, these different aspects of overall health and working life were interpreted as contributing to increased feelings of vitality, the innermost dimension of health. Conclusions: regardless of biological age, our results indicate that being able to remain active in working life can be beneficial to vitality and could make these results valuable for both health-care personnel and employers.
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- Bjuhr, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Sustained health in working life among an aging population and an aging working force
- 2023
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. A crucial factor for social sustainability is equal health and social justice. With an aging population andincreased expectations on senior workers to prolong their working life, research focusing on sustainable working life incombination with healthy aging is needed.Purpose. To explore factors related to and experiences of prolonging working life after the expected retirement age of65 among Swedish people.Methods. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data were used to assess associations with participation in working life atages 66 and 72. Additionally, qualitative data, based on 18 individual semi-structured interviews with workers 67–90years were used to gain an extended understanding of incentives for prolonged working life.Findings. Male gender and profession were associated with participating in working life at age 72, additionally, fewerdiagnosed diseases and a light level of physical activity at work at 66. Senior workers described that workingcontributed to sustained internal and external resources, added meaningfulness to life and flexible working conditionsenabled a satisfying balance between work and leisure. Altogether, these different aspects of working life wereinterpreted as contributing to increased feelings of vitality, the innermost dimension of health.Conclusion. Regardless of biological age, being able to remain active in working life can be beneficial to vitality.Actions to provide flexible working conditions, especially for disadvantaged senior workers, may facilitate working lifeafter the expected retirement age with extended equality.
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- Bieber, A., et al.
(author)
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Access to community care for people with dementia and their informal carers : Case vignettes for a European comparison of structures and common pathways to formalcare [Zugang zu professioneller Unterstützung für Menschen mit Demenz und ihre Angehörigen: Fallvignetten für den europäischen Vergleich von Strukturen und Zugangswegen zu professioneller Pflege]
- 2018
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In: Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie (Print). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0948-6704 .- 1435-1269. ; 51:5, s. 530-536
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundPeople with dementia and their informal carers often do not receive appropriate professional support or it is not received at the right time.ObjectivesDescription and comparison of common pathways to formal community dementia care in eight European countries as a part of the transnational Actifcare project.Materials and methodsThe German team was responsible for creating an individual case scenario as a starting point. The research teams in Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom were then asked to describe a common pathway to formal dementia care by writing their own vignette using the provided individual case scenario.ResultsA transnational qualitative content analysis was used to identify the following categories as being the most important: involved professionals, dementia-specific and team-based approaches, proactive roles, and financial aspects. General practitioners (GPs) are described as being the most important profession supporting the access to formal care in all the involved countries. In some countries other professionals take over responsibility for the access procedure. Dementia-specific approaches are rarely part of standard care; team-based approaches have differing significances in each of the countries. Informal carers are mainly proactive in seeking formal care. The Nordic countries demonstrate how financial support enhances access to the professional system.ConclusionEnhanced cooperation between GPs and other professions might optimize access to formal dementia care. Team-based approaches focusing on dementia care should be developed further. Informal carers should be supported and relieved in their role. Financial barriers remain which should be further investigated and reduced.
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- Broda, Anja, et al.
(author)
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Perspectives of policy and political decision makers on access to formal dementia care : expert interviews in eight European countries
- 2017
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In: BMC Health Services Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6963. ; 17:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: As part of the ActifCare (ACcess to Timely Formal Care) project, we conducted expert interviews in eight European countries with policy and political decision makers, or representatives of relevant institutions, to determine their perspectives on access to formal care for people with dementia and their carers.METHODS: Each ActifCare country (Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom) conducted semi-structured interviews with 4-7 experts (total N = 38). The interview guide addressed the topics "Complexity and Continuity of Care", "Formal Services", and "Public Awareness". Country-specific analysis of interview transcripts used an inductive qualitative content analysis. Cross-national synthesis focused on similarities in themes across the ActifCare countries.RESULTS: The analysis revealed ten common themes and two additional sub-themes across countries. Among others, the experts highlighted the need for a coordinating role and the necessity of information to address issues of complexity and continuity of care, demanded person-centred, tailored, and multidisciplinary formal services, and referred to education, mass media and campaigns as means to raise public awareness.CONCLUSIONS: Policy and political decision makers appear well acquainted with current discussions among both researchers and practitioners of possible approaches to improve access to dementia care. Experts described pragmatic, realistic strategies to influence dementia care. Suggested innovations concerned how to achieve improved dementia care, rather than transforming the nature of the services provided. Knowledge gained in these expert interviews may be useful to national decision makers when they consider reshaping the organisation of dementia care, and may thus help to develop best-practice strategies and recommendations.
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- Jelley, Hannah, et al.
(author)
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Carers' experiences of timely access to and use of dementia care services in eight European countries
- 2021
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In: Ageing & Society. - : Cambridge University Press. - 0144-686X .- 1469-1779. ; 41:2, s. 403-420
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Timely access to care services is crucial to support people with dementia and their family carers to live well. Carers of people with dementia (N = 390), recruited from eight countries, completed semi-structured interviews about their experiences of either accessing or not using formal care services over a 12-month period in the Access to Timely Formal Care (Actifcare) study. Participant responses were summarised using content analysis, categorised into clusters and frequencies were calculated. Less than half of the participants (42.3%) reported service use. Of those using services, 72.8 per cent reported timely access and of those not using services 67.2 per cent were satisfied with this situation. However, substantial minorities either reported access at the wrong time (27.2%), or feeling dissatisfied or mixed feelings about not accessing services (32.8%). Reasons for not using services included use not necessary yet, the carer provided support or refusal. Reasons given for using services included changes in the condition of the person with dementia, the service's ability to meet individual needs, not coping or the opportunity to access services arose. Facilitators and barriers to service use included whether participants experienced supportive professionals, the speed of the process, whether the general practitioner was helpful, participant's own proactive attitude and the quality of information received. To achieve timely support, simplified pathways to use of formal care services are needed.
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- Kerpershoek, Liselot, et al.
(author)
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Optimizing access to and use of formal dementia care : Qualitative findings from the European Actifcare study
- 2019
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In: Health & Social Care in the Community. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0966-0410 .- 1365-2524. ; 27:5, s. e814-e823
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports on qualitative data from the Actifcare study investigating experiences, attitudes, barriers and facilitators concerning access to and use of formal care. A total of 85 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in eight European countries. Results were analysed with a deductive content analysis, first within country and then integrated in a cross-national analysis. Overall, analysis of the in-depth interviews revealed two major themes with five subcategories. The results can be summarised in an optimal pathway for access to dementia care. This pathway includes fixed factors such as disease-related factors and system-related factors. In addition there are personal factors that are subject to change such as attitudes towards care. An important finding consisted of the necessity of having sufficient information about the disease and available care and having a key contact person to guide you through the process of finding suitable care while monitoring your needs. In addition, it is important to involve your social network as they can take on care-giving tasks. It is helpful to have a diagnosis (in most countries). Concerning decision-making, the person closest to the person with dementia is in the majority of cases the one who makes the ultimate decision to access and use services and he/she should therefore be supported in this process. These results provide insight into the factors that influence the pathway to formal care use and help professionals to enhance access to formal dementia care by focusing on factors that can be modified.
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