A Home for the Aged in a Rural Community

Both in their mid-70s, Shan Baorui and his wife are now living at a model home for the aged in north China.The couple lives in a single room with heating in winter and an indoor toilet. Outside is a garden-like compound with flowers colorfully bright in the refresh- ing breeze.

The social determinants of health influencing obesity for the aged in the Pakpoon community context:A qualitative study

Objective:This study aimed to describe the social determinants of health influencing obesity for the aged in a community context and based on the perspectives of various stakeholders.Methods:This was qualitative content analysis study using data from the focus group,individual in-depth interview,and observation.The study population was domiciled in Pakpoon Village,Mung Dis-trict,Nakhon Si Thammarat Province,a tight-knit settlement typical of most retirement communities.Data were collected through two focus group discussions,direct observation,and in-depth interviews with 19 participants.Respondents represented key community groups:local nurses and public health officers,elderly residents,family caregivers(family members),and village health volunteers.Results:The participants shared similar perspectives about the social determinants of health influencing obesity in the aged,which spanned three themes.These were:1)neighborhood food environment(easy access to unhealthy food,no choice to recruit healthy food);2)social networks influencing obesity(family affects food choices and prohibitions on exercise;belief,and socially imposed body image per-ceptions contributing to obesity in the aged);and 3)knowledge,attitudes,and beliefs behind lifestyle choices that cause obesity in the elderly(lack of awareness,personal attitudes,job and familial duties as barriers to engaging in physical activities;over-consumption behaviors lead to obesity in older people).Conclusion:These three themes were the root causes of obesity in the elderly in Pakpoon’s retirement community.This finding suggests that policymakers and nurses can create healthy environments,both to treat and prevent obesity,by raising awareness in younger generations,providing aging the provision of healthy food choices for older adults,encouraging health care professionals to share knowledge,and by modifying the attitudes and beliefs of both caregivers and older adults.

The study of urban community endowment service problem in China --Demand of the elderly in Taiyuan city

China＇s ageing, the service for elderly pension is become a serious problem, and the traditional way of pension is not enough to meet the needs of existing. In this case, the community endowment to its unique advantages to be the new choice to solve the problem of China＇s pension. Taiyuan city, Shanxi Province in China based on as the breakthrough point, to study the community endowment service of Taiyuan city. For multiple community in Taiyuan city by using the method of field survey and some residents to investigate analyze the present situation of Taiyuan city community endowment. Through the research that Taiyuan city community endowment exists does not reach the designated position on propaganda, unbalanced development, lack of funds, community service and social participation is not high, and even the poor community health care can＇t satisfy the elderly need to all sorts of problems. Put forward the corresponding suggestion, according to the issues can be solved through policy support, strengthen the propaganda, broaden the sources of funding, training and service team, strengthening community health service and diversified development, community service projects, so that the community endowment in China better development.

Roles of mutual help of local community networks in community health activities: Improvement for the quality of life of older people in Thailand

Objectives: This study aimed to describe work and activities of community networks focusing on the improvement of the quality of life (QOL) of older people in Thailand.The understanding of the work can help enhancing the community development and strengthening of local communities and their networks.Methods: Qualitative methods including in-depth interview,observation,and focus group discussion were employed to the study.64 participants participated to the study and were recruited from 4 key actors within the community.Content analysis was used to analyze the obtained data.This study was conducted in 6 local administrative organizations (LAOs) which selected from the outstanding areas of the project.Each LAO represents one sub-district of the regions of Thailand namely;(1) the upper north,(2) the lower north,(3)the upper eastern,(4) the lower eastern,(5) the central and (6) the south.Results: The findings of this study were categorized into three main themes: (1) Social capital including people in the community,social groups,and organizations,(2) Mutual help/collaboration activities composed of six sets of activities related to social capitals working on the improvement of QOL of older people,and (3) Impacts of the mutual help/collaboration activities on older people and local communities who help to improve of QOL of older people.Conclusion: The findings are important features for the community development.These themes should be recommended for community nurses,health related groups and organizations for the improvement of QOL of older people in the community.

The Research of Social Organizations Participating in the Urban Community Aged Care＇ s Problems--Base on the City of Shanghai in China

With the deepening of China＇s aging population, the conmmnity aged care gradually become endowment new options. Social organization for its own characteristics, play an important role in participating in community aged care. But the extent to which the current social organizations to participate in the community aged care is still very low, the reason is mainly affected by the community aged care access mechanism. Article in the Shanghai community, for example, starhng fiom the present situation of the current social organizations to participate in the community aged care, analysis of the problems arising fi-om the social organizations in the community aged care, probe into its reasons in access mechanism, put forward the corresponding countermeasures and Suggestions, encourage social organizations play an effective role in the community aged care.

The perceptions on good death of the older adults in the semi-urban community:A qualitative study

Objective This study aimed to explore the perceptions of good death of the older adults living in Bang Nang Li Sub-District,Amphawa District,Samut Songkhram Province,Thailand.Method The data of the study was collected using in-depth interviews between October 2019 to January 2020.The data collected a total of 14 older adults who had firsthand experience in caring for terminally ill patients were recruited for the study.Content analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data.Results The results of this study revealed the perceptions of good death which were categorized into three main themes and eight sub-themes,including 1)death without suffering(not suffering from life support devices,dying with care);2)natural death(death with the end of life expectancy,death with illness or ailments);and 3)death without the worries(preparation for death,spiritual and belief practice toward preparation for death,family and property management before death,death among family members and at their familiar place).Conclusion The findings of this research provided the insight to clarify the understanding of the perceptions on a good death of older adults.The findings can be used to support the practice and management of nursing education and health care providers who have to be involved in palliative care for terminally ill older adults.

Social practices of nurse care coordination using sensor technologies e Challenges with an alert system adoption in assisted living communities for older adults

Objectives:From the view of everyday practices and the socio-technical coordination lens,this study aimed to analyz the gap between creators’intention and the users’implementation(mainly nursing staff and social workers)of an alert system in assisted living communities.Methods:Qualitative methods were employed by way of five user interviews and focus groups with six system developers.Modeling instruments were applied for data collection to analyze the different clinical workflows versus the expectations of the system development team.Results:Results indicate that the clinical workflow changed over time,which led to a mismatch of nurse care coordination,social practices,and technology use.The results show different mental models of the socio-technical practice.Applying the coordination theory,the following recommendations could be developed to overcome the mismatch.First,it is recommended that nursing staff set goals together.Second,a communication rhythmwith the nursing staff and developer teams should be established,with guided questions to facilitate the conversation,to shed light on the different workflows and the difference in social practices when using sensor technologies or alert systems.Third,a checklist for new employees should be created so they know how and on which devices to use the alert system.Fourth,the user experience with the alert system should be improved(e.g.,an improved user interface).Conclusions:This work indicates recommendations to close the mental model gap to overcome the mismatch between optimal use of the alert system and how the nursing staff is actually using it.

Health service needs of women with reproductive tract infections in selected areas of China

OBJECTIVE: To provide insight into the psychosocial factors underlying the utilisation of health services by women with reproductive tract infection (RTI) symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, adopting Aday and Andersen' s Social Behaviour Model, was conducted between 1998 and 1999 in Chinese Hebei province and Beijing. A total of 864 eligible married women (age 21 to 60 years) were face to face interviewed. RESULTS: The percentage of self-reported symptoms of RTIs in urban and rural women was 35.6 and 46.8, respectively; the proportion of women with RTIs who utilised health services was 27.5% and 26.7%, respectively. Compared to urban women, rural women had less knowledge on RTIs and more traditional beliefs, and were more satisfied with local health services. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the common factor influencing health service utilisation in women with RTIs was current experience of RTIs. Knowledge about self-medication, perceived social stigma attached to RTIs, prior experience of RTIs, family income and perceived severity of RTIs were also predictors of utilisation of health services in rural women with RTIs. Satisfaction with health providers, information received from health providers, prior experience of RTIs, occupation and medical care coverage were predictors of utilisation of health services in urban women with RTIs. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of RTIs is high, but the rate of seeking health services is low. There is a great need for emphasizing culturally acceptable reproductive health education in different places to improve women' s ability for self-care. Regular medical check-ups for women are also important. It is necessary to improve the quality of health service, complete the reform of health insurance and alleviate women' s social stigma related to RTIs, giving women social and moral support.