Projects / Programmes
The impact of health care on the quality of life of elderly people: The influence of incontinence and impaired mobility on functionary of elderly people
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 7.00.00 |
Interdisciplinary research |
|
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S215 |
Social sciences |
Social problems and welfare, national insurance |
Health care, nurse, elderly people, health care professionals incontinence, impaired mobility, quality of life
Researchers (7)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Ageing of the population is a phenomenon that brings many problems, which are connected to ageing and decrease in ability of self-nursing and also higher susceptibility for chronic diseases. There is a particularly fast growth in the segment of people over 80, which strongly affects the planning of national health and social service how to assure quality of life for this population. We can define good health and a successful ageing on the basis of the autonomous functioning of the individual within a certain social environment. Despite the presence of a chronic disease, we can define an old person to be healthy when s/he is socially and intellectually active. The objective of health care is to aid the elderly in reaching optimal health, well-being and quality of life, as they define it, or in accordance with their values or acknowledged wishes. The aim of the project is to deal with two issues concerning ageing and the elderly, incontinence and impaired mobility. The project will deal with the topic from two aspects: firstly from the view of care providers and secondly from the view of the elderly. The first part of our research will be dedicated to the assessment of care providers (professionals or laics that offer help and support to the elderly), perception of ageing and of parameters, defining the quality of ageing. The second part of the research will deal with both above mentioned categories of ageing (perception and quality) from the point view of the oldster. The results of the proposed project will be presented as publication with guidelines for care providers and elderly and will form the basis for more effective planning of care of oldsters and thus providing higher quality of life for elderly people living in home environment and those living in residential environment.
Significance for science
The scientific relevance of the proposed project is the elaboration of a healthy ageing strategy, (prepared on the basis of health educational strategies for a healthy reception of ageing by general population), designed for the everyday life activities autonomous and partly or completely dependant oldsters, and the elaboration of that part of the healthy ageing strategy, which regards the physical autonomy as one of the fundamental components of healthy ageing and as an element of social improvement.
The innovation, the project can subscribe to the defined national strategy, concerns the part contributed to this vast multidisciplinary problem by the health care profession, in particular in the fields of physical mobility (a constituent of autonomy) and of urine and bowel incontinence, (connected with negative physical, psychical and social consequences), issues which health care (within its competencies) can deal with.
Significance for the country
The results of the proposed research would have the following potential relevance to the socio-economic development od Slovenia:
It is expected that due to the increasing segment of population older than 80, the problem of care of persons with incontinence and/or impaired mobility will increase too. The findings of the research would be useful for a planned action on the younger population, to reduce the number of elderly with incontinence and/or impaired mobility, which would increase the quality of life in old age and at the same time lower the expenses for the health and social security of the elderly.
The results could serve as the basis for the planning of such health and social services for persons with incontinence and/or impaired mobility, that would assure an as long as possible living in domestic environment and consequently a better quality of life.
The results could serve also for the planning of care in social-security institutions, providing care for persons with incontinence and/or impaired mobility.
The results could serve as a base for the education of nurses and other care providers, nursing and attending persons with incontinence and/or impaired mobility.
The final product of the project – a recommendations booklet, prepared on the bases of obtained results and designed jointly or apart for the nursing staff and the elderly – will directly contribute to the consciousness of target groups about the possibility of improvement of the quality of life.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
