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dc.contributor.authorCoakley, Anne
dc.date.accessioned2010-06-04T15:28:59Z
dc.date.available2010-06-04T15:28:59Z
dc.date.issued2004-09
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/100311
dc.descriptionThe need for a more efficient co-ordination of care and service provision for older people is a constant theme in the reports and recommendations, both by government and voluntary agencies. This represents a crucial challenge to the development of appropriate health and social care planning for the growing numbers of older people, as a proportion of the population. Given the finite financial resources available, this population must be enabled to share in the responsibilities for priority setting of services and decision-making, leading to more efficient utilisation of resources. The North Wexford Area was selected for this study, which includes the town of Gorey and its environs, as the number of individuals, aged 65 years or over, in this selected area increased by 18% between 1996 and 2002. This study explores the perceptions of people 70 years or over regarding their knowledge of and individual requirements of the service both now and in the future. It also sought to establish if the services provided by the health sector are people centred to meet the needs of older people. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study, as it focuses on the individual’s perspective of living the experience. It explores what people are doing and feeling, which could not be achieved through a quantitative research approach. A non-probability convenience sample was chosen comprised of 12 participants from the local retirement groups in the area. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews. The themes that emerged from the data analysis were then grouped into four significant categories, namely:  Access to health and social services.  Unmet needs of the services.  The importance of being active and independent.  Attitudes and how person centred the service is. These are discussed under the following:  Older peoples knowledge of what health and social services are available to them.  Perceived service requirements with increasing age.  Preferences of older people regarding care. The findings of the study suggest that:  The needs of older people, as articulated by the informants, are not specific to the health services alone, but incorporate social services and the environment in which they live.  Older people are not generally aware of the services available to them. 3  The participants in this study have varied lifestyles, which highlight the fact that it is important not to stereotype all older people.  The needs identified by participants were not all adequately met.  Older people are generally active and want to remain so, for as long as possible.  Helping them to achieve this involves listening to their viewpoints about what affects their health, the social supports they require for physical and psychological well-being, and the creation of support structures as deemed appropriate.  The active retirement groups are a source untapped by the Health Service for information dissemination and health promoting initiatives, to enhance active ageing. There is a need for the SEHB to plan services to meet the needs of its ageing population in the area under study. This could be done by listening to their views and adequately assessing their needs, in order to maintain them in active retirement in their own homes, if they so desire.en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherUniversity of Dublin Trinity Collegeen
dc.subjectOLDER PEOPLEen
dc.subjectSOCIAL CARE PLANNINGen
dc.subjectAGEING POPULATIONen
dc.titleA person centred approach to care of older people: the perceptions of people in the North Wexford Area / [thesis] by Anne Coakleyen
dc.title.alternativeA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Health Services Managementen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.contributor.departmentHealth Service Executive (HSE)en
refterms.dateFOA2018-08-22T07:48:40Z


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