1.5.2 Quality of life of older people with a disability in Ireland (369)

Adeline Cooney, Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Co author: Kathy Murphy adeline.cooney@nuigalway.ie

Abstract:

Background:

Research has revealed a number of important quality of life (QoL) domains for older people (Bowling 2005, Grewel et al. 2006) but there is little consensus about the importance of these domains or how applicable they are to older people with a disability.

Aim:

This research aimed to identify key QoL domains for older people living with a disability and the factors which impact on these domains.

Methods:

Data was collected in 2006. A grounded theory approach guided study design. While this study was not grounded theory per se, the design was influenced by grounded theory. Purposive sampling was used initially with some relational sampling towards the later interviews. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 122 participants. Participants suffered from one of six disabilities: depression (n = 20), stroke (n = 20), a sensory disability (n = 20), dementia (n = 18), arthritis (n = 20) or a learning disability (n = 24). Analysis was divided into two stages: analysis within each disability data set and analysis across data sets.

Results:

Five categories emerged from the data: health, living environment, social connectedness, sense of self and income.

Discussion:

Older people with a disability identified five key QoL domains and the factors which impacted on these. This research contributes to knowledge development in that it identifies for nurses key foci for practice including intervention and preventative measures. Good access to resources, support from nurses and responsive services are needed to improve the quality of life of older people with a disability.

Conclusions:

Nurses must focus on nurturing and developing the internal resources of individuals within a supportive economic and social environment. Many of the living environments of participants compounded dependence and nurses need to advocate for resources and facilities.p>

Recommended reading list:

  • Bowling, A. (2005) Ageing Well: Quality of Life in old age. Berkshire, Open University Press
  • Grewal, I., Lewis, J., Flynn, T., Brown, J., Bond, J. & Coast, J. (2006) Developing attributes for a generic quality of life measure for older people: Preferences or capabilities? Social Science & Medicine. 62, pp 1891-1901
  • Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1998) Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. (2nd edn.). Thousand Oaks, Sage

Biography:

Adeline Cooney is a Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway. She is a registered general nurse and has a background in clinical nursing and nurse education. Her research focuses on older people, in particular on the quality of life of older people living in both community and residential care settings. Kathy Murphy is a registered general nurse and has a masters degree from Kings College London and a PhD from NUI, Galway. Her clinical background is in older people services and accident and emergency nursing. She held ward manager posts in both. She has worked within nursing education for the last 20 years and in NUI, Galway for the past 10 years. Her doctoral work focused on quality of care for older people in Ireland and her current research work and publications are within this area. She has undertaken national studies focused on quality of life of older people in long-stay care, end-of-life care and the quality of life of older people living with a disability. She is the third level representative on An Bord Altranais (the nursing board) and has been involved in a number of expert groups on nursing, midwifery and long-stay care. She is currently Professor of Nursing at NUI, Galway.