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Article
Publication date: 9 December 2011

Randall Smith, Julia Johnson and Sheena Rolph

The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of pet ownership and its relationship to wellbeing in later life. In particular, the paper addresses the issue of pet ownership…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of pet ownership and its relationship to wellbeing in later life. In particular, the paper addresses the issue of pet ownership in communal residential settings for older people both now and in the past, comparing attitudes, policies, and practices in regard to pets in the late 1950s with the early years of the twenty‐first century.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of the research literature on older people and companion animals, the paper draws on new data derived from recent research conducted by the authors. It compares archived material on the residential homes for older people that Peter Townsend visited in the late 1950s as part of his classic study, The Last Refuge (1962), with findings from revisiting a sample of these homes 50 years later. The authors employed the same methods as Townsend (observation together with interviews with managers and residents).

Findings

The historical dimension of the research reveals ambivalence both in the past and in present times in respect of residents' pets in care homes. Top‐down controlling regimes in the past have been replaced by concerns about health and safety and the need to strike a balance between rights, risks, and responsibilities. The variations in current policy and practice in England and Wales seem to reflect the subjective views and experiences of care home managers and proprietors. The lesson seems to be that care home owners should be expected to have an explicit policy in regard to the keeping of companion animals, but one that is not dictated by law.

Originality/value

The longitudinal data drawn on in this paper add a new perspective to research on older people and pets in care homes.

Details

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-7794

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Article
Publication date: 9 December 2011

Ron Iphofen

292

Abstract

Details

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-7794

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2001

James Murray, Raymond MacDonald and Victor Levenson

This paper summarises three empirical studies investigating staff attitudes towards client sexuality, with special consideration of issues surrounding HIV infection. A…

109

Abstract

This paper summarises three empirical studies investigating staff attitudes towards client sexuality, with special consideration of issues surrounding HIV infection. A questionnaire survey design was employed, with 585 participants completing three separate questionnaires. Between 1990 and 1998 staff attitudes towards client sexuality became more positive, with a significant reduction in the number of staff agreeing with mandatory HIV testing over the three studies. In the final study, a significant number of staff Reported being unaware of, or uninfluenced by, organisational sexuality policy. The interaction between policy, staff beliefs and practice is discussed. When staff are aware of the policies on sexuality, their beliefs and attitudes appear to filter these policies, with staff behaviour influenced by an interaction between policies and beliefs. In conclusion, policy development needs to involve inter‐agency collaboration, as well as staff and client user input, for best practice in sexuality.

Details

Tizard Learning Disability Review, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-5474

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Article
Publication date: 9 September 2013

Randall Smith

The purpose of this paper is to trace the history of official policy on the regulation of care homes in respect of end of life care and to contrast this with the results of…

303

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the history of official policy on the regulation of care homes in respect of end of life care and to contrast this with the results of research on this important theme, not least in terms of what is required to support care home staff in relation to dying residents and their relatives. A central concern is to argue for the open recognition that care homes now cater primarily for frail people towards the end of their lives. Good end of life care and a good death could become a positive “selling point”. The author concludes that the system of regulation has broadly failed to address a good death or good end of life care in a residential home. Death talk should no longer need to be avoided in care homes. The research suggests that appropriate support for care home staff in relation to dying residents needs careful identification and investment. A cultural shift is required.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of policy documents on regulation and standards of care in residential homes and a subsequent review of the research literature on death and dying in care homes, the paper illuminates the contrast between the ambitious aims in policy documents with very varied practice in everyday care of frail residents.

Findings

The recent systems of regulation have broadly failed to address a good death or good end of life care in residential homes. Open acknowledgement of death and dying should not be avoided in care homes. Appropriate support for care home staff in relation to dying residents needs careful identification and investment.

Originality/value

The focus of this paper is to contrast official policy with everyday practice. Whilst policy documents suggest recognition of the importance of dignity and respect from dying residents, the research literature indicates great variation in the practice of everyday care.

Details

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-7794

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