Posters (Asynchronous - Online Only): Room 3
Aging at Work in the Context of Innovation: Beyond the Stigma for Integration View Digital Media
Poster Session Marie-Michèle Lord, Pierre Yves Therriault
The phenomenon of an aging workforce continues to grow in importance. Beliefs against older workers (e.g. their difficulty in adapting to new work methods) are still deeply rooted socially (Harris, et al., 2017). Prejudices against this population give rise to various situations of marginalization and exclusion, including difficulties in finding employment from a certain age and a lack of access to continuing education within the workplace (Wanberg, et al., 2016). Yet there is little evidence on how older workers actually perceive and adapt to workplace innovation. A study, based on a qualitative methodology and aimed at portraying the subjective relationship between an aging workforce and workplace innovation is presented. It is based on individual interviews conducted with two categories of workers in the health and social services sector (Quebec-Canada) who have experienced the implementation of an innovative method: nurses and community workers supporting people with dementia and their caregivers. The results make it possible to address action levers that can be considered by an organization concerned about taking into account the aging of the workforce in an innovative context (e.g., respect for limits and beliefs, peer exchange, leeway, explanation of processes, and its sustainability).
Retirement-age Professionals on the Polish Labor Market: Motivations for Career Continuation and Benefits of Prolonged Professional Activity View Digital Media
Poster Session Aleksandra Prysłopska Kamińska
The poster provides an overview of the situation of working professionals of retirement age in Poland, as well as an analysis of their motivations and gains from remaining professionally active, in relation to previous research, in the light of selected concepts of positive ageing. The poster presents partial results of the research project "Attitudes towards retirement and type of reflexivity as determinants of positive aging", aiming to characterize the motivation to remain employed in retirement, as well as to determine the relationship between the leading type of reflexivity and the active attitude of people over 60. The qualitative study, conducted from November 2020, involves 40 individual in-depth interviews (IDIs) and the completion of the ICONI (Internal Conversation Indicator) questionnaire by 40 key informants. Snowball selection was used, inviting individuals who met the following criteria to participate: being eligible to retire [eligibility to retire], 60-75 years old [age], remaining in employment [activity]. The presented results concern participants considered professionals (n=17) according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations ISCO-08. Raising awareness of the non-wage benefits of working retirees, as well as their advice on the steps an employee should take to prolong their career, can encourage more people to extend their working life, thus influencing active and successful ageing, as well as having a positive impact on whole societies experiencing ageing.
Featured How Do Older Adults Learn Medical Instruction: A Review of Learning Styles and Health Literacy among Older Adults View Digital Media
Poster Session Tolulope Adeniji
Not only is ageing a risk factor for many conditions, older adults are complex and vulnerable to many conditions. Patients need to be educated to achieve effective health outcomes. This paper considers how older adults learn medical instruction through a narrative review of their learning style and literacy skills. This study found that tailored medical education, taking into account older adults' learning style and literacy skills, facilitates overall health outcomes in older adults.
Relationship between Health Conditions and Participation for Older Adults Living in an Urban Area in Japan: Cross Sectional Study Applying WHODAS 2.0 View Digital Media
Poster Session Kaori Yamaguchi, Makoto Kono
Japan is facing various issues related to its highly aged society. In recent years, nursing care prevention is a key focus in the Japanese government policies and participation is encouraged. Objective of this study is to investigate relationship between health condition and participation for the elderly living in urban area in Japan using WHO disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0). Questionnaires were distributed to 229 older adults who were members of local senior citizen club and 203 persons returned the questionnaire (response rate = 88.6%). Health condition was measured by WHODAS 2.0 12-item version. Social participation and having role were regarded as participation in this study. Social participation was defined as involvement in social activities. Having role was measured by working status and execution of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Analysis was carried out on 170 subjects, excluding 33 people whose information on age, sex missing and the invalid result of WHODAS 2.0. Mean age of participants was 79.2 years old and 44% of them were men. Average of total points of WHODAS 2.0 (12 to 60 points, higher is worse) was 17.9. Chi-squire results showed health conditions indicated by WHODAS 2.0 related to working status, not to IADL and social participation. Further analysis was conducted and showed relationship between working status and WHODAS 2.0 items of ‘standing’, ‘maintaining a friendship’, ‘Dealing with strangers’ and ‘emotional affected’. It might be suggested that not only physical function but sociability and emotional status are effect on participation for the older adults.
Strategies for Relational Caring of Older Persons in Long-term Care Homes During COVID-19: Emerging Perspectives of Family Partners and Professional Carers in Ontario, Canada View Digital Media
Poster Session Lori Schindel Martin, Ernest Leung, Souraya Sidani, Sepali Guruge
Relational caring promotes social connectedness, reciprocity, and dialogue among older persons, family care partners and professional carers. This study explores the relational caring experiences of family partner and professional carers in long-term care homes (LTCHs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary data is presented from an ongoing critical incident study involving family partner and professional carers of older persons in LTCHs in Ontario, Canada. Participants completed online surveys using the Opinio platform. Data were examined using thematic content analysis. Initial data from 5 family partner and 4 professional carers indicated that open communication was the means through which they facilitated and advocated for relational caring of older people. Pre-pandemic, relational caring involved sharing news, stories, food items and affection. Pandemic conditions required safety protocols and visiting restrictions, negatively impacting direct contact and carers’ mental health. Participants accessed resources such as conversation with family and friends, online educational resources about generic strategies for stress and anxiety, and counselling services to mitigate and address mental health challenges during the pandemic. Participants suggested education to strengthen family-staff collaboration and creative decision-making during pandemic conditions. Additionally, participants recommended increased access to behavioural support for residents from community mental health services, as well as direct access for their own individual and group mental health support within LTCHs. COVID-19 restrictions presented significant barriers to relational caring of older persons in LTCHs. Nonetheless, family partner and professional carers continued to support relational caring through advocacy and collaborative decision-making with and on behalf of older persons.
