We think it's important to share our findings

Authors

Doyle, J., Caprani, N., Kealy, A., Bond, R., Komaba, Y., Inomata, I.

One of the challenges of an ageing population is the impact this has on healthcare systems, as living longer can potentially result in higher levels of frailty, chronic disease, dementia and other age-related illnesses. In turn, this may result in higher numbers of hospitalisations and longer hospital stays. Thus, understanding how to support safe and timely discharge of older adults from hospital to their home, and support a return to independence, is critical. Monitoring technology can play an important role in this. However, it is necessary to understand the key role of technology in transitional care as well as the facilitators and barriers to integrating such technology into practice. This paper explores these issues, by presenting a study that uses remote monitoring technology to support older adult patients transitioning from hospital to home. We present findings from valuations with a range of healthcare professionals on the potential uses of such technology to support transitioning. We also highlight potential barriers and facilitators to integration within health systems.

Authors

Smith, E., Walsh, L., Doyle, J., Blake, C.

Authors

Kealy, A. and Loane, J.

Authors

Finn, E. and Loane, J.

Authors

Foley, A., Carragher, L & Golding, B

This paper proposes the introduction of a gender perspective in explaining the rapid growth of men’s sheds—a theoretical perspective that has been missing in the debate about older men and informal learning in the community. Gender relations have an important role in explaining the development of community education in Ireland, but it is a critical and neglected process in explaining learning transitions by older men. We also present empirical findings for a national study of men’s sheds in Ireland together with qualitative data from interviews with older women involved in men’s sheds in Ireland.

Authors

Erin Smith, Lorcan Walsh, Julie Doyle, Catherine Blake

The timed up and go (TUG) test is a commonly used assessment in older people with variations including the addition of a motor or cognitive dual-task, however in high functioning older adults it is more difficult to assess change. The quantified TUG (QTUG) uses inertial sensors to detect test and gait parameters during the test. If it is to be used in the longitudinal assessment of older adults, it is important that we know which parameters are reliable and under which conditions. This study aims to examine the relative reliability of the QTUG over five consecutive days under single, motor and cognitive dual-task conditions. Twelve community dwelling older adults (10 females, mean age 74.17 (3.88)) performed the QTUG under three conditions for five consecutive days. The relative reliability of each of the gait parameters was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC 3,1) and standard error of measurement (SEM). Five of the measures demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC>0.70) under all three conditions (time to complete test, walk time, number of gait cycles, number of steps and return from turn time). Measures of variability and turn derived parameters demonstrated weak reliability under all three conditions (ICC=0.05-0.49). For the most reliable parameters under single-task conditions, the addition of a cognitive task resulted in a reduction in reliability suggesting caution when interpreting results under these conditions. Certain sensor derived parameters during the QTUG test may provide an additional resource in the longitudinal assessment of older people and earlier identification of falls risk.

Authors

Carragher L