Compare and Contrast
Older Adults Negotiating Ageism: Reflections on Times of Crisis and Beyond View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mervi Issakainen, Anna Mäki Petäjä Leinonen, Kaijus Ervasti
Previous research suggests that Finns have a positive perception of older people. However, ageism seems to be present in many areas of Finnish society, such as in working life, public debate, regulations and services. In this paper, we present our preliminary findings on how older adults negotiate the ageism they have faced in their everyday lives during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. For our study, we draw on data produced together with older adults: 19 co-researchers (15 women, 4 men between 65 and 85 years of age) interviewed other older adults (64-96 years of age) about their experiences of their well-being and realizations of rights during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=53). In addition, group discussions were conducted with the co-researchers (n=7). In their accounts, older adults seem to highlight the importance of acknowledging current challenges and doing differently from now on. Our co-researchers and their interviewees discussed typical images of older populations as a homogeneous group and of older people as a problem. They also described having less voice and involvement in decision-making and in society in general, as well, as falling out of care and support as a result of ageism. According to our co-researchers and their interviewees, changes are needed to ensure humanity in future crises and to promote dialogue, both to improve the position of older people in society and to increase intergenerational understanding.
Innovations in Long Term Care Homes during COVID-19 across Four Nations - Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, and United States
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Charlene Chu, Ruth Caldeira De Melo, Suzanne Santos, Anja Orschulko, Sandra Staudacher, Lisa Cranley, Franziska Zúñiga, Michael Lepore
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted systemic challenges and vulnerabilities of older adults in residential long-term care homes (LTCHs). The United Nations and World Health Organization affirm that fostering active engagement and inclusion of older adults, their families, and staff in the development and implementation of LTC innovations plays a pivotal role in establishing an all-encompassing LTC domain. This international project aimed at understating innovations implemented in LTCHs in four countries (Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, United States) since 2020, and explores the inclusion of end-users in the innovation process. Across all four countries, innovations fell into three categories: product innovations, process innovations, and organizational innovations. Despite these advances, stakeholder involvement was inconsistent. In Canada, family members and staff highlighted barriers such as unclear guidelines, understaffing, and limited resident participation, while emphasizing communication and collaboration as key facilitators. In Switzerland, innovations were often informal and not explicitly recognized, with inclusion focusing mainly on resident activities and decision-making for those without cognitive impairment. In Brazil, residents and families described feeling excluded, pointing to a top-down approach. In the United States, administrators played central roles in driving innovations, while residents and staff had limited influence, although resident councils provided some engagement opportunities. This international comparison underscores that while innovations were critical in ensuring safety and continuity of care in LTC, they were often introduced through hierarchical processes with limited co-design. Greater inclusive, participatory approaches are needed to ensure that residents, families, and staff become co-creators in shaping sustainable, meaningful innovations in LTCHs.
One for the Team: The Introduction of the Healthy Working Approach to Enhance Sustainable Employability of Long-term Care Staff View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ceciel Heijkants
Long-term care (LTC) workers face increasing challenges such as staff shortages, high job demands, and limited development opportunities. These issues threaten their sustainable employability, their ability and willingness to work until retirement while maintaining health and well-being. This study introduces the Healthy Working Approach, a participatory, team-level intervention addressing LTC workers’ psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. The research included a systematic literature review, a qualitative study with LTC workers in self-managing teams, and the development of the Healthy Working Approach. The intervention was evaluated through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and a process evaluation. Teams identified workplace challenges, came up with solutions, and implemented action plans over three meetings guided by a facilitator. The RCT showed no significant effect of the intervention on the primary outcome need for recovery, but showed a positive impact on relatedness satisfaction. The process evaluation indicated high satisfaction and fidelity, though challenges emerged in team recruitment and involvement. The intervention was well-received and feasible within self-managing teams. The Healthy Working Approach demonstrates with its short and structured approach potential for improving team bonding and relatedness in LTC settings. The study highlights the importance of aligning interventions with workers’ psychological needs and organizational realities. Future research should explore multi-level, tailored strategies to enhance sustainable employability and address broader working conditions in LTC.
