research methods in ageing research part 2

Question 1

what are some issues with older age research

Answer 1

 Some elderly people are in nursing homes- restricted access. Consent needed from multiple parties e.g. career consent
 Different definitions of ‘older adult’, some over 60, some over 70- what is really classed as an older adult. This presents issues when comparing studies too as the age cohort may be different and so comparison is not applicable.
 Need to consider vulnerabilities- can the person involved actually consent? If they are declining tasks need to be suitable, need to be ability specific
 Drop out rates are high- selective attention or lack of motivation, potentially health issues
 Difficult to know if decline is natural or due to another cause
 Expensive if longitudinal, lots of time and effort too, and larger sample sizes needed
 Using questionnaires- report bias
 Lots of research is clinical, lacking developmental aspects e.g. Alzheimers research
 Often need to wait for the natural progression of a disease- this can take years

Question 2

learning disabilities

Answer 2

 Holland (2000)- individuals who have learning disability have a lower life expectancy. There is evidence of delayed development emotionally and physically, and intellectual impairment. Older individuals with learning disabilities have significant social and economic challenges in everyday life

Question 3

how is ability measured

Answer 3

o The ability or difficulty experienced in performing activities of daily living are widely used as a measure of disability for older people
o Instrumental activities of daily living relate to domestic tasks such as shopping, cooking and housework, and in some cases using the telephone and managing money

Question 4

supporting those with learning disabilties

Answer 4

 The British psychological society has a faculty for learning disabilities – their aim is to look at adults with learning disabilities to see what support can be provided from clinical psychologists and the clinical interventions that may be useful
 They support multiple groups who are impacted
 Ways to support;
 Encourage community participation
 Raymond et al. 2014- investigated 12 adults with learning disabilities who took part in collective writing groups- these ppts shared experiences, this improved the ability to communicate and the freedom to make decisions were important