Grass roots sport clubs are the foundation for sport in Australia, they cater for mass participat... more Grass roots sport clubs are the foundation for sport in Australia, they cater for mass participation across all ages and are predominantly managed by volunteers. The benefits of being involved in sport and in particular a sport club, both from a health and social capital perspective are well documented (Houlihan & Green, 2006; Hoye & Nicholson, 2008; Stewart, Nicholson, Smith, & Westerbeek, 2004). Australian governments at every level, provide funding for sport to support these benefits and often directly to sport clubs. Yet there is little published research on what makes a grass roots sport club effective (Koski, 1995), particularly in Australia. Organisational effectiveness is difficult to define, is constantly changing and usually requires the organisation to determine what is to be measured for effectiveness (Cameron, 1986b). Due to the difficulty in defining organisational effectiveness, researchers began to develop models, which are used to measure the effectiveness of an org...
Journal of aging and physical activity, Jan 23, 2014
The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some... more The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some require assistance from home care services. Physical activity can improve and maintain function, strength and balance, which is important for those receiving home care. This study reviewed the evidence on physical activity/exercise interventions trialled with older people receiving a home care service. A systematic review of studies published from January 1982 to September 2012, from five databases, was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: aged 65+ years; community dwelling; no dementia diagnosis; receiving home care services; and a physical activity/exercise program. Eight articles were included and results show there were few consistencies between intervention types, groups, outcome measures and follow-up. Study quality was mixed. Future studies should include pragmatic randomized controlled trials involving home care practitioners and their clients to gain "real world" know...
Personal alarms support independent living and have the potential to reduce serious consequences ... more Personal alarms support independent living and have the potential to reduce serious consequences after a fall or during a medical emergency. While some Australian states have government funded personal alarm programs, others do not; but user-pays services are available. Although several studies have examined the profiles of alarm users, little is known about the risk profile of non-users. Specifically, whether there are "at risk" individuals who are unable, or choose not to purchase a service, who experience a home-based emergency in which an alarm could have mitigated an adverse outcome. This study aimed to describe the 'risk profile' of purchasers and non-purchasers of alarms; explore the reasons behind the decision to purchase or not to purchase and identify how often emergency assistance was needed and why. Purchasers and non-purchasers were followed for one year in this prospective cohort study. Demographic, decision-making and risk factor data were collected at an initial face-to-face interview, while information about emergencies was collected by monthly calls. One hundred and fifty-seven purchasers and sixty-five non-purchasers completed the study. The risk profiles between the groups were similar in terms of gender, living arrangements, fall history and medical conditions. Purchasers (Mean = 82.6 years) were significantly older than non-purchasers (Mean = 79.3 years), (t(220) = -3.38, p = 0.000) and more functionally dependent on the IADL (z = -2.57, p = 0.010) and ADL (z = -2.45 p = 0.014) function scores. Non-purchasers (Mean = 8.04, SD = 3.57) were more socially isolated with significantly fewer family networks than purchasers (Mean = 9.46, SD = 3.25) (t(220) = -2.86, p = 0.005). Both groups experienced similarly high numbers of emergencies, 38.2 % of purchasers and 41.5 % of non-purchasers had at least one emergency where an alarm could have assisted. Main reasons for non-purchase were: cost (77 %), limited alarm range (51 %), no need (39 %) and lack of suitable contacts (30 %). There are older individuals who are at high risk of an emergency who are choosing, often for financial and lack of family support reasons, not to purchase a personal alarm service. Greater availability of government funded subsidy schemes would enable these individuals to access a service. Increasing the range over which alarms work could increase their appeal to a broader range of older persons living in the community. Future research should consider how strategies that improve social isolation from family and challenge clients' beliefs about their own health and independence can support increased access to personal alarm services.
Journal of aging and physical activity, Jan 23, 2014
The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some... more The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some require assistance from home care services. Physical activity can improve and maintain function, strength and balance, which is important for those receiving home care. This study reviewed the evidence on physical activity/exercise interventions trialled with older people receiving a home care service. A systematic review of studies published from January 1982 to September 2012, from five databases, was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: aged 65+ years; community dwelling; no dementia diagnosis; receiving home care services; and a physical activity/exercise program. Eight articles were included and results show there were few consistencies between intervention types, groups, outcome measures and follow-up. Study quality was mixed. Future studies should include pragmatic randomized controlled trials involving home care practitioners and their clients to gain "real world" know...
To investigate 'a... more To investigate 'ageing in place' in terms of house, locality and support, related to the Western Australia members of National Seniors Australia. A postal survey of 6859 members, followed by structured interviews with a subsample of respondents. A similar proportion of respondents (nearly 30%) had either moved house recently or not for at least 20 years. Almost half were intending to stay in their current residence as they aged, this proportion increasing with age. A key reason for staying was having a 'comfortable' home. Related to moving, lifestyle change was particularly important for younger respondents and upkeep/maintenance difficulties for older respondents. For varied and complex reasons, many adults choose to move between the ages of 55 and 75. Government policy can further support older Australians to have choices of 'places' to live in that maximise their ability to retain independence.
The purpose of this study was to develop a Community Care Research Agenda to give direction to re... more The purpose of this study was to develop a Community Care Research Agenda to give direction to research across community-based services for older people, for the next 3-5 years. This study used a four-round Delphi method to verify, rate and rank research questions and issues identified by sector stakeholders. Thirty panellists were selected to represent all key stakeholder groups within community care. The research agenda comprises the 30 questions/topics, in ranked order, considered by the panellists to be of the highest priority. The largest subgroups of issues pertain to approaches to care (30%), program outcomes and effectiveness (13%), funding (10%), and workforce (10%). Having a National Community Care Research Agenda will provide focus and direction for researchers, service providers and funders in developing and conducting high priority, high value research that can inform improvements in policy and practice in community care for older people.
The three study objectives were to: compare the activity levels of older people who had received ... more The three study objectives were to: compare the activity levels of older people who had received a restorative home care service with those who had received "usual" home care; explore the predictors of physical activity in these two groups; and, determine whether either group met the minimum recommended activity levels for their age group. A questionnaire was posted to 1490 clients who had been referred for a home care service between 2006-2009. Older people who had received a restorative care service were more active than those who had received "usual" care (p=.049), but service group did not predict activity levels when other variables were adjusted for in a multiple regression. Younger individuals who were in better physical condition, with good mobility and no diagnosis of depression were more likely to be active. Investigation of alternatives to the current exercise component of the restorative program is needed.
The 3 study objectives were to compare the activity levels of older people who had received a res... more The 3 study objectives were to compare the activity levels of older people who had received a restorative home care service with those of people who had received "usual" home care, explore the predictors of physical activity in these 2 groups, and determine whether either group met the minimum recommended activity levels for their age group. A questionnaire was posted to 1,490 clients who had been referred for a home care service between 2006 and 2009. Older people who had received a restorative care service were more active than those who had received usual care (p = .049), but service group did not predict activity levels when other variables were adjusted for in a multiple regression. Younger individuals who were in better physical condition, with good mobility and no diagnosis of depression, were more likely to be active. Investigation of alternatives to the current exercise component of the restorative program is needed.
Journal of aging and physical activity, Jan 23, 2014
The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some... more The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some require assistance from home care services. Physical activity can improve and maintain function, strength and balance, which is important for those receiving home care. This study reviewed the evidence on physical activity/exercise interventions trialled with older people receiving a home care service. A systematic review of studies published from January 1982 to September 2012, from five databases, was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: aged 65+ years; community dwelling; no dementia diagnosis; receiving home care services; and a physical activity/exercise program. Eight articles were included and results show there were few consistencies between intervention types, groups, outcome measures and follow-up. Study quality was mixed. Future studies should include pragmatic randomized controlled trials involving home care practitioners and their clients to gain "real world" know...
International Journal of Older People Nursing, 2014
Physical activity contributes to an older person'... more Physical activity contributes to an older person's health and well-being by maintaining strength, balance and mobility, all of which are important for older people who wish to remain living in their home for as long as possible. It is therefore essential that community nurses and those working with home care clients promote being physically active. To do this effectively requires an understanding of the type of physical activity older home care clients prefer to engage in. The aims of this study were to identify the physical activity preferences of older people who received a home care service and to determine whether being physically active is important to this population. Twenty older home care clients were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using a descriptive qualitative methodology. Walking, housework and gardening were identified as the activities of choice. The majority of interviewees suggested that it was important to be physically active. Structured exercise programmes are not the activity of choice for older home care clients. Therefore, when community nurses and allied health workers promote physical activity to their clients, they should suggest activities such as walking, housework and gardening and also endorse the benefits of physical activity for well-being and staying independent. Health and community nurses and organisations should routinely encourage home care clients to increase their activity levels, especially utilising those activities they most enjoy.
Grass roots sport clubs are the foundation for sport in Australia, they cater for mass participat... more Grass roots sport clubs are the foundation for sport in Australia, they cater for mass participation across all ages and are predominantly managed by volunteers. The benefits of being involved in sport and in particular a sport club, both from a health and social capital perspective are well documented (Houlihan & Green, 2006; Hoye & Nicholson, 2008; Stewart, Nicholson, Smith, & Westerbeek, 2004). Australian governments at every level, provide funding for sport to support these benefits and often directly to sport clubs. Yet there is little published research on what makes a grass roots sport club effective (Koski, 1995), particularly in Australia. Organisational effectiveness is difficult to define, is constantly changing and usually requires the organisation to determine what is to be measured for effectiveness (Cameron, 1986b). Due to the difficulty in defining organisational effectiveness, researchers began to develop models, which are used to measure the effectiveness of an org...
Journal of aging and physical activity, Jan 23, 2014
The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some... more The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some require assistance from home care services. Physical activity can improve and maintain function, strength and balance, which is important for those receiving home care. This study reviewed the evidence on physical activity/exercise interventions trialled with older people receiving a home care service. A systematic review of studies published from January 1982 to September 2012, from five databases, was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: aged 65+ years; community dwelling; no dementia diagnosis; receiving home care services; and a physical activity/exercise program. Eight articles were included and results show there were few consistencies between intervention types, groups, outcome measures and follow-up. Study quality was mixed. Future studies should include pragmatic randomized controlled trials involving home care practitioners and their clients to gain "real world" know...
Personal alarms support independent living and have the potential to reduce serious consequences ... more Personal alarms support independent living and have the potential to reduce serious consequences after a fall or during a medical emergency. While some Australian states have government funded personal alarm programs, others do not; but user-pays services are available. Although several studies have examined the profiles of alarm users, little is known about the risk profile of non-users. Specifically, whether there are "at risk" individuals who are unable, or choose not to purchase a service, who experience a home-based emergency in which an alarm could have mitigated an adverse outcome. This study aimed to describe the 'risk profile' of purchasers and non-purchasers of alarms; explore the reasons behind the decision to purchase or not to purchase and identify how often emergency assistance was needed and why. Purchasers and non-purchasers were followed for one year in this prospective cohort study. Demographic, decision-making and risk factor data were collected at an initial face-to-face interview, while information about emergencies was collected by monthly calls. One hundred and fifty-seven purchasers and sixty-five non-purchasers completed the study. The risk profiles between the groups were similar in terms of gender, living arrangements, fall history and medical conditions. Purchasers (Mean = 82.6 years) were significantly older than non-purchasers (Mean = 79.3 years), (t(220) = -3.38, p = 0.000) and more functionally dependent on the IADL (z = -2.57, p = 0.010) and ADL (z = -2.45 p = 0.014) function scores. Non-purchasers (Mean = 8.04, SD = 3.57) were more socially isolated with significantly fewer family networks than purchasers (Mean = 9.46, SD = 3.25) (t(220) = -2.86, p = 0.005). Both groups experienced similarly high numbers of emergencies, 38.2 % of purchasers and 41.5 % of non-purchasers had at least one emergency where an alarm could have assisted. Main reasons for non-purchase were: cost (77 %), limited alarm range (51 %), no need (39 %) and lack of suitable contacts (30 %). There are older individuals who are at high risk of an emergency who are choosing, often for financial and lack of family support reasons, not to purchase a personal alarm service. Greater availability of government funded subsidy schemes would enable these individuals to access a service. Increasing the range over which alarms work could increase their appeal to a broader range of older persons living in the community. Future research should consider how strategies that improve social isolation from family and challenge clients' beliefs about their own health and independence can support increased access to personal alarm services.
Journal of aging and physical activity, Jan 23, 2014
The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some... more The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some require assistance from home care services. Physical activity can improve and maintain function, strength and balance, which is important for those receiving home care. This study reviewed the evidence on physical activity/exercise interventions trialled with older people receiving a home care service. A systematic review of studies published from January 1982 to September 2012, from five databases, was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: aged 65+ years; community dwelling; no dementia diagnosis; receiving home care services; and a physical activity/exercise program. Eight articles were included and results show there were few consistencies between intervention types, groups, outcome measures and follow-up. Study quality was mixed. Future studies should include pragmatic randomized controlled trials involving home care practitioners and their clients to gain "real world" know...
To investigate 'a... more To investigate 'ageing in place' in terms of house, locality and support, related to the Western Australia members of National Seniors Australia. A postal survey of 6859 members, followed by structured interviews with a subsample of respondents. A similar proportion of respondents (nearly 30%) had either moved house recently or not for at least 20 years. Almost half were intending to stay in their current residence as they aged, this proportion increasing with age. A key reason for staying was having a 'comfortable' home. Related to moving, lifestyle change was particularly important for younger respondents and upkeep/maintenance difficulties for older respondents. For varied and complex reasons, many adults choose to move between the ages of 55 and 75. Government policy can further support older Australians to have choices of 'places' to live in that maximise their ability to retain independence.
The purpose of this study was to develop a Community Care Research Agenda to give direction to re... more The purpose of this study was to develop a Community Care Research Agenda to give direction to research across community-based services for older people, for the next 3-5 years. This study used a four-round Delphi method to verify, rate and rank research questions and issues identified by sector stakeholders. Thirty panellists were selected to represent all key stakeholder groups within community care. The research agenda comprises the 30 questions/topics, in ranked order, considered by the panellists to be of the highest priority. The largest subgroups of issues pertain to approaches to care (30%), program outcomes and effectiveness (13%), funding (10%), and workforce (10%). Having a National Community Care Research Agenda will provide focus and direction for researchers, service providers and funders in developing and conducting high priority, high value research that can inform improvements in policy and practice in community care for older people.
The three study objectives were to: compare the activity levels of older people who had received ... more The three study objectives were to: compare the activity levels of older people who had received a restorative home care service with those who had received "usual" home care; explore the predictors of physical activity in these two groups; and, determine whether either group met the minimum recommended activity levels for their age group. A questionnaire was posted to 1490 clients who had been referred for a home care service between 2006-2009. Older people who had received a restorative care service were more active than those who had received "usual" care (p=.049), but service group did not predict activity levels when other variables were adjusted for in a multiple regression. Younger individuals who were in better physical condition, with good mobility and no diagnosis of depression were more likely to be active. Investigation of alternatives to the current exercise component of the restorative program is needed.
The 3 study objectives were to compare the activity levels of older people who had received a res... more The 3 study objectives were to compare the activity levels of older people who had received a restorative home care service with those of people who had received "usual" home care, explore the predictors of physical activity in these 2 groups, and determine whether either group met the minimum recommended activity levels for their age group. A questionnaire was posted to 1,490 clients who had been referred for a home care service between 2006 and 2009. Older people who had received a restorative care service were more active than those who had received usual care (p = .049), but service group did not predict activity levels when other variables were adjusted for in a multiple regression. Younger individuals who were in better physical condition, with good mobility and no diagnosis of depression, were more likely to be active. Investigation of alternatives to the current exercise component of the restorative program is needed.
Journal of aging and physical activity, Jan 23, 2014
The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some... more The proportion of older people living in our communities is rising and to live independently some require assistance from home care services. Physical activity can improve and maintain function, strength and balance, which is important for those receiving home care. This study reviewed the evidence on physical activity/exercise interventions trialled with older people receiving a home care service. A systematic review of studies published from January 1982 to September 2012, from five databases, was undertaken. Inclusion criteria were: aged 65+ years; community dwelling; no dementia diagnosis; receiving home care services; and a physical activity/exercise program. Eight articles were included and results show there were few consistencies between intervention types, groups, outcome measures and follow-up. Study quality was mixed. Future studies should include pragmatic randomized controlled trials involving home care practitioners and their clients to gain "real world" know...
International Journal of Older People Nursing, 2014
Physical activity contributes to an older person'... more Physical activity contributes to an older person's health and well-being by maintaining strength, balance and mobility, all of which are important for older people who wish to remain living in their home for as long as possible. It is therefore essential that community nurses and those working with home care clients promote being physically active. To do this effectively requires an understanding of the type of physical activity older home care clients prefer to engage in. The aims of this study were to identify the physical activity preferences of older people who received a home care service and to determine whether being physically active is important to this population. Twenty older home care clients were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using a descriptive qualitative methodology. Walking, housework and gardening were identified as the activities of choice. The majority of interviewees suggested that it was important to be physically active. Structured exercise programmes are not the activity of choice for older home care clients. Therefore, when community nurses and allied health workers promote physical activity to their clients, they should suggest activities such as walking, housework and gardening and also endorse the benefits of physical activity for well-being and staying independent. Health and community nurses and organisations should routinely encourage home care clients to increase their activity levels, especially utilising those activities they most enjoy.
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Papers by Elissa Burton