Exploring the Religious Practice of Langar as a Route to Health Promotion in the Sikh Community in Northern England: A Qualitative Study.

Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are prevalent among UK South Asians. Langar is a Sikh religious food practice that could be important in dietary health promotion. This study explored perceptions of langar, its role in health, readiness and strategies for change and whether Gurdwaras (Sikh place of worship) are able to support change. Using an exploratory qualitative design, we conducted eight focus groups and one single interview with 28 Gurdwara attendees (12 males, 16 females), analysing transcripts using thematic analysis. Four themes were developed that described the meaning of langar, the understanding of health among Sikhs, the evolution of langar and implications for health and changing langar to protect health. It can be concluded that any change to langar needs to be gradual, respectful and widely supported. This research has scope to continue in light of the potential impact on health for the Sikh community.

Development of an Instrument to Assess Health and Social Care Professionals' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Later-Life Intimacy and Sexuality (HSCP-KALLIS): A Delphi Study.

AIMS: We aimed to ascertain the content validity of an instrument to assess health and social care professionals' knowledge and attitudes towards later-life intimacy and sexuality (HSCP-KALLIS). BACKGROUND: For older adults, intimacy and sexuality are important in maintaining their quality of life and well-being. However, addressing these needs remains challenging for health and social care professionals, particularly for nursing staff providing 24-h direct care to older people with dementia or those identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer/questioning individuals. Existing instruments assessing knowledge and attitudes towards later-life intimacy and sexuality are dated and fail to adequately address dementia and sexual diversity. DESIGN: A two-round modified Delphi study was conducted. METHODS: Initially, 79 knowledge and attitude items were generated through an integrative review. Panellists rated each item's clarity and importance using online questionnaires. The content validity index for the individual and overall items was calculated. The panellists' written feedback-along with their knowledge level of later-life intimacy and sexuality-was obtained. RESULTS: Panellists included health and social care professionals (n = 9); healthcare-related educators (n = 2); researchers specialising in later-life intimacy, sexuality, dementia care and sexual diversity support (n = 7); and family carers of older people with dementia (n = 2). The instrument was revised based on the feedback received. The components of dementia, LGBTIQ+ and the provision of sex worker services in healthcare settings were highlighted by the panellists. Notably, 46 knowledge and 40 attitude items fulfilled the consensus criteria for clarity and importance. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptable content validity was established for the knowledge and attitude items. Further research is required to establish the psychometric properties of the HSCP-KALLIS. This instrument has implications for clinical practice-specifically, in nursing care-by addressing issues to improve awareness regarding later-life intimacy and sexuality in healthcare settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The HSCP-KALLIS has the potential to inform the educational needs regarding knowledge and attitudes towards later-life intimacy and sexuality for health and social care professionals, specifically nursing staff. The findings of the HSCP-KALLIS can be used for the development of competencies for later-life intimacy and sexuality, establishing policies and guidelines to support older adults' intimacy and sexuality needs in health care settings.

Using Personalized Avatars as an Adjunct to an Adult Weight Loss Management Program: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global public health concern. Interventions rely predominantly on managing dietary intake and increasing physical activity; however, sustained adherence to behavioral regimens is often poor. The lack of sustained motivation, self-efficacy, and poor adherence to behavioral regimens are recognized barriers to successful weight loss. Avatar-based interventions achieve better patient outcomes in the management of chronic conditions by promoting more active engagement. Virtual representations of self can affect real-world behavior, acting as a catalyst for sustained weight loss behavior. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether a personalized avatar, offered as an adjunct to an established weight loss program, can increase participant motivation, sustain engagement, optimize service delivery, and improve participant health outcomes. METHODS: A feasibility randomized design was used to determine the case for future development and evaluation of avatar-based technology in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from general practitioner referrals to a 12-week National Health Service weight improvement program. The main outcome measure was weight loss. Secondary outcome measures were quality-of-life and self-efficacy. Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive statistical tests and exploratory comparison between intervention and control arms. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through interviews and analyzed using framework approach. Health Research Authority ethics approval was granted. RESULTS: Overall, 10 men (n=7, 70% for routine care and avatar and n=3, 30% for routine care) and 33 women (n=23, 70% for intervention and n=10, 30% for routine care) were recruited. Participants' initial mean weight was greater in the intervention arm than in the routine care arm (126.3 kg vs 122.9 kg); pattern of weight loss was similar across both arms of the study in T0 to T1 period but accelerated in T1 to T2 period for intervention participants, suggesting that access to the self-resembling avatar may promote greater engagement with weight loss initiatives in the short-to-medium term. Mean change in participants' weight from T0 to T2 was 4.5 kg (95% CI 2.7-6.3) in the routine care arm and 5.3 kg (95% CI 3.9-6.8) in the intervention arm. Quality-of-life and self-efficacy measures demonstrated greater improvement in the intervention arm at both T1 (105.5 for routine care arm and 99.7 for intervention arm) and T2 (100.1 for routine care arm and 81.2 for intervention arm). Overall, 13 participants (n=11, 85% women and n=2, 15% men) and two health care professionals were interviewed about their experience of using the avatar program. CONCLUSIONS: Participants found using the personalized avatar acceptable, and feedback reiterated that seeing a future self helped to reinforce motivation to change behavior. This feasibility study demonstrated that avatar-based technology may successfully promote engagement and motivation in weight loss programs, enabling participants to achieve greater weight loss gains and build self-confidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry 17953876; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17953876.

Feasibility and acceptability of an education and training e-resource to support the sexuality, intimacy and relationship needs of older care home residents: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: sexuality, intimacy and relationship needs are often a neglected aspect of the care of older adults in residential care facilities. Improving awareness, knowledge and improving attitudes about these needs among care staff could enhance quality of care and lead to better outcomes for residents. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a co-designed education and training e-resource to help care staff support their residents' sexuality, intimacy and relationship needs. METHODS: we delivered the education and training e-resource to five UK care homes over a 6-month period in a pre-post mixed methods study using surveys, focus groups and individual interviews. RESULTS: fifty-nine members of staff from participating care homes undertook the education and training e-resource. 18/59 (31%) of participants completed all six modules and the pre-post surveys. Eleven participants participated in focus groups/interviews to explore experiences of using the e-resource. The e-resource was successfully implemented in the study homes and found to be acceptable. We found preliminary evidence of positive changes in staff attitudes. Factors that facilitated implementation included support from the care home manager. Barriers identified included IT infrastructure and technology. CONCLUSIONS: the findings provide initial evidence that a co-designed education and training e-resource raised awareness of, and improved attitudes towards, older adults' sexuality and intimacy needs. This work provides the foundation for a next phase to establish the effectiveness of the e-resource on staff practice and resident outcomes.

A scoping review of education and training resources supporting care home staff in facilitating residents' sexuality, intimacy and relational needs.

BACKGROUND: Having positive intimate, sexual and relational experiences is an important issue for older adults in care settings, yet little is known on the extent to which nursing staff and care workers have received education or training in addressing and meeting these needs among older residents. This scoping review aimed to identify and examine what education and training resources exist to assist nursing staff and care workers to meet their residents' needs in this area. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, we systematically searched papers and grey literature to identify education interventions and resources that aimed to facilitate care home staff to meet their residents' sexuality, intimacy and relational needs. RESULTS: Eleven studies (one dissertation) and three education resources met the inclusion criteria; most were conducted in the USA and Australia. Across the studies and resources identified, the education content was mixed and the methodology, presentation, design and duration varied widely. The focus of the education interventions and resources was to increase knowledge and improve and/or change attitudes towards the: (i) sexual expression of older people living in residential aged care, (ii) sexuality and ageing and (iii) expression of sexuality in people with dementia. CONCLUSION: Few education interventions and training resources were identified. The findings suggest that education interventions can improve knowledge and/or change care staff attitudes, in the short-term, towards older people's sexuality, intimacy and relational needs in care home settings, which can lead to facilitating staff to enhance person-centred care in this area of need.

Comparative quantitative survey of patient experience in Barrett's oesophagus and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Objective: To assess health-related quality of life in patients with non-dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus (NDBO) and endoscopically treated dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus (DBO). Design: This quantitative, self-administered questionnaire study was conducted across three National Health Service hospitals. Data were collected from three other cohorts; gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), colonic polyp surveillance and healthy individuals. Fisher's exact and Spearman's rank correlation tests were used for analysis. Propensity score matching adjusted for age, sex and comorbidities. Results: 687 participants were eligible for analysis (NDBO n=306, DBO n=49, GORD n=132, colonic polyps n=152 and healthy n=48). 53% of NDBO participants reported similarly high cancer worry, comparable to DBO (50%, p=0.933) and colonic polyp participants (51%, p=0.355). Less cancer worry was reported in GORD participants (43.4%, p=0.01 vs NDBO). NDBO participants reported anxiety in 15.8% and depression in 8.6% of cases, which was similar to the other disease cohorts. Moderate or severe heartburn or acid regurgitation was found in 11% and 10%, respectively, in the NDBO cohort, comparable to DBO participants (heartburn 2% p=0.172, acid regurgitation 4% p=0.31) but lower (better) than GORD participants (heartburn 31% p=<0.001, acid regurgitation 25% p=0.001). NDBO participants with moderate or severe GORD symptoms were associated with higher rates of anxiety (p=<0.001), depression (p=<0.001) and cancer worry (p=<0.001). NDBO patients appropriately perceiving their cancer risk as low had lower rates of cancer worry (p=<0.001). Conclusion: This study provides insight into the problems Barrett's oesophagus patients may face. Future care pathways must be more patient focussed to address misconceptions of cancer risk, oesophageal cancer related worry and GORD symptom control.

Factors associated with accelerometer measured movement behaviours among White British and South Asian children aged 6-8 years during school terms and school holidays.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors associated with movement behaviours among White British (WB) and South Asian (SA) children aged 6-8 years during school terms and holidays. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Three primary schools from the Bradford area, UK. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and sixty WB and SA children aged 6-8 years. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Sedentary behaviour (SB), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured by accelerometry during summer, winter and spring and during school terms and school holidays. Data were analysed using multivariate mixed-effects multilevel modelling with robust SEs. Factors of interest were ethnicity, holiday/term, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), weight status, weekend/weekday and season. RESULTS: One hundred and eight children (67.5%) provided 1157 valid days of data. Fifty-nine per cent of children were WB (n=64) and 41% (n=44) were SA. Boys spent more time in MVPA (11 min/day, p=0.013) compared with girls and SA children spent more time in SB (39 min, p=0.017) compared with WB children in adjusted models. Children living in higher SES areas were more sedentary (43 min, p=0.006) than children living in low SES areas. Children were more active during summer (15 min MVPA, p<0.001; 27 LPA, p<0.001) and spring (15 min MVPA, p=0.005; 38 min LPA, p<0.001) and less sedentary (-42 min and -53 min, p<0.001) compared with winter. Less time (8 min, p=0.012) was spent in LPA during school terms compared with school holidays. Children spent more time in MVPA (5 min, p=0.036) during weekend compared with weekdays. Overweight and obese children spent more time in LPA (21 min, p=0.021) than normal-weight children. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that significant child level factors associated with movement behaviours are ethnicity, sex, weight-status and area SES. Significant temporal factors are weekends, school holidays and seasonality. Interventions to support health enhancing movement behaviours may need to be tailored around these factors.

Ethnic differences in sedentary behaviour in 6-8-year-old children during school terms and school holidays: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour (SB) in childhood is a major public health concern. Little is known about ethnic differences in SB during school and holiday weeks among White British (WB) and South Asian (SA) children, which this study aims to address through investigating inclinometer measured SB and exploring reasons for child engagement in SB. METHODS: A mixed methods study, comprising of a quantitative investigation with 160, 6-8 years old children and a qualitative study with a subsample of 18 children, six parents and eight teachers was undertaken. Children of WB and SA ethnicity in three schools were invited to wear inclinometers for seven school terms (summer/winter/spring) and seven holidays (winter/spring) days during July 2016-May 2017. Total SB, SB accumulated in bouts > 30 min and breaks in SB were explored using multivariate linear mixed effects models which adjusted for wear time, sex, deprivation, overweight status, season, term, weekday and school. Nine focus groups and two interviews were carried out using the Theoretical Domains Framework to explore SB perceptions among parents, teachers and children. Data were analysed using the Framework Approach. RESULTS: 104/160 children provided 836 valid days of data. Children spent on average eight hours of SB/day during term time and holidays, equating to 60% of their awake time, and had on average 111 SB breaks /day. SA children had 25 fewer SB breaks/ day when compared to WB (p < 0.001). Perceived reasons for engagement in SB included: boredom, enjoyment of screen activities (by children), parenting practices, curriculum pressures (by teachers), the need to sit down and learn, and child's preference for screen activities (by parents). CONCLUSIONS: Children spent 60% of their awake time being sedentary, regardless of ethnicity or school term. There were no significant ethnic differences for any of the SB outcomes except for breaks in SB. Interventions aimed at reducing SB should consider involving parents and teachers and should focus on increasing breaks in SB, especially for SA children, who are at a higher risk of cardio metabolic ill health.

Barrett's oesophagus: A qualitative study of patient burden, care delivery experience and follow-up needs.

BACKGROUND: Barrett's oesophagus (BO), a precursor to oesophageal adenocarcinoma, requires long-term endoscopic surveillance. The rising incidence of this chronic disease has implications for service provision and patient burden. Few studies have explored BO patients' personal burden, care delivery experience and participation in health-care delivery decisions. OBJECTIVE: To identify and explore factors impacting BO patients' health-related quality of life, follow-up needs and views on new models of follow-up care. DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted using semi-structured, in-depth, one-to-one interviews, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Patients undergoing BO surveillance, at a single NHS hospital, were recruited using purposive sampling with the aim of achieving maximum variation. Data were analysed using framework analysis approach, supported by NVivo Pro 11. RESULTS: Data saturation occurred after 20 participant interviews. Ten subthemes and three main themes emerged from the analysis: (a) burden of disease-symptom control, worry of oesophageal cancer and surveillance endoscopy; (b) follow-up experiences-follow-up care, at this NHS hospital, was found to be inconsistent and often inadequate to meet patients' needs, in particular a lack of disease-specific information; and (c) follow-up needs-participants sought enhanced communication, organization and structure of care. They highly valued face-to-face interaction with a specialist, and the concept of direct secondary care access in-between endoscopies was reassuring to participants. CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative research provides an in-depth account of the patients' perspective of BO, the effectiveness of follow-up care and patient opinion on new follow-up systems.

Exercise and physical activity in asylum seekers in Northern England; using the theoretical domains framework to identify barriers and facilitators.

BACKGROUND: Many asylum seekers have complex mental health needs which can be exacerbated by the challenging circumstances in which they live and difficulties accessing health services. Regular moderate physical activity can improve mental health and would be a useful strategy to achieve this. Evidence suggests there are barriers to engaging black and minority ethnic groups in physical activity, but there is little research around asylum seekers to address the key barriers and facilitators in this group. METHODS: A two stage qualitative study used semi-structured interviews underpinned by the Theoretical Domains Framework. The interviews were conducted in voluntary sector groups in four towns/ cities in Northern England. Purposive sampling recruited 36 asylum seekers from 18 different countries. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and subject to framework analysis. Stage two involved a nominal group technique with five key stakeholders including asylum seekers and those that work with them. They followed a four stage process to rank and reach consensus on the key barrier to undertaking physical activity/ exercise that could be addressed locally through a future intervention. RESULTS: A number of barriers and facilitators were identified including a lack of understanding of the term physical activity and recommended levels but knowledge of the health benefits of physical activity/ exercise and the motivation to increase levels having engaged with activities back home. Living as an asylum seeker was considered a barrier due to the stress, poverty and temporary nature of living in an unfamiliar place. The outcome of the nominal group technique was that a lack of knowledge of facilities in the local area was the prevailing barrier that could be addressed. CONCLUSIONS: Public health practitioners could develop interventions which capitalise on the motivation and knowledge of asylum seekers to encourage an increase in physical activity which may in turn reduce the breadth and depth of mental health needs of this group.

Cultural competence in healthcare in the community: A concept analysis.

This study aims to conduct a concept analysis on cultural competence in community healthcare. Clarification of the concept of cultural competence is needed to enable clarity in the definition and operation, research and theory development to assist healthcare providers to better understand this evolving concept. Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis method was used to clarify the concept's context, surrogate terms, antecedents, attributes and consequences and to determine implications for further research. Articles from 2004 to 2015 were sought from Medline, PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus using the terms "cultural competency" AND "health," "cultural competence" OR "cultural safety" OR "cultural knowledge" OR "cultural awareness" OR cultural sensitivity OR "cultural skill" AND "Health." Articles with antecedents, attributes and consequences of cultural competence in community health were included. The 26 articles selected included nursing (n = 8), health (n = 8), psychology (n = 2), social work (n = 1), mental health (n = 3), medicine (n = 3) and occupational therapy (n = 1). Findings identify cultural openness, awareness, desire, knowledge and sensitivity and encounter as antecedents of cultural competence. Defining attributes are respecting and tailoring care aligned with clients' values, needs, practices and expectations, providing equitable and ethical care, and understanding. Consequences of cultural competence are satisfaction with care, the perception of quality healthcare, better adherence to treatments, effective interaction and improved health outcomes. An interesting finding is that the antecedents and attributes of cultural competence appear to represent a superficial level of understanding, sometimes only manifested through the need for social desirability. What is reported as critical in sustaining competence is the carers' capacity for a higher level of moral reasoning attainable through formal education in cultural and ethics knowledge. Our conceptual analysis incorporates moral reasoning in the definition of cultural competence. Further research to underpin moral reasoning with antecedents, attributes and consequences could enhance its clarity and promote a sustainable enactment of cultural competence.

Multiple influences on participating in physical activity in older age: Developing a social ecological approach.

BACKGROUND: Evidence of the benefits of engaging in physical activity (PA) is strong, yet the number of older adults meeting the recommended 150 min/wk is low. Policy to increase uptake and adherence has focussed on the health benefits of PA, but may not be the most successful approach. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study sought to ask older adults what the components of a successful intervention to promote PA would be, by asking active older adults what motivated them to be active and asking inactive older adults what might encourage them to change. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were held with 60 community-dwelling older adults, aged 50-87 years. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data, and themes congruent with a social ecological model of behaviour change were developed. FINDINGS: Five themes emerged that influenced PA engagement at multiple levels: individual; interpersonal; perceived environment; community or organizational; and policy. PA engagement was determined by attitude or health status for some participants, but for the majority, PA being enjoyable, sociable, affordable, accessible, flexible and seasonal were more important than the health benefits. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: A social ecological model is presented, highlighting the fact that both motivated and unmotivated older adults need to have a range of appropriately labelled, appealing and accessible activities to choose from when thinking about engaging in PA. Policymakers and practitioners need to ensure that their offers of activity sessions are easy to access and easy to remain involved in.

Openness, inclusion and transparency in the practice of public involvement in research: A reflective exercise to develop best practice recommendations.

CONTEXT: Reflective accounts of public involvement in research (PI) are important for helping researchers plan and deliver more effective PI activities. In particular, there is a need to address power differentials between team members that can prohibit effective and meaningful involvement. OBJECTIVE: To critically reflect on the PI practices that underpinned our research project on intimacy and sexuality in care homes, to develop a series of recommendations for improving future PI activities. SETTING: The research team comprised five academics from nursing, public health, sociology and psychology, and two members of the public with experience of sex education, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans issues in older populations. In order to address power differentials within the group, we developed an approach to PI practice that was grounded in values of openness, inclusion and transparency. METHOD: Reflective commentaries on the strengths and weaknesses of the team's approach to PI were gathered through interviews and open-ended questionnaires with research team members. These views were collated and discussed at a workshop comprising research team members and an additional member of the public to generate recommendations for future PI practice. RESULTS: A number of strengths and limitations of our approach to PI were identified. Clear recommendations for improving PI practice were developed for three broad areas of identified difficulty: (i) communication within and between meetings; (ii) the roles and responsibilities of team members; and (iii) PI resources and productivity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These recommendations add to the developing body of guidance for conducting effective PI.

Old(er) care home residents and sexual/intimate citizenship.

Sexuality and intimacy in care homes for older people are overshadowed by concern with prolonging physical and/or psychological autonomy. When sexuality and intimacy have been addressed in scholarship, this can reflect a sexological focus concerned with how to continue sexual activity with reduced capacity. We review the (Anglophone) academic and practitioner literatures bearing on sexuality and intimacy in relation to older care home residents (though much of this applies to older people generally). We highlight how ageism (or ageist erotophobia), which defines older people as post-sexual, restricts opportunities for the expression of sexuality and intimacy. In doing so, we draw attention to more critical writing that recognises constraints on sexuality and intimacy and indicates solutions to some of the problems identified. We also highlight problems faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) residents who are doubly excluded from sexual/intimate citizenship because of ageism combined with the heterosexual assumption. Older LGB&T residents/individuals can feel obliged to deny or disguise their identity. We conclude by outlining an agenda for research based on more sociologically informed practitioner-led work.

A comparison of job descriptions for nurse practitioners working in out-of-hours primary care services: implications for workforce planning, patients and nursing.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare and contrast job descriptions for nursing roles in out-of-hours services to obtain a general understanding of what is required for a nurse working in this job. BACKGROUND: Out-of-hours services provide nursing services to patients either through telephone or face-to-face contact in care centres. Many of these services are newly created giving job opportunities to nurses working in this area. It is vital that nurses know what their role entails but also that patients and other professionals know how out-of-hours nurses function in terms of competence and clinical role. DESIGN: Content analysis of out-of-hours job descriptions. METHOD: Content analysis of a convenience sample of 16 job descriptions of out-of-hours nurses from five out-of-hours care providers across England was undertaken. The findings were narratively synthesised, supported by tabulation. RESULTS: Key role descriptors were examined in terms of job titles, managerial skills, clinical skills, professional qualifications and previous experience. Content analysis of each out-of-hours job description revealed a lack of consensus in clinical competence and skills required related to job title although there were many similarities in skills across all the roles. CONCLUSION: This study highlights key differences and some similarities between roles and job titles in out-of-hours nursing but requires a larger study to inform workforce planning. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Out-of-hours nursing is a developing area of practice which requires clarity to ensure patient safety and quality care.

Development and feasibility testing of an oral hygiene intervention for stroke unit care.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an oral hygiene complex intervention and evaluate its feasibility in a single UK stroke centre. BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene interventions might improve clinical outcomes after stroke but evidence-based practice is lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a sequential mixed methods approach and developed an oral hygiene complex intervention comprising: (i) web-based education and 'hands-on' practical training for stroke unit nursing staff, (ii) a pragmatic oral hygiene protocol consisting of twice-daily powered (or manual if preferred) brushing with chlorhexidine gel (or non-foaming toothpaste) ± denture care. We evaluated feasibility of (i) the staff education and training and (ii) the oral hygiene protocol in consenting inpatients with confirmed stroke, requiring assistance with at least one aspect of personal care. RESULTS: The staff education and training were feasible, acceptable and raised knowledge and awareness. Several barriers to completing the education and training were identified. The oral hygiene protocol was feasible and well-tolerated. 22% of eligible patients screened declined participation in the study. Twenty-nine patients (median age = 78 year; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score = 8.5; 73% dentate) were recruited at a median of 7 days from stroke onset. 97% of participants chose the default chlorhexidine-based protocol; the remainder chose the non-foaming toothpaste-based protocol. The mouth hygiene protocol was administered as prescribed on 95% of occasions, over a median duration of 28 days. There were no adverse events attributed to the oral hygiene protocol. CONCLUSION: Our oral hygiene complex intervention was feasible in a single UK stroke centre. Further studies to optimise patient selection, model health economics and explore efficacy are now required.

The challenges and opportunities in researching intimacy and sexuality in care homes accommodating older people: a feasibility study.

AIM: To explore the challenges of conducting research on sexuality and intimacy among older care home residents. BACKGROUND: Sexuality and intimacy are neglected in care policies and practices. DESIGN: Qualitative analytical study drawing on poststructuralist theorizing. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with residents and spouses (n = 6) and care staff (n = 16) in two care homes in Northwest England in 2014. The sample was obtained through a network of 'research-ready' care homes. Thematic analysis was used to make sense of narratives with the aid of NVivo10. RESULTS: Participant responses highlight the workings of ageist erotophobic discourse that undergirds the assumption of residents (and old people generally) as postsexual. This materialized in reservations about the research ranging from opposition on moral grounds to doubts about its feasibility given the age-group concerned. However, residents and care home staff can also draw on counter-discourses that resist/challenge ageist erotophobic thinking, which materialized in methodological and ethical recommendations. CONCLUSION: Participants generally agreed with the principle of the research and made recommendations that could counter/resist ageist erotophobic governance and guide researchers on sampling, style of questioning and communicating with (prospective) study participants on a sensitive subject.

Sexuality and intimacy among care home residents.

Discussing sexuality and intimacy with older people can be problematic, so it is not uncommon that their needs go unrecognised. This article identifies barriers to addressing sexuality and intimacy needs, and outlines some simple strategies to raise awareness of them among older care home residents and staff, thereby facilitating a discussion to enable such needs to be met.

Older Adults' Uptake and Adherence to Exercise Classes: Instructors' Perspectives.

Exercise classes provide a range of benefits for older adults, but adherence levels are poor. We know little of instructors' experiences of delivering exercise classes to older adults. Semistructured interviews, informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), were conducted with instructors (n = 19) delivering multicomponent exercise classes to establish their perspectives on older adults' uptake and adherence to exercise classes. Analysis revealed 'barriers' to uptake related to identity, choice/control, cost, and venue, and 'solutions' included providing choice/control, relating exercise to identity, a personal touch, and social support. Barriers to adherence included unrealistic expectations and social influences, and solutions identified were encouraging commitment, creating social cohesion, and an emphasis on achieving outcomes. Older adults' attitudes were an underlying theme, which related to all barriers and solutions. The instructor plays an important, but not isolated, role in older adults' uptake and adherence to classes. Instructors' perspectives help us to further understand how we can design successful exercise classes.