Exercise of human rights of institutionalized persons: perception of psychiatric hospital professionals.

OBJECTIVE: to comprehend the existing possibilities for the exercise of human rights by persons with mental disorders who are institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital, from the perception of professionals. METHOD: this is a qualitative descriptive-exploratory study conducted at a Psychiatric Hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. For data obtention, eleven professionals responded to a semistructured questionnaire. The traditional content analysis proposed by Bardin based the data analysis. RESULTS: the professionals know the human rights and try to preserve them in the hospital scope, although they recognize that the persons hospitalized are not entirely respected due to the lack of public policies or their non-suitability to the Brazilian reality. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the structuring of extra-hospital services is necessary, as well as the comprehension of the professionals that act in psychiatric hospitals about the objectives and the functioning of such devices to assure opportunities of exercising rights by institutionalized persons.

Factors Related to the Institutionalization of Older Aged Individuals Using Home- and Community-Based Care Services: Data From the South Korea Long-Term Care Insurance Program, 2008-2013.

South Korea introduced a public long-term care insurance (LTCI) program in response to its rapidly aging population. This study analyzed the association between living arrangement and caregiver type with institutionalization in LTCI grade 1 (very severe limitations), 2 (severe limitations), and 3 (moderate limitations) beneficiaries using data from the LTCI cohort, 2008 to 2013. The dependent variable was alteration status from home to institutional care within 1 year of receiving home service. Independent variables were living arrangement and primary caregiver type. The analysis was conducted using the generalized estimating equation model. Higher likelihoods of institutionalization were found in individuals living with a non-family member compared to individuals living with their spouses. Individuals without a caregiver or with a paid caregiver were also more likely to experience institutionalization than individuals with a spouse primary caregiver. Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring identified vulnerable groups of individuals to attain LTCI sustainability and enhance elderly quality of life.

What drives changes in institutionalised mental health care? A qualitative study of the perspectives of professional experts.

BACKGROUND: Since 1990, the provision of mental healthcare has changed substantially across Western Europe. There are fewer psychiatric hospital beds and more places in forensic psychiatric hospitals and residential facilities. However, little research has investigated the drivers behind these changes. This study explored qualitatively the perspectives of mental health professional experts on what has driven the changes in Western Europe. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-four mental health experts in England, Germany and Italy, who as professionals had personal experiences of the changes in their country. Interviewees were asked about drivers of changes in institutionalised mental health care from 1990 to 2010. The accounts were subjected to a thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four broad themes were revealed: the overall philosophy of de-institutionalisation, with the aim to overcome old-fashioned asylum style care; finances, with a pressure to limit expenditure and an interest of provider organisations to increase income; limitations of community mental health care in which most severely ill patients may be neglected; and emphasis on risk containment so that patients posing a risk may be cared for in institutions. Whilst all themes were mentioned in all three countries, there were also differences in emphasis and detail. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct factors appear to have influenced changes in mental health care. Their precise influence may vary from country to country, and they have to be considered in the context of each country. The drivers may be influenced by professional groups to some extent, but also depend on the overall interest and attitudes in the society at large.

Interventions for frail community-dwelling older adults have no significant effect on adverse outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: According to some studies, interventions can prevent or delay frailty, but their effect in preventing adverse outcomes in frail community-dwelling older people is unclear. The aim is to investigate the effect of an intervention on adverse outcomes in frail older adults. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Social Sciences Citation Index. Randomized controlled studies that aimed to treat frail community-dwelling older adults, were included. The outcomes were mortality, hospitalization, formal health costs, accidental falls, and institutionalization. Several sub-analyses were performed (duration of intervention, average age, dimension, recruitment). RESULTS: Twenty-five articles (16 original studies) were included. Six types of interventions were found. The pooled odds ratios (OR) for mortality when allocated in the experimental group were 0.99 [95% CI: 0.79, 1.25] for case management and 0.78 [95% CI: 0.41, 1.45] for provision information intervention. For institutionalization, the pooled OR with case management was 0.92 [95% CI: 0.63, 1.32], and the pooled OR for information provision intervention was 1.53 [95% CI: 0.64, 3.65]. The pooled OR for hospitalization when allocated in the experimental group was 1.13 [95% CI: 0.95, 1.35] for case management. Further sub-analyses did not yield any significant findings. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis does not provide sufficient scientific evidence that interventions by frail older adults can be protective against the included adverse outcomes. A sub-analysis for some variables yielded no significant effects, although some findings suggested a decrease in adverse outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospero registration CRD42016035429 .

Prediction of the Future Need for Institutional Care in Finnish Older People: A Comparison of Two Birth Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: More recent birth cohorts of older people have better physical and cognitive status than earlier cohorts. As such, this could be expected to diminish the need for institutional care. The prediction of the future need for institutional care provides essential information for the planning and delivery of future care and social services as well as the resources needed. OBJECTIVE: To predict the future need for institutional care among older Finnish people born in 1940. METHODS: Representative samples of home-dwelling 70-year-olds from Turku, Finland were examined with similar methods in 1991 (those born in 1920) (n = 1,032) and in 2011 (those born in 1940) (n = 956). Predictors of institutionalization rates from the earlier 1920 cohort, together with data of sociodemographic factors, health, psychosocial and physical status, the need for help, and health behavior, were used to predict the future institutionalization rate among the 1940 cohort in this study using Cox regression models. RESULTS: Health as well as psychosocial and physical status were significantly better in the 1940 cohort compared to the earlier cohort. In the 1940 cohort, the predicted rates of institutionalization were 1.8, 10.4, and 26.0% at the ages of 80 (year 2020), 85 (year 2025), and 90 years (year 2030), respectively. At every age (80, 85, and 90 years), the predicted rates of institutionalization by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were about two-fold among those with MMSE scores 18-26 (3.0-38.8%) compared to those with scores 27-30 (1.6-23.7%) and those with a body mass index (BMI) <25 (2.5-34.3%) compared to those with a BMI of 25-29.9 (1.4-20.9%), and about three-fold among participants with several falls (5.3-57.0%) compared to participants with no falls (1.5-23.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The 1940 cohort performed better in health as well as psychosocial and physical status than the 1920 cohort. Nevertheless, the predicted rates of future need for institutional care were high, especially at the ages of 85 and 90 years, among those with a lowered cognitive or physical status.

Instituições de longa permanência como alternativa no acolhimento das pessoas idosas / Long stay institutions as an alternative for protecting the elderly / Entidades de larga permanencia como alternativa para acoger adultos mayores

RESUMO Estudo reflexivo que enfatiza a Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos. Considerando a carga contextual em que se dá o processo de institucionalização em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos, o qual é escoltado por transformações na vivência da pessoa idosa. Nessa perspectiva este estudo tem como propósito refletir sobre as Instituições de Longa Permanência como alternativa no acolhimento das pessoas idosas brasileiras. Primeiramente, expõe-se sobre o envelhecimento populacional, seguido por uma breve perspectiva histórica das Instituições de Longa Permanência e o finaliza com o processo de institucionalização da pessoa idosa nas mesmas. Embora existam definições a respeito das funções e obrigações da Instituição de Longa Permanência, a influência dos aspectos negativos na vivência das pessoas idosas institucionalizadas encontra-se implícita na maioria delas, solicitando uma reestruturação desse ambiente que tem se tornado o mundo-vida de uma demanda crescente de pessoas idosas. O processo de institucionalização e a vivência do idoso na instituição são elementos de estudo fundamentais para o alcance de um entendimento aprofundado da realidade intrínseca dessa pessoa que está escrevendo o epílogo da sua história de vida.(AU)

ABSTRACT This is a reflective study on long stay institutions for elderly population. Considering the context in which the process of institutionalization in a long-stay institution for the elderly occurs, which is escorted by changes in every-day life of the elderly population, this study aims to reflect on the long-stay institutions as an alternative of sheltering for the Brazilian elderly. First, demographic aging is analyzed, followed by a brief historical account regarding long-stay institutions, and an approach to the institutionalization process of the elderly population in these places. Although the functions and duties of long-stay institutions have been previously defined, the negative aspects that influence the experience of institutionalized elderly are evident; therefore, restructuring the environment of these type of places is necessary considering the growing demand. The institutionalization process and the experience of the elderly population admitted to these institutions are key study elements to comprehend the intrinsic reality of this population.(AU)

RESUMEN El presente es un estudio reflexivo sobre las instituciones de larga permanencia para adultos mayores. Con base en la carga contextual que se genera alrededor del proceso de institucionalización de estas personas, el cual implica una serie de cambios en su vida cotidiana, este estudio tiene como objetivo hacer una reflexión sobre la pertinencia de estos lugares como alternativa para acoger adultos mayores brasileños. En primer lugar, se hace un análisis sobre el proceso de envejecimiento de la población, seguido de un breve recuento histórico de las instituciones de larga permanencia, para finalizar con una descripción sobre el proceso de institucionalización. Si bien hay definiciones acerca de las funciones y obligaciones de este tipo de instituciones, los aspectos negativos que influyen en las experiencias de las personas mayores ya institucionalizadas son evidentes. En este sentido, es necesario reestructurar ese ambiente que se convierte en el diario vivir de estas personas, de el cual tiene una demanda cada vez mayor. El proceso de institucionalización y las experiencias de las personas mayores dentro la institución son elementos de estudio fundamentales para comprender a profundidad la realidad intrínseca de esta población.(AU)

[The upper-limits of deinstitutionalization not yet reached]. / De grens van extramuralisering is nog niet bereikt.

The government aims at decreasing the number of elderly with disabilities in institutional care, and supplying them with homecare instead. This article provides starting points to identify the elderly for whom homecare is a realistic alternative to institutionalized care. Data from two Dutch surveys are used: the Amenities and Services Utilization Survey (AVO'07) and Elderly in Institutions (OII'08). We use a regression model that explains the use of care from several characteristics, and predict the probability to use a certain type of care for each individual. One ninth to a fifth of the elderly receiving institutional care have similar characteristics to homecare users. They are generally younger than other users of institutional care, attained higher educational levels, have higher incomes and have fewer disabilities. The prevalence of dementia is noticeably lower in this group. Domestic help, often in combination with personal care and nursing, is the most likely alternative for institutional care. Personal assistance may also prove to be an alternative, but could not be included in this research. However, there will always be a group of elderly that are more suitably and more efficiently cared for in an institutional setting. It is important that institutionalized care remains an option for this group.

Telecare, surveillance, and the welfare state.

In Europe, telecare is the use of remote monitoring technology to enable vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes. The technology includes electronic tags and sensors that transmit information about the user's location and patterns of behavior in the user's home to an external hub, where it can trigger an intervention in an emergency. Telecare users in the United Kingdom sometimes report their unease about being monitored by a "Big Brother," and the same kind of electronic tags that alert telecare hubs to the movements of someone with dementia who is "wandering" are worn by terrorist suspects who have been placed under house arrest. For these and other reasons, such as ordinary privacy concerns, telecare is sometimes regarded as an objectionable extension of a "surveillance state." In this article, we defend the use of telecare against the charge that it is Orwellian. In the United States, the conception of telecare primarily as telemedicine, and the fact that it is not typically a government responsibility, make a supposed connection with a surveillance state even more doubtful than in Europe. The main objection, we argue, to telecare is not its intrusiveness, but the danger of its deepening the isolation of those who use it. There are ways of organizing telecare so that the independence and privacy of users are enhanced, but personal isolation may be harder to address. As telecare is a means of reducing the cost of publicly provided social and health care, and the need to reduce public spending is growing, the correlative problem of isolation must be addressed alongside the goal of promoting independence.

The British welfare state and mental health problems: the continuing relevance of the work of Claus Offe.

It is now over thirty years since Claus Offe theorised the crisis tendencies of the welfare state in late capitalism. As part of that work he explored ongoing and irresolvable forms of crisis management in parliamentary democracies: capitalism cannot live with the welfare state but also cannot live without it. This article examines the continued relevance of this analysis by Offe, by applying its basic assumptions to the response of the British welfare state to mental health problems, at the turn of the twenty first century. His general theoretical abstractions are tested against the empirical picture of mental health service priorities, evident since the 1980s, in sections dealing with: re-commodification tendencies; the ambiguity of wage labour in the mental health workforce; the emergence of new social movements; and the limits of legalism.

Long-term care policy in Hong Kong: challenges and future directions.

In comparison to residential care services, home and community care services in Hong Kong remain underfunded and underdeveloped. The government's long-term care policies have resulted in an overreliance on subsidized long-term care services in the form of institutional care services. The quality of services offered by private residential care facilities is a cause for concern. Population aging, evolving family structures, and changes in residential living patterns are expected to continue to put a strain on resources for services for the elderly in the near future. This article provides an overview of the many issues surrounding long-term care in Hong Kong and offers potential directions for the future development of long-term care services.

Translating Fanon in the Italian context: rethinking the ethics of treatment in psychiatry.

Based on two years of ethnographic fieldwork at the Centro Frantz Fanon, an ethnopsychiatric clinic in Northern Italy, this article traces the theoretical and clinical genealogy of Italian ethnopsychiatry as it is conceived and practiced at this clinic. The clinic draws explicitly from the work of Fanon and French ethnopsychologist Tobie Nathan. This genealogy provides a basis for reflection on the ways in which current ethnopsychiatry re-articulates older questions about difference and healing, culture and suffering, and the political dimensions of psychiatry. Although ethnopsychiatry is currently focused on the care of migrants, key issues related to the impact of colonialism on mental illness and the recognition of cultural difference characterized the Italian debate long before the 1980s when increasing numbers of migrants and political refugees started to arrive in Italy.

Outcomes of Nordic mental health systems: life expectancy of patients with mental disorders.

BACKGROUND: People with mental disorders evince excess mortality due to natural and unnatural deaths. The relative life expectancy of people with mental disorders is a proxy measure of effectiveness of social policy and health service provision. AIMS: To evaluate trends in health outcomes of people with serious mental disorders. METHOD: We examined nationwide 5-year consecutive cohorts of people admitted to hospital for mental disorders in Denmark, Finland and Sweden in 1987-2006. In each country the risk population was identified from hospital discharge registers and mortality data were retrieved from cause-of-death registers. The main outcome measure was life expectancy at age 15 years. RESULTS: People admitted to hospital for a mental disorder had a two- to threefold higher mortality than the general population in all three countries studied. This gap in life expectancy was more pronounced for men than for women. The gap decreased between 1987 and 2006 in these countries, especially for women. The notable exception was Swedish men with mental disorders. In spite of the positive general trend, men with mental disorders still live 20 years less, and women 15 years less, than the general population. CONCLUSIONS: During the era of deinstitutionalisation the life expectancy gap for people with mental disorders has somewhat diminished in the three Nordic countries. Our results support further development of the Nordic welfare state model, i.e. tax-funded community-based public services and social protection. Health promotion actions, improved access to healthcare and prevention of suicides and violence are needed to further reduce the life expectancy gap.

Socio-demographic variations in moves to institutional care 1991-2001: a record linkage study from England and Wales.

BACKGROUND: Only a minority of older people in England and Wales live in institutional care, but among the older of the old, this minority is large. Disability is the major driver of admissions, but socio-demographic factors are also relevant. Understanding more about the influence of these is important for planning by long-term care. OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of socio-demographic factors, including housing tenure, household type, marital status, and number of children, on the proportions of elderly people who made a transition from living in the community in 1991 to living in institutional care in 2001. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Nationally representative record linkage study including 36,650 people aged 65 years and over, living in the community in England and Wales in 1991, who were still alive in 2001. Nineteen thousand women aged 75-89 years in 2001 were included in additional analyses of effects of parity (number of children borne). METHODS: Bi-variate and multivariate analyses of variations in sample proportions, who by 2001 were resident in institutional care. RESULTS: 4.3% of men and 9.3% of women in the surviving sample then aged 75 years and over, were in institutional care in 2001. Older age, living in rented accommodation, living alone in 1991 and being unmarried in 2001, as well as long-term illness, were associated with higher proportions making this transition. Women had higher risks than men. Childless women aged 64-79 years in 1991 had a 25% higher risk than women with children of being in institutional care in 2001. CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic factors continue to influence risks of entry to institutional care in England and Wales.