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Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

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<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong> & <strong>Midwifery</strong>, <strong>Trinity</strong> College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research <strong>Conference</strong><br />

Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007<br />

<strong>Conference</strong> <strong>Proceedings</strong><br />

Back to contents page<br />

Cognitive and social stimulation for older adults: impact on<br />

quality <strong>of</strong> life.<br />

Dr Paula Lane PhD, BNS (Hons), RM, RN.<br />

Email: plane@wit.ie<br />

Ms Laura Cantwell RGN, BSc (Hons), MSc Candidate.<br />

Email: lcantwell@wit.ie<br />

Tel: 086 3119266<br />

Ms Karen Bunyan MA, BSc (Hons), Dip. Health & Leisure Studies.<br />

Email: kbunyan@wit.ie<br />

Address for Correspondence:<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong>,<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Health Sciences,<br />

Waterford Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology,<br />

Cork Road,<br />

Waterford<br />

In Ireland, the number <strong>of</strong> people aged 65 years and over is<br />

projected to increase from 11.2% to almost 25% <strong>of</strong> the total<br />

population within the next 30 years. A substantial increase in life<br />

expectancy along with advancements in healthcare has placed<br />

greater emphasis on the well being <strong>of</strong> our older population. An<br />

important challenge is to ensure that the years added to life are<br />

healthy, active and productive. Thus, research endeavours must<br />

make a more concentrated effort to enhance independent living<br />

through health maintenance and health promotion initiatives.<br />

Although involvement in social activity has been clearly correlated<br />

with self-efficacy and independence in later years, there is a paucity<br />

<strong>of</strong> Irish research exploring this phenomenon.<br />

This research aims to explore the impact <strong>of</strong> cognitive and social<br />

stimulation on the quality <strong>of</strong> life among older people in extended<br />

care settings in Ireland.<br />

The research design is guided by a grounded theory approach. The<br />

sample consists <strong>of</strong> care staff and residents from two Care <strong>of</strong> Older<br />

Persons establishments in the South <strong>of</strong> Ireland. Employing a<br />

theoretical sampling strategy, data was collected by means <strong>of</strong> semistructured<br />

interviews and focus groups. Data analysis, using a<br />

manual thematic analysis method to identify emerging themes is<br />

ongoing.<br />

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