https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/34852 2026-04-17T03:21:45Z 2026-04-17T03:21:45Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/127459 2024-10-11T09:38:52Z 1991-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of the community social worker when encountering old age dementia Abstract: In societies existing in various parts of the world, one meets many elderly people who suffer from Old Age Dementia. Apart from its demographic and sociological aspects, old age can be considered as a biological phenomenon since the elderly person's organism displays certain characteristics. From this point of view, one can say that ageing is a process of loss of energy. Old age is to be considered a blessing when life is enjoyed to the full - here one must refer to the eight stages of psychosocial development spanning from the first year of life to the ageing years, as illustrated by Erikson (see table 1). Erikson explains each stage individually, indicating its psychosocial crises, its significant social relationship as well as its favourable outcome. If this favourable outcome is not experienced, old age is dreaded, with the consequence that the elderly person concerned tends to feel rejected by society. In view of the impact of such a situation in so far as elderly people are concerned, I felt inspired to write this dissertation, enlightening me to hopefully strike a balance and keep the elderly as active, as happy and for as long as possible within their community. With old age, the days of enjoying the routine of active work and duty are past, so that one has enough time to pause for reflection and evaluation of one's life. It has been shown that ageing is a period of decline, where losses of all kinds are suffered. This is particularly true in the case of dementia, as this is a disease where the cells of the brain die more rapidly than in normal ageing. It therefore produces loss of memory, confusion, odd behaviour and personality changes. In view or the fact that the causes are not yet sufficiently understood, there is no cure, and therefore little treatment can be offered. Since the same symptoms may result in other disorders, which may be curable, it becomes important to make a correct diagnosis. […] Description: P.G.DIP.GER.

1991-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/127420 2024-10-09T06:17:12Z 1995-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A critical analysis of the demand for residential care : the case of the elderly in Malta Abstract: Ageing is a gradual, often imperceptible process that takes place in all living creatures. Cells, organs and living organisms change in structure and function over time. This process extends over a life span so that creatures, including human beings, continue to age, grow and develop. However, ageing is not merely a biological process for it simultaneously induces behaviour, cognition and personality adjustments that ultimately ask for modification in social roles, personal interaction and status. Such biological, psychological and social changes are influenced by a range of factors that may vary from heredity to climate and social attitudes. Therefore, chronological ageing will not necessarily coincide with the rate of social, physical or psychological ageing. As a result, although each person is constantly changing the individual variability for the types of ageing may differ widely. All this goes to show that the elderly are definitely not a homogeneous group. However, despite this heterogeneity there is still a universal factor, namely, that the longer a person lives the more frail he is likely to become and the greater the support he would require to retain his human dignity. Longevity of life should therefore ideally be complemented by quality of life. The need for the development of support systems for elderly people arises out of a combination of two phenomena, namely, an increasing share of elderly in the population and changing family structures. These demographic and social changes are emerging in Malta and throughout the world. In 1950 the world population falling within the 60+ age group stood at 201 million or 8% of the total world population at the time. By the year 2025 this cohort is anticipated to grow by a factor of six (600%) so as to reach 1.20 billion or 14.2% of the estimated world population for that year. The highest growth is forecast for the 80 year old and over sector of the population which is expected to rise by a factor of ten (1000%) so that the 13 million figure registered for 1950 is expected to rise to 137 million by the year 2025. At the same time, changing family structures characterised by low fertility as well as a change in the overall household composition 3 should be expected to render more difficult the provision of family support for the elderly in the future. U. N. projections, 1988, forecast a constant decline in the world total fertility rate so that the 4.9 fertility rate per woman registered for the period 1950-1955 is expected to drop sharply to 2.4 by the year 2025 (Table 1 ). […] Description: M.GER.

1995-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123019 2024-05-31T08:02:11Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Factors influencing the admission of elderly to residential care Abstract: It is common knowledge that Malta has an ageing population. Elderly people are not only living longer but are also living healthier lives. Thus, even though they may require help at a later age, they may require help for longer. Traditionally in Malta, elderly have looked for support from their relatives, mostly from the eldest daughter. This has now changed as a result of several changes in today’s world such as an increase in working women and changes in family structure. As a result, elderly are forced to seek support from other entities, such as the government. The level of support needed by the elderly vary according to individual needs, thus a continuum of care should be available to meet these needs. Though several services are available in Malta provided by several entities (private, church and government), in this study only government services are implied. Primary care or community care can help facilitate elderly people to continue living in their own home or assist caregivers to provide care for elderly persons and thus reduce admission to residential care. Services which are currently available and are provided by the government at a subsided rate are Home Help, Meals-on-Wheels, Handyman Services, Incontinence Services, Day Care Centres, MMDNA and Telecare. When the primary care services provided are unable to satisfy to the increasing needs of older persons and their carers, institutional care is available. In Malta, the institutions available for the long tenn care of elderly are residential and nursing homes. These provide older persons with different levels of care and an accommodation which is different to the physical and social environment of a person's personal home. The government has several nursing homes around Malta which are located in Bormla, Floriana, Gzira, Mellieha, Mosta, Mtarfa and Zejtun. The government also provides residential care at St. Vincent de Paule Residence in Luqa which provides care similar to that found in a hospital since it is aimed to care for the more dependent older adult. Despite the Community services provided, the number of elderly applying to enter into residential care is on the increase. This poses a problem, firstly financially, since it increases the financial burden to sustain an increasing number of people. Secondly, none of the homes can continue to care for more persons, thus other premises are needed. There are several theories which attempt to explain the reason of the phenomenon of the increase in elderly applying for residential care, and many factors have been identified to influence this. The aim of this research study is to determine which of these factors mostly influence the Maltese older person to apply for residential care and subsequently compare findings to other studies on the subject. The results of this research study could indicate the reason for the increasing needs of elderly people living at home, which is the stepping stone to providing services to cater for these needs. This can help to reduce admission to residential care especially when this can be avoided. Description: P.G.DIP.GER.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/99089 2022-07-11T10:31:55Z 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Demography, disease, independence and polypharmacy of elderly social cases at SLH (DDIPS) Abstract: Social cases in Malta are becoming a growing concern due to the large amount of bed space they occupy at the only main hospital in Malta. No studies whatsoever have ever been done in Malta regarding this population. A quantitative cross sectional study of all social cases at the main hospital was designed. The aims included: • Having basic statistics that could be compared with other studies done in other countries and which could be used as a reference for future studies. • The level of independence by using the Barthel index and an assessment of cognitive level by using the Abbreviated Mental Test. • To assess polypharmacy in this population and to view the prevalence of diseases. The results found that basic vital statistics are similar to other studies. The mean age was 80, 58.4% of social cases were female and most patients were found in medical wards. 66. 7 % were found to be highly dependent in AD Ls but surprisingly 10% were totally independent. 64% scored poorly on the AMT. When compared together it was found that 11. 7% of SC had a high level of independence in ADLs and scored well on the AMT. On the other hand 48% scored poorly on the AMT and were very dependent. Polypharmacy was found to be highly prevalent but the prevalence was still less than in other studies. Hypertension and vascular diseases were most prevalent and CVA gives the greatest risk of being a SC. Dementia as a disease was also found to be under diagnosed. Recommendations include the use of screening tests on admission to assess the dependence in ADLs and to find any cognitive impairment (these may pinpoint a potential SC), the better use of community services for independent SC, increase rehabilitation especially for SC with CV A and finally to expedite the transfer of highly dependent SC to long term facilities such as nursing homes. Description: DIP.GER.

2005-01-01T00:00:00Z