https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13649 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:04:19 GMT 2026-04-19T16:04:19Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14049 Title: Dignity in care homes for older people : a qualitative study Abstract: Dignity is a complex concept and according to research, dignity in care homes is a challenge. This study investigated the meaning of dignity for older people from their perspective as a resident in a care home. Therefore, the threats to residents’ dignity were explored, as well as, how resident dignity can be promoted in a long-term care setting. A qualitative research design employing a non-experimental, exploratory-descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted for this study. The study was carried out at St. Vincent de Paul Residence. Participants needed to have been residing at the facility for more than one year. An initial screening process was conducted using the standardised mini-mental state examination and the 15-item geriatric depression scale, as assessment tools. Fourteen cognitively and psychologically sound older adults from four different wards within the facility, between the ages of 68 to 91 years, were purposively selected using a maximum variation sampling technique. There were 9 women and 5 men of varied socio-economic backgrounds. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and all the participants were able to verbally communicate in Maltese. The data was collected during the month of March, 2016 and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. The findings revealed that the older people at SVPR are more vulnerable to a loss of dignity, partly because of their health conditions together with staff attitudes and assumptions about older people and their capabilities. The findings also exposed the inadequacy in supporting the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People and the 10 Dignity Do’s proposed by the National Dignity Council (2016). The core importance of this research study is to build awareness of dignity issues and to increase capacity among the care workforce within the healthcare system in dealing with these issues. Therefore, the study concludes that there is an urgent need to promote dignity-in-care and recommendations are being made to launch a dignity campaign across the board, in all local care homes. Educating staff on the meaning of dignity and what dignity means to older adults, and respect of the residents under the care of staff is deemed imperative. Description: M.GER. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14049 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14048 Title: Does grandparenting pay off? : the impact of child care on grandparents’ quality of life Abstract: This study explored how grandparent child care affected grandparents’ own health and quality of life. It also analysed the positive and negative aspects of grand parenting. A review of the literature ensued which showed that notwithstanding that grandparenthood is widely acknowledged as being of great and growing importance in contemporary societies, it has remained inadequately theorised. This is because the demographic, socioeconomic, family and social policy contexts that frame and shape grandparenthood have changed radically in recent decades, and continue to evolve. Grandparenthood is experienced by people in all cultures. Cultures differ in how much they encourage individuality and uniqueness versus conformity and interdependence. A review of the literature also yielded few published academic accounts of grandparent caregiving in Malta, in fact only three studies have been conducted regarding this subject. A qualitative research design employing the grounded theory approach was adopted. Twenty cognitively and psychologically healthy grandparents living in the community, between the ages of 60 to 90 years, were purposively selected using a maximum variation sampling technique. Participants needed to be grandparents who were taking care of their grandchildren for not less than five hours a week without either of their parents present. There were 14 grandmothers and 6 grandfathers of varied socio-economic backgrounds. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and all the participants were able to verbally communicate in Maltese or English. The data was collected during the month of March, 2016 and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Data was transcribed and analysed, and seven global themes emerged. These included “satisfaction”, “a more active lifestyle”, “adaptation”, “a second chance at child-rearing”, “instilling values”, “preferred caregivers”, and “negative aspects”. Findings revealed that even though caring for grandchildren is associated with some negative aspects, grandparents experience their caregiving as satisfying. The study concluded that the overall benefits and rewards for grandparents providing caregiving to their grandchildren, by far outweighs any liabilities. It is recommended that further studies need to be carried out to delve into the grandparenting scene in Malta. Additional research could focus on the quality of the grandchild-grandparent relationship, as well as the role confusion of the grandparents within the family. It is suggested that the grandparents’ role is supported through policy measures such as parents being able to transfer parental leave to grandparents, working grandparents being able to take leave if their grandchild is unwell, and grandparents being paid for the care they provide. Description: M.GER. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14048 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14047 Title: Depression, anxiety and quality of life of caregivers of individuals with dementia living in the community in Malta Abstract: Dementia is one of the most important social and public health challenges affecting the Maltese society. The syndrome is not only characterized by the patient’s loss of independence but also by its impact on the lives of caregivers, who in the majority are relatives of affected individuals. The situation frequently becomes stressful, exposing the caregiver to depression, anxiety and loss in the quality of life. Data of 60 informal caregivers of individuals with dementia (IWD) living in the community were collected using specific data-collection instruments to assess their quality of life, stress and burden levels as well the presence of anxiety and depression. The level of cognitive impairment and activities of daily living were based on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Barthel Index (BI) scores. Individuals with dementia had a mean age of 77.0±8.9 years, with 58.3% (n=35) being females. The majority of caregivers were females with a mean age of 63.8±10.8 years. Results indicated that more than half of the caregivers had moderate to severe anxiety and 25% had moderate to severe depression. Anxiety was mostly prevalent in daughters of IWD whereas female spouses were found to be more anxious than male spouses. Analysis of data showed that anxiety/depression and burden of care were negatively correlated with the younger age of the IWD and level of education, and positively correlated with time spent with the care-recipient. No significant correlations were found with the MMSE and the BI scores, demonstrating that anxiety and depression were present irrespective of the extent of cognitive and physical impairment. Emotional distress and burden experienced by caregivers showed a stronger association with caregivers’ quality of life than did the patient-related variables such as gender, MMSE and activities of daily living. The findings demonstrate that caregivers’ depression and anxiety differs among individuals, with the prevailing cause of stress being the ongoing burden that the caregivers’ perceive when caring for a relative with dementia. It is essential for the community professionals and care providers to be aware of the adversities experienced by both the caregiver and the care-recipient in order to support them and facilitate accessibility to services that aid in easing psychological distress. Description: M.GER. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14047 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14046 Title: Stair negotiation by community-dwelling older persons living in multi-storey buildings : a case study Abstract: With Malta having a growing elderly population, it is crucial to focus more research on what is limiting older persons within their home and community. There is ample international research on stair negotiation and ageing, but local research is scarce. The purpose of this study is to explore stair negotiation by community-dwelling older persons living in multi-storey buildings. A collective case study was carried out consisting of 10 participants living in different contextual situations, but all residing in the locality of Qormi, Malta. Qualitative data from each case was obtained for thematic analysis using semi-structured interviews, which were supported by standardised staircase evaluations carried out prior to the interviews at each participant‟s dwelling. Findings showed that stair negotiation can be quite challenging and risky for the participants because of a complex interaction between physical, psychosocial, behavioural, and structural factors. A limitation in one of these factors may generally trigger off other inadequacies in any of the other factors, leading to a decrease in stair negotiation ability. Furthermore, a decline in stair negotiation ability was associated with a decline in safety, consequently leading to an increased risk of stair falls in the majority of cases. However, it is apparent that participants tend to either deal with these problematic situations relatively well by adopting adaptive strategies, or view them as realities rather than problems. Ultimately, stair negotiation may be regarded as a complex, multifaceted task that is unique for each and every individual, considering that it is highly dependent on individual experiences, perceptions, preferences, and environments. The findings of this study should serve to shed light on this locally neglected issue in an effort to propose recommendations for future research and practice promoting functionality and safety during stair negotiation by older persons. Description: M.GER. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14046 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z