Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Supervisor

Connelly, Denise M.

Abstract

Older people generally prefer to ‘stay-put' in their own homes. Informed by the Seven Dimensions of Wellness, a component of the International Council on Active Ageing (ICAA) Model, measures of physical function (i.e. physical), fall risk (i.e. environmental), and psychosocial factors (i.e. emotional, spiritual and social) related to wellbeing were selected. It is assumed that they intersect to influence the health-seeking behaviour of older adults ageing-at-home. The primary objective of this cross-sectional design study was to investigate the relationship among dimensions of well-being, including physical function, fall risk, psychosocial factors, and awareness of community support services, with health-seeking behaviour in community-dwelling older adults. The secondary objective was to determine if there was a difference(s) in health-seeking behaviour between men and women or between age groups, i.e. less than 75 years old, and 75 years and older. A sample of 99 older adults living independently at home in the city of London, ON, aged ≥ 65 years, ambulatory (with/without gait aid) and without executive function impairment were recruited. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. No significant relationship was found between health-seeking behaviour and the five factors grounded in the Seven Dimensions of Wellness. Health-seeking behaviour had a significant positive relationship with the awareness of community support services. No difference in health-seeking behaviour was found between men and women or between age groups, i.e. less than 75 years old, and 75 years and older.

Summary for Lay Audience

The primary purpose of this study was to understand if health-seeking behaviour, or seeking out help because of health, in a group of older adults living at home was related to factors relevant to wellbeing (e.g., physical function, fall risk, and psychosocial factors such as emotion/resilience and spiritual/social well-being); and awareness of community support services. The secondary purpose was to determine if there was a difference(s) in health-seeking behaviour between men and women or between age groups, i.e. less than 75 years old, and 75 years and older. Informed by the Seven Dimensions of Wellness, a component of the International Council on Active Ageing (ICAA) Model, measures of physical function (i.e. physical), fall risk (i.e. environmental), and psychosocial factors (i.e. emotional, spiritual and social) related to wellbeing have been selected. A sample of 99 older adults was recruited who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Study participants were older adults living at home in the city of London, ON, aged ≥ 65 years, ambulatory (with or without gait aid), and did not report memory impairment. Health-seeking behaviour was assessed using the 13 Healthcare-Seeking Items scale (Sarkisian, 2002). Factors assumed to be related to health-seeking behaviour were measured as follows: The Late-Life Function Instrument (i.e., physical function); Fall Efficacy Scale-International (i.e., awareness of fall risk); Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (i.e., resilience); The Duke Social Support Index (i.e. social well-being), Spiritual Well-being Scale (i.e. spiritual well-being) and a self-generated list naming local community support services for older adults (i.e., awareness of community support services). Scores from the outcome measures were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis to determine any relationship(s). No significant relationship was found between health-seeking behaviour and the five factors grounded in the Seven Dimensions of Wellness. Health-seeking behaviour had a significant positive relationship with the awareness of community support services. No difference in health-seeking behaviour was found between men and women or between age groups, i.e. less than 75 years old, and 75 years and older.

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