Culture, caregiving and older people.
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Caregivers↗
Biomedical subjects
J Manthorpe
Publications and source records attributed to J Manthorpe.
The hazards of early recognition of dementia: a risk assessment.
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Dementia↗
The debate on ethnicity and dementia: from category fallacy to person-centred care?
The concept of ethnicity remains attractive and meaningful to service developers and professionals, although research suggests that this disguises other facets of identity and difference. An epidemiological perspective on the relationship between ethnicity and dementia supports the idea that ethnicity (defined as particular shared cultural characteristics) is not likely to influence unduly the emergence of dementia in individuals. Cultural factors may protect against dementia, impeding its recognition and influencing its course and these deserve further investigation. Ethnicity is a general concept that subsumes and conceals the impact of migration, education, health beliefs and socio-economic status on health, and therefore is problematic. Empirical research on dementia and ethnicity reveals that intra-ethnic group variation is greater than inter-ethnic group variation; supporting the view that ethnicity as a category may not have great explanatory power and may foster a category fallacy. However, the experiences of people with dementia and their carers show that the important issues for service providers to consider are language, religious belief and observance, cultural practices (including food and personal care practices) and social support and coping mechanisms. In this position paper we argue that these issues are applicable to all individuals with dementia, independent of apparent ethnicity, and that promotion of cultural competence in service provision should not be relegated to an ethnic minority agenda. The task for health and social care providers is therefore to recognise the diversity of users and to increase access to appropriate quality mainstream person-centred services, rather than to develop segregated or specialized services.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Student approaches: supporting students in A&E settings.
Nurses working in accident and emergency (A&E) departments near to Higher Education Institutions will be familiar with students attending as the result of sports injuries, and as the consequence of a range of accidents stemming from over-enthusiastic socializing. However, a number of students arrive at A&E departments in distress as the result of mental health problems. This article reports the findings of a small research project exploring mechanisms and support systems for assisting students with mental health needs. It briefly outlines the research and its findings and then considers three relevant issues for those working in A&E: student profiles, student support and the position of students who are considering or engaged in professional education. The article ends with a brief discussion of the position of students undertaking placements within A&E departments.
Anxiety↗
Managing risk in the city: the role of welfare professionals in managing risks arising from vulnerable individuals in cities.
Modern cities depend on individualism and the process of contracting. Contracts between individuals contribute to stability and order in cities. However, this is challenged by risks and uncertainties especially those relating to vulnerable individuals who are unable or unwilling to enter into contractual relations. This paper focuses on the role of caring professions and the impact of new strategies for managing risks related to vulnerable adults and children, especially the shift from managing risk in institutions to managing risk in the community. This paper is based on research funded through the ESRC Risk and Human Behaviour Programme.
Adult↗
Grandparents' guidance.
This article looks at the less well known casualties of some family breakdowns; grandparents who have lost contact with grandchildren on the divorce, death or separation of the parents or on the placing of their grandchildren in the care of the local authority. Although health visitors may feel their immediate concern is with the children and parents in such circumstances, their increasing work with older people will make it necessary that they appreciate the feelings of grandparents and are also able to offer practical advice.
Aged↗
Giddens and late modernity: analysing 20th century life.
The final paper of our series on principal figures in sociology examines the work of Anthony Giddens, a British sociologist who is still working. Major components of his analysis of late 20th century life are discussed.
Awareness↗
Goffman, the individual, institutions and stigmatisation.
In the fifth part of our series about sociology, the sociology of Erving Goffman is discussed, particularly in relation to his work on institutions. In contrast with earlier prominent sociological figures, Goffman's emphasis was on the individual rather than on grand-scale theories about social systems.
Canada↗
Durkheim, social integration and suicide rates.
This second paper of six on the application of sociology in health care considers the work of Emile Durkheim. He was concerned with the production of social order through relationships and shared values. Durkheim conceived social phenomena as 'social facts' which could be studied, and his treatment of suicide as a case study of social fact is discussed here. His work on the processes of social cohesion has influenced the work of sociologists up to the present day.
France↗
Weber, authority and the organisation of health care.
The third paper in the series on sociology discusses the work of Max Weber. It traces the origins and main themes of his work. The parallels between his work and contemporary issues in the organisation of health care are outlined, in particular, the insights provided into bureaucracy and authority.
Authoritarianism↗
Parsons, professions and the sociology of health care.
The fourth paper in the sociology series examines the work of the American Talcott Parsons. His work has particular relevance to the sociology of health and illness. The concept of the sick role as a means of understanding the effects of ill health, which he proposed, is critically examined here.
History, 20th Century↗
Social Marxism, class conflict and health care.
In the first of a six-part series the sociological theories of Karl Marx are examined and related to the purported neutrality of medicine. The role of nursing within a Marxist analysis of the world is considered, and the value of such analysis is described.
Communism↗
Risk: the sociological view of perception and management.
In this final article on sociology we focus on one issue which is central to health and health care--risk--and consider the contribution of sociology to an understanding of the ways in which risk is perceived and managed.
Cultural Characteristics↗