Sarah Barnes - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Sarah Barnes

Research paper thumbnail of Predicting mortality among a community-based sample of older people with heart failure

Objective: To identify factors available to general practitioners (GPs) that are predictive of mo... more Objective: To identify factors available to general practitioners (GPs) that are predictive of mortality within a general practice-based population of heart failure patients, and to report the sensitivity and specificity of prognostic information from GPs. Methods: Five hundred and forty-two heart failure patients aged >60 years were recruited from 16 UK GP surgeries. Patients completed quality-of-life and services use questionnaires every 3 months for 24 months or until death. Factors with independent significant association with survival were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: Women had a 58% lower risk of death. Patients self-reporting New York Heart Association Classification III or IV had an 81% higher risk of death. Patients aged 85+ years had over a five-fold risk of death as compared with those aged <65 years. Patients with a co-morbidity of cancer had a 78% higher risk of death. Of the 14 patients who died in a 12-month period, the GPs identified 11 (sensitivity 79%). They identified 133 of the 217 who did not die (specificity 61%). Discussion: Predictors readily available to GPs, such as patient characteristics, are easy to adapt to use in general practice, where most heart failure patients are diagnosed and treated. Identifying factors likely to influence death is useful in primary care, as this can initiate discussion about end-of-life care.

Research paper thumbnail of Preparation for dying and views about the ‘good death’ in heart failure: a qualitative study with older patients and bereaved carers

Research paper thumbnail of Discussing prognosis in advanced COPD : findings from a qualitative study with medical and nursing staff in the UK

Research paper thumbnail of Death and the bereavement period : family carer' views of end of life care for older people with heart failure living in the community : summary of methods and findings

Research paper thumbnail of Recruiting older people into a large, community-based study of heart failure

Chronic Illness, 2005

This paper highlights some of the challenges encountered when recruiting older people with heart ... more This paper highlights some of the challenges encountered when recruiting older people with heart failure into longitudinal, community-based research. It draws on the experience gained in a study to provide insights into the palliative care needs of older people with heart failure and the timing and need for service interventions. Five hundred and forty-two people with heart failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) stages II—IV) and 213 of their informal carers were recruited from primary care practices in four areas of the UK. Ethical issues arising around gate-keeping, terminology and participant burden are discussed along with challenges faced during the recruitment process. Strategies to increase general practitioner and patient recruitment are provided. The paper concludes that prospective longitudinal studies are of particular relevance to chronic illness, and the complexity of setting up such research must be acknowledged and appropriately resourced.

Research paper thumbnail of Predicting mortality among a general practice-based sample of older people with heart failure

Chronic Illness, 2008

Objective: To identify factors available to general practitioners (GPs) that are predictive of mo... more Objective: To identify factors available to general practitioners (GPs) that are predictive of mortality within a general practice-based population of heart failure patients, and to report the sensitivity and specificity of prognostic information from GPs. Methods: Five hundred and forty-two heart failure patients aged >60 years were recruited from 16 UK GP surgeries. Patients completed quality-of-life and services use questionnaires every 3 months for 24 months or until death. Factors with independent significant association with survival were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: Women had a 58% lower risk of death. Patients self-reporting New York Heart Association Classification III or IV had an 81% higher risk of death. Patients aged 85+ years had over a five-fold risk of death as compared with those aged <65 years. Patients with a co-morbidity of cancer had a 78% higher risk of death. Of the 14 patients who died in a 12-month period, the...

Research paper thumbnail of Dying, death and bereavement: a qualitative study of the views of carers of people with heart failure in the UK

BMC Palliative Care, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Predictors of the quality of life of older people with heart failure recruited from primary care

Age and Ageing, 2006

Background: current understanding of quality of life in heart failure is largely derived from cli... more Background: current understanding of quality of life in heart failure is largely derived from clinical trials. Older people, women and those with co-morbidities are underrepresented in these. Little is known about factors predictive of quality of life amongst older people with heart failure recruited from community settings. Objective: to identify factors predictive of quality of life amongst older people recruited from community settings. Design: prospective questionnaire survey. Setting: general practice surgeries located in four areas of the UK: Bradford, Barnsley, East Devon and West Hampshire. Subjects: a total of 542 people aged >60 years with heart failure. Methods: participants completed a postal questionnaire, which included a disease-specific measure (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire), a generic quality-of-life measure (SF-36) and sociodemographic information. Results: a multiple linear regression analysis identified the following factors as predictive of decreased quality of life: being female, being in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV, showing evidence of depression, being in socioeconomic groups III-V and experiencing two or more co-morbidities. Older age was associated with decreased quality of life, as measured by a generic health-related quality-of-life tool (the SF-36 mental and physical health functioning scales) but not by a disease-specific tool (the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire). Conclusion: findings from the study suggest that quality of life for older people with heart failure can be described as challenging and difficult, particularly for women, those in a high NYHA class, patients showing evidence of depression, patients in socioeconomic groups III-V, those experiencing two or more co-morbidities and the 'oldest old'. Such information can help clinicians working with older people identify those at risk of reduced quality of life and target interventions appropriately.

Research paper thumbnail of Characteristics and views of family carers in older people with heart failure

Aims: To explore the characteristics and views of the family carers of older people with heart fa... more Aims: To explore the characteristics and views of the family carers of older people with heart failure. Method: 213 family carers of heart failure patients >60 years were recruited from UK general practitioner (GP) practices. Carer strain, quality of life (QOL) and service satisfaction questionnaires were completed every 3 months for 2 years, as well as 16 interviews with patients and carers, and 9 focus groups with health care professionals. Results: 76% of carers were female, 70% were >60 years and 73% were spousal carers. Predictors of carer strain were symptoms of depression, age and patient NYHA. Predictors of lower QOL were: spousal carer; 2+ health conditions and symptoms of depression. Qualitative findings related to the change in circumstances, impact of responsibilities and health conditions of the family carers. Conclusion: Carers were mainly older women, often experiencing multiple health conditions. Addressing the practical and emotional support required presents a challenge for specialist palliative care in responding to calls for increased involvement in heart failure. A shared care model with liaison between specialist heart failure nurses, cardiologists, primary care teams and hospice services is advocated

Research paper thumbnail of A pilot study to explore the palliative care needs of older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Research paper thumbnail of The design of caring environments and the quality of life of older people

Ageing and Society, 2002

... Evaluating health care work settings: a holistic conceptual framework. ... findings from the ... more ... Evaluating health care work settings: a holistic conceptual framework. ... findings from the National Institute on Aging Collaborative Studies of Dementia Special Care ... The World Health OrganisationQuality of Life Assessment (WHOQoL): development and general psychometric ...

Research paper thumbnail of Reconciling informed consent and “do no harm”:ethical challenges in palliative care research and practice in COPD

The challenges associated with patient-based research in palliative care are well documented. Thi... more The challenges associated with patient-based research in palliative care are well documented. This paper focuses on the ethical challenges and discusses them in the context of a pilot study to explore the palliative-care needs of patients with moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The main ethical challenge encountered related to problems surrounding the use of terminology, specifically the terms &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;palliative care&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;chronic obstructive pulmonary disease&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;. The approving ethics committee specified that these terms be removed from all patient materials in order to protect patients from undue distress. The impact of this ethical advice on patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; ability to give fully informed consent is discussed. This paper highlights a requirement for appropriately resourced and well-managed studies in palliative care, and identifies a need for the development of appropriate strategies in order to ensure the informed participation of patients with non-cancer diagnoses in palliative-care research.

Research paper thumbnail of The Influence of Building Design on the Quality of Life of Older People

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00038628 2004 9697043, Oct 10, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Patient views of social service provision for older people with advanced heart failure: Social services provision for older people with heart failure

Health Social Care in the Community, Jul 1, 2007

The objective of the present paper is to explore levels of social service provision, the barriers... more The objective of the present paper is to explore levels of social service provision, the barriers to receiving these services and the experiences of social service provision amongst older people with heart failure. Five hundred and forty-two people aged over 60 years with heart failure were recruited from UK general practices in four areas of the UK, and these subjects completed quality-of-life and service-use questionnaires every 3 months for 24 months, or until death. Forty patients participated in in-depth interviews. Data collection was conducted between September 2003 and March 2006. Only 24% (n = 127) of the 460 participants who had provided information about social services contact reported having received social services during the past 24 months. Significant associations between the level of social services contact and participant characteristics were identified, with women, participants over 75 years of age, participants living alone, and those with two or more comorbidities being more likely to report receipt of social services. The qualitative data identified key barriers to using social services, including: access problems; not wanting additional help; the negative experiences of friends; and carers substituting for statutory services. The few participants interviewed who had received social services reported mixed experiences, including problems with inappropriate and insufficient services. This study indicates that only a minority of older people with heart failure have contact with social services. Improving provision for this group involves tackling the barriers to access identified above, as well as ensuring that their views influence service planning and delivery.

Research paper thumbnail of Practical strategies for conducting a multi-centre, longitudinal survey of palliative care needs in heart failure

Research paper thumbnail of A study to explore the characteristics, quality of life and concerns of informal carers of older people with heart failure

Research paper thumbnail of Methods for Assessing Quality of Life and Well-Being in Frail Older People

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 0887044021000054755, Oct 27, 2010

The appropriateness, reliability and convergence of differing methods and associated instruments ... more The appropriateness, reliability and convergence of differing methods and associated instruments for the assessment of quality of life and well-being in frail older people was examined in 60 (! 65 years of age) nursing home residents. The feasibility of measuring quality of life and well-being via a variety of instruments was explored through observation (an adaptation of Dementia Care Mapping), structured interview (Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life -Direct Weighting), and proxy questionnaire (Pleasant Events Schedule -Alzheimer Disease; Apparent Emotion Rating Scale). The observational assessment and Pleasant Events Schedule demonstrated good reliability. Significant associations were found between well-being as assessed by observation, and active social interaction and engagement in recreation as assessed by observation, quality of life as assessed by structured interview, and enjoyment of activities as assessed by proxy questionnaire. These findings indicate the importance of social activity in later life, and the potential of different approaches for the appropriate assessment of key aspects of quality of life in frail older people.

Research paper thumbnail of Recruiting older people with heart failure into a study exploring palliative care needs

Research paper thumbnail of Space, Choice and Control, and Quality of Life in Care Settings for Older People

Environment and Behavior, 2006

SARAH BARNES, a psychology graduate, received her PhD from the University of Sheffield, School of... more SARAH BARNES, a psychology graduate, received her PhD from the University of Sheffield, School of Architecture, in January 2004. She is currently working as a re-search associate in Sheffield Institute for Studies on Ageing, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Her ...

Research paper thumbnail of The appraisal of architectural settings for people with dementia

Research paper thumbnail of Predicting mortality among a community-based sample of older people with heart failure

Objective: To identify factors available to general practitioners (GPs) that are predictive of mo... more Objective: To identify factors available to general practitioners (GPs) that are predictive of mortality within a general practice-based population of heart failure patients, and to report the sensitivity and specificity of prognostic information from GPs. Methods: Five hundred and forty-two heart failure patients aged >60 years were recruited from 16 UK GP surgeries. Patients completed quality-of-life and services use questionnaires every 3 months for 24 months or until death. Factors with independent significant association with survival were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: Women had a 58% lower risk of death. Patients self-reporting New York Heart Association Classification III or IV had an 81% higher risk of death. Patients aged 85+ years had over a five-fold risk of death as compared with those aged <65 years. Patients with a co-morbidity of cancer had a 78% higher risk of death. Of the 14 patients who died in a 12-month period, the GPs identified 11 (sensitivity 79%). They identified 133 of the 217 who did not die (specificity 61%). Discussion: Predictors readily available to GPs, such as patient characteristics, are easy to adapt to use in general practice, where most heart failure patients are diagnosed and treated. Identifying factors likely to influence death is useful in primary care, as this can initiate discussion about end-of-life care.

Research paper thumbnail of Preparation for dying and views about the ‘good death’ in heart failure: a qualitative study with older patients and bereaved carers

Research paper thumbnail of Discussing prognosis in advanced COPD : findings from a qualitative study with medical and nursing staff in the UK

Research paper thumbnail of Death and the bereavement period : family carer' views of end of life care for older people with heart failure living in the community : summary of methods and findings

Research paper thumbnail of Recruiting older people into a large, community-based study of heart failure

Chronic Illness, 2005

This paper highlights some of the challenges encountered when recruiting older people with heart ... more This paper highlights some of the challenges encountered when recruiting older people with heart failure into longitudinal, community-based research. It draws on the experience gained in a study to provide insights into the palliative care needs of older people with heart failure and the timing and need for service interventions. Five hundred and forty-two people with heart failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) stages II—IV) and 213 of their informal carers were recruited from primary care practices in four areas of the UK. Ethical issues arising around gate-keeping, terminology and participant burden are discussed along with challenges faced during the recruitment process. Strategies to increase general practitioner and patient recruitment are provided. The paper concludes that prospective longitudinal studies are of particular relevance to chronic illness, and the complexity of setting up such research must be acknowledged and appropriately resourced.

Research paper thumbnail of Predicting mortality among a general practice-based sample of older people with heart failure

Chronic Illness, 2008

Objective: To identify factors available to general practitioners (GPs) that are predictive of mo... more Objective: To identify factors available to general practitioners (GPs) that are predictive of mortality within a general practice-based population of heart failure patients, and to report the sensitivity and specificity of prognostic information from GPs. Methods: Five hundred and forty-two heart failure patients aged >60 years were recruited from 16 UK GP surgeries. Patients completed quality-of-life and services use questionnaires every 3 months for 24 months or until death. Factors with independent significant association with survival were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: Women had a 58% lower risk of death. Patients self-reporting New York Heart Association Classification III or IV had an 81% higher risk of death. Patients aged 85+ years had over a five-fold risk of death as compared with those aged <65 years. Patients with a co-morbidity of cancer had a 78% higher risk of death. Of the 14 patients who died in a 12-month period, the...

Research paper thumbnail of Dying, death and bereavement: a qualitative study of the views of carers of people with heart failure in the UK

BMC Palliative Care, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Predictors of the quality of life of older people with heart failure recruited from primary care

Age and Ageing, 2006

Background: current understanding of quality of life in heart failure is largely derived from cli... more Background: current understanding of quality of life in heart failure is largely derived from clinical trials. Older people, women and those with co-morbidities are underrepresented in these. Little is known about factors predictive of quality of life amongst older people with heart failure recruited from community settings. Objective: to identify factors predictive of quality of life amongst older people recruited from community settings. Design: prospective questionnaire survey. Setting: general practice surgeries located in four areas of the UK: Bradford, Barnsley, East Devon and West Hampshire. Subjects: a total of 542 people aged >60 years with heart failure. Methods: participants completed a postal questionnaire, which included a disease-specific measure (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire), a generic quality-of-life measure (SF-36) and sociodemographic information. Results: a multiple linear regression analysis identified the following factors as predictive of decreased quality of life: being female, being in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV, showing evidence of depression, being in socioeconomic groups III-V and experiencing two or more co-morbidities. Older age was associated with decreased quality of life, as measured by a generic health-related quality-of-life tool (the SF-36 mental and physical health functioning scales) but not by a disease-specific tool (the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire). Conclusion: findings from the study suggest that quality of life for older people with heart failure can be described as challenging and difficult, particularly for women, those in a high NYHA class, patients showing evidence of depression, patients in socioeconomic groups III-V, those experiencing two or more co-morbidities and the 'oldest old'. Such information can help clinicians working with older people identify those at risk of reduced quality of life and target interventions appropriately.

Research paper thumbnail of Characteristics and views of family carers in older people with heart failure

Aims: To explore the characteristics and views of the family carers of older people with heart fa... more Aims: To explore the characteristics and views of the family carers of older people with heart failure. Method: 213 family carers of heart failure patients >60 years were recruited from UK general practitioner (GP) practices. Carer strain, quality of life (QOL) and service satisfaction questionnaires were completed every 3 months for 2 years, as well as 16 interviews with patients and carers, and 9 focus groups with health care professionals. Results: 76% of carers were female, 70% were >60 years and 73% were spousal carers. Predictors of carer strain were symptoms of depression, age and patient NYHA. Predictors of lower QOL were: spousal carer; 2+ health conditions and symptoms of depression. Qualitative findings related to the change in circumstances, impact of responsibilities and health conditions of the family carers. Conclusion: Carers were mainly older women, often experiencing multiple health conditions. Addressing the practical and emotional support required presents a challenge for specialist palliative care in responding to calls for increased involvement in heart failure. A shared care model with liaison between specialist heart failure nurses, cardiologists, primary care teams and hospice services is advocated

Research paper thumbnail of A pilot study to explore the palliative care needs of older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Research paper thumbnail of The design of caring environments and the quality of life of older people

Ageing and Society, 2002

... Evaluating health care work settings: a holistic conceptual framework. ... findings from the ... more ... Evaluating health care work settings: a holistic conceptual framework. ... findings from the National Institute on Aging Collaborative Studies of Dementia Special Care ... The World Health OrganisationQuality of Life Assessment (WHOQoL): development and general psychometric ...

Research paper thumbnail of Reconciling informed consent and “do no harm”:ethical challenges in palliative care research and practice in COPD

The challenges associated with patient-based research in palliative care are well documented. Thi... more The challenges associated with patient-based research in palliative care are well documented. This paper focuses on the ethical challenges and discusses them in the context of a pilot study to explore the palliative-care needs of patients with moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The main ethical challenge encountered related to problems surrounding the use of terminology, specifically the terms &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;palliative care&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;chronic obstructive pulmonary disease&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;. The approving ethics committee specified that these terms be removed from all patient materials in order to protect patients from undue distress. The impact of this ethical advice on patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; ability to give fully informed consent is discussed. This paper highlights a requirement for appropriately resourced and well-managed studies in palliative care, and identifies a need for the development of appropriate strategies in order to ensure the informed participation of patients with non-cancer diagnoses in palliative-care research.

Research paper thumbnail of The Influence of Building Design on the Quality of Life of Older People

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00038628 2004 9697043, Oct 10, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Patient views of social service provision for older people with advanced heart failure: Social services provision for older people with heart failure

Health Social Care in the Community, Jul 1, 2007

The objective of the present paper is to explore levels of social service provision, the barriers... more The objective of the present paper is to explore levels of social service provision, the barriers to receiving these services and the experiences of social service provision amongst older people with heart failure. Five hundred and forty-two people aged over 60 years with heart failure were recruited from UK general practices in four areas of the UK, and these subjects completed quality-of-life and service-use questionnaires every 3 months for 24 months, or until death. Forty patients participated in in-depth interviews. Data collection was conducted between September 2003 and March 2006. Only 24% (n = 127) of the 460 participants who had provided information about social services contact reported having received social services during the past 24 months. Significant associations between the level of social services contact and participant characteristics were identified, with women, participants over 75 years of age, participants living alone, and those with two or more comorbidities being more likely to report receipt of social services. The qualitative data identified key barriers to using social services, including: access problems; not wanting additional help; the negative experiences of friends; and carers substituting for statutory services. The few participants interviewed who had received social services reported mixed experiences, including problems with inappropriate and insufficient services. This study indicates that only a minority of older people with heart failure have contact with social services. Improving provision for this group involves tackling the barriers to access identified above, as well as ensuring that their views influence service planning and delivery.

Research paper thumbnail of Practical strategies for conducting a multi-centre, longitudinal survey of palliative care needs in heart failure

Research paper thumbnail of A study to explore the characteristics, quality of life and concerns of informal carers of older people with heart failure

Research paper thumbnail of Methods for Assessing Quality of Life and Well-Being in Frail Older People

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 0887044021000054755, Oct 27, 2010

The appropriateness, reliability and convergence of differing methods and associated instruments ... more The appropriateness, reliability and convergence of differing methods and associated instruments for the assessment of quality of life and well-being in frail older people was examined in 60 (! 65 years of age) nursing home residents. The feasibility of measuring quality of life and well-being via a variety of instruments was explored through observation (an adaptation of Dementia Care Mapping), structured interview (Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life -Direct Weighting), and proxy questionnaire (Pleasant Events Schedule -Alzheimer Disease; Apparent Emotion Rating Scale). The observational assessment and Pleasant Events Schedule demonstrated good reliability. Significant associations were found between well-being as assessed by observation, and active social interaction and engagement in recreation as assessed by observation, quality of life as assessed by structured interview, and enjoyment of activities as assessed by proxy questionnaire. These findings indicate the importance of social activity in later life, and the potential of different approaches for the appropriate assessment of key aspects of quality of life in frail older people.

Research paper thumbnail of Recruiting older people with heart failure into a study exploring palliative care needs

Research paper thumbnail of Space, Choice and Control, and Quality of Life in Care Settings for Older People

Environment and Behavior, 2006

SARAH BARNES, a psychology graduate, received her PhD from the University of Sheffield, School of... more SARAH BARNES, a psychology graduate, received her PhD from the University of Sheffield, School of Architecture, in January 2004. She is currently working as a re-search associate in Sheffield Institute for Studies on Ageing, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Her ...

Research paper thumbnail of The appraisal of architectural settings for people with dementia