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    Social indicators and geographic research : an exploratory study of spatial variations in the provision of community services and accommodation for elderly people in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in geography at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1974) Britton, Stephen Graham
    Social Research and Social Learning: The operation of the welfare state system in New Zealand has undoubtedly shaped the national character and influenced at least implicitly, national socio-economic values.1 "A Welfare State is a state in which organised power is deliberately used (through politics and administration) in an effort to modify the play of market forces in at least three directions - first by guaranteeing individuals and families a minimum income irrespective of the market value of their property : secondly by narrowing the extent of insecurity by enabling individuals to meet certain "social contingencies" (for example: sickness, old age and unemployment) which lead otherwise to individual and family crises: and thirdly, by ensuring that all citizens without distinction of status or class are offered the best standard available in relation to a certain agreed range of social services". (Briggs : In Jones 1973 : 65). While several writers have documented the tangible benefits this system has offered to the nation as a whole and various social groups in particular (Baker 1955, Condliffe 1959, Scott 1955 and Sutch 1971) the welfare state concept as practiced in New Zealand has never been geared to actually anticipate or cope with any socio-economic problem outside its limited frame of application. While the Welfare State system originated in the depression era and gained strength into the 1950's, social demands today are increasingly less concerned with what Dunn (1971 : 183) has termed "deficit motives". What is now more worthy of consideration is a system of social organisation and administration that meets the human development motives of an affluent and dynamic society - demands that are not usually considered in the realm of national and political decision making. The need for a shift in the socio-political responsibilities of government was officially recognised in New Zealand at the 1969 National Development Conference, (N. D. C.). The various N. D. C. bodies identified vague and general areas of social concern outside of those issues confronted by the Welfare State system as being worthy of inclusion in Government responsibility. The National Development Conference also revealed to New Zealand government administrators that virtually no action was possible to remedy undesirable states, even if government was prepared to respond, simply because so little was known about the social phenomena in question, and only inadequate information was available on the existing states of New Zealand society. Moreover, there were few documented guidelines to suggest the future trends in New Zealand society and, indeed, what direction New Zealanders might prefer their society to take. New Zealand decision-makers and researchers were lacking in the fundamental tools for planning current and future states and coping with dysfunctions in many social fields. Data deficiencies are further exacerbated by the absence of any background of social inquiry outside of the economic sphere of national and social planning.
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    A randomised control trial of a Quick response team for older people : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2000) Bapty, Linda Marianne
    A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Quick Response Team for Older People Who Have Experienced a Health Crisis This research investigated the impact of Quick Response Team (QRT) care on levels of independence in older people at three months, as measured by changes in living accommodation and home support packages. It was part of a large collaborative project, a randomised clinical controlled trial that tested efficacy, safety, and cost sayings of a crisis intervention programme for older people in Central Auckland. The QRT, an intensive short-term multidisciplinary scheme developed in Canada, was evaluated as being very effective in preventing hospital admissions and enabling early discharges. This study explored the effectiveness of QRT care within the context of health care in New Zealand. The study population included people over 55 years of age who lived at home and, mainly due to increased social needs, would normally be cared for in hospital. QRT nurses and geriatricians at Auckland Hospital identified and screened patients, in the Emergency Department for the Admission Prevention arm of the study, and on in-patient wards for the Early Discharge arm of the study. Data on age, gender, demographics, problems, and reasons for seeking hospital care were obtained from patient records and through personal and telephone interviews with patients, family, hospital staff, GPs, and community health providers. QRT nurses completed comprehensive assessments at study entry including details about: living accommodation and the use of formal supports, such as District Nursing, rehabilitation therapy, meal services, home help, day programmes, and respite care. Consenting patients (Ṉ = 285) were randomly assigned either to control groups receiving the usual in-patient hospital care or to experimental groups receiving QRT care. Visiting nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and social workers provided care and coordinated home supports for the QRT intervention groups, which included live-in home help if required. Medical supervision was provided by hospital geriatricians in a shared role with GPs. Interviews were completed again three months after study entry. Subjects in all groups after three months showed an increase in dependency as evidenced by changes in living accommodation and care support packages, however there were no significant differences in the changes between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, regarding levels of independence, care at home by the QRT was judged to be as effective as hospital care for older people experiencing a health crisis. The results obtained in this study need to be considered along with the results of the larger tial.
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    Becoming a resident : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Social Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1992) White, Joan Margaret
    In this thesis the meaning of relocation is examined for six elderly people in Northern Tasmania who voluntarily left their own homes and moved into two hostels for the frail aged. The research method of ethnography was used to guide the study. Periods of participant observation in the hostels and in-depth interviews with each of the six key participants, at approximately three monthly intervals over a nine month period following admission, were the main methods of data collection. Data was also obtained by interviewing other hostel residents, nursing staff associated with the relocation process, and significant others of the key participants. Data analysis occurred concurrently with data collection. Qualitative content analysis was used to inductively derive themes and sub-themes from the data. The themes and sub-themes were in turn validated with the key participants. Three major themes, "PREPARING FOR RELOCATION". "FITTING IN", and "LEADING THE LIFE I LIVED" emerged from the data. Preparing for relocation was a difficult time for the key participants. Decisions about where to relocate and what possessions to dispose of and what to keep had to be made. During this period, they were actively supported by professionals and significant others. Fitting into the hostel was a smooth process for five out of the six key participants. Some had been previously admitted on a short term basis and were familiar with staff and routine. Hostel staff were identified by the new residents as the most important group who helped in the adaptation phase. They facilitated residents self-care and encouraged them to pursue previous activities either within the hostel or in the community. Many features of the resident's new lifestyles were able to be integrated to provide continuity with their previous lifestyles as the key participants relocated in the same geographical area in which they had previously lived. Outside social contacts and recreations were maintained. One key participant exhibited features of poor adaptation to the hostel. She spent the day within the confines of her hostel room pursuing aspects of her previous lifestyle. The study demonstrated that for five out of six key participants the most stressful part of the relocation process occurred in the the preparation phase. Adaptation to the new environment and integrating aspects of old and new lifestyles were relatively smooth processes. Reasons for this smooth transition were concerned with the key participants making their own decisions regarding the choice of hostel and the timing of entry to the hostel. During these decision making processes, they were helped and supported by the professionals and significant others. Other reasons for the smooth transition period related to the key participants' knowledge of the hostel's physical surrounding, routine and staff. All key participants in one hostel had previously been admitted to the respite area adjoining the hostel. The key participants of this hostel also relocated from homes in the immediate neighbourhood thus they were able to easily maintain continuity with aspects of their previous lifestyles. The key participants in the other hostel did not have a choice of hostel accommodation. They belonged to a smaller rural community but were known by staff members and other residents prior to their admission. Staff members in the hostels also contributed to the smooth transition. They demonstrated positive attitudes towards the new residents adapting to the hostels and saw their roles as helping the elderly maintain their independence, thus providing an environment which helped the integration of old and new lifestyles.