The effects of aging and mental health The WritePass Journal

The effects of aging and mental health 1. INTRODUCTION The effects of aging and mental health ), though this is not commonly discussed with the elderly and they are often not aware of the differences between the biological changes they should expect to experience and the onset of disease which may affect their mental health or capacity to be independent (Ennis and Bunting, 2013). Furthermore, we seek need to explain the differences between the expected biological changes that they may experience and when medical help should be sought so that this group become more aware of mental health problems (Callaghan, 2004). As if these remain undiagnosed and untreated, they may result in the development of other more serious conditions (Ferraro and Wilkinson, 2013). This is why this research is so important. Therefore, this study shall be undertaken to explore this phenomena. 5.1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS In line with the findings from the literature review above, provisionally, the following research questions have been developed. Do elderly patients understand which services are available to them and how these can be accessed? Are elderly patients are aware of how their mental health may change as they grow older? What recommendations can be made in regards to how elderly patients may gain an improved understanding of which services are available to them and how these can be accessed? 5.2. METHODOLOGY This study shall be based on the surveys, which will (Aveyard, 2009), to seek to ascertain how prevalent the issues, which have been outlined above are (Bowling, 2005). It is hoped that this will lead to a number of recommendations, which may be made to seek to resolve or to improve the information regarding the services, which are available to the elderly through the NHS in the UK. 5.3. RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY The research philosophy, which has been adopted for this study is positivism (Green and Thorogood, 2006). This means that the research will be based on objective factors, which are collated through observation (Blaxter, Hughes and Tight, 2001). This shall be undertaken by seeking to gauge the opinions of elderly patients through disseminating questionnaires to them to seek to understand how prevalent the issues associated with the mental health care of the elderly are in the UK. 5.4. RESEARCH APPROACH The research approach, which has chosen for this study is qualitative in nature. A qualitative study is a piece of primary research, which seeks to understand real world issues. Therefore the surveys, which shall be conducted, shall seek to ascertain how the elderly feel that they are informed of current services, which are available to them through the NHS in the UK.This will allow the researcher to explore the problem, which was outlined above and to see if any new recommendations should be made to help to ensure that elderly patients receive the correct information in regards to the services, which are available to them through the NHS. 5.5. RESEARCH STRATEGY The research strategy, which has been chosen for this study is surveys (Robson, 2002), which will be combined with an empirical methodology to seek to ensure that the findings from these are validated. 5.6. DATA COLLECTION Data collection shall be undertaken by disseminating a number of surveys to elderly patients, who attend their GP surgeries. These shall be used to collect information to investigate the research problem, which has been stated above. 5.7. DATA ANALYSIS All analyses shall be based the results of the surveys which are disseminated and statistical tools such as, SPSS.. 5.8. ACCESS Access to this these patients shall be agreed with the managers of GP surgeries prior to he undertaking of this study. 5.9. RELIABILITY, VALIDITY, AND GENERALISABILITY The findings from this study should be reliable and repeatable, as the methods shall be based on a survey work, which will be conducted in a number of doctor’s surgeries in the United Kingdom. Additionally the results from these shall be statistically analysed. This will ensure that the parameters of the study are met and that the results can be generalised to wider populaces. 5.10. ETHICAL ISSUES Issues such as, patient confidentiality and privacy have been considered, the aims of the research shall be communicated to respondents prior to their involvement in the research. Once they have agreed to take part, they will be given a statement, which details the nature of the study, how their responses and identities shall be kept confidential and how the results will be utilised by the researcher. Furthermore, the researcher shall provide their contact details on the questionnaire to ensure that if respondents have any concerns or queries regarding the study they can be answered. Each of these factors shall ensure that this research shall be conducted and undertaken in an ethical manner, so that individual’s confidentiality, personal information and opinions remain private. 5.11. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS As this research is based on survey research there may be a number of limitations, which need to be considered. These stem from a number of issues such as the fact that respondents may not fully complete their questionnaires, they may not wish to partake in the study, the number of responses to the surveys may be limited, it may be challenging to find doctors surgeries who are willing to let their patients take part in this research or the findings from the research may be limited due to responses given by respondents. However, if this is the case then the parameters of the study shall be re-examined to seek to ensure that these limitations are minimised where possible. 6 CONCLUSION In conclusion, this study shall be undertaken by conducting survey research in a number of doctor’s surgeries in the United Kingdom. The information which is collated from these surveys will be enable us to ascertain if the current methods which are utilised by the NHS to inform elderly patients of the information and services which are available to them In regards to their mental health meets their needs. This will also enable us to ascertain to what extent and how effectively the elderly are able to access information and services through the NHS. Once this information has been collated and analyzed where appropriate a number of recommendations may be made. 7 TIME CHART Tasks Task Lead Start End Literature Review Researcher 08/08/2013 29/08/2013 Write Up Results Researcher 29/08/2013 30/09/2013 Write Methodology Researcher 21/09/2013 21/10/2013 Collate Data Researcher 21/10/2013 21/01/2014 Write up results Researcher 21/01/2014 21/01/2014 Write discussion Researcher 21/01/2014 21/02/2014 Write conclusions Researcher 21/02/2014 30/02/2014 REFERENCES Age Concern (2007) Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life. Available @ nationalcareforum.org.uk/content/Inquiry%20report%20Promoting%20mental%20health%20and%20well-being%20in%20later%20life%20-%20Executive%20Summary%20and%20Recommendations.pdf (Accessed 08/08/2013) Aveyard, H. 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