The Role and Future Development of Meals on Wheels Services

The Role and Future Development of Meals on Wheels Services Click to download PDF 2.2mb

Exposure to tobacco smoke before and after a partial smoking ban in prison: indoors air quality measures

Although exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is reportedly high in prison, few studies have measured this in the prison environment, and none have done so in Europe. We measured two indicators of SHS exposure (particulate matter PM10 and nicotine) in fixed locations before (2009) and after (2010) introduction of a partial smoking ban in a Swiss prison. Access to smoking cessation support was available to detainees throughout the study. Objectives To measure SHS before and after the introduction of a partial smoking ban. Methods Assessment of particulate matter PM10 (suspended microparticles of 10 μm) and nicotine in ambient air, collected by real-time aerosol monitor and nicotine monitoring devices. Results The authors observed a significant improvement of nicotine concentrations in the air after the introduction of the smoking ban (before: 7.0 μg/m(3), after: 2.1 μg/m(3), difference 4.9 μg/m(3), 95% CI for difference: 0.52 to 9.8, p=0.03) but not in particulate matter PM10 (before: 0.11 mg/m(3), after: 0.06 mg/m(3), difference 0.06 mg/m(3), 95% CI for difference of means: -0.07 to 0.19, p=0.30). Conclusions The partial smoking ban was followed by a decrease in nicotine concentrations in ambient air. These improvements can be attributed to the introduction of the smoking ban since no other policy change occurred during this period. Although this shows that concentrations of SHS decreased significantly, protection was still incomplete and further action is necessary to improve indoor air quality.

Weaning made easy: moving from milk to family meals

This booklet provides advice about the stages involved in helping babies make the move from milk only to joining in family meals.

Gendered religion in Prison? Comparing imprisoned men and women's expressed religiosity in Switzerland

Because of its secluded character the prison world is the object of distorted perceptions and a vivid imagery, which applies as well and probably, even to a very high degree to both gender and religion. Based on empirical data collected in two Swiss prisons, this article concentrates on two main topics: firstly, the authors describe the ways in which religiosity is expressed and practiced in prison by male and female inmates. Secondly, they comment on the social functions that inmates attribute to religion in prison. If men and women understand and practice religion in a similar manner, on the contrary, it appears that they attribute differentiated function to religion. After sketching out their methodological approach and briefly present their data, the authors connect their findings to the idea that if the institution determines to a large extent the differences in religiosity, the institution itself is organized according to a gendered logic and thereby also promotes a gendered relation to religion.

Poll on whether rehabilitation is more beneficial than prison for offenders with a drug addiction

According to a poll commissioned by the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the majority of voters believe that offenders with a drug addiction should be placed in drug recovery programmes instead of serving a prison sentence and would prefer non-custodial programmes over prison for most offenders.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

A Study on the Feasibility of the Inclusion of General Practitioners and Prisons in the National Drug Treatment Reporting System: Plan for the Implementation of the NDTRS in Prison and GP Services

The Drug Misuse Research Division of the Health Research Board operates the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS). The system is used to provide epidemiological information on treated problem drug misuse in Ireland and informs policy makers, researchers and the general public. The NDTRS collates data from participating treatment centres in all Health Board areas, however a gap in information exists in that drug misusers in treatment units within prisons and those treated by General Practitioners are not included. This study aims to determine the feasibility of including these two groups to increase coverage of the NDTRS and outlines preliminary steps for their inclusion.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Elder Care Meals on Wheels

Elder Care Meals on Wheels provides a nutritious meal to older members of the community. Local Development Companies, The Local Authority, FAS Initiative Type Meals on Wheels Location Tipperary Target Groups Older people Funding Local Development Companies, The Local Authority, FAS Partner Agencies FÁS Local Authority Local Development COmpany

Linx Project Meals on Wheels

Our Project provides a Meals on Wheels delivery Service and a Drop in Centre five days per week.  We provide a three course meal which is made from only fresh local produce.  All soup, breads, desserts etc. are homemade. Our dinner consists of homemade soup & brown bread, Meat/Fish, two vegetables with potatoes and a dessert for €3.50.  Clients who come into our Drop in Centre avail of free tea/ coffee and biscuits throughout the day.   Initiative Type Community Food Centres Meals on Wheels Location Dublin 9 Target Groups Older people Funding HSE and Dept. Social Protection

Meals on Wheels

Please contact Crosscare for more information about this service.

The Role and Future Development of the Meals-on-Wheels Service for Older People in Ireland

This report provides, for the first time, a snapshot of the meals-on-wheels service in Ireland and gives a unique insight into client and provider perceptions of the service. The research findings underline the dual importance of the service for clients, who noted that it is a vital source of both nutritious meals and social contact and connectivity to the wider community. From a supply side perspective, the research findings point to the wide organisational diversity that exists within the service and the critical role that volunteers play, as well as highlighting difficulties that many services currently experience.

Cannabis use in a Swiss male prison: qualitative study exploring detainees' and staffs' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest a high prevalence of cannabis use before and during imprisonment, but subjective perspectives of detainees and staff towards its use in prison are lacking. This issue was explored in the framework of an observational study addressing tobacco use in three Swiss prisons in 2009 and 2010 that involved multiple strands (quantitative and qualitative components). This article presents qualitative data on cannabis use collected in one of the settings. METHODS: We used in-depth semi-structured interviews with both detainees and staff to explore their attitudes towards cannabis in one post-trial male Swiss prison. We performed specific coding and thematic analysis for cannabis with the support of ATLAS.ti, compared detainees' and staff's opinions, and considered the results with regard to drug policy in prison in general. RESULTS: 58 participants (31 male offenders, mean age 35 years, and 27 prison staff, mean age 46 years, 33% female) were interviewed. Detainees estimated the current use of cannabis use to be as high as 80%, and staff 50%. Participants showed similar opinions on effects of cannabis use that were described both at individual and institutional levels: analgesic, calming, self-help to go through the prison experience, relieve stress, facilitate sleep, prevent violence, and social pacifier. They also mentioned negative consequences of cannabis use (sleepiness, decreased perception of danger and social isolation), and dissatisfaction regarding the ongoing ambiguous situation where cannabis is forbidden but detection in the urine was not sanctioned. However, the introduction of a more restrictive regulation induced fear of violence, increased trafficking and a shift to other drug use. CONCLUSION: Although illegal, cannabis use is clearly involved in daily life in prison. A clearer and comprehensive policy addressing cannabis is needed, including appropriate measures tailored to individual users. To sustain a calm and safe environment in prison, means other than substance or medication use are required.

Losing Track of Time: Dementia and the ageing prison population

Dementia and the ageing prison population: treatment challenges and examples of good practice.The aims of this report are to scope existing research on treating and managing male offenders with cognitive impairment to identify and share examples of good practice employed by a handful of prisons around the globe.Read full report here (pdf).��

Weaning made easy moving from milk to family meals (English and translations)

As a parent you want the best start for your baby. What your child eats and drinks is important for his/her health now and in the future. The information in this leaflet may be quite different from what you have read before, or what your friends or family may tell you they did. New research is constantly being carried out into infant nutrition and the information and advice in this leaflet is based on up-to-date scientific evidence. It will help you make sure that your child is getting a good start. (Note: translations are of the 2007 version)