Thirty-two facilities for the elderly in Spain were compared with 55 such facilities in the United States through a Spanish translation of the Multiphasic Environmental Assessment Procedure of R. Moos and S. Lemke (1979). Implications of program findings for facility improvement and methodology for international evaluation are discussed. (SLD)

Analysis of the 1977 and 1985 National Nursing Home Surveys with respect to residents with mental retardation found little change in the size of the population; resident characteristics (such as other disabling conditions and functional limitations and primary source of payment); and level of services received. Challenges in implementing Public…

Presents an intervention, used in the Netherlands, that empowers clients in residential care homes. The intervention comprises a standardized survey-feedback procedure in which residents' opinions on life and care in their particular home are gauged, discussed, and reported. Explores instrument validity, reliability, and its use in the home. (RJM)

Describes a workshop in which family members and friends of persons with dementing disorders who live in nursing homes develop stories of these residents' lives. The workshop is product-oriented, is not meant as a support group, and works best in organizations emphasizing individualized care. Stories should help staff members better understand…

The effects of resident behavior and resident characteristics on the quantity and quality of care 452 residents with severe mental retardation received from 416 direct-care staff was examined. Results found certain resident characteristics, and behavior did influence specific aspects of the care they received, especially ambulance, communication,…

Describes Nokomis/Mishomis Place, an assisted living home for elders of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Discusses background on Native American elderly in the United States and Michigan, development of the home, services offered, culturally relevant environment and activities, funding, and problems related to facilities planning…

Examined the effects on veteran and novice participants of a life review program for nursing home residents with Alzheimers disease or severe cognitive dysfunction. Results confirm the impact of the Life Review Program on level of disorientation, social interaction, and life review. Evidence suggests that life improvements may be stored in memory…

Draws on information collected from 877 subjects in Hong Kong using structured questionnaires to highlight the importance of parental involvement in the child's prospects of returning home from residential care. Challenges decisions in discharge planning that do not take into account an overall view of the child's needs. (MOK)

Presents successful training strategies for implementing the "Looking After Children" materials for children in out-of-home care in English local authorities. Discusses the need to implement the materials at all levels of the organization, introduce the materials as a creative work tool, and use the resulting data in research and…

Examined the frequency and nature of mental health problems and symptoms among a group of 51 inner city male adolescents attending a teen health clinic. Results indicated participants experienced significant mental health problems and symptoms, such as relationship problems, problems with time and money, and symptoms of anger, depression, and…

This study examined the degree to which local systems of care in Vermont shared responsibility for children and adolescents and four service delivery outcomes over a 4-year period. Results indicated that greater caseload integration is associated with less referral for residential treatment and higher rates of incarceration. (Contains references.)…

Purpose: This article describes, and provides data on, an innovative, comprehensive, dementia-specific training program designed to teach direct care staff in assisted living residences to improve care and reduce problems in residents with dementia. Design and Methods: STAR--which stands for Staff Training in Assisted living Residences- provides…

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new, integrated service delivery (ISD) network of health and social services for frail elderly living in a semi-urban community. A quasi-experimental study was conducted from 1997 to 2000, with measures taken before implementation (T0) and every 12 months after implementation for a 3-year…

Families are critical to understanding and interrupting patterns of delinquent and criminal behavior. The objective of this study was to determine whether specific types of contact with family members are associated with a reduced risk of recidivism after a long-term residential program for juvenile delinquents. Family contact reports were…

At least three circumstances have converged to focus attention on the outcomes associated with residential treatment. First, the reduction in lengths of stay in the psychiatric hospital has resulted in residential treatment becoming the most expensive service on a per episode basis. Second, the increasing emphasis on the identification and use of…