Considers informed consent standard inadequate for insuring autonomy in long term care. Argues for complex standard of "negotiated consent." Illuminates philosophical argument by qualitative data from interviews with physicians, nurses, and social workers in nursing homes, which demonstrated continuum of interventions ranging from…

People in the counseling profession make some profound assumptions about the freedom that all people have (or seem to have). From the moment that each counselor began counselor training, the notion that people are able to generally choose and make decisions for themselves has been associated with the dominant process models of the profession. As a…

Discusses problems and needs of the Black elderly in terms of social security, medicare and social services, and nursing homes. Also discusses the need for qualified Black personnel in programs designed for the Black elderly, and offers suggestions for legislation and funding. (CMG)

To improve well-being of nursing home residents and ensure compliance with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, programs aimed at improving quality of life must strive to satisfy higher level needs of the elderly as identified in Maslow's hierarchy. (SK)

Responsibilities of residents of long term care facilities are central to their autonomy and also set limits on their autonomy. It is important to assist residents to assume responsibilities and to express autonomy. Nursing home rules affecting residents need revision to accurately reflect resident responsibilities. Recognition of responsibilities…

Develops a perspective for studying institutional procedures for assigning incoming patients to available wards and for transferring patients between and among wards. Presents ethnographic data collected in one extended-care facility. Discusses staff-patient and patient-patient interactions surrounding ward assignments and transfers. (Author/ABB)

A Teaching Home Care Program, featuring collaboration between schools of nursing and home care agencies, could improve the quality of home care and increase the amount of data available on home care for the elderly and infirm. (Author/JOW)

Contends that attitudes of nursing home personnel have been measured inappropriately with scales based on negative stereotypes and inaccurate knowledge about the aged in the general population. Reconceptualizes attitudes from attitudes towards older people to attitudes towards behavior essential to the care of nursing home patients. (Author/ABL)

The increasing age of the American population and the current emphasis on cost containment in health care make the 1980s an ideal time for building bridges to span the health care needs of elderly persons in acute care and long-term care. While hospitals often discharge patients to nursing homes as an intermediate step between hospitalization and…

This Congressional oversight hearing was convened to examine evidence that many of the nation's nursing homes restrict or deny access to the elderly poor and disabled, leaving the 18 million Americans dependent on Medicaid especially vulnerable to neglect and exploitation. Evidence was heard on discriminatory admissions, on the practice of…

A good experiential training program in geriatrics provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the basic pharmaceutical disciplines; develop management and communication skills; formulate corrective and preventive strategies; and learn rational, safe, and effective drug use among the elderly. (MLW)

Debates the effect of relocation on elderly patients in a critique of an earlier study and a rebuttal by the original author. Questions whether patient mortality is related to the stress of moving or a simple function of age, health status, or choice. Additional evidence on relocation effects is needed. (JAC)

Families care for their elderly even when the burden is enormous, suffer guilt when institutionalization becomes necessary, and maintain contact after institutionalization. Policies must be developed to reduce premature institutionalization, help families cope with the process when it becomes necessary, and provide institutional care to those…

Although the contributions made by counseling psychologists to nursing homes has been marginal, there are several services that can be provided to long-term care facilities by psychologists. Once familiar with the pattern of nursing home life, the psychologist will be able to provide services indirectly as a consultant or trainer, and directly in…

The legal and socioeconomic factors that influence the development and operation of nursing homes and the impact of these factors on the psychological and physical conditions of those who live there are examined. Considerations for an alternative public policy that addresses the needs of the individual rather than institutional efficiency are…