Purpose: Almost half of people age 85 and older who die annually in the United States die as nursing home residents, yet because it is not always clear who is close to death, not all residents who might benefit from end-of-life care receive it. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework for organizing social interactions related to…

Purpose: The purpose of this research is twofold. The first purpose is to utilize a new methodology (Bayesian networks) for aggregating various quality indicators to measure the overall quality of care in nursing homes. The second is to provide new insight into the relationships that exist among various measures of quality and how such measures…

Purpose: This research investigates what factors affect the degree to which nursing home performance explains variance in residents' change in status of activities of daily living (ADL) after admission. Design and Methods: The database included all residents admitted in 2002 to a 10% random sample of nursing homes in the United States.…

The aging population of the world has dramatically been increasing thereby creating the need to assess and address the emotional feelings of the elderly. The intent of this qualitative study was to capture the essence or the lebenswelt of the Filipino elderly's sense of belongingness. This was accomplished by capitalizing on the power of conscious…

Describes the accomplishments of elderly Jews residing at the Toronto Baycrest Centre, a multilevel geriatric facility, who formed a memoir activity group which eventually led to publication of their memoirs. The value of the activity for the group and for other groups of older persons in general is discussed. (JAC)

In an Italian university, a multidisciplinary course in nursing home care focused on use of the Resident Assessment Instrument. Students learned to use it effectively and developed decision-making and problem-solving abilities using concepts of comprehensive geriatric assessment and multidisciplinary teamwork. (SK)

Indirect self-destructive behavior (ISDB) is associated with direct suicide potential, dissatisfaction with the treatment program and with life in general, confused reasoning and judgment, poor prognosis for discharge, the absence of religious commitment, and significant losses in the patient's life. ISDB is an alternative form of suicide. (Author)

Professionals and paraprofessionals working in long term care facilities for institutionalized older people come from various educational backgrounds. To investigate the learning needs of long term care employees in gerontology, and to determine the validity of the Foundations for Gerontological Education Project as it relates to long term care…

This paper describes a new model for teaching nursing homes, which places a strong emphasis on teamwork by combining the resources of a comprehensive retirement community and three universities to train faculty, students, and staff, and to generate research basic to geriatric care. The four organizations involved in the project (Southwestern Ohio…

To develop alternatives to institutionalization, more emphasis needs to be placed on supports permitting care within the family unit. Presents an example of one family that deinstitutionalized an older confused family member. (Author)

Addressed a need for enlargement of music when retirement home residents were deprived of a self-fulfillment opportunity from choir activities due to failing eyesight. A photographic process yielded the needed feasible large reproductions. Innovative application of this technique affords wide-ranging potential for positive benefit beyond music…

Examined the use of public services by 1,080 Norwegian older adults. Results showed more than one-third use public services for the aged (i.e., are institutionalized or receive home help or home nursing). The use of services is affected by both need and demand factors. The family's role is discussed. (JAC)

Examines some of the difficulties encountered when elderly married couples apply for admission to an institution. (HMV)

This paper describes the observations and experiences of a graduate student employed as a nurse's aide in a home for the aged. The difficulties encountered in attempting to apply traditional psychological methodology are discussed, and detailed anecdotal reports on individual cases are presented. (GO)

Reviews family support to the elderly in America. The seven articles discuss stress factors affecting caregivers, helping behavior of adult children, racial and cohort variables, the family as a support resource in nursing home care, and improving helping skills. (JAC)