This study examined outcomes for faculty and community partners of a gerontological curriculum enrichment effort at a midwestern state university. The study was supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation. Faculty from three academic centers around the state were involved in revising the foundation (core) curriculum. Community practitioners from…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of diagnosis and treatment of depression with anhedonic and dysphoric symptom presentation, using the Minimum Data Set 2.0. Participants were from two sectors of longterm care: 70 nursing home residents and 92 residents in a Veterans' Care Service. The samples differed in their sex…

This study demonstrates that the actual percentage of persons dying in nursing homes and extended care facilities far exceeds the commonly held five percent. (Author)

Conducted descriptive analysis of 31 private long-term care insurance policies. Examined policies for premium rates, extent and levels of coverage, restrictions of eligibility to purchase a policy, and indemnity payment levels. Findings suggest that policies are expensive, impose numerous restrictions, offer limited coverage for certain services,…

Examines the impact of isolated patient transfers on institutional dependency. The patient sample consisted of 108 transfers and 759 long-term patients in a variety of old age institutions in New York state. Analysis revealed that transfer per se does not affect subsequent dependency. (Author)

Analyzed national survey data on nursing home ombudsman programs to document three alternative formulations of advocacy: (1) individualized/developmentally focused; (2) individualized/patients' rights-focused, and (3) facility/patients' rights-focused. Programmatic efforts will be required to address disparities in conceptions of appropriate…

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, affected the psychological health of individuals of all ages in the U.S. Compared to other age groups, older adults often experience more difficulty in obtaining disaster assistance. Therefore, an outreach team was formed specifically to assist nursing home residents as part of a community effort at a…

Surveyed 577 nurses and nurse's aides working in long-term care facilities to examine abuse of nursing home residents by staff. Respondents indicated that abuse did occur and significant minority of respondents reported having themselves committed physically or psychologically abusive actions. Findings suggest that abuse may be common part of…

Examines theoretical approaches and nature of evidence typically brought to bear in addressing issue of elderly African Americans being admitted to nursing homes at one-half to three-quarters the rate of elderly whites. Notes that double jeopardy hypothesis effectively describes but does not explain apparent racial inequities in use of…

Purpose: Barriers to family involvement in the nursing home with the potential for change through intervention are examined, including transportation, caregiver health, relationships with staff, and resident characteristics. Design and Methods: Data were collected for 93 family caregiver-resident pairs by means of telephone interviews and chart…

The older adult population in America will significantly increase in the future. Older adults have important needs for recreation and leisure services (Beland, 2002). The author taught a class titled "Leisure Services for Older Adults" for over 24 years at the University of Florida. He has taught gerontology and recreation by teaching…

This study assessed the relationships of assertiveness, depression, and social support among nursing home residents. The sample included 50 older nursing home residents (mean age=75 years; 75% female; 92% Caucasian). There was a significant correlation between assertiveness and depression (r=-.33), but the correlations between social support and…

Older persons (N = 159) were surveyed for their impressions of and experiences with elderspeak from friends, same-age family members, younger family members, familiar service workers, and unfamiliar service workers. Two dimensions, "warmth" and "superiority," emerged in the judgments of elderspeak from all five speaker types. Respondents perceived…

Geragogy as a part of gerontology seems to be established in aging societies. Also, geragogy as a form of education for elderly people, learning in the third age, is nowadays an integrated part of agogy. On the other hand, the increase in the number of people of the fourth age, the oldest of the old, handicapped elderly people in nursing homes, is…

Text of a Congressional hearing examining the 10-year-old Long-Term-Care Ombudsman Program funded under the Older Americans Act is presented in this document. Opening remarks are given by Representatives Wyden, Snowe, Biaggi, and Robinson. Witnesses testifying include: (1) Michio Suzuki, Associate Commissioner, Office of State and Tribal Programs,…