An extension of the service role for college student volunteers in nursing homes is advocacy, representing the interests of those unable to obtain their rights. The article describes various student advocacy programs and suggests resources for action on nursing home complaints. (MF)

This discussion of collection development considers (1) special problems as they relate to specific types of institutions--nursing, long term residential, psychiatric and developmental; (2) acquisition; (3) organization--classification, cataloging, and physical arrangement; (4) use--circulation, special methods, and the role of librarians; and (5)…

Reports on the prevalence of behavior disorders in a sample of residents (N=360) in adult day health care programs. Findings indicate relatively high rates of behavior disorders. Most prevalent were the affective disorders (seeking reassurance, depression, crying) and verbal-vocal agitation. Differences between formal and informal caregivers'…

Literature on health professionals describes the problems associated with unresolved or poorly resolved grief. Previous research has indicated that the most important reason why health professionals stay in their jobs is their relationship to patients. This study examined how nursing home personnel resolve their grief following deaths of clients.…

Author outlines in detail how to improve health care in nursing homes by involving nurses, doctors, patients and their families in a teamwork approach to the patients' condition and care. (PD)

Derived a representative national nursing home admissions cohort with 1977 survey data. Found that high proportions of admissions have short lengths of stay and are discharged within the same calendar year. (Author/RC)

A senior center activities program was made accessible to nursing home patients through a project called Centercare. Nursing home patients (N=144) from seven different institutions made 4370 senior center visits over a 33-month period. Project results indicate a senior center can successfully provide the institutionalized elderly with social and…

Analyzed demographic, cancer, physical functioning and psychological data for late-stage cancer, newly admitted nursing home patients (n=90). Concluded that, compared to survivors, those who died within a three-month period more often acknowledged their condition as terminal, anticipated greater environmental stress and adjustment problems and had…

Examines behavioral differences between for-profit (FP) and not-for-profit (NFP) nursing homes. Uses a simultaneous equation model to control for potential endogeneity among system variables, with model parameters estimated using 3SLS. Provides evidence that NFPs provide significantly higher quality care to Medicaid beneficiaries and to self-pay…

Purpose: Decisions concerning end-of-life care depend on information contained in advance directives that are documented in residents' charts in the nursing home. The availability of that information depends on the quality of the chart and on the location of the information in the chart. No research was found that compared directives by the manner…

Studied discharge plans for 369 African American and white elderly patients and examined posthospital care options pursued by social workers, patients, and families. Discharge planning with African American patients and family members involved less pursuit of nursing home care and more pursuit of formal services in the home than planning with…

This study compared 187 patients discharged from a Veterans Administration hospital rehabilitation unit with 215 discharges that occurred following implementation of a prospective payment system. There were no significant differences in demographics, self-care ability, or readmissions. Length of stay and referrals for home health care decreased,…

The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance to data management staff within health planning agencies concerning the assemblage, analysis, and application of data for the purposes of health planning and resources development. Detailed information concerning practical, step-by-step approaches to data acquisition, analysis, and use is…

Argues that adjustment to nursing homes is influenced by peer group and staff-patient interaction. Concludes that both staff and residents place demands and expectations on newcomers' conduct, and staff define successful and unsuccessful adjustment so that patients are constrained in the range of socially acceptable behavior they are permitted to…

A survey of 104 individuals of non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESBs) living in South Australia nursing homes and personal care homes and staff of 75 institution housing NESB residents is reported. The study's objectives was to determine the culturally-based needs of the residents and the provision of culturally appropriate services to them. The…