Describes a poetry group which encouraged the expression of memories and imagination among frail elderly residents of a nursing home over a period of nine months. Shows how it facilitated peer friendship formation, increased expression of affect, resulted in improved staff treatment of residents, and ended with the publication of an anthology. (SR)

Many gerontologists have noted the tendency of nursing homes to nurture dependency and learned helplessness in residents. To test the effectiveness of a control-relevant intervention strategy, nursing home residents (N=40) were given the opportunity to care for wild birds by tending individually placed bird feeders. Residents were assigned to one…

Assessed the effects of relocation on 40 institutionalized elderly and examined two treatment programs. Results indicated that, following relocation, low-functioning subjects exhibited an increase in passive-withdrawn behaviors while high-functioning subjects increased in active-outgoing behavior. The behavioral-skills program led to favorable…

The demand for long term care is growing as the population in need of services becomes older and frailer, and as the nature of the family, the economy, and the health care system changes. To investigate the long term care system, its characteristics, trends, financing, policies, availability, and quality of care, 700 health care professionals,…

Research on the use of paraprofessionals and trained volunteers for visitation programs with elders is limited. To determine the effects of a visitation program on nursing home residents and their college student and elder visitors, and to explore the effectiveness of special training for such visitation, nursing home residents (N=25) visited with…

Although research has demonstrated the potentially salutary effects of peer support among older persons, salutary peer support and significant interpersonal bonds are often lacking within the confines of a nursing home. A program was designed to train nursing home residents to serve as peer counselors for newly-admitted residents in an effort to…

This manual, developed for the nursing home employee, examines the concept of quality assurance in nursing homes, describes the benefits of an effective quality assurance program, and provides guidelines to aid nursing homes in developing an appropriate quality assurance program. After a brief introduction, a working definition of quality…

Reviews methodological weaknesses of studies that evaluate alternative settings and programs for long-term care of the elderly. Argues that research should provide better information and present options to clients, service providers, and policymakers, rather than studying whether one alternative is more effective than another. (Author/MJL)

Purpose: This study examined the short- and long-term effects of Adult Day Services Plus (ADS Plus), a low-cost care management intervention designed to enhance family caregiver well-being, increase service utilization, and decrease nursing home placement of impaired older adults enrolled in adult day care. Design and Methods: We used a…

Used teleconferencing to provide three-week long community college course on personality development, values, self-concept, coping, and communication skills to 14 elderly nursing home residents. Five participants chosen to illustrate diverse responses to class all showed increased involvement with others, gains in integration of new dependencies…

The Kelsey Special Care Aide inservice program is designed to educate special care aides in the skills and knowledge necessary to serve the residents of long-term care facilities. The Kelsey Institute evaluated its inservice program by administering a questionnaire to 41 aides from 8 institutions who graduated from the program and 45 aides from 8…

Purpose: We report the results of a survey of state initiatives that measure resident satisfaction in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and we describe several model programs for legislators and public administrators contemplating the initiation of their own state programs. Design and Methods: Data on state initiatives and programs…

The collaboration between the continuing education arm of the State University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome and the New York Association for Long Term Care Administrators in the design, development and delivery of educational programs for nursing home and adult home administrators in New York State is reported. Program content…

The Continuing Education Institute (CEI) established a seven-member training collaborative to upgrade the literacy and English language skills of nursing assistants, dietary aides, and housekeeping workers employed in a chronic and acute care hospital and in five Massachusetts nursing homes. Three adult basic education (ABE) classes, five…

Describes an intergenerational program in which children in an on-site child care facility interact with elderly long-term care patients. Discusses the positive effects of such interaction on both the children and the seniors. (HTH)